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Horn, Des

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Des Horn in his knifemaking workshop

Des Horn (b. 1947) is a knifemaker based out of Cape Town South, South Africa. He started knifemaking as a young schoolboy and has been designing and making art knives for over 40 years. Des believes that a custom knife should embody excellence in design, material selection, and construction.

Des is renowned for his high-quality workmanship, use of exotic materials, creative designs and mechanisms. His knives have won awards all around the world. He was included in the book Greatest Living Knifemakers by Steve Shackleford.

His background in dentistry honed his precision and quest for perfection and fine details. His passion for gunsmithing and competitive shooting further refined his eye for detail. As an expert marksman, he proudly represented South Africa in various shooting competitions. Notably, Des co-designed the 9mm Hawk pistol.

Des is dedicated to extracting the best from every material at his disposal. Decades of continuous development allowed him to perfect every aspect of his creations, from precision folder mechanisms to the selection of flawless materials for handles and frames, as well as the finest steels for blades. Each component is machined, finished and meticulously fitted by hand. His hand ground blades are usually made from RWL-34, Damasteel, or Damacore. Each blade undergoes a cryogenic quench in liquid nitrogen after hardening and then a double temper. This results in the blade having a hardness of between 61 and 63 Rockwell with unsurpassed sharpness, optimal edge-holding ability and toughness. Des prefers using stainless materials in a working, folding knife. His handle materials include solid gold, titanium, 4.5 billion year old Gibeon meteorite and sterling silver in combination with mammoth ivory, black and goldlip mother of pearl and hardwoods such as pink ivory, sneezewood, and snakewood.

Des believes a knife is first and foremost a working tool and secondarily a piece of art. Whether practical, collectable, or artistic, a knife should support this principle. His world class knives could easily be the pinnacle of any serious knife collection.

Des’ numerous awards include:

  • 2024 - Prix d’Honneur - SICAC Show, Paris, France
  • 2024 - Best Gentleman’s Folder - Knifemakers’ Guild of Southern Africa Show, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • 2024 - Best Bird & Trout - Knifemakers’ Guild of Southern Africa Show, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • 2023 - Best Gentleman’s Folder - Knifemakers’ Guild of Southern Africa Show, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • 2019 - Best Gentleman’s Folder - Knifemakers’ Guild of Southern Africa Show, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • 2018 - Best Bird & Trout - Knifemakers’ Guild of Southern Africa Show, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • 2016 - Best Art Folder - Knifemakers’ Guild of Southern Africa Show, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • 2015 - Best Gentleman’s Folder - Knifemakers’ Guild of Southern Africa Show, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • 2015 - Best Art Folder - Knifemakers’ Guild of Southern Africa Show, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • 2014 - Best Gentleman’s Tactical Folder - Knifemakers’ Guild of Southern Africa Show, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • 2014 - Best Gentleman’s Folder - Knifemakers’ Guild of Southern Africa Show, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • 2014 – Best Art Knife - USN, Las Vegas, USA
  • 2012 - Best Folding Knife - Helsinki Knife Show, Finland
  • 2011 - Trofeo Mara Bianda, Switzerland
  • 2008 - Messer des Jahres - Solingen, Germany
  • 2008 - Award of excellence - Knifemakers’ Guild of Southern Africa Show, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • 2007 - Knife Award - USA Guild Show, Orlando, USA
  • 2006 - Messer des Jahres, Solingen, Germany
  • 2005 - Award of Excellence - Knifemakers’ Guild of Southern Africa Show, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • 2003 - “Miglior Coltella Colp di Fulmine” - Mostra Internazionale Coltella D’Arte, Rome, Italy
  • 2002 - Espolamo “Premio Miglior Chiudibilw” - Lugano, Switzerland
  • 2001 - Prix Special du Jury - S.I.C.A.C, Paris, France
  • 1999 - Award of Excellence - Knifemakers’ Guild of Southern Africa Show, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • 1998 - Premio “Miglior Pieghevole” - Corporazione Italiana Coltellinai, Milan, Italy
  • 1997 - Award of Excellence - Knifemakers’ Guild of Southern Africa Show, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • 1996 - Best Folding Knife - Pliant, Cannes, France
  • 1996 - Award of Excellence - Knifemakers’ Guild of Southern Africa Show, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • 1994 - Award of Excellence - Knifemakers’ Guild of Southern Africa Show, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • 1992 - Award of Excellence - Knifemakers’ Guild of Southern Africa Show, Johannesburg, South Africa

