Searles Bowie
Price $1,795.00
Product Details
Blade Length 9.125
Overall Length 14
Weight (oz) 19.6
Source Previously owned
Additional Specs
Knife Type Hidden Tang
Handle Material Wood
About the Maker
Overeynder, Tommy
"I began making knives in 1977 after seeing a couple handmade knives my father-in-law, who was a master tool and die maker, made. I made seven, all folders, to give away as Christmas gifts to my family members. While searching for what little information that was available at the time I learned there was a collector market. So, I began designing, making, and selling my work and have enjoyed a demand for my handmade knives since that time. I became a full-time maker after my retirement in December 2001 from a 36-year career in the aircraft industry. I prefer making collector grade folders, but I make a few bowies, chute knives, etc. on occasion. I use CTS-XHP, PSF-27, CPM-154, CPM-D2, BG-42, D-2, S30V, S60V, RWL-34 and a fair amount of damascus. My primary frame materials is 416 stainless steel. I like stable handle materials such as mother of pearl, minerals and jigged bone, but I also use mammoth and hippo ivories, and a few woods, micarta and carbon fiber. I was a voting member of the Knifemaker’s Guild from 1983 through 2016 and never missed a show. I’m also a charter member of the Texas Knifemakers Association. Also, I am a member of the CKCA (Custom Knife Collectors Association). Over the years I have been blessed with winning quite a few awards as a knifemaker. My first was at the 1986 Knifemaker’s Guild Show in Dallas, TX where Bob Lum and I were the first makers to receive the Beretta Award of Outstanding Achievement in Handmade Cutlery. Then in 2002 at the Spirit of Steel Show in Mesquite, TX I won the “Best Folder” award. And at the 2006 Knifemaker’s Guild Show in Orlando, FL I got “Best Collaboration” on a knife that Joe Mason engraved. Again in Orlando at the 2008 Guild Show I won two awards, “Best of Show” and “Best Art Knife” with the same knife that Joe Mason also engraved. In 2009 at the Knifemaker’s Guild Show in Louisville, KY I won “Best Folder”. Then in 2010 at the Blade Show in Atlanta Brian Hochstrat and I won “Best Collaboration” on two daggers that Brian engraved. In 2012 at the Lone Star Knife Expo in Ft. Worth, TX I won the “Best Folder” with a two-blade Sowbelly. Later the same year at the Guild show I won “Best Multi-blade” with a Serpentine trapper. And I was given the very prestigious “Red Watson Memorial Friendship Award”. Then I won “Best Multi-blade Folder” award at the 2013 Guild Show. I was awarder again at the 2014 show for “Best Multi-blade Folder” with a 3 blade Lockback Whittler that Tony Bose supplied a pattern to me for. More awards were collected at the 2015 ICCE/Knifemaker’s Guild show in Kansas City, MO, I was awarded “Best Folder”, “Best Multi-blade” and “Best Art Knife” with three different knives. Awarded the Knifemaker’s Guild “Best Folder” award at the 2016 ICCE/Knifemaker’s Guild show. I was inducted into the Art Knife Invitational in March of 2016. This was a great honor to become a member of the prestigious group of world class knifemakers, my first show at AKI was October 28 of 2017."
Hibben, Gil
Gil Hibben lives and works in LaGrange, Kentucky. He began making knives part-time after his discharge from the Navy in 1956. He sold his first bowie knife for $45 and that sparked his long and famous career as a professional knife maker. While living in Seattle, WA after his Navy discharge, Gil worked as a machinist for Boeing Aircraft and learned a lot about metals and their properties. In 1964, while living in Salt Lake City, Utah, Gil started making knives full time. This was also the year Gil started making knives from the relatively new 440C steel. Although it is the industry standard now, Gil believes he was the first custom knife maker to use 440C. Hibben has been a full time custom knifemaker since 1957. Over the years Gil achieved fame as a premier custom knife maker and his work has been featured in, and on the covers of, national gun and knife magazines. He has established a whos-who following of collectors including John Wayne, Elvis Presley, Steve McQueen, Sylvester Stallone and Steven Segal or world leaders such as Israel's Defense Minister Moshe Dayan, the Sultan of Brunei and Vice-President Dan Quayle. He has taught and influenced some of the other legendary knife makers such as S.R. Johnson, Harvey Draper and Buster Warenski among countless others. Hibben designed the first line of Browning hunting knives in 1968, the American Kenpo Knife for Ed Parker. Gil's fame dramatically increased in 1988 when Sylvester Stallone, who had purchased several of Gil's custom knives for his own collection, asked Gil to design the now famous knife used in the movie Rambo III. Inducted into the Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame in 1990.