explorer


The explorer is about a folding knife made within cooperation with a well-known flemish artist and custom knifemaker Antoine Van Loocke.Antoine is been designing knives for many years at the highest quality .Most of his work is based on fixed knives , pieces of art and utulity knives built from high tech materials.Last year Antoine had the idea to make a folder based on his fixed knife “d’fender” and asked me to make a linerlock folder .

Logo - Knifeforgingdfender

After a very short time we could manage the design to start making the very first prototype.A design based on simplicity with a minimum of parts , in other words : ergonomic fit ,efficient and built for the heavy work.This folder is based on the prehistoric silex knife we all known.A backup knife ment to be used in the outdoors,ready for survival situation.The ideal folder for people who wish to be prepared.

We decided to go for the best materials like CPM-S30V steel, 6AL4V titanium liners ,composite G10 handle an inox 303 parts.

  • S30V is an martensite stainless steel with a well balanced chemical composition.The crucible metallurgy proces makes a very homogeneous steel with the excellent combination in strenght,toughness and corrosion resistance.CPM S30 steel offers substantial improvement over other high hardness steel.
  • Titanium maximizes the ratio strength to weight and makes the handle completely corrosion resistent.
  • G10 , a glassfiber composite , is excellent material to be used in a tactical folder like the explorer.It’s lightweigth,strong and gives a good grip.It’s very stable in all weather conditions.

Some details about the design :

  • The blade has a convex grind to maximize the cutting power and minimize the effort the keep it sharp.A convex grind is also very strong and  follows the structure of the silex knife.It gives a durable cutting edge with less effort to keep it sharp.
  • The G10 is oval shaped in a special jigg to get a special asymmetric shape.The unequal thickness of the G10 scales between the pivot and the back of the handle enables extra grip .
  • The pivot is been custom made by CNC and can be fine tuned with a custom tool.Only two small screws are visible in the G10 handle.
  • The stopping pin is at the inside of the blade.A milled slot in the blade follows the diameter of the stopping pin and minimizes deformation of the steel at the place of contact.No potential lost of outside parts !
  • The knife has a flipper.It protects the hand in any condition and allows one hand operation of the blade.
  • The area between the liners is open , the spacer is kept tot the minimum.This open structure helps to keep the inside clean.
  • The titanium and blade have a sandblast finish.
  • The handle on his maximum size not only support the full hand but also enables the use of a long linerlock.The linerlock cutout is long enough to enable a progressive bent of the lock which enhance the smooth locking and unlocking of the liner.