Affiliations:

  • Knifemakers' Guild of Southern Africa

Des Horn in his knifemaking workshop

PREVIOUSLY SOLD ITEMS
(NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE)
Baby Imvubu Ultra-light Folder with Blue G-10 and Damasteel
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Baby Imvubu Ultra-light Folder with Marble Carbon Fiber and Damasteel
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Baby Imvubu Ultra-light Folder with Orange G-10 and Damasteel
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Baby Imvubu Ultra-light Folder with Yellow G-10 and Damasteel
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Backlock Folder with Mercury Effect Steel and Pietersite
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Ball Release Folder with Mother of Pearl and Damascus
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Ball Release Front Flipper with Carbon Fiber and Titanium - Nitrobe 77
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Ball Release Front Flipper with Silver Strike Carbon Fiber and Engraved Titanium
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Ball Release Front Flipper with Silver Strike Carbon Fiber and Mercury Effect Zirconium - Nitrobe 77
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Ball Release Front Flipper with Whitelip Mother of Pearl and Engraved Zirconium
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Ball Release Front Flipper with Whitelip Mother of Pearl and Engraved Zirconium
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Barrel Front Flipper with Damasteel and Prism Titanium
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Damascus Backlock Folder with Mercury Effect Steel and Pietersite
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Damascus Ball Release Front Flipper with Hippo Tooth
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Damascus Ball Release Front Flipper with Hippo Tooth
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Damascus Ball Release with Sneezewood and Mercury Effect Bolsters
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Damascus Boot Grind Backlock Folder with Pietersite
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Damascus Large Ball Release Front Flipper with Snakewood
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Damasteel HBP80 Front Flipper
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Damasteel HBP80 Front Flipper
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Engraved Backlock Interframe Folder with Blacklip Mother of Pearl and Damascus
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Engraved Damascus Ball Release with Wild Olive Wood Burl
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Engraved Large Ball Release Front Flipper with Mammoth Ivory
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Executive Point Ultra-Light with Carbon Fiber- Nitrobe 77
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Flipvubu with Carved Handle and Damascus (IKBS)
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Flipvubu with Damasteel and Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
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Flipvubu with Damasteel and Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
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Flipvubu with Damasteel and Twist Carbon Fiber
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Flipvubu with Damasteel, Mercury Effect Zirconium, and Black and Blue Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
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Flipvubu with Damasteel, Timascus, and C-Tek (IKBS)
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Flipvubu with Damasteel, Titanium Damascus, and Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber (Ceramic Bearings)
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Flipvubu with Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
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Flipvubu with Mercury Effect Zirconium and Silver Strike Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
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HBP80 Front Flipper with FatCarbon - Nitrobe 77
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HBP80 Front Flipper with Gibeon Meteorite and Damacore
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Imvubu Front Flipper with Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Imvubu Front Flipper with Chatoyant FatCarbon - Nitrobe 77
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Imvubu Front Flipper with Marble Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Imvubu Front Flipper with Marble Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Imvubu Front Flipper with Nitrobe 77 and Silver Strike Carbon Fiber
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Imvubu Front Flipper with Silver Strike Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Imvubu with Carbon Fiber and RWL 34
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Imvubu with Carbon Fiber and RWL 34
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Imvubu with Carbon Fiber and RWL 34
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Imvubu with Damasteel and Carbon Fiber
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Imvubu with Damasteel and Carbon Fiber
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Imvubu with Nitrobe 77 and Silver Strike Carbon Fiber
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Imvubu with Twist G-10 and RWL-34
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Large Ball Release Folder with Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber
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Large Ball Release Folder with Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber and Damascus
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Large Ball Release Front Flipper with Damasteel and Blue/Silver Carbon Fiber
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Large Ball Release Front Flipper with Damasteel and Blue/Silver Carbon Fiber
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Large Ball Release Front Flipper with Damasteel and Carbon Fiber
