Gil Hibben(born September 4, 1935) is an Americancustom knifemakerfromWyomingwho is based inLa Grange, Kentucky.Hibben designed the first line ofBrowninghunting knives in 1968, theAmerican KenpoKnife forEd Parker,and theRambo Knifefor the 1988 filmRambo IIIand the 2008 filmRambo.Hibben's "Fantasy Knives" have been used in over 37 films and television shows, particularly science fiction, earning him the title "Klingon Armorer" from theStar Trekfranchise. Hibben currently serves as a President of theKnifemakers' Guild,a post he has held for fourteen years.
Gilbert W. Hibben | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 4, 1935 Wyoming,US |
| Occupation(s) | Knifemaker,bladesmith |
| Spouse | Linda Hibben |
Early life
editHibben was born in Wyoming in 1935. Unable to afford aBowie knifeat age 15, Hibben decided to make his own out of scrap metal and files. He did not make another knife until his discharge from theUS Navyin 1956 when he took a job in Seattle, Washington as a machinist forBoeing Aircraftand started making knives in his spare time after he sold another handmade Bowie knife to a friend for $45.[1]
Knifemaker
editIn 1964, Hibben relocated toSandy, Utahto become a full-time knifemaker. His blades were primarily 440Cstainless steeland Hibben was the first knife maker to use that steel in his knives.[2][3]While in Sandy, Hibben partnered with another knifemaker named Stuart Benedict and these knives were sold under the name "Ben-Hibben".[4]The knives from this time period were fixed-blade Bowie knives, hunting knives, fishing knives and some early fighting knives.[5]
In 1965, Hibben left Sandy forManti, Utahto open a larger facility where he operated as "Hibben Knives". One of his knives was written about and featured on the cover ofGuns & Ammoin an article titledThe Versatile Gil Hibben,expanding his reputation beyond that of a local knifemaker.[1]This recognition lead him to the attention ofBrowning Arms Company,who had Hibben design the company's first line of knives in 1968 consisting of 3 fixed blade knives and a folding hunting knife.[5]That same year, Hibben sangTenorfor theMormon Tabernacle Choir.[6]
A lifelong martial artist with black belt rankings inAikido,Judo,and American Kenpo, Hibben designed and built a knife called the Kenpo Knife as his Black Belt Thesis underEd Parkerin 1968; his thesis and knife design led to Long Form VIII ( "Double Dagger Form" ) which uses two knives in mock combat.[7][8]
In 1970, Hibben moved his shop again. After a brief period inSpringdale, Arkansas,he relocated toAlaskafor five years working as a knifemaker and a hunting and fishing guide.[1]In 1975 he moved his shop again toSilver Dollar City,Missouri and four years later toLouisville, Kentucky.[9]
Movie knives
editWhile in Louisville, Hibben was contacted bySylvester Stalloneto make a modern version of a Bowie knife for the filmRambo III.[10][11]After the release of the movie, Hibben began a long-term partnership withUnited Cutleryof Taiwan who released factory versions of the "Rambo III Knife" and a subsequent annual factory "Art Knife" each based on one of Hibben's custom designs every year afterward. United has made versions of Hibben's Kenpo Knife, Alaskan Guide Knife, andthrowing knives.Hibben previously partnered with knifemaker Dr. Rob Charlton of Damascus-USA to produce smallerDamascus steelversions of the Rambo Bowie.[12]In 1991, Hibben relocated to the Louisville suburb of La Grange, Kentucky.[13]
The popularity of Hibben's mass-produced fantasy designs led to Hibben's knives being used in other films such asSpawn,Mortal Kombat,The Perfect Weapon,Natural Born Killers,Under Siege,Babylon 5and theStar Trekfranchise.[14]Hibben's "Jackal" knife appears on the poster forStar Trek Nemesis.[13]Hibben made another "Rambo" knife for Stallone'sRamboand the Bowie knife andArkansas toothpickused in the film,The Expendables.[15]Paramount Pictureshas given Hibben the titleOfficial Klingon Armorerfor all the weapons he has made for the Franchise's villains.[9][16]
Hibben's Fantasy Knives were mass-produced by United Cutlery with at least one annual edition from 1994 until 2005. The first of these was a silver wire wrapped handle version of theV-42 stiletto.[17]
Knifemaker's Guild
editHibben has been President of theKnifemakers' Guildsince 2006 and is a member of theBlade MagazineCutlery Hall of Fame.[18]
References
edit- ^abcHoward, Arnold (2004). "The Gil Hibben Story".Knives Illustrated.19(6): 96–98.
- ^Barney, Richard W.; Loveless, Robert W. (March 1995) [1977].How to Make Knives.Knife World Publications. pp. 43–44.ISBN978-0-87341-389-3.
- ^Lewis, Jack;Roger Combs (1992).Gun digest book of knives.DBI. pp. 120–122.ISBN978-0-87349-129-7.
- ^Larsen, John A. (1998). "Bred for Battle:Past and Present".Tactical Knives.4(1): 10–11, 62–63.
- ^abPrice, C. Houston (2001). "Gil Hibben: The Man and His Knives".Blade.25(11): 44–48.
- ^"The Official Site of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir".Archived fromthe originalon 2010-12-30.Retrieved2011-03-10.
- ^Seabrook, Jamie A. (2006).American Kenpo Mastery: A Guide for Students and Instructors.iUniverse. p. 20.ISBN978-0-595-40540-4.
- ^Wedlake, Lee (1991). "The Life and Times of Ed Parker".Black Belt.29(4). Active Interest Media, Inc.: 22.
- ^abWarner, Ken (1997).Knives '98.Iola, WI: Krause. p.203.ISBN978-0-87349-195-2.
- ^Winter, Butch (1989)."The Art of the Knife".Popular Mechanics.166(3). Hearst Magazines: 86–88.Retrieved2011-03-10.
- ^Lichtenfeld, Eric(2007).Action speaks louder: violence, spectacle, and the American action movie.Wesleyan University Press. p. 143.ISBN978-0-8195-6801-4.
- ^Hartink, A.E. (September 30, 2005).Complete Encyclopedia of Knives.Lisse, The Netherlands: Chartwell Books. pp.168–169.ISBN978-1-85409-168-0.
- ^abKertzman, Joe (2007).Knives 2008.Iola, WI: F&W Media. p.229.ISBN978-0-87349-195-2.
- ^Darom, David(2005).Art and Design In Modern Custom Fixed-Blade Knives.Saviolo. pp. 156–163.ISBN965-07-1337-9.
- ^"United(R) Cutlery Announces Gil Hibben Bowie Knife From Liongate's" The Expendables ""(Press release). Market Wire. August 2010.Retrieved2011-03-10.
- ^"Knives That Are Tools: Hibben IV Small Machete".Tactical Response.2009.Retrieved2011-03-10.
- ^Haskew, Mike (2004). "Fabtasies Fulfilled".Blade Magazine.31(10): 50–55.
- ^"Mr. SpeedSafe Joins the Club".Blade Magazine.2008-07-22. Archived fromthe originalon 2008-08-13.Retrieved2011-03-10.
Further reading
edit- Hibben, Gil.The Complete Gil Hibben Knife Throwing Guide.United Cutlery Corp., 1994. (ASIN-B0006FAV9E)