Gil Hibben Blades

[BodaciousBlades]

I'm developing a website focused on high-quality knives, featuring blades from renowned makers like Gil Hibben. I've noticed a surprising amount of criticism directed towards Hibben online, particularly concerning some knife construction. One recurring complaint I've seen involves the tang-to-handle connection. I'm interested in understanding the reasons behind this negativity. Beyond the tang issue, are there other common issues with his blades?

[Squire80]

I have watched his work develop over many years and I'm certain a lot of what he made was very tough and authentic. He seemed to like making big heavy bladed knives and I've known a few who bought back then and liked what they got. Some of his designs have been very handsome, but most of what he does is simply on a bigger heavier scale than what I buy. He has also had a lot copied; his knives are carried by many outlets labeled as Gil
Hibben, but possibly under license, I'm not sure how that works, but he has five or six in the Bud K catalog under his name --

[Tom19176]

There are tons of low end knives with his name on them. That is the issue......

[Squire80]

I have no idea if any of this would pertain to Hibben's work, but having watched several videos of the knife building in the Philippines, and other Asian nations, cutting off the actual tang right behind the blade and then tack welding a steel threaded rod to hold the handle on is a pretty common practice and of course makes into a knife you don't even want to own. I got suspicious of a Muela I bought made in Spain, advertised as "full tang", in the ad you could actually see the line of steel around the entire handle, but I noticed a split in the steel right behind the guard, took the knife apart and found a small tab at the rear of the blade had been glued into the handle, and apparently a soft steel rod had been hammered into a groove around the entire handle so when then final shape of the handle was ground, presto, a "full tang" appeared-

I feel that the term full tang means the entire handle section is the final shape of what the handle becomes, and the edge shows all around the handle. Sides or scales are glued on and also usually riveted. Makes for the strongest knife you can buy. At least that's what full tang means to me, a strong partial tang such as used by many well-known pro makers is just that, a partial tang -- We don't even need to discuss rat tail tangs--This is one of those just my opinion things--