Hibben® Knives
  Annual Custom Design Autographed Series

The annual custom design autographed series started in 1990. Only the first ones made of the new design each year are marked "First Production Run" and the sheath is personally autographed by master knifermaker, Gil Hibben.

Each year the latest edition in his on going Hibben Custom Design Series is eagerly awaited by collectors. Close attention to quality is a top priority in every piece. He is one of the most prolific of today's knife designers, Gil Hibben has created some of the most visually stunning fantasy knives available today. Gil is a member of the Knifemakers Guild, and was inducted into the Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame. 
How can you tell if you have a  "First Production Run" Hibben knife? Click here.

I feel that the normal Gill Hibben’s that are made each year are closer to the real thing than the gold editions. The new design each year is based on an original Hibben custom hand made knife that is mass produced in a factory setting with very good standards. The standards are good enough that Gill signs the first ones that come off the production line by putting his signature on the back of each sheath that come with the knife. If you have ever seen and held a handmade Hibben you know the standard he is capable of. Of course the United factory made knives are no were near the cost of a handmade Hibben. That is what they were made to do, bring a reasonable cost fantasy knife to the general market.

If the standard factory edition reproduces a gold plated Hibben that Gill handmade in the first place that is true to his design. I see the gold plating of the standard edition as being like spraying painting one of the normal production knives to change its appearance.  The gold plate does not add that much value to the already high standard production model. Gold is expensive but gold plate is not. Yes gold plating is more than spray paint but just because there is a smaller number of the gold edition does not make them better than the standard edition.

I do think the first ones that Gill signs in the first production run are more valuable because of the implied endorsement by his signature on each sheath that come with the first units made. Remember even though the knives are fantasy knives they are still a knife and as such should do what a knife does. Gold plating does not change that. When the Annual Custom Design Autographed Series started in 1990 the gold edition did not exist.

For me knives and knife collecting are based on what the object called a knife does and the implied power that it brings to the table. Knives are tools and can be a weapon but the single most important thing that a knife does is cut. The cutting edge is the knife, then the way the overall item called a knife brings the edge to bear on what it is cutting or shaping determiners the overall quality, design, edge holding ability and the way we use the tool called a knife. That means a knife can be very useful in making your life better, easier, safer and more enjoyable.

A real fantasy some day is that we no longer use what we now call a knife but instead use a phaser or something like that to cut and shape with. We do not know what the future will bring? 

For more thoughts on limited edition and commemorative knives go here.