Rambo III was the first Rambo movie for which Gil Hibben made knives, taking over from Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer Jimmy Lile, who made the knives for the first two Rambo films. When Stallone contacted Hibben about doing the knife for the third film, Hibben made a prototype hollow-handle survival knife with sawteeth on the spine.
However, Stallone decided he wanted something different and opted for another of Hibben’s designs, the now famous Rambo III bowie. However, the minefield scenes for the third movie already had been filmed with Stallone using the first design, the knife known as the Rescue Mission Knife.
On the 25th anniversary of Rambo III, Hibben teamed with award-winning knifemaker Vaughn Neeley to fashion a limited edition of 100 specially marked, mirror-polished and serial-numbered 25th anniversary Rescue Mission knives. Go here for more information.
Instead of the Rescue Mission Knife, Stallone opted for Gil Hibben’s Rambo III bowie (shown here) as the featured knife for the third film. Stallone had more input on the design of the bowie, including the long cutout in the blade. (Kris Kandler image)
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the February 2008 issue ofBLADE magazine, which you can download here.
Over a quarter century after John Rambo burst onto the big screen and changed cutlery history forever, it is near time for the character created by author David Morrell to cut a worldwide cinematic swath with his indomitable knife once again.
As BLADE® was going to press, the fourth installment of the Rambo movie series, Rambo (aka Rambo IV) a Lionsgate film, was due to be released at movie theaters on Jan. 25, 2008. Sylvester Stallone wrote the screenplay, directs and stars in the movie that finds Rambo living a secluded life working as a snake catcher in Thailand some 26 years after Rambo first appeared in First Blood.
Rambo Knives: A Brief History
An isolated shot of the “J.R.,” the knife designed by Gil Hibben for the fourth Rambo film.
For Rambo III (1987), Stallone called on Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame knifemaker Gil Hibben to create the knife.
A Series of False Starts
For Rambo, Stallone once again called Hibben to help create a new knife for the movie. Stallone had a basic idea of what he needed and the knife was written into the script as an integral part of the movie. Hibben made at least five prototype versions of the piece before finally arriving at the design that will be used in the film.
In October 2006, Hibben began designing the knife. At first, the blade exhibited characteristics of the Rambo III model.
Hibben designs the knife in his shop in LaGrange, Kentucky. (photo by the author)
“My first one had a slot in the blade [as in the Rambo III knife] but in a machete or old Chinese sword design,” Hibben recalled. He also made a modified version in which he removed the top lug of the guard.
Stallone reportedly liked the blade design but said it was “too perfect.” He wanted something much more crude looking, as if it had been pounded out quickly from the limited resources Rambo has at his disposal in the movie.
It was back to the drawing board for Hibben.
“The blade size was originally 10 inches and Sly faxed me some pictures of some of the knives he’d seen from the cutting competitions,” the Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer explained. “He liked that style, so I made one up. It evolved from a 10-inch blade to a 12-inch one. It evolved from several sizes and shapes until I got what he liked.”
To make it authentic, Hibben forged the next few prototypes from pieces of a truck leaf spring. Since there was agreement on the basic blade design, next came the question of the handle and finish of the knife.
Hibben thought about what materials might be available to the character in the movie. He considered leather, wood, paracord, tape and even seat-belt webbing for use on the handle. The second prototype had a wooden grip wrapped in green paracord and an enclosed sheath. Hibben also made a third prototype with a leather-wrapped handle.
Again, the studio said it needed something more crude looking.
There’s Crude, and then There’s CRUDE
Sylvester Stallone, seen here playing John Rambo in the fourth movie in the franchise, holds Hibben’s final version. (photo by Karen Ballard from Rambo®, a Lionsgate film)
Prototype number four was a very simple design with a cord-wrapped handle. Hibben made one with green cord and one with black cord. It was close to being right, but the finish was still too slick to have been quickly forged as it is in the script.
Finally, Hibben decided that, considering John Rambo’s skills and experience and the materials that the title character would have available, the knife would have a cord-wrapped handle, perhaps covered with tape for additional grip. The blade would be marked with depressions from the hammer blows from being forged quickly without time or resources to put a fine finish on the blade.
