L19 Flipper with Silver Twill and Zirconium (Ceramic IKBS) - M390

Product Description for L19 Flipper with Silver Twill and Zirconium (Ceramic IKBS) - M390

Maker: André E. Thorburn (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 101337
Blade length: 3.40 in.
Cutting edge length: 3.30 in.
Total length: 7.80 in.
Blade height (at heel): 0.75 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.12 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.11 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.05 in.
Item weight: 3.40 oz.
Shipment weight: 5.2 oz.
Blade: Differentially finished Bohler M390 stainless steel, hardened to 61 Hrc
Bolster: Textured and anodized zirconium
Handle: Silver twill
Sheath: Cordura pouch
Style: Ceramic IKBS flipper folding liner lock
Description: South African knifemaker André Thorburn creates an exceptional folder. The blade is perfectly centered and silky smooth -- easily opened with one hand using the discreet and ambidextrous flipper toggle. The blade uses the IKBS (Ikoma Korth Bearing System) pivot system. This mechanism, which was originally designed to fit balisong knives, uses ball bearings to create exceptional action with no blade play. This special folder is made with ceramic ball bearings. Generally IKBS bearings are made either from tool steel or from stainless steel. Stainless steel can wear away, resulting in uneven action over time. Tool steel bearings can oxidize making the action rough. Ceramic bearings are the best of all worlds -- extremely hard and wear resistant, they are also inert and will not oxidize. Andre is a master of the IKBS pivot and this is as smooth as a knife gets!
The blade is formed from M390 stainless steel, a super-steel created by Bohler in Austria. M390 takes an incredibly sharp edge and holds onto it due to its high concentration of vanadium and chromium carbides. Its unique powdered metallurgical process also promotes a uniform carbide distribution and clean steel properties, making M390 a popular steel used in surgical cutting instruments and in applications requiring a high finish. It offers excellent corrosion resistance due to its high concentration of chromium. The blade is hand hollow ground for an easy to maintain edge.
Handle scales are formed from silver twill. Jimping on the thumb ramp provides a comfortable, secure grip. The gently rounded handle feels sturdy and fills out the hand perfectly. This combination nicely complements textured and engraved zirconium bolsters. Zirconium is a transitional metal that is primarily mined in South Africa and Australia. It is highly resistant to corrosion and scratching. The handle is completed blue anodized and fileworked titanium liners and a 3D machined titanium pocket clip with ceramic retention ball mounted for right-handed, tip-up carry.
Excellent work throughout!


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