Weber Kettle Club Forums
Grill Talk => Weber Grill Forum (Grills, Accessories) => Topic started by: Winz on December 17, 2015, 07:55:44 AM
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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:
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/ijyn0u5f6dw033g/1%20Copper%20etch.jpg?dl=0)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/nj8ibnaw1eu8wcv/2%20Copper%20Letters.jpg?dl=0)
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:
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/4q9hk0xq3q0p7td/3%20mail.jpg?dl=0)
Due to the density of the wood and the copper, these parts weigh twice what my other handles weigh:
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/dr7fg0lj8e80qju/3.5%20weight%202015-12-17%20at%209.14.20%20AM.png?dl=0)
Bisbee all decked out:
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/5055zbfsuemyuix/4%20bisbee%20IMG_1295.jpg?dl=0)
New handle, rollers, vent tab, and top handle all from ebony:
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/ps68ysqhbp1tao2/5%20top%20IMG_1296.jpg?dl=0)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/w31231vhv8qh7ea/6%20top%20IMG_1294.jpg?dl=0)
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:
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/xj9mack8c9wlf4f/7%20top%20IMG_1297.jpg?dl=0)
I could not be happier with the results of this project. Thanks Brian for taking Bisbee to a whole new level.
Winz
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Wow. That's pretty special right there.
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That is very impressive! Nice work, zav.
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That is amazing! Best looking Copper Kettle on the planet.
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Unreal. Absolutely beautiful.
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WOW!!!!!...just WOW!!!! Brian is an artist indeed!
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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!
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*drops the mic*
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Absolutely Amazing.
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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.
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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
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Fantastic job Brian, looks amazing
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Quality craftsmanship! Well done!
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awesome !
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also on a slightly related topic , does anybody know how to tighten the rivets on the wood handles ?
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Love that, that grill with all the customization has to be close to the top on my list of friggin' cool
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Dude Brisbee is rocking. Truely one of a kind. The handles are amazing. Even my more standard wood handles from Brian rock and your right he went to another level for Brisbee's Handles. Awesome all around.
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I love that inlay. Excellent craftsmanship, @zavod44
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also on a slightly related topic , does anybody know how to tighten the rivets on the wood handles ?
What rivets on what handles?
Sent from a rotary phone
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That's a sweet looking handle. The inlay must have been a "fun" challenge - very nicely done!
And Bisbee... She is like a fine wine ;) Stunning results you guys.
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also on a slightly related topic , does anybody know how to tighten the rivets on the wood handles ?
@johnny 2 shack , If a rivet becomes loose, hammer it down again with the help of a partner (http://www.ehow.com/how_7384285_tighten-rivet.html).
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Bisbee is badass!
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@Ted B
As you know I've been a huge fan of this grill from the very beginning.
I haven't forgotten that Bisbee is all your fault... :)
Winz
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Fantastic!
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Incredible work.
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Fantastic!
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Id be proud to cook on that performer, it's the gold, scratch that Copper Standard for all others to follow !
The handles are works of art !
Bravo !
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Those handles are just absolutely AMAZING! The finest handles I've ever seen.
They really put Bisbee over the top! That has to be one of the finest performers out there!
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Those handles are just absolutely AMAZING! The finest handles I've ever seen.
They really put Bisbee over the top! That has to be one of the finest performers out there!
I'd put money on it. And I though she already was. Bravo guys.
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WOW!!! Nice choice with the Ebony handles. That copper inlay is BADASS.
Great job Z
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Stunning to say the least!