Hibben Kenpo Karate Knives

[dredd8]

What exactly is the deal with the Gil Hibben Kenpo Karate knives. Are these handmade by Gil? Please Help.

 

[bob bowie]

Gil hand makes his own models, but he also licenses the design(s) to United, who makes them over-seas.

 

[dredd8]

I know about the Untied Cutlery models, they normally say designed by Gil Hibben. Does UC also make Kenpo Karate knives?

 

[bob bowie]

Yes, That's what I meant. They make two of Gil's Kenpo designs, a spear-point with black scales, and a clip-point with brown scales.

I haven't seen a real custom Hibben Kenpo go for less than $500 over the last few years.

 

[Kohai999]

Hi,

Gil is generally considered to be the first maker to offer 440C steel in custom knives, I'll let someone else explain, if you want.

The Kenpo Karate knife is by United Cutlery and is made of 420 stainless steel, it is not a very good steel in my opinion, but they are pretty.

The knife made by Gil is the Parker Knife, named in honor of Col. Parker, who was Elvis' manager, and a teacher of Parker Kenpo Karate, which Gil studied, and has a black belt in. Gil also made one for Elvis.

The one that I ordered from him a few years ago was custom with stainless steel fittings, and burgundy micarta scales. It is a hidden tang knife. I think I paid $650, but that was with the stainless furniture, it is usually brass.

Cheers,

Steven Garsson

 

[Chefget]

Just a slight correction; the Parker knife is named after Ed Parker, Grandmaster of American kenpo. He was also Elvis's karate teacher (yes, Elvis had a black belt, evidently well deserved) and also was Elvis's bodyguard for a period of time. He is the large gentleman with the silver beatles haircut seen behind Presley in some photos.

Col. Parker, Elvis's manager, is another person and not a martial artist.

Gil Hibben holds a 3rd (?) degree black belt under the late Ed Parker...he first made the kenpo knife as the project for his black belt exam in the 60's. Gil still attends Kenpo seminars!

-Michael

 

[Kohai999]

I did not know that Ed Parker and Col. Parker were two different people, but as a knife guy/martial artist, I should have.

Thanks,

Steven Garsson

 

[dredd8]

Thanks for all of the help guys.