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Large Ball Release Front Flipper with Damasteel and Carbon Fiber
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Large Ball Release Front Flipper with Damasteel and Hippo Tooth
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Large Ball Release Front Flipper with Damasteel and Hippo Tooth
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Large Ball Release Front Flipper with Damasteel and Hippo Tooth
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Large Ball Release Front Flipper with Damasteel and Hippo Tooth
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Large Ball Release Front Flipper with Damasteel and Mammoth Ivory
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Large Ball Release Front Flipper with Damasteel, Hippo Tooth and Mercury Effect Zirconium
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Large Ball Release Front Flipper with Damasteel, Pink Ivoy and Mercury Effect Zirconium
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Large Ball Release Front Flipper with Mammoth Ivory and Damascus
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Large Ball Release Front Flipper with Mammoth Ivory and Damascus
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Large Ball Release Front Flipper with Snakewood and Engraved Zirconium
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Large Ball Release Front Flipper with Snakewood, Damascus, and Engraved Zirconium
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Large Engraved Ball Release Folder with Mammoth Ivory
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Model 16 Front Flipper with Damasteel and Gold
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Model 16 Front Flipper with Zirconium - Damacore
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Model 450 Front Flipper with Damasteel and Gold
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Model 450 Front Flipper with Damasteel and Gold
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Model 450 Ultra-Light Front Flipper with Blue/Silver Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Model 450 Ultra-Light Front Flipper with Blue/Silver Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Model 450 Ultra-Light Front Flipper with Blue/Silver Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Model 450 Ultra-Light Front Flipper with Bronze/Silver Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Model 450 Ultra-Light Front Flipper with Bronze/Silver Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Model 450 Ultra-Light Front Flipper with Bronze/Silver Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Model 450 Ultra-Light Front Flipper with Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Model 450 Ultra-Light Front Flipper with Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Model 450 Ultra-Light Front Flipper with Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Model 450 Ultra-Light Front Flipper with Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Model 450 Ultra-Light Front Flipper with Damascus Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Model 450 Ultra-Light Front Flipper with Electric Blue Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Model 450 Ultra-Light Front Flipper with Electric Blue Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Model 450 Ultra-Light Front Flipper with Electric Blue Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Model 450 Ultra-Light Front Flipper with Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Model 450 Ultra-Light Front Flipper with Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Model 450 Ultra-Light Front Flipper with Marble Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Model 450 Ultra-Light Front Flipper with Marble Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Model 450 Ultra-Light Front Flipper with Marble Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Model 450 Ultra-Light Front Flipper with Nitrobe 77 and Marbled Carbon Fiber
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Model 450 Ultra-Light with Blue/Black Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Model 450 Ultra-Light with Damasteel and Blue/Silver Carbon Fiber
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Model 450 Ultra-Light with Damasteel and Blue/Silver Carbon Fiber
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Model 450 Ultra-Light with Damasteel and Blue/Silver Carbon Fiber
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Model 450 Ultra-Light with Damasteel and Uni-Directional Carbon Fiber
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Model 450 Ultra-Light with Marble Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Model 450 Ultra-Light with Nitrobe 77 and Blue/Black Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber
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Model 450 Ultra-Light with Nitrobe 77 and Carbon Fiber
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Model 450 Ultra-Light with Nitrobe 77 and Carbon Fiber
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Model 450 Ultra-Light with Nitrobe 77 and Carbon Fiber
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Model 450 Ultra-Light with Nitrobe 77 and G10
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Model 450 Ultra-Light with Nitrobe 77 and Marbled Carbon Fiber
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Model 450 Ultra-Light with Nitrobe 77 and Marbled Carbon Fiber
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Model 450 Ultra-Light with Nitrobe 77 and Marbled Carbon Fiber
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Model 450 Ultra-Light with Nitrobe 77 and Marbled Carbon Fiber
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Model 450 Ultra-Light with Nitrobe 77 and Marbled Carbon Fiber
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Model 450 Ultra-Light with Nitrobe 77 and Marbled Carbon Fiber
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Model 450 Ultra-Light with Polished Marble Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Model 450 with Pietersite and Damasteel
