Elmer Keith Skinner

Mike Carter Custom Knives · Nov 27, 2006

I found the time to make a few knives lately. I learned knifemaking from Gil Hibben and I always admired his Elmer Keith Skinner design so I decided to try my hand at it. I varied a little from Gil's version by rounding the top of the blade a bit more and not rounding the guards as much. The blade is 440C stainless mirror polished and the handle is stabilized maple burl. I made the sheath with an ostrich skin inlay. I am pretty proud of this one. I think this is my best work so far.

Nabok · Nov 28, 2006

Nice work all around. Id be interested to know more of the story about the design; did Hibben make that model in conjunction with Keith? We have a new Cabelas here that has a great Keith display, I was busy looking at the guns but I do recall there is a Bowie on display, didnt notice if there was a makers mark on it though.

Todd

Keith Montgomery · Nov 28, 2006

I don't what it is about this style of knife that appeals to me, but they do. Nicely done.

Mike Carter Custom Knives · Nov 28, 2006

Nabok said:
Nice work all around. I’d be interested to know more of the story about the design; did Hibben make that model in conjunction with Keith? We have a new Cabela’s here that has a great Keith display, I was busy looking at the guns but I do recall there is a Bowie on display, didn’t notice if there was a makers mark on it though.

Todd

Gil made the knife for Elmer in the 60s. He made the top of the 3/8" thick blade thick and flat so that it could be pounded through joints when skinning game.

I don't know how much of that was Gil's idea or Elmers. Gil and I are attending the opening of the new National Knife Museum in Sevierville, TN in the morning and I will ask him about it.

SpearZ · Nov 29, 2006

Thanks, the knife has an odd look to it, but with the explanation from the above member, it all makes sense.

What are the dimensions on the knife, blade length etc?

Looks well made

Mike Carter Custom Knives · Nov 29, 2006

I asked Gil about the design. He said that back in early days when Elmer Keith was writing for Guns and Ammo magazine, he wanted a knife designed for him for hunting and gave some specifics of what he wanted. At the time, Harvey Draper was working for Gil. Gil came up with the original design, which had finger grooves. Later, after Gil and Harvey had parted ways, Harvey redesigned the knife removing the finger grooves and adding the rear hook.

Gil has made the knife continuously and his Elmer Keith Skinners are usually the ones shown in Elmer's books. Gil also said he was honored to learn that when Elmer died, Gil's original knife was in Elmers gear in his cabin and he had obviously been carrying it and using it all of those years.

fitzo · Nov 29, 2006

Very cool rendition of one of the "storied" modern custom knives. :thumbup:

Nabok · Nov 29, 2006

Thanks to both you MisterSat and Mr. Hibben for the info, where else could you get an answer, from the horses mouth no less, so fast. Do you know if Mr. Hibben made a Bowie for Keith? With all the other Keith memorabilia on display, (lots of firearms and it looks like pretty much everything from his office with an animatronic Keith that tells stories) Im surprised such a famous knife isnt included, maybe Ill do some research after the semester is over. Just out of curiosity how long is the handle inside the hooks?

Todd

Mike Carter Custom Knives · Nov 30, 2006

Nabok said:
Thanks to both you MisterSat and Mr. Hibben for the info, where else could you get an answer, from the horses mouth no less, so fast. Do you know if Mr. Hibben made a Bowie for Keith? With all the other Keith memorabilia on display, (lots of firearms and it looks like pretty much everything from his office with an animatronic Keith that tells stories) Im surprised such a famous knife isnt included, maybe Ill do some research after the semester is over. Just out of curiosity how long is the handle inside the hooks?

Todd

I don't know of a bowie designed for Keith. I'll ask Gil about it. I too am surprised that they don't have one of his knives in the display. The handle is approximately 3" inside the hooks. It's nice 4-finger fit. Elmer wanted the rear hook so he could hang it on his little finger while grasping the game with his other fingers.

I have been reading about Elmer Keith on various web sites. He was quite an interesting character.