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Author Topic: Bisbee goes over the top - thanks to a new pinnacle of custom Zavs  (Read 4716 times)

Winz

  • WKC Ranger
  • Posts: 1714
     Many of us (myself included) have been the recipients of custom kettle handles made by Brian @zavod44 .  It goes without saying the the combination of exotic woods and Brian’s craftsmanship make for stunning results.  Earlier this summer, I decided it was time to pull out all the stops and have Brian make a set of custom handles designed specifically for Bisbee, my custom copper gen 1 performer. My design criteria for him was simple: “Make the best handles you can make while incorporating the copper theme.”  My initial thoughts were to inlay copper ingots, or perhaps a shiny penny into the handle, but wanted to see what Brian would come up with.  I left choice of wood up to him, and sent him a solid piece of copper left over from Bisbee’s custom top as potential material to use in the project.


A few months went by and he let me know periodically that he was thinking about the project and really wanted to do it right.  As we got closer to the handles actually being made, I inquired about his progress on the project.  His exact response:


“I like to think of these as my Zeppelin IV, my Quadrophenia, my Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, my Master of Puppets.....this is worthy of Bisbee...and I have been to Bisbee as well......”


A solid endorsement indeed, but I still did not know exactly where this was going.  Then one day, I received a few pictures:






Ok, this is going to be good…


Regarding the choice of wood, I again left it to Brian and he recommended Ebony, a perfect (and expensive) choice.  The black wood and copper lettering is nicely thematic with Bisbee’s overall copper and black design.
     


This week I receive the finished results.  I know it is cliché, but pictures simply do not do it justice.  The extreme density of the wood coupled with the thick copper letters gives the handle a “heft” that oozes quality, and the inlay, when examined closely, is simply perfect.


First look:



Due to the density of the wood and the copper, these parts weigh twice what my other handles weigh:



Bisbee all decked out:



New handle, rollers, vent tab, and top handle all from ebony:






This inlay is simply amazing - the mark of a skilled and talented artist.   I love the fact that the letters were made from the same piece of copper as the top and front panel:



I could not be happier with the results of this project.  Thanks Brian for taking Bisbee to a whole new level.
     


Winz


 
In an ongoing relationship with a kettle named Bisbee.

MrHoss

  • WKC Performer
  • Posts: 3477
Re: Bisbee goes over the top - thanks to a new pinnacle of custom Zavs
« Reply #1 on: December 17, 2015, 07:58:55 AM »
Wow. That's pretty special right there.
"Why do you have so many bbq's?"....."I just like lookin' at em' sometimes....and I have enough purses and shoes"

MacEggs

  • WKC Performer
  • Posts: 3472
Re: Bisbee goes over the top - thanks to a new pinnacle of custom Zavs
« Reply #2 on: December 17, 2015, 07:59:01 AM »
That is very impressive!  Nice work, zav. 
Q: How do you know something is bull$h!t?
A: When you are not allowed to question it.

Stringplucker1

  • Smokey Joe
  • Posts: 81
Re: Bisbee goes over the top - thanks to a new pinnacle of custom Zavs
« Reply #3 on: December 17, 2015, 08:10:32 AM »
That is amazing! Best looking Copper Kettle on the planet.
C&B Blue Performer

Bob BQ

  • WKC Performer
  • Posts: 4621
Re: Bisbee goes over the top - thanks to a new pinnacle of custom Zavs
« Reply #4 on: December 17, 2015, 08:10:52 AM »
Unreal. Absolutely beautiful.
BBQ:it's what's for dinner. Grail: 18” Custom - "The Californian"

firedude5015

  • WKC Ranger
  • Posts: 1026
Re: Bisbee goes over the top - thanks to a new pinnacle of custom Zavs
« Reply #5 on: December 17, 2015, 08:15:07 AM »
WOW!!!!!...just WOW!!!! Brian is an artist indeed!

MikeRocksTheRed

  • WKC Performer
  • Posts: 3329
    • The Kettle Cookers (facebook group)
Re: Bisbee goes over the top - thanks to a new pinnacle of custom Zavs
« Reply #6 on: December 17, 2015, 08:15:11 AM »
Wow, the installed pics are way better than the sneak peak pics I saw on Tuesday.  Bisbee is looking crazy awesome @Winz!  One hell of a job @zavod44!

62-68 Avocado BAR-B-Q Kettle, Red ER SS Performer, Green DA SS Performer, Black EE three wheeler, 1 SJS, 1 Homer Simpson SJS,  AT Black 26er, 82 Kettle Gasser Deluxe, "A" code 18.5 MBH, M Code Tuck-n-Carry, P Code Go Anywhere, 2015 RANCH FREAKING KETTLE!!!!!!

Russell C.

  • WKC Brave
  • Posts: 231
Re: Bisbee goes over the top - thanks to a new pinnacle of custom Zavs
« Reply #7 on: December 17, 2015, 08:16:14 AM »
*drops the mic*

Jtayres

  • WKC Brave
  • Posts: 181
Re: Bisbee goes over the top - thanks to a new pinnacle of custom Zavs
« Reply #8 on: December 17, 2015, 08:16:42 AM »
Absolutely Amazing.
Kettles: 2015 Performer Deluxe (Green), 2001 One Touch Platinum, 1999 Performer gas assist, 1991 Smokey Joe Gold (Green) Gasser: Genesis Silver B

Ted B

  • WKC Ranger
  • Posts: 1482
Re: Bisbee goes over the top - thanks to a new pinnacle of custom Zavs
« Reply #9 on: December 17, 2015, 08:33:44 AM »
As you know I've been a huge fan of this grill from the very beginning.
 I didn't think there was a higher ceiling to hit but between the two of you the ceiling has been raised.

You have set the gold err copper standard for all mods and performers.

Excellent work gentlemen! Very well done!  And thank you.

zavod44

  • WKC Ambassador
  • Posts: 6181
Re: Bisbee goes over the top - thanks to a new pinnacle of custom Zavs
« Reply #10 on: December 17, 2015, 08:45:46 AM »
As I was doing them I thought, it would look good, but when it was done I didn't know what to say.  They looked so awesome.  The Cooper polished up really well and the contrast with the black ebony really made them special.  I'm glad I was able to be part of Bisbee, it's truly a special grill...thanks everyone for the kind words....

Sent from a rotary phone

Vintage Weber Grill raconteur and bon vivant.....and definitely Sir Agent X

weldboy

  • WKC Ranger
  • Posts: 1417
Re: Bisbee goes over the top - thanks to a new pinnacle of custom Zavs
« Reply #11 on: December 17, 2015, 08:48:06 AM »
Fantastic job Brian, looks amazing


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

MINIgrillin

  • WKC Ranger
  • Posts: 1887
Re: Bisbee goes over the top - thanks to a new pinnacle of custom Zavs
« Reply #12 on: December 17, 2015, 08:51:10 AM »
Quality craftsmanship!  Well done!
Seville. CnB performer:blue,green,gray. 26r. 18otg. Karubeque C-60.

johnny 2 shack

  • WKC Ranger
  • Posts: 534
Re: Bisbee goes over the top - thanks to a new pinnacle of custom Zavs
« Reply #13 on: December 17, 2015, 09:31:42 AM »
awesome !

johnny 2 shack

  • WKC Ranger
  • Posts: 534
Re: Bisbee goes over the top - thanks to a new pinnacle of custom Zavs
« Reply #14 on: December 17, 2015, 09:33:14 AM »
also on a slightly related topic , does anybody know how to tighten the rivets on the wood handles ?