Tom Ferry ~ Goblin #1 "Bad Moon Rising"

[HTMD]

Thanks everyone. And thanks to Jon Klein for the opportunity to shoot this puppy. We discussed the options for representing this one, heck - I wanted to do a 3D stop action animation of it slowly rotating in mid-air . But this was business and so naturally, we were eager to stay on task.

I'd like to see a pic with the blade fully open.

I put this image aside because among other things, the blade exposure is not right and couldn't be corrected to look natural in photoshop. It can live a short life here for the sake of interest though. And about holding it. Tom thought of that - he thought of everything! It's (at least it seemed to me) a right-handed knife to start with so the hand finds a way between the short spikes on the R side and the big spiked arm on the left. You could actually, for example, open your mail with it and not draw blood from your palm.

Even better though, IMHO, you don't have to use the stand. It rests nicely leaned over on the long arm's twin terminal spikes with the blade fully extended as below. If it were mine, I'd keep it open on my desk at the office with the stand close by. It looks really cool that way and, like I said, you can actually use this one so having the option of displaying it right there is nice rather than having to always use the stand. :thumbup: I should also add that Tom (my words, not his) upgraded the standard goblin build (which is often, and for good reason, delicate, sort of) to 'heavy duty' and that's a compliment. In other words, it's got a noticeably solid oversized feel to it, which is great if it's to be handled regularly. These are just my personal observations after handling it extensively while photographing it.

 

[HTMD]

There is NO taming a Goblin--especially one of this calibre.

Well said, Coop. We've commiserated at length together on this subject and even worked hands on together to force these creatures into the picture frame; eg. Coop's great shot of Larry Fuegen's 2008 goblin RIPPER.
Also true to form, you're more likely to get hurt by one of these bad boys than you are to hurt it!

 

[HTMD]

I took a pic or two when I saw it.

Thanks for posting these, Dave. Thrill 'o the day, for me - seriously. Sometimes people ask if the photographs actually look like the knives. I guess my response is, "They'd better!"

Everybody's got a cell phone camera these days, which under most circumstances will accurately capture the knife it sees. What happens when the photographer's vision and the cell phone pics wind up side by side? But for the different lighting and camera gear, we were clearly seeing and then reproducing the same thing.

Like knifemakers who test the integrity of their blades I will sometimes print the image I made and then shoot the same knife on top of the print, as a test of image integrity, if you will. Your post is a bit of happy confirmation that my system works. (For that favor I'll happily shoot one of your knives Dave, on me man - you know to reach me.)

Example - this is my Burt Foster hunter and I'm doing a color matching experiment as mentioned above. This quick mid-workflow check should keep me from getting too carried away with all the gorgeous color when it comes to the final image. Not necessary all the time - but think of it as you might your random urine screens.

 

[awh]

i wouldn't want to be alone with that knife on a dark night. looks like it could come to life and start sticking you.

 

[ROBB]

That is a great picture but there is so much going on in that folder and stand that it just begs for MORE pic's.

I did'nt mean to side track into a photography discussion, if one photo could represent that Goblin then Buddys was a masterpiece. I just meant one photo could'nt show all the complex art in that folder.
BTW Dave those close ups were great.

 

[D lisch]

Wow Buddy that made my day and I will take you up on that some day thank you

 

[Tom Ferry]

Thanks for the positive feedback guys, I am still stoked about this piece. Definitely the most complex and challenging knife I have made to date and yet by having free artistic discretion on the piece it was a pleasure to create. I can not wait to start the next one.

Tom

 

[Tom Ferry]

Oh and great photos Buddy, Knowing first hand how difficult this piece of art is to capture, I feel you did an outstanding job.

Tom

 

[Marcel54]

Thanks for the positive feedback guys, I am still stoked about this piece. Definitely the most complex and challenging knife I have made to date and yet by having free artistic discretion on the piece it was a pleasure to create. I can not wait to start the next one.
Tom

Tom, patience is a virtue, but I have to tell you I can hardly wait either

Marcel

 

[RogerP]

I put this image aside...

Awfully glad you took that down off the shelf and showed it to us. It definitely gives a welcome additional perspective on the knife. When it comes to a knife with this much detail and complexity, two images are often better than one for the purposes of web display.

Roger

 

[HTMD]

...two images are often better than one for the purposes of web display.

I agree Roger, though I sort of enjoy the torture of trying to get it all in one frame. In time your view (we aren't alone of course) may prevail as everyone experiments to find the best uses of the web to support the sale of knives, especially in the secondary market.

I've fooled around with a three image set that includes one main image plus two providing 'useful new information.' I always try to make the additional shots ones that not only support the knife and maker with additional detail, but shots that give editors options as they work to fill out articles and features about, for example, handles or damascus etc. Anyone who thinks people won't/don't buy knives based on quality computer based images is deluded. It will happen more and more for a host of inevitable reasons that IMHO, constitute an historical tide. I'm ready to be a part of that.

 

[RogerP]

^^^ Agreed with all of that, Buddy.

Roger

 

[SharpByCoop]

^^^ And so do I! Very well put.

Nicely done, Buddy! Good for you, Jon!

Coop