Kingfisher: L20 Front Flipper with SG2 San Mai Damascus and Shred Carbon Fiber (Ceramic IKBS)

Product Description for Kingfisher: L20 Front Flipper with SG2 San Mai Damascus and Shred Carbon Fiber (Ceramic IKBS)

Maker: André E. Thorburn (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 105621
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 4.00 in.
Cutting edge length: 3.90 in.
Total length: 8.80 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.00 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.13 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.12 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.05 in.
Item weight: 4.40 oz.
Shipment weight: 7.2 oz.
Blade: San mai damascus blade with an SG2 powdered metallurgical stainless steel core (Hrc 63-64)
Bolster: Engraved, heat colored, and differentially anodized zirconium
Handle: Shred carbon fiber set on anodized, fileworked titanium liners
Sheath: Cordura pouch
Style: Folding linerlock flipper with ceramic IKBS bearing pivot
Description: South African knifemaker André Thorburn creates an exceptional folder. The blade is perfectly centered and has silky-smooth, drop-shut action. When combined with the IKBS ball bearing system, the action is exceptional! The Ikoma Korth Bearing System (IKBS) was originally designed to fit balisong knives and uses ball bearings to create exceptional action with no blade play. This special IKBS knife was created 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. It is easily opened with the discrete front flipper tab. Andre is a master of IKBS and this folder has action that is as smooth as it gets!
The blade is formed from stainless damascus san mai. A central bar of Takefu SG2 powdered metallurgical stainless steel is surrounded by alternating layers of stainless steel and nickel. At Hrc 63-64, this folder has among the best edge holding of any Thorburn knife ever made. The resulting damascus is high contrast and immediately captivating. The linear damascus reveals Andre's complex, super-clean grind. The flats are mirror polished, nearly hiding the pattern. The blade is hollow ground for an easy to maintain edge.
Handle scales are shred. Jimping on the thumb ramp provides a comfortable, secure grip. The gently rounded handle feels sturdy and fills the hand perfectly. Zirconium bolsters are heat colored, hand engraved, textured, and differentially anodized by Marietjie Thorburn. The bolsters depict a detailed kingfisher standing in reeds. This bolster is among Marietjie's masterpieces to date. Fileworked titanium liners are differentially anodized. The liners surround a black G10 backbar. The 3D machined TiAlN titanium pocket clip with ceramic retention ball is mounted for right-side, tip-up carry.
Excellent work throughout!
BladeGallery.com is proud to be the exclusive distributor and recommended repair shop in the United States for André Thorburn's knives!


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