Poker

[mightysmurf8201]

So I've completed my first pipe since I've set up my new shop. Been about 7 month since my last one so I decided to just do something fun and off the wall to get the dust off my tools and my skills. This is the result. The accent is from a batch of tagua nuts I brought back from Panama with me. It's a pain to work with, but I think it's worth it. I know it's not quite traditional, but comments and critique are welcome.



The black spot on this side was a vein of darker wood running through part of the block. I couldn't get rid of it without changing the shape, so I just left it. This pipe was more for practice anyways.

[scotties22]

If the bowl were wider and taller I would really like it. As is, the shank is way too heavy for the rest of the pipe. Your button is a little thick, front to back, as well.

[mightysmurf8201]

Thanks Scottie. I'll work on my proportions and slimming down the button.

[sandahlpipe]

I like it. I think there needs to be more unity between bowl and shank. The bowl is fairly straight and sharp whereas the shank and stem have rounded lines. Try to find some way to repeat the lines in the bowl along the shank or vice-versa.

The fit and finish are looking good. I wouldn't be too concerned about darker spots in the stain. It appears to me that it's just a softer spot where the briar soaked up more stain.

[mightysmurf8201]

Before I forget, I meant to ask. Any thoughts on the placement of the shank on the bowl? After I had finished it, I was looking at it and thought that maybe the shank could be just a hair lower, but at that point I didn't really feel like shaving a bit off of the bottom to compensate. I wanted to be done and move on. Opinions?

[sandahlpipe]

I think having the shank closer to the bottom of the bowl makes it look better, yes.

[The Smoking Yeti]

I agree with scottie- make the bowl wider at the top than the bottom- even if it's slightly. Also, a flaring shank does not really go with the straighter poker shape. As far as the shank intersecting the bowl, I'd say half the distance between the bottom of the shank and the bottom of the pipe, and you'd have a much better aesthetic.

[mightysmurf8201]

Noted. Thanks for the input everyone. I will apply all this knowledge to my next poker, and if anyone has anything else to add, I'm open to crticism.(The constructive kind )

[socrates]

Overall I like it but where shank meets bowl could be thinner but could still maintain flare at stem.

[Charl]

Nice idea, but like Scottie (I think?) said, the shank and stem is too "heavy".
Otherwise, nicely done.