1968 Ensign knives, Gil Hibben Steelhead knife

Ensign Knives Steelhead model SSP (upswept point)

Ensign Knives was a small company producing "Bench-Made" knives in Utah. They were designed by Gil Hibben of Rambo fame. They produced knives under their own name and for Browning. Arms

In 1968, the Ensign brothers Dave and Joe provided Hibben with some capital with which to expand and modernize his operation without compromising the handmade aspects of his work. It was what is probably the first Bench-made operation of the modern era. The Hibben operation proved a success, and the business began to grow. The two basic models, Steelhead (upswept point) and Gray Wolf (drop point) were manufactured of 3-1/2” blades of 3/16” thick 440-C Stainless Steel.

About 1970 Gil Hibben and the Ensign brothers parted company, and the Ensign Corporation elected to undertake the Browning contract on its own. They began by purchasing an old gas station in Gunnison, Utah and renovating the garage portion to accommodate a knife manufacturing facility. 

This model is the Steelhead with factory sheath. Blade appears unused, the sheath shows storage wear and the lanyard has a firesteel and scraper.

 Additional: Small Blades 2"- 3.5"