My Custom Hibben Knives
I first discovered Hibben knives in the early 90's. I think it was the Double Shadow that really hooked me into knife collecting and I had tremendous admiration for the man who took the art of knifemaking to a new level. I hoped that I would someday get to meet Gil Hibben and tell him how much I admired his work. I hoped that someday I would have the opportunity, and be able to afford, one of his custom handmade originals. At the time, I didn't know that he was living and working just a few minutes from my house. I didn't know that the lovely lady who worked at the knife shop I frequented was Gil's wife, Linda.
I had no idea that someday I would indeed meet Gil and we would become close friends. And that he would personally and graciously teach me the craft of knifemaking. And I could not have imagined that at this point in time I would own five magnificent examples of his custom work, three of which were made specifically for me.
The Carter Bowie
The prize of my collection. Gil designed and made this one-of-kind bowie
especially for me
for my birthday in 2004. The large bowie style blade is similar to Hibben's
Highlander Bowie.
The handle is amber and buffalo horn.
Custom Double Shadow
Gil made this for me 12/04. The handle is amber and buffalo horn
Custom Dagger
Gil made this for me 12/03. Handle is amber and buffalo horn.
My Custom Hibbens
Displayed with pride in my home
Custom Bowie
Gil made this bowie 05/03 while I spent a week in his shop learning knifemaking in one of his classes. The first knife I made was a bowie and he made this one to show me by example how it was done. To my surprise and delight, my wife bought Gil's knife for me so that I could have both the one he made and the matching one that I made.
Gil's has a ebony handle with alternative ivory inlay scrimshawed by "Hutch" Hutchings.
Gil's knife is on top with ebony handle.
My knife is on the bottom with the rosewood handle.
Hibben 50th Anniversary Southern Bowie
I am one of the lucky 50 to get one of Gil's magnificent 50th anniversary knives. The beautiful bowie is reminiscent of the first knives that Gil made to sell back in 1957. It features a heavy blade of mirror polished 440C stainless steel, grass guard and pommel, and a macassar ebony handle.
Handmade Rambo III
Gil Hibben made a serial numbered limited edition of 350 full-size replicas of the knife used in the movie. (The united cutlery replicas were actually a little smaller than the movie knife.) The handmade knives feature blades of 440C stainless steel, stainless steel guard and pommel and a macassar ebony handle. Each comes with a numbered certificate of authenticity. Sylvester Stallone has #1. My brother Gil honored me with #2.
