Gil Hibben Knife value?

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I own a good amount of knives but my most prized are Gil Hibben's. One being the Raptor Fantasy Fighter, Model UC750, Number 0415, signed sheath, original box and other cardboard pieces and plastics. I am wondering how much it is worth. The other Hibben knife is the Double Shadow Fantasy Knife, number 0229, in box, signature edition, First production run. I also wonder the value of that knife. Neither knife has any rust or flaws. thanks, kenny.
 
The "knives" are extremely common and have no collector value beyond what they sell for at any mall store, flea market, or gun show. You can easily find them (with a corresponding price) on Google. Don't look on eBay, the BIN prices mean nothing.

I say "knives" because they're merely knife-shaped-objects rather than functional cutlery. They're junk, only useful to display or pretend you're a LotR character or a Klingon or something.

Now, if you had a real Gil Hibben knife, that'd be something special. But unfortunately, after he whored himself out to United Cutlery, his name has become synonymous with fantasy crap.

I apologize for being blunt, but the fact is that your "knives" aren't worth much, and as cutlery, they're not worth the steel used to make them. And they're certainly not "custom". They were made by the thousands in China.
 
I have a hard time believing that everyone on here believes that Mr. Hibben whored himself out to United Cutlery and now his name is as synonymous with "crap". First run UC fantay series knives are still commanding a premium from those collectors who started collecting them when the limited edition runs were being released. The knives themselves were pretty well made, all things considered. Then when others started to realize the worth of some of those knives, they were re-released in by the 1000's, that's when the value of the knives declined, as it seems, so did the quality. Now, after UC closed it's doors, and other companies started selling Gil's designs without being licensed to do so, things really started to get bad, because not only did they not have the original patterns to work from, only existing knives, they didn't have to hold any quality control on them whatsoever.

I own one of Gil's handmade knives, and I would put it up against any other builder out there. The fit and finish of the blade, furniture, and handle materials is second to none. I also have some of the original Fantasy Series display knives. I would never use them, but here is no doubt in my mind that they would work just fine for what most sane minded individuals would use knives for...cutting things.

So back to the OP, don't think just because some folks on Forum "A" that don't happen to like your knives say that they are worthless, that you should just throw them away. Look around on other forums that deal specifically with Hibben reproduction knives, you may be mildly surprised at what some of your "junk" knives might happen to be worth to those who actually know what they are talking about.

Good luck with your search.
 
SOFileworks said:
So back to the OP, don't think just because some folks on Forum "A" that don't happen to like your knives say that they are worthless, that you should just throw them away. Look around on other forums that deal specifically with Hibben reproduction knives, you may be mildly surprised at what some of your "junk" knives might happen to be worth to those who actually know what they are talking about.

Good luck with your search.
Click to expand...

Psst. The OP posted once 3 years ago.
 
SOFileworks said:
I have a hard time believing that everyone on here believes that Mr. Hibben whored himself out to United Cutlery and now his name is as synonymous with "crap". First run UC fantay series knives are still commanding a premium from those collectors who started collecting them when the limited edition runs were being released. The knives themselves were pretty well made, all things considered. Then when others started to realize the worth of some of those knives, they were re-released in by the 1000's, that's when the value of the knives declined, as it seems, so did the quality. Now, after UC closed it's doors, and other companies started selling Gil's designs without being licensed to do so, things really started to get bad, because not only did they not have the original patterns to work from, only existing knives, they didn't have to hold any quality control on them whatsoever.

I own one of Gil's handmade knives, and I would put it up against any other builder out there. The fit and finish of the blade, furniture, and handle materials is second to none. I also have some of the original Fantasy Series display knives. I would never use them, but here is no doubt in my mind that they would work just fine for what most sane minded individuals would use knives for...cutting things.

So back to the OP, don't think just because some folks on Forum "A" that don't happen to like your knives say that they are worthless, that you should just throw them away. Look around on other forums that deal specifically with Hibben reproduction knives, you may be mildly surprised at what some of your "junk" knives might happen to be worth to those who actually know what they are talking about.

Good luck with your search.
Click to expand...

Even if this WASNT "The Walking Thread". You would still probably be in the minority in your thoughts. But i understand you are a fan of fantasy.
 
