TF-4 Front Flipper -- Full Damasteel (Ceramic IKBS)

Product Description for TF-4 Front Flipper -- Full Damasteel (Ceramic IKBS)

Maker: Francois du Toit (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 106269
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 3.40 in.
Cutting edge length: 3.30 in.
Total length: 8.00 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.20 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.12 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.10 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.07 in.
Item weight: 7.20 oz.
Shipment weight: 9.6 oz.
Blade: Hand ground Damasteel stainless damascus
Handle: Damasteel stainless damascus
Style: Folding liner lock with ceramic IKBS
Description: Francois du Toit was born (in 1982) and raised in De Aar, South Africa. He developed the skills needed to improvise and work with his hands at an early age. He worked in the construction industry until April 2019 when he met a well known knifemaker from the area, Deon Nel. Deon guided Francois through the basics, from grinding blades to providing an excellent fit and finish on knives. Like Deon, Francois has a tremendous attention to detail with an exceptional fit and finish. He later met Anton van der Westhuizen who introduced him into the art of making custom folding knives. He joined the Cape Knifemaker's Guild in September 2019 with the intention of providing the highest quality custom knives he could produce. He prefers creating knives with his hands and currently uses no CNC machines in his process.
This TF-4 Front Flipper is perfectly centered with silky-smooth, drop shut action. The flipper opening is tremendously easy to use for quick deployment. 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 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.
The blade and handle scales are stainless damascus forged by Damasteel in Sweden. This high performing stainless damascus is created using powder metallurgical steel manufacturing to provide excellent edge retention and unmatched beauty. The high contrast pattern is revealed in the grinds. The flats are mirror polished, nearly hiding the pattern. It is hollow ground by hand for an easy to maintain edge.
Damasteel handle scales are set on bronze anodized titanium liners. The custom Damasteel pivot is surrounded by a domed Damasteel pivot collar. The liners surround a matching Damasteel backspacer. The 3D machined Damasteel stainless damascus pocket clip is mounted for right-side, tip-up carry.
Excellent work throughout!


Availability: Not currently available