Ashton and the Deep Blast Revival

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I saw that!

Got me to digging further regarding the art of sandblasting and such. Very curious stuff indeed. I like the effect it gives the pipes too!
 
Great back story! I really appreciate a good sandblast finish, and at the top tier of the ones I have are my Tinsky pipes which were all blasted by Rad Davis. I have but one Rad and it has a fine blast as well.

Brian G. Rowley (Growley) also does a fine job of sandblasting. My 2 from him show a lot of very nice grain, one in particular.

Scottie Piersel is also no slouch at blasting. Have a couple from her as well that testify to that.

Have but one Dunnie, an older estate Shell Briar straight 'dog (forget the year, but 60's/70's vintage iirc) that has a decent blast without being overly craggy.

I've some other blasts that are fine in their own way. I do rather like the tactile feel in the hand.

Ashton will be a marquee that I'll get in at some point.



Cheers,

RR

 
With around 65 of the 100+ pipes I have being blasts I'd have to say I like 'em !! :twisted: Given a choice btwn a bast or smooth finish with all things being equal, the blast will always win with me !! Owning two pre '68 blasted Dunnies I'd have to agree that the Ashton blasted pipes are some of the only ones that equal the older oil cured Algerian briar Shells made by Dunhill back then. Not that I need to, but if I were to actively go to aquire a nother new pipe it probably would be one of the many Ashton blasts for sure !! :twisted: :twisted:
 
I love sandblasted pipes, but I don't quite get that article as for highlighting Ashton. Ashton pipes aren't typically known for their deep blasts. In fact Pebble Grain pipes (their sandblast standard) are typically described as "light blasted". Jimmy Craig does do a few deep blasts now and then (Pipes2Smoke has a nice deep blast, alas in LX size, not my thing). Most of his Pebble Grain line is what I'd call more of a fine blast. I'm not sure what SmokingPipes was smoking...
 
I mentioned the same on another board... an article about deep blasts (going so far as to call others "pedestrian") should maybe show some blasts that aren't totally pedestrian.

Pure unadulterated salesmanship.
 
Sasquatch":xppwwh4z said:
I mentioned the same on another board... an article about deep blasts (going so far as to call others "pedestrian") should maybe show some blasts that aren't totally pedestrian.  

Pure unadulterated salesmanship.
Click to expand...
And I'll answer what I answered you on the other board. That I agree, they could have shown better examples, as there are. And yes, I love Clayton's blasts. ;)

@monbla: I do prefer sandblasts over smooth or rusticated. It hasn't always been like that; but has been over the last 2 or 3 years.
 
When Bill started Ashton back in the days when shallow blasts were the standard. Ashton's great blasts were like stepping back in time to the great Dunhill Algerian briar blasts of the long ago. Compared to deep edgy blasts now his seem rather natural and plain.
I saw a great little collection of old Ashton billiards for sale in St Louis and all those the shapes were spot on and the blasts were spectacular. They sold fast and at high prices. :shock:
 
An especially appealing thing about my Ashton bulldog is that each "space" on it has different treatment. One panel of the diamond stem looks like flowing lava ... The base of the bowl looks almost natural ... The waist of the bowl has just enough blast to enhance grip. .. There's just something appealing about it. Maybe it's the play of nature and artifice. The pipe with a polished finish, perfect grain and a bit of sterling embellishment has its own appeal, but artifice has triumphed, not that it's bad.
 
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