HB11 Flipper with Damascus, Westinghouse Micarta, and Engraved Zirconium (Ceramic IKBS)

Product Description for HB11 Flipper with Damascus, Westinghouse Micarta, and Engraved Zirconium (Ceramic IKBS)

Maker: Herucus Blomerus (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 105057
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 3.80 in.
Cutting edge length: 3.50 in.
Total length: 8.70 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.05 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.16 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.16 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.05 in.
Item weight: 6.00 oz.
Shipment weight: 7.4 oz.
Blade: Intrepid stainless damascus forged by Chad Nichols
Bolster: Zirconium hand engraved and inlaid with 24K gold by Julien Marchal
Handle: Antique Westinghouse Micarta set on anodized titanium liners
Sheath: Padded pouch
Style: Linerlock flipper with ceramic IKBS bearing pivot
Description: This folding knife was made by South African knifemaker Herucus Blomerus. A resident of Pretoria, Herucus (pronounced 'eh-roo-koos') has been a proud member of the South African Knifemakers Guild since 2005. Herucus' folders combine incredibly smooth action with a high level of fit and finish.
The blade is perfectly centered with silky smooth, drop shut action -- easily opened with one hand using the ambidextrous flipper toggle. It 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 HB17 Flipper was 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.
The drop point blade is Intrepid pattern stainless damascus forged by Chad Nichols. The steel will have exceptional edge holding and is immediately captivating. The flats are polished to a mirror, nearly eliminating the pattern, whereas the hollow grinds feature a deep etch. The combined finishes are exquisite, emphasizing the perfect, clean grind lines.
Zirconium bolsters are meticulously engraved and inlaid with 24k gold accents by Julien Marchal. Belgium-born artist Marchal studied engraving and gun making at Léon Mignon Liège in Belgium and now lives in South Africa. The scroll engraving shows his tremendous attention to detail, depth of shading and elegant designs.
Handle scales are very rare antique Westinghouse Micarta. This Micarta was developed in 1910 by Westinghouse Electric Corporation as an industrial thermo-set laminate for electrical insulation. This light toned Micarta was lost in a warehouse and only recently discovered. The surface shows the beautiful yellowing with age that makes this rare Micarta so captivating. The scales are set on blue anodized and fileworked titanium liners. The liners surround a matching Intrepid damascus backbar. The 3D machined zirconium pocket clip is mounted for right-side, tip-up carry.
Exceptional work throughout!


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