“So I took it out of the heat treat and beat the heck out of it,” Hibben recalled. “I really made it look like Sly made it.”
Following the Rambo knife tradition, it would be a large, heavy blade with a thick spine. Assuming that Rambo would not have time or materials to make a new sheath but would still have the sheath from his previous knife, he opts to cut the end of the old Rambo IIIsheath to accommodate the larger blade and broader tip of the new knife. This is the knife and sheath in Rambo.
Rambo IV Knife Specs
The final version, the “J.R.,” appeared on the cover of the February 2008 issue of BLADE. Click to download the issue.
The 12-inch blade is forged from a 3-inch piece of quarter-inch-thick D2 tool steel. As you might imagine, such a knife is somewhat heavy—2 pounds worth—so Hibben made some lightweight aluminum versions for Stallone to use when need be for safety’s sake during filming.
Since the movie was shot in the corrosion-inducing environs of the jungle, Hibben said he put Renaissance Wax on the non-stainless D2 to protect the blade from rust.
“There was a lot of rain there,” he noted. “Luckily they got out before the monsoons hit.”
The cord-wrapped handle is covered with black tape for additional grip. Eighteen inches overall, the knife comes in the modified Rambo III sheath.
Collector Pricing Reference
At press time (in 2008), Hibben was offering a handmade version of the knife in all the original materials—though with nicer sheaths—for $1,250. It is called the “J.R.” There will be 100 in all, with 25 of them already having been sold.
Knives are a dominant force in many of our lives. There are the classic designs, the valued collectibles and, perhaps most of all, the users. Of the latter the ones I remember in a special way are those with which I accidentally cut myself. Of those cuts, three stand out.
Cut Number 1
I was 11 or so and rode a Western Auto Wildcat bicycle—the kind with the Hollywood handlebars and banana seat with sissy bar—most everywhere. At the time the oil company then known as Esso, today’s Exxon, had the promotion “put a tiger in your tank” with Esso gasoline.
To help sell it they gave away furry toy tiger tails with elastic looped straps people attached to their car gas caps so the tails would fl op in the breeze as the cars motored along.
I had the bright idea that I would cut the looped strap of one of the tails in two and tie the resulting straps around my banana seat sissy bar so the tail would fl op in the wind as I rode my bike. (To my later chagrin, I didn’t know how to do the old loop-tie trick back then.)
I pulled a large serrated knife from the kitchen drawer and proceeded to cut the strap—and also the base of my left index finger. It was one of those ragged-jagged cuts, and, when Dad walked in and saw it, I thought he was going to come un-gas-capped, so to- speak. Oddly enough, I don’t remember the cut hurting that much.
Anyhow, five stitches later I had learned just how fragile human flesh is.
Cut Number 2
Years later while fishing I caught a bream and was in the process of filleting it with a Marttiini classic fillet knife when zip, zap! the blade went right through the bream and across, over and through the tip of that same left index finger. The cut did not require stitches but the Marttiini blade was sharp as the dickens, and my finger burned like fire to the bone almost immediately after I cut it.
To this day I can recall how it felt and shudder at the memory.
I propped up a small damascus fixed blade built by since-retired custom knifemaker Robert Brothers, along with its sheath, on a shelf. As the cameras photographed away, being the colossal klutz I am I bumped the shelf. The knife came tumbling down point-first into the webbed skin between my ring finger and pinky. You guessed it—I let out with the “sh__!” word in full earshot of the show’s television viewing audience.
Bruce took my on-air epithet better than I thought he would. (Unlike today, profanity was forbidden on television back then.) Maybe the best part was the knife did not sell and Brothers, being the good Samaritan, gave it to me—but not before having it etched, “In Memory of Steve Shackleford: Finger The Stinger.”
I don’t have the old serrated knife or the Marttiini fillet but I still have The Stinger—and, somehow, all my fingers, too.
America. Apple pie. More America. More apple pie. (Hey, it’s the holidays, and pie is mandatory, right?)
