Etude #9, another Calabash (smooth this time).

sethile · Post by **sethile** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 7:06 pm

Had hoped to start a pipe today, but got busy with other things. I'm consoling myself with posting the last one here. Sorry, the pics are a little washy this time. This is etude #9, another Calabash interpretation. This time I kept it smooth:

The insert is Paduak again. This is my second hand cut stem from Lucite. This time the most serious issue is that I filed the stem too thin right in front of the button and can now see daylight into the air hole.

The stem is also too narrow. It's not as comfortable as I'd like while in the teeth. I like the narrow lines, but next time I will do more of a fishtail type flare in the last inch or so leading into the button to widen it out for comfort. Here are a few more pics:

In addition to the stem issues, I also think the shank/stummel junction is a little thick on this one. I was after something more like the gourd shape, but as a result it looks a bit clunky. The stem/shank fit is not great either. As always, comments are very welcome. I'm here to learn, and have a longs ways to go.

BTW, Big news for me, I now have a lathe! My Speedway MiniLathe was an amazing gift from my new friend and fellow pipe enthusiast, Todd Braun. Thanks Todd! You can see that and the rest of my shop here if you’re interested. It's definitely a work in progress: http://pipedreams.radioministries.org/update6_18_06.htm

I’m looking forward to some focused pipemaking time latter this month when I have some vacation time coming.

Thanks for looking!

Post by **KurtHuhn** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 11:43 pm

Scott, that's not half bad. Seriously. I have a billiard-ish shop pipe that I smoke regularly that's along those lines. It's comfortable, weighs next to nothing, and holds a decent amount of tobacco.

I can see the problem with the stem (readily apparent to those that hand cut stems) and I know where you went wrong. Just go easy with the file right behind the button - it's easy to get too agressive there. Also, be sure to angle the file right - not to much of an angle to the button, damn near flat, and you'll be fine. Also, keep checking to be sure you're right in the center. Use the slot as your center and keep holding it up to a white background to check it.

That reminds me of a Savinelli. I don't know the shape number off hand, but I'd know it if I saw it.

mahaffy · Post by **mahaffy** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 12:54 am

The grain shows beautifully, Scott. Really nice job of finishing! And yes, to my equally untrained eye, the stem could be tapered more gradually right from the juncture w/ the shank, so it doesn't look so thick at the bend. (You can make another, you know; I think it's allowed.) Also looked at your lathe --- a sibling of my Harbor Freight mini, but with a long bed. (I'm campaigning for an upgrade to a 14" bed for my birthday in August, but there are four birthdays to cover this month, so. . . .) In all, very nice work.

sethile · Post by **sethile** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 11:35 pm

Thanks guys! I appreciate the comments a lot.

Kurt, you’re absolutely right about the file angle. That was exactly the problem. The edge next to the button dove in too deep in relationship to the rest. John, I agree, I think the stem would look a lot better with the taper starting closer to the shank.

I have not smoked this one yet, but another of my pipes is very similar, and it is a great smoker. Like yours Kurt, it's nice and light and holds lots of tobacco. Easily beats out all my other efforts for smokeability and rivals the better pipes in my collection.