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Shinkansen Bullet Front Flipper with Blue/Silver Carbon Fiber, Timascus, and Damascus
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Shinkansen Bullet Front Flipper with Blue/Silver Carbon Fiber, Zirconium, and Damascus
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Shinkansen Bullet Front Flipper with Carbon Fiber and Damasteel
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Shinkansen Bullet Front Flipper with Damasteel and Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber
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Shinkansen Bullet Front Flipper with Damasteel and Silver Strike Carbon Fiber
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Shinkansen Bullet Front Flipper with Snakewood and Damascus
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Slimflip Front Flipper with C-Tek and Damasteel
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SlimFlip Front Flipper with Carbon Fiber and Damasteel - Nitrobe-77
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SlimFlip Front Flipper with Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber and Damasteel - Nitrobe-77
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SlimFlip with Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe-77
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SlimFlip with Carbon Fiber and Titanium Damascus - Nitrobe-77
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SlimFlip with Nitrobe-77 and Marbled Carbon Fiber
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Slimvubu with Black/Blue Chatoyant Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Slimvubu with Black/Blue Chatoyant Carbon Fiber - RWL-34
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Slimvubu with Carbon Fiber
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Slimvubu with Carbon Fiber
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Slimvubu with Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Slimvubu with Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Slimvubu with Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Slimvubu with Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Slimvubu with Carbon Fiber - RWL-34
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Slimvubu with Damascus and Carbon Fiber
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Slimvubu with Damascus and Marbled Carbon Fiber
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Slimvubu with Damascus Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Slimvubu with Damascus Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Slimvubu with Damasteel and Twist Carbon Fiber
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Slimvubu with Damasteel and Twist Carbon Fiber
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Slimvubu with Fluted Stainless Steel - Nitrobe 77
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Slimvubu with Nitrobe 77 and Carbon Fiber
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Slimvubu with Nitrobe 77 and Carbon Fiber
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Slimvubu with Nitrobe 77 and Twist Carbon Fiber
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Slimvubu with Nitrobe 77 and Twist Carbon Fiber
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Slimvubu with Nitrobe 77 and Twist G10
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Slimvubu with RWL34 and Twist Carbon Fiber
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Slimvubu with Twist Carbon Fiber - Nitrobe 77
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Slimvubu with Twist G10 - Nitrobe 77
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Small Ball Release Folder with Blacklip Mother of Pearl and Damacore San Mai
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Small Ball Release Folder with Damascus - Damacore San Mai
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Small Ball Release Folder with Mammoth Ivory and Damacore San Mai
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Small Ball Release Front Flipper with Damasteel and Carbon Fiber
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Small Ball Release Front Flipper with Damasteel and Carbon Fiber
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Small Ball Release Front Flipper with Damasteel and Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber
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Small Ball Release Front Flipper with Damasteel and Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber
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Small Ball Release Front Flipper with Damasteel and Silver Strike Carbon Fiber
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Small Ball Release Front Flipper with Mammoth Ivory and Engraved Zirconium
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Small Ball Release Front Flipper with Raffir and Damascus
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Small Ball Release with Mammoth Ivory and Meteorite
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Small Imvubu Ultra-Light with Damascus
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Thiers 10 Front Flipper with Damascus and Gabon Ebony
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Thiers 10 Front Flipper with Damasteel and Snakewood
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Thiers 10 Front Flipper with Damasteel, Carbon Fiber, and Mercury Effect Zirconium
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Thiers 10 Front Flipper with Damasteel, Mammoth, and Meteorite
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Thiers 8 Front Flipper with Damasteel and Carbon Fiber
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Thiers 8 Front Flipper with Damasteel, Mammoth, and Meteorite
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Thiers 9 Front Flipper with Damasteel and Blue Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber
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Thiers Model 10 Linerlock with Damasteel and Lighting Strike Carbon Fiber - Extra Mammoth Ivory Scales Included!
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Titanium and Damascus Gent
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