Wrap it all up with the new Case Star Spangled Tribal Lock in a patriotic-themed “natural bone” handle, and a Tru-Sharp surgical steel spear blade embellished with the iconic “USA.” The Star-Spangled Tribal Lock is the latest in the Case/Bose Tribal Lock family of knives designed by world-renowned knifemaker Tony Bose and is made in Bradford, Pennsylvania.
With a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $148.70, the one-blade folder weighs 3.3 ounces and is 4 1/8 inches closed—a good, solid weight and size for pocket carry. Oh, and in case any of you are wondering, Case’s Tru-Sharp surgical steel is the company’s version of 420HC stainless.
Here’s an interview with Bose:
Crazy About Case Knives?
As the only full-color price guide devoted solely to Case pocket knives, Collecting Case Knives, 2nd. Ed. features nearly 1,000 photos, current values for hundreds of pocket knives from 1920 to today, and detailed information about methods for creating knives, quirks of the pattern numbering systems, tang stamps, types of blade steels, and knife shields.
Designed by Harold Moeller, the SpyderThrowers from Spyderco feature 8Cr13MoV stainless steel and carry in a three-tiered sheath.
Whether it’s blood relatives or your inner circle of friends, all of them need family gift knives. Here are 10 examples of some really sharp gifts you can give to those closest to you this holiday season.
Kitchen knives make good family gift knives for just about any adult who likes to work with food. The three-piece Kershaw-Emerson set includes a chef’s knife, paring knife and bread knife—three of the most used cutting tools in the eating area. Check this great gift out for an MRSP of only $44.99.
Tactical guru Ernest Emerson designed a new set of kitchen knives—outstanding family gift knives—for Kershaw.
Grandpa loves traditional pocketknives and the Case dark redbone trapper commemorative tin in the motif of
Grandpa will love the Case Duke knife that includes John Wayne’s signature on the blade and the Red River D shield.
the premier pilgrim of them all, John Wayne, will be sure to fit gramps’ pistol. The shield is the “Red River D,” the ranch brand used by Duke’s character of Tom Dunson in the western movie classic Red River.
With bans against switchblades being overturned nationwide, it might just be that your state has overturned its ban as well. Check with the American Knife & Tool Institute or Knife Rights to find out. If it has, just about anyone of a proper age in your family will love the out-the-front auto from Hogue.
Hogue’s out-the-front auto sports a tanto blade of CPM 154 stainless steel in a black PVD finish. MSRP: $369.95.
For the bush crafter in your family, check out the Bush Craft Ignite G-10 from Browning. It features a hollow-ground blade of 7Cr17MoV stainless steel and a carbide fire starter with a nylon lanyard that fits in a sheath pocket.
The Bush Craft Ignite G-10 from Browning includes a ribbed black G-10 handle, a partially serrated edge and a fire starter that fits in a sheath pocket. MSRP: $59.99.
Every family has one–the type who, in an emergency situation where extreme measures must be taken to save someone from a burning building or other disaster, is more than ready to do what needs doing. Such situations can call for breaching tools, and Camillus has such a model with its Crash Breaching Tool. The CBT features titanium stainless steel, full-tang construction, a pry bar and hammer head.
The Camillus Crash Breaching Tool is for the door knocker downer in your family. MSRP: $119.99.
Your family member who likes to sharpen his/her family gift knives or wants to be better at it will love Smith’s Sharpener and Knife Tool. It sharpens both plain and serrated edges and comes in a cool compact carry unit.
Who’s the Zombie fan or fans in your family? KA-BAR‘s Zombie Knives line has just the folder for him, her or them with the Kharon Tanto Folder in the company’s familiar Zombie green handle.
ESEE‘s Izula Gear Wallet Kit has a mini razor blade, kevlar cordage, signal mirror, non-metallic handcuff key, E&E plastic instruction cards, clear plastic survival nav card, fire starter, arrowhead, fish hooks, button compass and more.Knife, wrench, pliers, flashlight, screwdriver, comb, pen and more, the Stowaway Tool from Klecker enables you to load as many or as few of the items on one platform as you like.
