Some pipes break your heart
- KurtHuhn
- Site Admin
- Posts: 5326
- Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:00 pm
- Location: United States/Rhode Island
Some pipes break your heart
I finished this one recently:
It was going to be my highest grade, when a nasty flaw opened up on the junction between bowl and shank. I almost blasted the entire thing, but I just couldn't bring myself to hide the grain. I was pissed about it for a couple days, then decided to do a little spot rustication. I normally hate spot rustication, but I wanted to preserve all the grain detail I could.
It was going to be my highest grade, when a nasty flaw opened up on the junction between bowl and shank. I almost blasted the entire thing, but I just couldn't bring myself to hide the grain. I was pissed about it for a couple days, then decided to do a little spot rustication. I normally hate spot rustication, but I wanted to preserve all the grain detail I could.
Oh man, do I ever feel your pain on that one, Kurt!
Timely post for me, actually. I've been depressed after finishing three that all have major flaws, but none of them were going to be as nice as this one of yours! Another one before these I just had to toss. Seems like I've had a really bad run. I've just got to lay in some better brair.
This is still a beautiful pipe, Kurt. I'm glad you saved it with the spot rustification. It would be too hard to loose all that grain!
Timely post for me, actually. I've been depressed after finishing three that all have major flaws, but none of them were going to be as nice as this one of yours! Another one before these I just had to toss. Seems like I've had a really bad run. I've just got to lay in some better brair.
This is still a beautiful pipe, Kurt. I'm glad you saved it with the spot rustification. It would be too hard to loose all that grain!
Last edited by sethile on Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
Scott E. Thile
Collector, smoker, and aspiring pipemaker.
http://sethilepipes.com
Sysop: http://pipedia.org
---------------------
Collector, smoker, and aspiring pipemaker.
http://sethilepipes.com
Sysop: http://pipedia.org
---------------------
- baweaverpipes
- The Awesomer
- Posts: 947
- Joined: Tue Dec 19, 2006 8:07 am
- Location: Franklin, Tennessee
- Contact:
That is a crying shame that it showed itself at the final stages, especially since it was to destined to make it into your Nobleman line. It is still an awesome pipe and I am sure it will find a nice home.
If it were mine I would have to name it the "Ex", very beautiful with deeply hidden flaws that were not apparent until it was too late. And the fact that it is also calling to me.
Just curious, how long is the thin portion of that bit?
If it were mine I would have to name it the "Ex", very beautiful with deeply hidden flaws that were not apparent until it was too late. And the fact that it is also calling to me.
Just curious, how long is the thin portion of that bit?
Fumo in pace :pipe:
- KurtHuhn
- Site Admin
- Posts: 5326
- Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:00 pm
- Location: United States/Rhode Island
That's pretty close to a perfect grain - strong contrast, straight pattern, incredible birdseye, etc. The problem was that one flaw - and you can never account for that. That particular briar is from Briar Grains, and it's his Tassili grade (highest).Wilbur wrote:Kurt,
In looking at some briar online obviously you can't really get a good look at the quality of the briar, but they do have different names which I assume reflects the probability of a higher grain.
What would briar like that be called? And how many grades will you find that are named?
The "nobleman" grade is my highest grade, according to my grading system.
- KurtHuhn
- Site Admin
- Posts: 5326
- Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:00 pm
- Location: United States/Rhode Island
I may yet. If it isn't sold in the next couple of weeks, that's exactly what I'll do. And then *I* will smoke it. The ultimate "take that you...".RadDavis wrote:As heartbreaking as it is, I would have blasted the shit out of that pipe, just to show it what I thought of its freakin' flaw! Looks like some seriously nice ring grain would have appeared.
That birdseye is the best part! I wish the entire pipe was covered in it.I would have left that beautiful birdseye bowl rim smooth, though.
- KurtHuhn
- Site Admin
- Posts: 5326
- Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:00 pm
- Location: United States/Rhode Island
The saddle is about 1.25" long (about 31mm). And it's still available:ckr wrote:If it were mine I would have to name it the "Ex", very beautiful with deeply hidden flaws that were not apparent until it was too late. And the fact that it is also calling to me.
Just curious, how long is the thin portion of that bit?
http://www.pipecrafter.com/pipes/cityman/dublin22.php
It will be announced to ASP later tonight, and added to the site-at-large tomorrow morning.