Smooth vs rusticated

[the rev]

and that picture is four years old, its the only one of me with a pipe though, so I threw it up

rev

 

[KevinM]

In a new premium pipe, there's something about a traditional shape and a smooth, polished finish that catches my eye. If the grain is spectacular I like them in a smooth natural finish. But some pipes just look better in a blast, particularly after the years have added a bit of burnish. I like to mix 'em up on my racks just to enjoy the variety. Don't much care for rusticated.

 

[Thistleoak]

I like the feel of a rusticated pipe more than a smooth

 

[PeterD]

...I have many of both...as already stated, if the grain is of note, the smooth works fine...more appealing to me is the blast finish...one main reason other than I like the look, is that a rustic/blast does smoke cooler than a smooth...by increasing the outside bowl area, heat dissipates more quickly...of course, there are other determinig factors as well...

Overall I like the feel of the blast and the rough texture... :cheers:

 

[cigrmaster]

While I do appreciate a finely grained smooth pipe, and do have many, my preference is for a beautiful ring grain blast with a black finish. For some reason, they catch my eye and make me feel that this is what a pipe should look like.

 

[KevinM]

While I do appreciate a finely grained smooth pipe, and do have many, my preference is for a beautiful ring grain blast with a black finish. For some reason, they catch my eye and make me feel that this is what a pipe should look like.

That latter is a nice summary of how I feel about it. I like the Dublin style and have been looking in B&Ms for an acqusition. Finally gave up and found on the 'Net a refurbed smooth Upshall canted Dublin in excellent condition (I think it was previously owner by a piper who only smoked it while driving to and From church on Sunday morning.) It has an almost clear finish, beautiful 360 straight grain and perfect stamping. Couple weeks later I found, again on the 'Net, a new slightly canted Aldo Velani Dublin, also fatta a mano, blast that accented the grain, in black stain. Bought that one, too. If I were in a Sophie's choice situation, I'd probably take the Upshall. But the two pipes are sitting there side-by-side on my rack and they show what slight changes by the carver can do to give a pipe individual persoanlity. The Upshall is all traditional elegance. The Velani is slightly woodier, a wee bit stubbier, and more rugged in appearance because of the black stain. But in spite of their differences, each gives me the sense that this is what a pipe should look like.

 

[Brewdude]

I really have no preference there. I like them all.

This.

Have a couple of stunning smooths (Pete Hopkins to name one) and and equally fine B&T Tinsky (BoB POTY) where the rustication is very well done.

A quick look at my (rather small) pipe rack shows about 60/40 with smooths being 60.

And frankly I've never found any significant difference in cooler smoking between the two.


Cheers,

RR