Happy 91st Birthday, Gil Hibben!

On September 4, 2026, legendary American custom knifemaker Gil Hibben celebrated his 91st birthday. With a career spanning more than six decades, Hibben has become one of the most recognizable names in custom knifemaking and collectible knife design.

So from all of us: Happy Birthday, Gil!

Gil Hibben began making knives after leaving the U.S. Navy in the 1950s. By 1957, knifemaking had become his professional career. His previous work as a machinist at Boeing also gave him valuable knowledge of metals and their properties. In 1964, Hibben began making knives full-time.

From Custom Knifemaker to Legend

Throughout his career, Hibben created countless distinctive designs and worked with major names in the industry. Among his many achievements, he designed Browning's original line of knives in 1968. That same year, he created his famous Kenpo Knife as part of his work in American Kenpo.

But Hibben's influence extends far beyond traditional custom knives. His unmistakable designs eventually found their way onto Hollywood sets and became part of countless movies and television productions.

Rambo, Star Trek & Hollywood

One of the defining moments of Hibben's career came with Rambo III, when Sylvester Stallone commissioned him to design the iconic knife for the movie. This ultimately led to a long-standing relationship with United Cutlery, which has produced collectible reproductions of many of Hibben's designs.

Hibben also made a major contribution to the Star Trek universe. He designed Klingon blades and became known as Paramount Pictures' “Official Klingon Armourer.” His designs have appeared across numerous other films and television productions as well.

More Than Six Decades of Passion

Hibben's extraordinary career has been recognized with several Hall of Fame honors, including the Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame in 1990 and the International Knife Throwers Hall of Fame in 2003.

Even at 91, Gil Hibben remains closely connected to his craft. His knife-making legacy is also carried forward by his sons Wesley and Derek Hibben, continuing a family tradition built over generations.

91 years of Gil Hibben – and a remarkable career connecting custom knifemaking, fantasy design and Hollywood.

Happy 91st Birthday, Gil Hibben! Here's to an incredible legacy and many more years of creativity!