Kirby Lambert Snap IKBS Flipper Knife

Reviewed by corwin99 on March 27th, 2010

The latest folder from Kirby is an awesome IKBS flipper called the Snap. This particular example is a prototype, and the very first snap and IKBS folder that Kirby has ever made, and a very impressive one at that. I’m really glad that Kirby took the dive into IKBS!

I remember talking with Kirby about IKBS a year ago and tried to get him to put IKBS into a folder for the 2009 CKG Show, but Kirby’s wanted to make sure that the IKBS would be easy to maintain and that they would not compromise the quality of his folders and would not create warranty issues later down the road before he started incorporating it into his knives.

Fast forward to 2010, I get an email from Kirby asking me if I want the first IKBS folder he’s going to make. I did’t even have to think about it.. HELL YEAH! We worked out the details of the peice, and ended up with a titanium framelock, annodized blue and bead blasted with integral bolster and spalted maple handle insert. As usual, the frame and handles are fully contoured – a Kirby Lambert trademark.

With the IKBS, Kirby’s folder is now even smoother than before, and has no bladeplay. Kirby has tested the IKBS system out by removing ball bearings from the pivot and covering the pivot and filling it with dirt and sand. The folder opens just as smoothly with missing ball bearings and with the dirt within the pivot, convincing him that the system was bomb-proof enough to use in his folders.

Blade on the Kirby Lambert Snap folder is CPM-S30V, hollow ground with a recurve shaped blade. As with most flippers, the trigger also acts as a guard when the blade is open. Deep-carry titanium pocket clip is mounted for tip-up carry.

The integral bolster design is fantastic because it makes the knife very thin, yet strong with a reliable lock that you can feel with your hands. The inlaid spalted maple is figured beautifully and finished perfectly. Kirby also explained that while this one is marked prototype and is the first IKBS Snap made, he did have to mark a second blade to send in to IKBS to get the Approval for IKBS licensing since this one wasn’t to be sent in if I was to get it in time for the show.

Overall the Snap is my favourite overall design from Kirby because I love the shape of the blade, combined with the curved look of the flipper making it a very streamined knife with great feel in the hand. The slight hump on the back side makes the knife fit in the palm very nicely as well. A top shelf knife from Kirby as usual.

Specs:
Blade Length: 3 1/2″
Overall Lenght: 8 1/4″
Blade Steel: CPM-S30V
Frame Material: Titanium
Handle Insert: Spalted Maple

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