After looking at the thread below on sharpening a Hibben knife I was wondering how Hibben build his fantasy pieces. Are they forged, cast, stock removal methods? A lot of grinding and buffing to be sure. Makes my butt tired just thinking about it after sanding on blades all day yesterday. Anyone know his methods?
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Gil Hibben Construction Methods??
- Thread starter John L
- Start date
polish avenger
Gold Member
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- May 28, 2002
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I think this will answer your questions. Of course, these are the processes for his handmades. I'm sure that the factory made pieces go through a different procedure.
http://www.hibbenknives.com/knifemaking.htm
-Mark
http://www.hibbenknives.com/knifemaking.htm
-Mark
synthesist
So many knives so little time
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2004
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- 933
Whewwwwwwwwwwwwww
Despite not really liking the "commercial" fantasy knife direction Mr. Hibben veered off towards many years ago, I have to give it to him, he still has a good story to tell when it comes to MAKING knives. His story about how to make $$$$ designing knives would be even better for many people.
Nice photography on this tutorial also, although it shows noting about how he actually puts together one of his HUGE, potentially flesh-eating, multi-edged/bladed, fantasy creations. One can only guess at that nightmare.
Syn
Despite not really liking the "commercial" fantasy knife direction Mr. Hibben veered off towards many years ago, I have to give it to him, he still has a good story to tell when it comes to MAKING knives. His story about how to make $$$$ designing knives would be even better for many people.
Nice photography on this tutorial also, although it shows noting about how he actually puts together one of his HUGE, potentially flesh-eating, multi-edged/bladed, fantasy creations. One can only guess at that nightmare.
Syn
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2006
- Messages
- 758
Gil does all of his grinding and assembly by hand. He has several grinders of various sizes and configuations, mills, lathes, basically a well equipped knifemaking shop. That and his thousands of "old Indian tricks" that he has developed over 50 years of knifemaking results in some incredible work.
Gil seldom forges anymore but does most of work by stock removal. His art pieces can take weeks of hand filing, cutting and grinding. In reality, far more "users" come out of his shop every week than art knives.
I am a friend and student of Gils and have spent many hours learning from him in his shop. I also do his website and his photography. I put together the tutorial referred to above. Thanks for the compliment on the photos.
Gil seldom forges anymore but does most of work by stock removal. His art pieces can take weeks of hand filing, cutting and grinding. In reality, far more "users" come out of his shop every week than art knives.
I am a friend and student of Gils and have spent many hours learning from him in his shop. I also do his website and his photography. I put together the tutorial referred to above. Thanks for the compliment on the photos.
synthesist
So many knives so little time
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2004
- Messages
- 933
Excellent photography deserves to be acknowledged sir........... I, personally, know how tough it can be to do well.
While I believe that many more users come out of ANY knife shop than fantasy/art/investor collectibles, the high end ones get the publicity and the promotion dollars (of course there are knifemakers (alive and deceased) out there whose entire production has entered the realms of "high dollar" collectibles i.e. Michael Walker, Ron Lake, Henry Frank, Steve Johnsen, Moran, Loveless, Fisk, Schmidt and many others that don't come off the top of my head). Whether those knives are more satisfying to produce is questionable (to me anyway). I'm sure there is a huge sigh of relief when one is completed. I doubt many of the multi-bladed fantasy models are finished without them drinking blood along the way............... (All those edges and points to get bit by.)
Still, I can't think of a knifemaker I've ever, personally, spoken to that doesn't enjoy thinking that his/her knives could be used as cutting tools if necessary. I didn't mean to disparage Mr. Hibben's art knives, their complexity and imagination STUN me. As art, not as something I'd ever use for anything other then eye candy. I can appreciate them as art just as I appreciate John Lewis Jensen's knives as art.
I collect, use and dabble at designing and making knives. I have a strong appreciation for the efforts that go into the crafting and production of man's oldest tool regardless of how it is being produced.
You are incredibly lucky to have Mr. Hibben as a friend and mentor.....................
Syn
While I believe that many more users come out of ANY knife shop than fantasy/art/investor collectibles, the high end ones get the publicity and the promotion dollars (of course there are knifemakers (alive and deceased) out there whose entire production has entered the realms of "high dollar" collectibles i.e. Michael Walker, Ron Lake, Henry Frank, Steve Johnsen, Moran, Loveless, Fisk, Schmidt and many others that don't come off the top of my head). Whether those knives are more satisfying to produce is questionable (to me anyway). I'm sure there is a huge sigh of relief when one is completed. I doubt many of the multi-bladed fantasy models are finished without them drinking blood along the way............... (All those edges and points to get bit by.)
Still, I can't think of a knifemaker I've ever, personally, spoken to that doesn't enjoy thinking that his/her knives could be used as cutting tools if necessary. I didn't mean to disparage Mr. Hibben's art knives, their complexity and imagination STUN me. As art, not as something I'd ever use for anything other then eye candy. I can appreciate them as art just as I appreciate John Lewis Jensen's knives as art.
I collect, use and dabble at designing and making knives. I have a strong appreciation for the efforts that go into the crafting and production of man's oldest tool regardless of how it is being produced.
You are incredibly lucky to have Mr. Hibben as a friend and mentor.....................
Syn