Sampa - TiN / Combination Edge
An encouraging trait of the international custom knifemaking community is a sense of brotherhood and the willingness to share and encourage other members. As an example, take the friendship of Hawaiian knifemaker Ken Onion and Brazilian knifemaker Flavio Ikoma. Ken has encouraged use of the Ikoma Korth ball bearing pivot system on his CRKT knives, and had also counseled Flavio on the directions his designs might take. Their new Sampa, Flavio Ikoma’s first folder designed for CRKT, is the fruit of that friendship. Ken suggested the general parameters of a “gentleman’s tactical” folder and Flavio did the rest. In overview, this is a lightweight and stylish locking liner folder with a clean open build and exceptionally fast and fluid flipper opening. The blade is premium AUS 8 stainless steel in a drop point shape with recurve and high hollow grind. The Sampa frames are cold-forged 6061-T6 aluminum, which is clean-up machined, gray anodized for a titanium look, and then surface finished, revealing a bright surface pattern which aids grip.
Flavio developed the IKBS ball bearing system to be entirely raceless, the bearings running in channels machined into the blade and frame. In this case, they have incorporated a stainless steel race/bushing in the aluminum frames for long life. The IKBS pivot system is durable and requires little maintenance, yielding a folder with great rigidity and no blade play. A spring-loaded ball detent keeps the blade securely closed until needed. Then, a fast press on the flipper yields instant opening and lock-up. This is clearly a personal knife for the high-achiever who values innovative design and custom-knife quality in a personal accessory. It is also an excellent value.
Discontinued by the manufacturer, limited quantities available.
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