It's a shame how this thread has degenerated. When I posted it I thought it would be something to rejoice over, a new Rambo knife! Anyway, I think the knife absoultely rules and I can't wait to see it in action in January. I have a feeling this knife will play a significant role in the new film much like the original knife from First Blood. Afterwards, the lucky few who own the knife will probably be very happy campers.
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Moved from General Knife Discussion: Gil Hibben is selling his latest Rambo knife.
- Thread starter EvanBNW
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By the way, David Morrell, the creator of Rambo and First Blood received his knife and he is thrilled. He said the knife is perfect and reflects exactly what it is meant to do in the film, especially considering Rambo has to make it himself. David Morrell had nothing but praise for the knife because it represents exactly what is supposed to.
Also Stallones words to Gil were "the knife has to be brutal". He didn't say anything about pretty.
Also Stallones words to Gil were "the knife has to be brutal". He didn't say anything about pretty.
I have been a long time Sebenza basher (but I've never called Chris Reeves a hack). I have been wrong. I understand now. It came in the form of my wife the other day when I was talking about people paying 700 bucks for a knife, at which point she looked at me blankly and said: "You paid 100 bucks for one..." Then it hit me...she didn't understand, like I didn't understand. "I'll be damned", I said. Because right then was when it hit me: You're not buying just a knife or just a tool. You're buying the man who made it; his knowledge, his abilities, his sweat and craftsmanship.
The people buying this ugly, footlong, hog's leg aren't buying it because it's a knife or tool. They're buying it because it was HANDMADE by a man who has years of priceless knowledge, in a LIMITED RUN, for a MOVIE. Once these knives are gone...THEY'RE GONE. UC might license them and make a knock-off, but it won't be a handmade knife by THE Gil Hibben.
And for the record...calling someone a hack just because they licensed a product and you don't like it isn't just tasteless and classless. It inconsiderate, small minded and stupid. There's enough of that in world, use your head for something OTHER than toilet paper.
The people buying this ugly, footlong, hog's leg aren't buying it because it's a knife or tool. They're buying it because it was HANDMADE by a man who has years of priceless knowledge, in a LIMITED RUN, for a MOVIE. Once these knives are gone...THEY'RE GONE. UC might license them and make a knock-off, but it won't be a handmade knife by THE Gil Hibben.
And for the record...calling someone a hack just because they licensed a product and you don't like it isn't just tasteless and classless. It inconsiderate, small minded and stupid. There's enough of that in world, use your head for something OTHER than toilet paper.
:thumbup: shawn79. good way to put it. like i said in another post. it takes talent to make a knife let alone the ones gil makes. these dense people who are knocking gil's work probably couldnt make a knife if they had to let alone one for a major movie.
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Yes, Gil has been in Kentucky since the 70's. He's in La Grange, about 30 minutes from Louisville. Shoot him an email from his website. He welcomes visitors to the shop and loves to meet people and share his knowledge of knives. I think you will find him to be one of the most interesting and genuine people you will ever meet.
Maybe I will see you there as he hasn't found a stick big enough to drive me away yet.
Maybe I will see you there as he hasn't found a stick big enough to drive me away yet.
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There is nothing wrong with having that opinion. If you think it's ugly, then you think it's ugly. It isn't a knife that I would pay $1250.00 for.
Actually, Sly usually has a lot to do with the design of the knives. He has been known to reject idea after idea. Gil may have designed the knife, but he did so with a great deal of input from other people. Input that had to be incorporated into the design, or it never would have been approved.
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That's how I got started as a knifemaker. It is an excellent class that takes you from start to finish in making a knife and sheath. He offers Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced classes. You can see some of the knives his students made in his class here: http://www.hibbenknives.com/class_knives.htm
Cougar Allen
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Yes, that happens frequently. If knifemakers were only interested in making money most of them could make a lot more at a regular job. They'll refuse to work with a steel they don't know how to heat-treat; they'll refuse to make a customer's design if they think it's a bad design or just because it's not the kind of knife that particular knifemaker makes -- they'll talk to you first, usually, but if you insist on having everything your way, well, they can usually think of another knifemaker to suggest. Some knifemakers are willing to try anything a customer requests; most are not.
None of those reasons apply here, obviously. Sly is a knife knut (and a Bladeforums member, though not under that name). He knows which knifemakers make what.
I am thinking that he is using his name to profit by making an ugly knife, or he knows that by making this fantasy POS he will sell more, or he will sell anything to the customer regardless of the outcome and fallout of how real knifenuts will percieve him.
I am sure he can make a good knife.
Why did they need an established maker involved in any of the Rambo knives? They all look like survivalist fantasy stuff to me. Why not just pick some piece of junk from the Frost catalog if they just needed a knife.
Is it all marketing? That is what it looks like to me. Why not have some prop guy come up with something that looks like Rambo made it out in the jungle?
I do not fault Mr. Hibben for making money. If Hollywood came knocking at my door with a handful of money for my time I am sure I would sell out. I would be a sellout but I would still be a nice guy and love my kids and help others.
I would be a sell out with a fist full of Hollywood money.
At least the other Rambo knives were plausible.
Sorry if this is repititious, because I couldn't read through all of the posts. I think that this Rambo knife will be as inspiring to up and coming enthusiasts as the first 3 were to all of us when we first saw them and wished we could get out in the wilderness with one. Except, they will be able to get a cheaper machette and do a little mod and have a very usable, practical outdoors tool that looks just like Rambo's knife. You can't ask for a better deal than that. Let the collectors enjoy buying the originals.
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First of all, Hollywood doesn't come knocking on your door with a handful of money. If you make any money as a knifemaker it is from exposure and sales after the fact.
Let me try this one time,
HE MADE WHAT THE CUSTOMER WANTED.
IT LOOKS THAT WAY BECAUSE STALLONE WANTED IT TO LOOK THAT WAY. GET IT?
(PROBABLY NOT)
Why have a top knifemaker make the Rambo knives? You have got to be kidding. The Rambo knives were a phenomenon. The knife industry had never seen anything like it before or since. The industry could use a few more boosts like the Rambo knives.
Sellout? So every maker who licenses his design is sellout? That includes pretty much a whos-who of top knifemakers.
"Real knifenuts" perceive him just fine. They have been paying top dollar for his knives for a long time because they know knives and quality craftsmanship. That's why the "real knifenuts" voted him into the Knifemakers Hall of Fame, Knife Throwers Hall of Fame, and elected him President of the Knifemakers Guild.
Come back when you learn something about knives and the business of knifemaking.
Cougar Allen
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So, um ... what makes you call it a POS? That would be because you looked at the picture and it doesn't look shiiiiiiinnnnneeeeyyyyy, right? Anything that doesn't look shiiiiiiinnnnneeeeyyyyy must be a POS....
Why call it a fantasy POS, though? Do you think it's not a practical machete? Um ... I guess if it's not shiiiiiiinnnnneeeeyyyyy then it must not be able to chop very well?
You don't have any clue at all about how real knife knuts perceive Gil Hibben, do you....
Cougar Allen
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That was an actual intelligent post -- let's not let it pass unnoticed. A few years ago a lot of kids rushed out and bought the cheapest hollow-handle survival knife they could find, and that didn't work out very well because that's not a design that can be made cheaply and work well. Cheap copies of this one will work, and a kid could pick up a cheap machete and put a better handle on it and make his own Rambo IV knife.