No matter your family member’s need, the Klecker Stowaway Tool most likely has a tool for it. Knife, flashlight, screwdriver, pliers, scissors, tweezers, bottle opener, pen, fire starter, comb, wrench, seat belt cutter and straight razor, you have your choice of any of them–and you can install as many or few of them on the Stowaway Tool as you like.
Every family has someone who likes to throw stuff, so why not with family gift knives? Spyderco has a set designed especially for the purpose with its SpyderThrowers. They are designed by Canadian knifemaker/knife-throwing authority Harald Moeller.
Everyone needs a survival kit, and one in wallet form is especially handy. ESEE‘s Izula Gear Wallet Kit has everything a dyed-in-the-wool survivalist needs in a handy carry package 4.25×2.75 inches in size and weighing in at only 4 ounces.
The Kharon Tanto Folder in KA-BAR‘s Zombie Knives line has a 3.375-inch blade of AUS 8A stainless and a Zombie green synthetic handle. MSRP: $21.05.Sharpen those pesky serrated edges and more with Smith’s Sharpener and Knife Tool.
Forging some of the best blade steels is something with which Damasteel of Soderfors, Sweden, is well acquainted.The best blade steels combined with the best blade shapes can cut wonders. Puma’s SGB Buffalo Hunter comes in a recurve blade of 1.4116 stainless steel.Raffir fossil mammoth ivory comprises the handle of Danish knifemaker Tommy Astrup’s mosaic damascus fixed blade.The best blade steels, latest handle materials and more of what it takes to make the hottest knife are in the new BLADE 2018 Complete Knife Guide, on newsstands now!
The best blade steels, latest handle materials, blade shapes, knifemaking suppliers and most everything else it takes to make a knife the sharpest it can be populate the BLADE 2018 Complete Knife Guide, on newsstands now!
What’s the best knife steel for one application can be a disaster for another. However, there exists a happy medium where a maker and an end-user get as many general bennies from the steel as possible. Dave Rhea examines the phenomenon in detail and considers some of today’s best cutting materials in his story, “Keys To The Best Blade Steels.”
Based in Hadsten, Denmark, Raffir offers an array of the most beautiful and durable synthetics yet in its range of fossil, wood and other materials. In Raffir Mammoth Tooth in particular, the cracks and abrasions that handle companies have to fill and re-fill during finishing operations with standard mammoth tooth are reduced by 80 to 90 percent. The material is most pleasing to the eye as well. Get a handle on the latest gripping stuff in “Most Beautiful Synthetics Ever?” by yours truly and Mike Haskew’s “What’s Your Handle?”
The “S”-shaped recurve blade has the rear of the cutting edge, or belly, curving inward toward the spine in a continuous curve from the point. Though most recurves have similar looks, subtle design differences mean that each knife has a distinct feel and performance. David W. Jung outlines some of the leading performers of the genre in “The Inside Edge.”
There is a wealth of knifemaking suppliers providing just what the knife doctor ordered, whether it be the best in handle materials, steels, specialized forging equipment, or the tools that make the sparks fly. Daniel Jackson reacquaints you with some of the best of the lot in “Go-To Guys of Sharp.”
There’s much more in the Complete Knife Guide, including the most comprehensive listing of factory knife companies and other professionals in the industry, a sneak peek at the coolest knife debuts for 2018, the brightest flashlight knives, three fun-to-build knife kits, the latest in beer knives and much more.
Ken Jantz of Jantz Supply works on a prototype for a new hollow-grinding fixture in the Jantz Shop in Davis, Oklahoma.
These pre-1950 Buck knives handmade by Buck patriarch Hoyt Buck are classic examples of the Buck legacy.CJ Buck was the most recent member of the First Family of Knives to be inducted into the BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall Of Fame, entering the hall in 2016.One of several of Buck’s assisted-opening folding knives is the Rush.First produced in 1964, the Buck 110 remains one of the most famous modern production knives ever.
If there’s such a thing as the First Family of Knives, the Buck family is it.
