Chicago pipe show 2018

[Zeno Marx]

Briar Blues has uploaded a couple of videos of him scanning dealer and maker tables. For those of us who did not attend, I think they're interesting and worth watching.

Friday:
https://youtu.be/XsCazTG4XL0

Saturday:
https://youtu.be/17ZVxVRDedc

This is what I've learned about the trends in 2018:

1) appears that many carvers are incorporating long bamboo sections in their stems
2) the squashed apple, ie tomato, is a very popular shape
3) maybe 15% or less are of the carved or blasted variety; surprised by how smooths appear to be the preferred finish, though it makes sense

 

[monbla256]

I would imagine that a smooth stained/polished finish is probably a bit easier to apply plus investing in a sandblaster as well as the skill needed to use it well is probably not in many makers wheelhouse . JMHO :twisted:

 

[Zeno Marx]

I would imagine that a smooth stained/polished finish is probably a bit easier to apply plus investing in a sandblaster as well as the skill needed to use it well is probably not in many makers wheelhouse . JMHO  :twisted:

yep, that's the make sense part. and of course, more work for either blast or rustication. and not being into smooths, I could roll right through those tables.

One thing Briar Blues didn't scan was used pipes. When I used to go to pipe shows (many years ago), estate pipes were 98% of the pipes in the room. I hope these things aren't just industry conventions for new products. I used to really enjoy looking at all the old pipes.

oh, and...

4) appeared to be plenty of McClelland tins for sale at the show

 

[Deleted member 4028]

That`s exactly it. Carved/rusticated is much more work (as in time) than a smooth pipe.
As where the rustication tool to use is up to the pipemaker`s imagination a decent sandblaster is not cheap. Then, you need to master the appropriate pressure to set in order to do a good job for the first blast. Then, depending of where and how detailed you want the blast to be, you repeat X times, may have to adjust the pressure, etc. And that's not counting the numerous low grade ebauchons required to practice your skill.

 

[Ocelot55]

As a pipe maker, I say that if your smooths take less time than your blasts and rustications, you're doing something wrong.

Takes me abut 8-12 hours for a blast and about 10-14 for a smooth. Not every pipe has strong enough grain to be smooth either. Smooth will always be more expensive in the artisan world. Factory pipes are a different matter.

 

[scotties22]

Crappy Pipes spotting at 9:09, hahahaha. In the course of one weekend Heath is now more well known that I am after 6 years :lol!: :lol!: :lol!:

 

[monbla256]

As a pipe maker, I say that if your smooths take less time than your blasts and rustications, you're doing something wrong.

Takes me abut 8-12 hours for a blast and about 10-14 for a smooth. Not every pipe has strong enough grain to be smooth either. Smooth will always be more expensive in the artisan world. Factory pipes are a different matter.

You speak about grain and in 50 plus years of smoking, most grain becomes almost un noticable as a pipe darkens from steady smoking. I have 4 pipes of my fathers which had nice grain but now after smoking for 72 years it's almost undistinguatiable!  Of course i imagine that many of the "artisan" pipes would never be smoked for that long! :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

 

[monbla256]

oops !! :twisted: :twisted:

 

[Ocelot55]

As a pipe maker, I say that if your smooths take less time than your blasts and rustications, you're doing something wrong.

Takes me abut 8-12 hours for a blast and about 10-14 for a smooth. Not every pipe has strong enough grain to be smooth either. Smooth will always be more expensive in the artisan world. Factory pipes are a different matter.

You speak about grain and in 50 plus years of smoking, most grain becomes almost un noticable as a pipe darkens from steady smoking. I have 4 pipes of my fathers which had nice grain but now after smoking for 72 years it's almost undistinguatiable!  Of course i imagine that many of the "artisan" pipes would never be smoked for that long! :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

I call that color "pipe brown." :mrgreen:

 

[Deleted member 4028]

As a pipe maker, I say that if your smooths take less time than your blasts and rustications, you're doing something wrong.

Takes me abut 8-12 hours for a blast and about 10-14 for a smooth. Not every pipe has strong enough grain to be smooth either. Smooth will always be more expensive in the artisan world. Factory pipes are a different matter.

Can you explain why it takes more time for a smooth? That would be really appreciated.

 

[Ocelot55]

As a pipe maker, I say that if your smooths take less time than your blasts and rustications, you're doing something wrong.

Takes me abut 8-12 hours for a blast and about 10-14 for a smooth. Not every pipe has strong enough grain to be smooth either. Smooth will always be more expensive in the artisan world. Factory pipes are a different matter.

Can you explain why it takes more time for a smooth? That would be really appreciated.

Sure. After I finish rough shaping the pipe I need to sand up the grits and hone the symmetry. Once I get the pipe to my liking I'll start thinking about finish. A contrast stain will take additional sanding between coats until the desired effect is achieved. Even after everything is smooth, stained, and symmetrical I have to apply a finish. Sometimes it can take a week to fully cure. Once the finish is set then I buff and wax the pipe. At minimum this is a least two hours more time than a blast.

The goal with all these steps is to capture the beauty of the grain as much as possible. Sure, if you smoke the pipe like a freight train for 50 years at the end not much grain will stand out, but I think the journey there will have been just a bit prettier. :mrgreen:

 

[Deleted member 4028]

As a pipe maker, I say that if your smooths take less time than your blasts and rustications, you're doing something wrong.

Takes me abut 8-12 hours for a blast and about 10-14 for a smooth. Not every pipe has strong enough grain to be smooth either. Smooth will always be more expensive in the artisan world. Factory pipes are a different matter.

Can you explain why it takes more time for a smooth? That would be really appreciated.

Sure. After I finish rough shaping the pipe I need to sand up the grits and hone the symmetry. Once I get the pipe to my liking I'll start thinking about finish. A contrast stain will take additional sanding between coats until the desired effect is achieved. Even after everything is smooth, stained, and symmetrical I have to apply a finish. Sometimes it can take a week to fully cure. Once the finish is set then I buff and wax the pipe. At minimum this is a least two hours more time than a blast.

The goal with all these steps is to capture the beauty of the grain as much as possible. Sure, if you smoke the pipe like a freight train for 50 years at the end not much grain will stand out, but I think the journey there will have been just a bit prettier. :mrgreen:

That's interesting. I was under the impression that the finishing step (applying the stain, etc) with a sandblast would require more time due to the fact that the briar was not smooth. We learn every day.
Thanks, mate.

 

[KevinM]

+1 for tomatos. The pot-like bowl dimensions and plenitude of briar complement smoking. They’re neither too small nor way big. They have that nice “S” curve going for them. They’re stylish without looking, well, odd.