For a co-worker...

[Crafty]

Well, a co-worker saw one of my previous pipes and being an avid pipe smoker he looked me up and we had a nice long talk. By the end he and I had come to an agreement on a couple pipes. The first one, he wanted a larger after dinner sit on his butt and relax pipe, :face:  large bowl and straight stem to kill 30-45 minutes with!  So here is what I have for that pipe. 7/8" x1 3/4 tobacco chamber.
Thanks for looking. Comments? Tips? I'll post his second pipe (a poker) once I get it complete.

 

[jefe1037]

looks great, but one constructive comment: watch the stain on the inside of the bowl!

 

[Brewdude]

looks great, but one constructive comment: watch the stain on the inside of the bowl!

This.



Cheers,

RR

 

[Crafty]

Thanks, a cork didn't work to well as it drew some stain down inside. Thinking about a rubber stopper or something along those lines.

 

[jefe1037]

other than that, i dig the shape... wish i had coworkers like you!

 

[huffelpuff]

Really digging the stem work there! Interesting shape and good job on bringing out the grain.

Jim

 

[millerman]

Really cool. Most of my pipes have been for people I work with too. I like this pipe and the stem is cool. Thanks fer sharing.

 

[flyguy]

Nice pipe! The stain is not a problem... if you plan on smoking the pipe!   

 

[rothnh]

Nice work!

I agree with Flyguy.  The small amount of stain in the bowl is an esthetic issue.  It can likely be sanded  off, but I wouldn't bother.

Some pipe makers coat their bowl interiors to hide certain "imperfections" such as this.  I personally much prefer an uncoated, natural bowl -- a little stain residue is much preferred to a coat of black goop.

 

[Thomas Tkach]

You can easily sand that out. I would, because it'll look so much better for so little effort.

I could give you some more detailed shaping critique, but you better have thick skin!

 

[Crafty]

You can easily sand that out. I would, because it'll look so much better for so little effort.

I could give you some more detailed shaping critique, but you better have thick skin!

23 years retired Navy Chief here, thin skin isn't an issue as long as it's constructive criticism. I'm still new to all of this and been making pipes all of a few months with less than a dozen to my name. So fire away!  :affraid: 

 

[Thomas Tkach]

The stem-and-shank and bowl-and-bowl/shank-transition are a bit disparate. The shank is really straight and cylindrical, which matches the stem to an extent, and suggests a clean-cut classic shape. The bowl and transition on the other hand are not as clearly defined, and resemble more of a horn. These two things clash.

Here is a good looking traditional dublin:

Note how the cylindrical shank continues right up to the bowl. The transition from bowl to shank takes a few mm. Yours take half the shank, the abruptly changes to a cylinder. This is very apparent form the top view. This also effects how the top of the shank curves up to the back of the bowl. The back of the bowl on the Dunhill above mirrors the front. Yours echoes that curve instead of mirroring.

Here is a nice looking horn (if you cut off the feet, anyway):

There is no clear break between bowl and shank, and it slows with soft, liquid curves into the stem. The back of the bowl echoes the curve rather than mirroring it, but it works in such a flowing shape. There is no abrupt transition from cone to cylinder anywhere. The slight bend of the stem help in this shape.

Your pipe can't decide which of the above it wants to be. Pick which one you're going for, and do it all out. It could turn into the Dunhill if you cut away a lot more wood around the shank/bowl junction:

I think your line on the bottom of the shank might dip a little under the bowl, giving it a hanging chin. I straightened that out a little.

I hope this is helpful. It is not meant to degrade your current pipe and skill, but give you something to do to get even better.

 

[Crafty]

I can see that. The bottom actually is straight (need use something other than my iphone for pics). The tapered shoulders and it sitting on the towel throws it off a little, giving the chin look you described. The stem/bowl transition DOES need to be more perpendicular, easy to see when it's pointed out. Now the shoulder (side) transition of stem to bowl is the way he wanted it. I let him see the in-work item and suggested slimming that area down but he said he liked the feel of it that way. Thanks for the pointers. By the way he LOVES it, I think he went through a couple bowls today trying it out/breaking it in!

 

[rothnh]

The stem/bowl transition is, in my experience (No,I am not a pipe maker, but from what I'be learned over more than several decades is reflected here) ... a pipe maker's biggest challenge, whether just starting out, or one who's experienced at making pipes.

That said, in this case, with this pipe, I'm leaning toward allowing for artistic flair.

Let's go to pipe artisans who create a pipe and scratch their heads when it comes to when the stummel meets the stem. Too easy to make a GREAT stummel and lop it off because it's too difficult to create a pipe where running a finger between the stummel and the stem results in a seamless endeavor -- so they simply opt for a "freehand," plugging the stem in the stummel and saying "Tah freakin' Dah!" No, not always the best option, but easier to do.

Crafty?

I for one appreciate how you put the effort into seamlessly mating the stummel to the (OK,stock and not hand cut) stem.

Good job, d00d.

 

[pepesdad1]

The hand crafted one of a kind "personal" pipe, is, I think pretty special.  If your aim is to design and craft a pipe just like _____. Then Thomas is pretty spot on.  If not then you've done a damn nice job.

Congratulations to your co-worker and you for your generosity.

 

[rothnh]

The hand crafted one of a kind "personal" pipe, is, I think pretty special.  If your aim is to design and craft a pipe just like _____. Then Thomas is pretty spot on.  If not then you've done a damn nice job.

Congratulations to your co-worker and you for your generosity.

++ damn -- +++

Well said.

 

[Thomas Tkach]

I guess the 'customer' is always right. I think the lines are better the other way, but if he's happy, then mission accomplished! Now you know how to tighten up the junction next time!