What the heck is the deal with Gil Hibben knives?

fracmeister

fracmeister

Petroleum Engineer
Joined
May 26, 1999
Messages
1,686
I mainly knew about Hibben designs as these bizarre fantasy knives, most of which are pounded out as modest (read "low") quality factory items. I was unimpressed. Then, over the years I occassionally run into Hibben custom knives that are not only tasteful, but downright classy. Obviously I am uninformed as to the breadth of this knifemaker's talents and would appreciate some of the enlightenment I know that many of you are capable of sharing.

Anybody a Hibben collector out there? Thanks in Advance.
 
There are a couple of Hibbens making knives. Gil designs knives mainly, but not sure if he still makes them. His Brother, Darrel is active and making very nice knives.
 
Gil Hibben has been making handmade knives longer than any living maker I know of except Bob Loveless and Bill Moran and was widely known when no body had ever heard of either of them. Gil was publishing catalogs in the 1960s well before the boom of the 1970s. He has always made fine hunting and combat knives, the exotic fantasy knives are far more recent and I suspect market driven. A. G.
 
Hibben has trained quite a few big name knifemakers also, chances are that if they were making knives in Utah during the 60's-70's, Hibben probably helped them along. Daryl Hibben, Wesley Hibben, and Linda Hibben(Gil's wife) make knives also.

Look though some older Guns And Ammo magazines, etc... to see older pictures of his work.
 
Hibbem makes some fine knives. It's interesting that many of the United Hibben designs sell for as much or more than some of his custom knives. If only I hadn't listened to the rant against 420 here on the forums I probably would have several - I could have made thousands.:eek:
 
Which United Cutlery Hibben knives are worth a lot of money?? I bought a bunch years ago.
 
The Hibben/United knives with the wrapped silver wire handles are doing alright, in the 150 range.

Check Ebay for current prices.
 
Originally posted by bob bowie
The Hibben/United knives with the wrapped silver wire handles are doing alright, in the 150 range.

Check Ebay for current prices.
Click to expand...

AHH! Dont' tell me that! :( I have 2, the Silver Shadow and a smaller version.. The bummer is I had the Doubel Shadow and a "friend" stole it! I bet that was worth the most...

Just checked, the Silver Shadow brings $130-150. Mine is in like new condition (last I looked) and has the sheath and original box! I'll have to hold onto that puppy. The double shadown doens't appear to bring as much, but the Double Gold Shadow brought like $300! I should have picked that up.
 
Run a search on ebay. I saw a production piece there a while back where the bidding was around $400.00 and there were still a couple of days left.
Unfortunately several months ago ebay started limiting the ability to search completed auctions - now down to just two weeks and only titles. A shame because it was a great research tool before that.
Basically any of those United pices that can't be purchased from a retailer anymore appear to be collectable.
If you're lucky you could replace those United pieces with real customs.
 
Hibben the man is something else too. His patience with kids and adults is legendary in my book. I have a good friend who I will not mention (Calvin Cooledge :)) who lives a couple of blocks away from me that owns a few of his non-fantasy knives. They are nothing short of fine and classy.
 
gil is the man, but he doesn't mind making what people want as opposed to simply catering to the boutique market. what's wrong with that?
 
Originally posted by fracmeister
I mainly knew about Hibben designs as these bizarre fantasy knives, most of which are pounded out as modest (read "low") quality factory items. I was unimpressed. Then, over the years I occassionally run into Hibben custom knives that are not only tasteful, but downright classy. Obviously I am uninformed as to the breadth of this knifemaker's talents and would appreciate some of the enlightenment I know that many of you are capable of sharing.

Anybody a Hibben collector out there? Thanks in Advance.
Click to expand...

He makes a few hunters that are downright beautiful! I think they are the Alaskan pro hunters. They are sort of a semi skinner patern. Gill was one of the first knifemakers using 440c stainless steel back in the 60's. When he started using it 440c could only be had in round bar stock. He had to send it out to a foundry to have them flatten it so he could use it.

Drew
 
I'll tell you who collects Hibben, (custom and production) Mike Turber. MikeT is the guy along with Spark that started BladeForums. MIke also happens to be good friends with Gil and owns and has owned some very expensive pieces of Gil's.

Personally before I ever heard of Loveless or Moran, I knew the name Gil Hibben.
 
I remember seeing a picture a long time ago with Gil Hibben holding some sort of battle gauntlet with blades and spikes and hooks and stuff coming off of it. Does anyone remember anything about those weapons?
 
Gil Hibben's Highlander Bowie was pretty cool. It was one of the wire wrapped handle ones. I believe it was used in the movie Natural Born Killers.
--Dave
 
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