Freehands or fullhands

[hesmysnowman]

I have noticed lately that there seems to be a trend towards very large freehands. I always seem to go the opposite direction, straights that are light weight or at most a poker. I am wondering what the attraction is to holding/smoking from half a tree with a bit fastened onto it.

 

[Doc Manhattan]

Same reasons as always--the people who like 'em think they smoke well and look nice. Different smokes for different folks.

I'd be glad if my preferred pipe shapes fell out of fashion... it means good deals are in the near future.

 

[Frost]

I too prefer small and light weight pipes. That said, I wouldn't expext a carver who found a massive piece of briar with few flaws and great grain all over to make a tiny pipe out of it.

 

[bruins]

i would go for a small poker to puff on while i do my outdoor chores, but i'll be damned if i can't control the drooling. so i've decided i might as well hold a tree trunk in my lap.

 

[puros_bran]

:shock: I will not post the crackerhead comment.. I will not post the crackerhead comment.. I will not post the crackerhead comment.. I will not post the crackerhead comment.. I will not post the crackerhead comment.. I will not post the crackerhead comment.. I will not post the crackerhead comment..

Crap its no good...

a tree trunk in my lap.

Braggart!

 

[hesmysnowman]

I will happily admit that these are nice to look at and potentially works of art in sculpting. Just amazed at their popularity for smoking.

 

[Hunter5117]

My preference definitely leans to traditional shapes, but not necessarily in smaller bowl sizes. I have a couple of large Danish egg shaped pipes that will smoke for at least an hour and a half, and a couple of billiards that would be group 5-6. One large Canadian that I have never yet smoked has a bowl 1 1/8" diameter and 2" deep. I rarely load a second pipe, so especially in the evenings I like a big bowl that will get me from supper time to bed.

 

[Sasquatch]

I have noticed lately that there seems to be a trend towards very large freehands.

Where? What year is this?

If there is a trend toward very large freehands then I wanna know, because I enjoy making them.

I think the "trend" is that the big-time pipe makers, stannie, pete, etc, are making "special" pipes, more and more - the Castle series, the Darwin pipe, year pipes etc out of Peterson for instance, that are larger and "more impressive" than the run of the mill pipe.

 

[Falconer]

My favorite pipe is a 1970 Preben Holm Ben Wade freehand Golden Walnut that I bought new at age 19 for $40. Even though it's big, the bowl isn't (3/4" medium depth), but I have a variety of shapes and sizes in my collection. Another of my favorites is a Prince that I've had just as long. For me it's more of a matter of mood or time to sit, and tobacco choice as to what pipe I pick up to smoke for the moment. To me what makes the freehand special is the shape, Not two the same. It's like a piece of original art. Each one is unique! Hmmm, so I wonder why I only have two? I just may have to start searching for another.

PS - I'm not sure about nowadays but Karl Erik used to make some really fine looking smaller freehands.

 

[Sasquatch]

For the big Dane-type freehands, have a look at Poul Winslow pipes, and Erik Nording still makes a lot, but you have to look for one that, well, one that isn't ugly, to be honest.

Or get one made. He hinted.


Ahem.



:cheers:

 

[Anonymous]

:shock: I will not post the crackerhead comment.. I will not post the crackerhead comment.. I will not post the crackerhead comment.. I will not post the crackerhead comment.. I will not post the crackerhead comment.. I will not post the crackerhead comment.. I will not post the crackerhead comment..

Crap its no good...

a tree trunk in my lap.

Braggart!

PB, once again true to form there bro!
I was going to add some of my thoughts on freehands, but now.......ahhhhhhhhhhh ROTFL

:lol!: :lol!: :lol!:

 

[bruins]

:shock: I will not post the crackerhead comment.. I will not post the crackerhead comment.. I will not post the crackerhead comment.. I will not post the crackerhead comment.. I will not post the crackerhead comment.. I will not post the crackerhead comment.. I will not post the crackerhead comment..

Crap its no good...

a tree trunk in my lap.

Braggart!

being a ninja of the 'that's what she said' jokes, it pains me greatly to have left such an easy target. well played sir!

 

[alfredo_buscatti]

I go for the classical shapes, pokers included, and dislike most freehands.

 

[Kapnismologist]

I think that trend ended in the late 1970s / early 1980s.

 

[Falconer]

I think that trend ended in the late 1970s / early 1980s.

Yeah, well Sasquatch is bringing the trend back, if not just for me! I'll post pictures before christmas. It's gonna be really sumpin! 8)

Right Sas?

 

[Sasquatch]

Oh it'll be SOMETHING.... I'm hoping something good but it depends on how many rum and cokes I have before I get around to shaping that thing.

I reckon a hole in the bottom of the bowl aids cleaning, right???

In the meantime, here's a little music and some pictures of delicate pipes.

If these do not convince you of the beauty of the form, then go suck a Dunhill.