Early Gil Hibben Kenpo Karate fighting knife- China

[onehikes]

Sometimes a knife just has a look that does not matter where it is made, I found myself attracted to it.
Gil Hibben licensed this to United Cutlery and it was produced in 1996 as a copy of his famous Kenpo Karate Fighting knives, one of which Elvis Presley owned.


It is a brute of a knife and rather unique. For more information:
https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/ca ... ber_id=284

[SteelMyHeart85420]

I wish I had one, so I could sell it. It doesn't do much for me. Then again, Elvis didn't, either. Different stokes, eh...

[mrwatch]

I have the DRAGON LORD FANTASY KNIFE. it's a beast.

[Quick Steel]

onehikes, looks appropriately intimidating. F&F look fine. Interesting design of the choil. At least I haven't seen that style before.

[mrwatch]

1996 bought on eBay

[onehikes]

It is SOLD I thought it was a cool looking and well manufactured knife
Now looking for another if you have one for sale.

[jerryd6818]

For several years, a Hibben fantasy knife was the go to Christmas present for my son.

I have three Hibbens, all made in Taiwan. For some reason, to me, Taiwan made products don't have the same stigma attached.

A Hibben Kenpo Karate

A Hibben Kenpo Karate II

And a Gil Hibben Pro Guide Hunter

[orvet]

Back in the 1980s before United Cutlery went out of business (at least once as I recall) we sold a lot of their fantasy knives (as well as other brands) in the cutlery store.
Most seemed well made but some would inflict more damage to the user than the victim. Some were silly and totally unusable but they would fly of the shelf. Gill Hibben's designs were among the most popular.

[onehikes]

It is strange to see a designer like Gil Hibben sell licensing to a company like United, but everyone needs to learn a living. The Kenpo Karate Knife is pretty well made. I have not examined the others. Blackie Collins designed some great knives and than some not so impressive that were sold by Meyerco, but again, everyone needs to earn a living. I respect that.