Requesting help to appraise a unique Gil Hibben knife

[sivadtrebor]

Hello knife experts, I am thinking about selling a very unique Gil Hibben knife soon but need advice on how to get it fixed first and then to estimate a value once it's back to collector condition. I am not a knife expert but I know enough to appreciate the beauty of this one and look forward to your feedback.

It was custom made for the movie "Jaws" and it's called the "Auto Shark". It currently has a problem with the spring that keeps it from opening completely sometimes. I'm afraid of having just anyone fix this knife as I know it's very valuable and don't want to diminish that value in any way. Does anyone have advice on how I can go about getting this done with the least amount of risk? Also, if anyone can estimate the value that would be really helpful, I know that may be hard because it's so unique. One thing I do know about it is that the handle is made of ivory. Anyway, Thank you in advance for any feedback you can give.

 

[yitz]

Have you tried getting in touch with Mr. Hibben? If you bought the knife from him, he would probably repair it for free or for a reasonable cost. Even if you got it from someone else, having the original maker repair it is always the best way to go. He could also give you whatever information you need. Is that a crack in the ivory at the shark's tail? You could also ask about that.

 

[Lorien]

egads!

 

[SharpByCoop]

^^^ What Yitz said.

Gil@hibbenknives.com (Knives Annual 2013)

Start there!

Jim

 

[peterinct]

While the advice provided is sound, if I understand what you are saying about what needs fixing, it is perhaps just a matter of it needing cleaning/lubrication.

By the name "Auto Shark" I assume it is an automatic mechanism that opens the blade. Many times just from sitting or inactivity, auto knives can develop the scenario described.

If you are comfortable cleaning and lubricating it, that may be all it needs, and MANY people could easily accomplish that, both knifemakers and collectors.

COOL knife and best of luck,
Peter

 

[sivadtrebor]

Thank you everyone for your great advice. I have reached out to Mr. Hibben to see what he says about it. I'll post his response so that everyone knows if that advice works. Does anyone know of comparable sales for custom movie themed knives such as this? Curious as to the value but I understand it may be very hard to estimate.

 

[Steinerj]

I would just call the number on his website. When I was looking for a Hibben Blade way back when I called and talked to him directly.

 

[Travis Fry]

I met Mr. Hibben the last weekend at the ABS Expo in San Antonio. He's nice. Call him. To me, there's no better person to repair a knife than the one who made it. Who could understand it better?