A8 Flipper with Carbon Fiber (Ceramic IKBS)

Product Description for A8 Flipper with Carbon Fiber (Ceramic IKBS)

Maker: Andre Van Heerden (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 98328
Blade length: 3.75 in.
Cutting edge length: 3.30 in.
Total length: 8.50 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.40 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.16 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.11 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.04 in.
Item weight: 6.00 oz.
Shipment weight: 5.0 oz.
Blade: Satin finished RWL-34 premium stainless steel
Handle: Carbon fiber
Sheath: Cordura pouch
Style: Ceramic IKBS linerlock folder with flipper
Description: South African knifemakers André Thorburn and André van Heerden create exceptional folders at an amazingly low price and tremendously high skill level. They recently decided to collaborate on knives together -- creating their A2 knives. A2 collaborated on this knife with French designer Tashi Bharucha! Tashi's bold, modernistic curves are readily apparent, and combined with A2's acute attention to detail, the results are a precision made piece with artful execution!
The blade is perfectly centered with silky smooth action -- 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. Thorburn and van Heerden created this A8 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 made from satin finished RWL-34 stainless steel. RWL-34 is a premium powder metallurgy cutlery steel manufactured by ERASTEEL in Söderfors, Sweden. Because it is made from rapidly solidified powders, the microstructure of the steel is much more uniform. This gives the steel higher strength and resistance to cracks and chips. The blade can be easily deployed using the ambidextrous flipper which provides a low profile design when locked open.
The scales are formed from carbon fiber. Jimping on the thumb ramp provides a sure, comfortable grip. The gently rounded handle feels sturdy and fills the hand perfectly. The handle is completed with blue anodized titanium liners surrounding a carbon fiber backbar. The ultra-light pierced titanium pocket clip is mounted for right-handed tip-up carry.
Exceptional work throughout!


Availability: Not currently available