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I would consider buying one of Hibben's custom knives. In addition to designing the United / Fantasy products he's most known for, he's also a maker of traditional hunting, outdoor, and Bowie-style knives.

HK0315-4_02-500x500.jpg


I'd even be proud to own one of his handmade fantasy knives. There were some for sale a while back that were handmade prototypes of United models. They were priced around $150 each as I recall. Even if they're not my usual style, I'm sorry I didn't get one.
 
While many appear to have little respect for Gil Hibben from the Rambo movies, United Cutlery and fantasy pieces, I still think of
Gil Hibben as the one who designed all the Browning knives, which Browing had made for them by Hattori.

DSC_0295-1_zpsuufabew6.jpg
 
KenHash, I have the black handled knife in your picture. I bought it so many years ago I don't know anything about it. Can you tell me something about this model, thanks?
 
Gil Hibben makes a very good quality custom knife. He has many different designs, and uses a wide variety of materials. I've handled some of his older custom work, and the fit and finish was superb. I'm not a fan of fantasy knives what so ever, but I'm not going to fault the man for taking advantage of the opportunity to make a ton of money by working with UC, and at the same time becoming very famous to a different knife demographic. I'm sure it was the best thing he could have done financially speaking.
 
glock45 said:
KenHash, I have the black handled knife in your picture. I bought it so many years ago I don't know anything about it. Can you tell me something about this model, thanks?
Click to expand...

Browning Model 721 Classic Hunter - late 1985-early 1990s(?). Together with model 720 featured Micarta handles and tapered tangs, blade described as 440C (but later described as Aus8a) Gil Hibben designed manufactured by Hattori Seki.
They appear in the 1989 Browning Catalog. The 721 was also offered in a Limited Edition version with stag handle
and designated model 53.

Scan0008_zpsa1yyzfvb.jpg
 
I am a fan of fantasy knives, have been since my wife started buying them for me for Christmas presents the year after we were married. This is my pride an joy at the moment,
Hibben Skinner 440V 2.jpg
not exactly what I'd call fantasy, but definitely a fantastic knife.
 
Planterz said:
The "knives" are extremely common and have no collector value beyond what they sell for at any mall store, flea market, or gun show. You can easily find them (with a corresponding price) on Google. Don't look on eBay, the BIN prices mean nothing.

I say "knives" because they're merely knife-shaped-objects rather than functional cutlery. They're junk, only useful to display or pretend you're a LotR character or a Klingon or something.

Now, if you had a real Gil Hibben knife, that'd be something special. But unfortunately, after he whored himself out to United Cutlery, his name has become synonymous with fantasy crap.

I apologize for being blunt, but the fact is that your "knives" aren't worth much, and as cutlery, they're not worth the steel used to make them. And they're certainly not "custom". They were made by the thousands in China.
Click to expand...


The actual story about Gil's Fantasy pieces are as follows: People may not know that Gil is the Official Klingon Armorer for Paramount studios. He is the man who invented ALL the Star trek weapons. With that being said, in the early 90's Gil started to design the extreme Fantasy pieces in smaller amounts, ie... 1st production run pieces etc...It was around the same time. He also handmade VERY expensive fantasy pieces for many high profile people. Thousands of $$! United Cutlery, back in the late 1990's went bankrupt. It was then purchased by another person. This is when Gil and Kit Rae by the way who also designs with United started to reproduce the early Hibben fantasy pieces again called 2nd generation) in larger quantity because they still had the molds, as to not hurt the original value of the early pieces. They were never made to be used. He would normally produce a Gold version of each piece Ltd to around 250-500 pieces, then the regular version was 1st production run of upto 1500 pieces. (ALL hand signed by Gil himself) Collected only! If you have some of the original pieces from Gil, they are definitely worth money. Don't let anyone tell you different. Especially, if you have the original boxes,stands etc... and condition. Example, 1996 Gold version Dragonlord which sold originally for $799, sold on eBay later for $2500. Gil doesn't make fantasy much anymore. He is back to designing and making functional Bowies, Hunting knives and folders now. I know all of this because Gil and Linda are very good friends. We had this talk when we went with them to Mexico one year on vacation. Gil and I were sitting on the ocean talking about all this. Have to say ....Pretty damn cool! That's the real story. YES get you hands on the originals if possible and if you have one or more ,DON'T sell them.
 
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