My newest prized possession

[Dave1982]

I forgot to mention that I added another Gil Hibben Fantasy Series knife to my little collection.

The Raptor. You may know it as the Mortal Kombat knife.




I'm still trying to get my hands on a Jackal knife, but those go for big bucks (easily over $150, compared to most other Hibben licensed knives, which go for around $50 each or less) since that one was used both in Star Trek Nemesis AND on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I have the money for it, but I can't justify it, what with all the other indulgent things I've bought recently (iPod touch, a netbook, and several hundred dollars worth of vintage NES/SNES stuff, not to mention those other two knives).

By the way, unlike the Double Shadow (which is sharpened on both sides) on the convex edge of the blade is sharpened. The concave side and the little serrations aren't even ground for edges, let alone sharpened. I also love the curved grip on this one. I just wish I hadn't stupidly decided to stab a soda can with it, nicking the blade. Oh well, it was already slightly damaged when I got it (which was why I got it for only $15).

[Nyoibo]

I've got the Raptor, the one I want to go with it is the Raven, I do want the Jackal but the problem I have in Australia is it's almost impossible to import double eged knives and buying them in Australia is ridiculously expensive.

I now also feel the need to post a picture of my weapon collection, hmm.

[Dave1982]

As far as I know, the Raven (which was the basis for the design of the Raptor) is also only single edged. Last I checked, they tended to go relatively cheap on eBay. But then, knife laws can be terribly difficult about that, especially in Australia (over on another forum, I've read about all manner of problems people have with importing classic cars into Australia from the States).

Personally, I don't like the Raven. It just looks very plain compared to Hibben's other designs. I liken it to a curved Bowie, and it just doesn't do anything for me.

[Nyoibo]

Yeah, the raven it single edged, no problem to get it if I find one, but the Jackal is a double edged, and the only one I've seen for sale here has had the back edge ground down to be imported, when I get my collectors licence hopefully it'll be easier to import.

[Slytovhand]

Nyoibo, depends on your laws. If they're anything like Vic (which I think most are these days), it's a lot easier to get around them than you'd think - join a martial arts club or possibly even a re-enactment society. I was a member of a Swordplay guild, which, according to the laws here, entitled me to own such weapons (with certain stipulations... which are ridiculous in some cases... such as having to have a show weapon (ie - no blade) safely secured away... what's the point of that for, say Hadhafang???). Also, there was something in our laws that said if you previously had such weapons in your possession prior to the new laws coming in, you could get exemption as well - ie, collector status almost automatically. (be great if this country could get some uniform laws, just to stop the confusion!!! Queensland used to have it easy!)

[Nyoibo]

Our's are a bit more lax here, we can own swords without an exemption, I have an exemption for multiple prohibited weapons through martial arts already, however that does not give you the right to import them, to import a prohibited weapon you must first make an application to the firearms branch of the police for each weapon, if they ok it you then have to complete several forms and send them to customs, and they have to approve it as well, if it all gets approved then you have to make sure the weapons are declared coming into australia, customs will sieze them and you then have to go to the nearest customs depot (about 1.5 hours away from me) with the permission to import, do more paperwork and you finally get your stuff. The police are notoriously tough on approving things and fantasy knives and such they tend not to approve.

[Dave1982]

I GOT ONE!!!!!



Finally, after months and months of patiently waiting, I managed to get my hands on one.

Typically then sell for $150-200, but I got mine for $81, plus $15 shipping, with the original sheath.

There's a couple scuff marks on the handle, and the blade needs a good polishing, but on the whole, I'm very happy.