Nautilus Shell

Tsunami · Post by **Tsunami** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 8:27 pm

Here is my newest pipe. It is in the shape of a Nautilus Shell and is the first one to use a high contrast stain. The Stem is hand cut Ebonite. Hope you enjoy.

Tsunami · Post by **Tsunami** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 5:25 pm

WOW! No one had any comments?

kbadkar · Post by **kbadkar** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 6:10 pm

Okay, I'll comment. Nice finish. The pipe looks chunky. It could use some definition to bring the nautilus shape out of the block of wood. Don't be afraid to remove material. I think this is something that took me a few pipes to learn (and I am still learning - I repeat to myself "cut to the bone"). I always wanted to keep all that lovely grain and birdseye. Don't sacrifice the shape for the grain... the grain will still be there when you are finished.

Tsunami · Post by **Tsunami** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 7:20 pm

Thanks for your comment!

wdteipen · Post by **wdteipen** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 8:45 pm

I agree with kbadkar. The spirals of the nautilus need to be more defined. I'm intriqued by your stem. It really has my gears turning.

Tsunami · Post by **Tsunami** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 9:09 pm

wdteipen wrote:I agree with kbadkar. The spirals of the nautilus need to be more defined. I'm intriqued by your stem. It really has my gears turning.

What is it about the stem that has your gears turning? I have since gave the stem a gentle curve as to tilt the pipe champer forward more. I had thought about defining the swirl of the shell more but I wanted it to be a suggestion of a Nautilus shell rather than a duplication of a Nautilus shell. I may do one in the future that is more realistic looking. I know the pictures make it look chunky but it feels really good in the hand.

kbadkar · Post by **kbadkar** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 3:19 pm

Tsunami wrote:
I know the pictures make it look chunky but it feels really good in the hand.

Take all comments here with a grain of salt. In the end, you are the one who needs to be happy with what you create. If you sell them, then after you are happy, the customer needs to be happy with what you create. And that's the whole ball of wax.

wdteipen · Post by **wdteipen** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:13 pm

Tsunami wrote:
wdteipen wrote:I agree with kbadkar. The spirals of the nautilus need to be more defined. I'm intriqued by your stem. It really has my gears turning.

What is it about the stem that has your gears turning? I have since gave the stem a gentle curve as to tilt the pipe champer forward more. I had thought about defining the swirl of the shell more but I wanted it to be a suggestion of a Nautilus shell rather than a duplication of a Nautilus shell. I may do one in the future that is more realistic looking. I know the pictures make it look chunky but it feels really good in the hand.

I like how your stem is incorporated into the shape of the shank. I have a pipe that I have set aside because I haven't figured out how to attach a stem in a way that isn't abrupt. Something similar to what you've done here may be my answer.

Tsunami · Post by **Tsunami** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:29 pm

What I did was drill the draught hole and the mortice for the tennon. Then I counter sank with a small forsner bit (3/4). Then I shaped the stem to flow into the pipe.

bandkbrooks · Post by **bandkbrooks** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 7:51 am

I agree. That stem transition is a thing of beauty.