question about grain orientation

For discussion of the drilling and shaping of the stummel.
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Josh B.
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Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2014 11:43 pm
Location: North Augusta, SC

question about grain orientation

Post by Josh B. »

i have been hanging around this site and recently started making pipes, but one question that i have been wondering is when you have a block that has the size where you can do both should you shape the stummel so that you have a straight grain going up the sides of the bowl or have the sides with birdseye grain.
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Jthompson1995
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Joined: Sat Apr 13, 2013 6:32 am
Location: Parkville, MD

Re: question about grain orientation

Post by Jthompson1995 »

Depends on how good the grain is and what you are trying to make. Do whichever you think will make the most beautiful pipe.
Anybody can become a woodworker, but only a Craftsmen can hide his mistakes!
-Walter Blodget
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Josh B.
Posts: 107
Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2014 11:43 pm
Location: North Augusta, SC

Re: question about grain orientation

Post by Josh B. »

ok i was just wondering if it was a standard way to do it or if it was a personal preferance
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KurtHuhn
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Re: question about grain orientation

Post by KurtHuhn »

The only correct answer is "that depends". Lots of people like the grain going up the side of the bowl - the "straight grain". Other folks prefer birdseyes.

It all hinges on the shape of the pipe, what you want the grain to be, what the customer is expecting (if applicable), etc.

There's really no hard and fast rule. Overall, however, straight grained pipes tend to command a higher price tag among collectors.
Kurt Huhn
AKA: Oversized Ostrogoth
artisan@k-huhn.com
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