Gil Hibben Kenpo Karate Knives

This page details both of the Kenpo Karate knives that have been released by Gil Hibben. Mr. Hibben is a long time Kenpo Karate practitioner as well being a knife designer and manufacturer. There is information on Mr. Hibben at his offical website.

Hibben Kenpo I

This is the United Cutlery production model (now discontinued) of the original Kenpo Karate knife, created and presented to Ed Parker in 1968 as his black belt thesis for the art of American Kenpo. The knife was specially designed for use in Kenpo and other martial arts.

The handle is inlayed with the American Kenpo crest, and the crest is also stamped into the leather sheath.

Blade	420 J2 stainless
Handle	mahogany staminawood with cloisonne kenpo insignia, polished brass guard and pommel
Sheath	brown leather cordovan
Blade length	18.9cm
Overall length	32.8cm
Weight	489g

Hibben Kenpo II

This is the United Cutlery production model Gil Hibben’s revised Kenpo Karate knife, the Kenpo II. The Kenpo II differs quite dramatically from the Kenpo I, with a completely different blade profile and a much more ergonomic grip.

Blade	420 J2 stainless
Handle	black spanish micarta with cloisonne kenpo insignia
Sheath	black leather
Blade length	17.6cm
Overall length	31.4cm
Weight	507g

Hibben Alaskan Survival Knife

This is the United Cutlery production model of Hibben’s Alaskan Survival Knife. This knife appeared after the Kenpo II and is virtually identical to it with the following exceptions:

• There is no Kenpo Karate insignia inlayed into the handle (fig 1.)
• There is no Kenpo Karate insignia inlayed into the sheath (fig 2.)
• The blade is etched with the Alaskan Professional Hunters Association logo (fig 3.)
• The blade stock is not scalloped along the top of the handle as it is on the Kenpo II (fig. 4)
• The scalloping on the blade is a slightly different profile
• The Kenpo II is branded as being made in Taiwan whilst the Alaskan is branded as being made in China

On a more cosmetic slant the grain on the micarta is much finer and more pleasing on the Kenpo II (as can be seen in fig 1.), and the leather used for the sheath with the Kenpo II is of much higher quality.

I remain unsure as to why this model appeared, I may contact Mr. Hibben regarding this. This knife seems much more suited as a fighter than as a hunting or woodcraft knife. Indeed, as a woodcraft knife is is far too big to be of much use at all! I suspect that it was a marketing issue that was raised by United Cutlery; since many people can associate with a ‘hunting’ knife yet a Kenpo Karate knife would appeal to a minority (and therefore not sell as well).

I own both of these knives (American Kenpo Long Form 8 requires a pair of Kenpo knives) and so have provided the following photographs to help illustrate the differences between them. Please note that they both bear the same model number (UC1168) even though they are clearly not the same, so please be careful in identifying what particular model you require if you are wanting to purchase one.

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