Gil Hibben has spent over 55 years of his life building his name and reputation as a master knifemaker. Because his name is recognized around the world, there are some questionable companies and sellers who try to cash in by putting the Hibben name on counterfeit knives.
The signatures, logos and even boxes are completely fabricated, wihout permission or concent, made by questionable companies who are not required to follow US patent or trademark laws.
Below are a few that we have found circulating in the wild.
In Sept 2023 this fantasy (fake) Hibben has shown up on eBay from seller Car6660_5. An Expendables bowie that is marked LaGrange KY, but this is not a custom knife. It is comparable to a United cutlery version but a closer look at the banner under the Expendables logo shows that it does not say “Expendables”, it is gibberish.
This one was for sale on eBay by seller “smartknives2010” (in China). It was NOT made by United Cutlery and is NOT a Hibben knife or design.
Another complete fake sold on eBay by “c-knife2009” (in China). Again, this is NOT a Hibben design or a United Cutlery product!
Gil Hibben’s “Rambo III” knife is one of the most recognized and successful reproduction knives ever made. Over the years, several people have made and sold counterfeit copies of it. Some rip-off manufacturers are bold enough to actually put the Gil Hibben and/or United Cutlery trademarks on them.
The example below was being sold on eBay by “katahan_art” (in China). It is NOT a Hibben or Hibben-endorsed knife. It is a cheap counterfeit copy. Notice the packaging; “Rambo 111” was NEVER used by Hibben or United. Hibben knives are marked “Rambo III” but some counterfeiters also use that mark.
Also, notice the poor quality of the blade with the pitting in the grind.
Gil Hibben makes handmade originals and authentic handmade reproductions in his one-man shop. He also licenses some of his designs to be made exclusively by United Cutlery. The United Cutlery knives are lower-cost factory-made reproductions of Gil Hibben designs. Anything else is a fake!