Buck Knives has been run by a member of the Buck family—Hoyt, Al, Chuck or CJ—since “H.H. Buck and Son” set up shop in 1945. Since that time, the name Buck has become synonymous with fine hunting, sporting and other knives, and Al, Chuck and CJ help comprise the only family with three members to be inducted into the BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall Of Fame*.
According to The Story of Buck Knives … A Family Business by Tom Ables, in 1946 “Buck’s knives were all created from used metal files that had been discarded by Consolidated Vultee, the huge aircraft manufacturing plant that later became Convair. These worn-out files, with their heavy carbon content, were perfect for the toughness and edge-holding qualities that Hoyt Buck required in his knives.”
Al joined his father full time in 1947. “[Al] learned how to laminate the thin strips of Lucite plastic used on the handles,” The Story of Buck Knives noted. “He learned how to separate and drill the handles themselves. Later, he learned how to temper the blades so painstakingly sharpened by his dad.”
Sadly, Hoyt learned he had cancer in 1948 and the dreaded disease claimed his life a short year later. He was only 59. Al assumed the company reins and guided it successfully through the 1950s and into the “modern age” of the 1960s. Buck incorporated in 1961, with a young Chuck Buck on the board of directors. The company began making the iconic Buck 110 Folding Hunter on a full production basis in September 1964. The knife’s sales jumped in 1965, increased 63 percent in 1966 and vaulted another 60 percent in 1967.
The knife industry would never be the same again.
Buck flourished under the direction of Al in the 1970s and ’80s, offering the latest in knife designs, materials and more. Along with the legendary Jimmy Lile, Howard Cole and William R. Williamson, Al was inducted into the Cutlery Hall Of Fame at the 1984 BLADE Show.
In 1984, Al Buck became the initial member of the First Family of Knives to join the Cutlery Hall Of Fame.
As the September/October 1984 issue of BLADE® noted in reference to Al and the 110. “Buck didn’t invent the lockback, but he certainly popularized it, and despite a flood of other lockbacks, the Buck knife still leads the way. If you are carrying a lockback today, you can thank Al Buck for his enduring promotional efforts. You have a safer knife for it.”
Chuck was next in line to be inducted into the Cutlery Hall Of Fame, being inducted along with Blackie Collins in 1996. Chuck was a part of the Buck family business from childhood. By 1970 he was corporate vice president for manufacturing, involved in all aspects of the process, from purchasing to personnel to packaging. In 1979 he became company president. Through Chuck’s leadership, the company completed a modern new plant and corporate headquarters in 1980 with 4.5 acres under one roof.
Under his direction the company grew and prospered, winning several BLADE Magazine Knife-Of-The-Year® Awards. By 2004 he was Buck Knives chairman and helped oversee the company’s historic move to Post Falls, Idaho, from El Cajon, California, in 2005.
Chuck Buck was the second Cutlery Hall Of Fame inductee from the First Family of Knives in 1996.
CJ was inducted into the Hall in 2016 following a career that saw him begin by working on the Buck production line in 1978. For 21 years he handled numerous company promotions and responsibilities. In 1999 he was named president of Buck Knives and, in 2001, CEO. In 2015 he was named Buck chairman of the board. He is a co-founder of the American Knife & Tool Institute (AKTI), serving multiple terms as AKTI president, and is the AKTI’s current CEO. He played a pivotal role in the AKTI’s historic defeat of an attempt by U.S. Customs to classify all one-hand-opening knives as switchblades in 2009. Ironically, today, thanks to the efforts of such organizations as AKTI and Knife Rights, switchblades—better known now as automatics—are being legalized in more and more states, and there’s even an effort under way to repeal the archaic Federal Switchblade Act of 1958. In addition, under CJ’s leadership, Buck has an entire line of automatics, including one of its latest—a version of the iconic 110 in full auto mode, no less.
The only family with three members in the Cutlery Hall Of Fame, the Bucks can legitimately lay claim to being the First Family of Knives. Their contributions speak for themselves.
•Uncle Henry and Al Baer of the original Imperial Schrade and A.G. and Goldie Russell are the only brothers and husband and wife, respectively, to be inducted into the Cutlery Hall Of Fame.
