Pipe #6- thoughts as I go

[The Smoking Yeti]

Alright, so this is my first pipe I have posted on here- and its not finished. Its a freehand, so bear that in mind. But I'm trying to make sure I get my shape down well before I go into finishing. As you can see the shank is not yet shaped, but my plan is to flare it out into an oval at the end, and make a short saddle stem on the end.

Thoughts?

[RadDavis]

Hard to say. Can't see much of the pipe from that angle.

Rad

[The Smoking Yeti]

Here is a better set of photos I took this evening. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... c9bdd079ac

[Growley]

I just looked at your FB pics. They definitely help. I think over all your shaping is coming along. I've tried similar shapes myself. I would say right now you're still a bit angular near the bottom of the bowl. Your drawing shows the same, so maybe that's the way you want it. Personally, I'd like to see that bottom line sweep smoothly from stem to stern so to speak with a nice sweeping curve.

The thing that caught me off guard was learning that your black shank extension was an extension and not your stem. I figured you were going to make that your stem. To me that seems like a really long extension for the pipe, but I really can't see your vision there so it might be just fine.

On the stem side of the bowl I thin I'd like to see more briar taken off to thin the "waist" down a bit.

Anyway, that's about all I've got to offer. Not sure any of it will help, but there it is.

Brian.

[The Smoking Yeti]

Alright, so I've had mixed feelings about the long shank extension too. I'm going to try out a long half saddle stem to make this a churchwarden. If the stem is short I don't think the pipe will feel balanced. Also- I think I agree with slimming down the stem side of the bowl a bit, and I'm working on smoothing out the bottom line right now.


Thanks a ton for the critique!!!

[Tommi]

Hello,
i like this Shape, very nice Plateaux.
Good work, go on.
Best wishes
Tommi

[The Smoking Yeti]

So here is a progress shot on my stem- thoughts?

[Ocelot55]

Here's my opinion:

Your shank extension is too long. It needs shortened by about an inch. Your stem angles upward. I dont know if that is a tenon issue or if your stem is just bent. I would recommend you turn the stem over so it angles away from the bowl. I also think the half saddle would look better on the bottom anyway.

Keep in mind these are mainly aesthetic preferences. I can't tell if any of the egineering is off, so I can't comment on it. Overall it is looking pretty good. You did a good job with the shank/extension junction.

I can't wait to see it when your done.

[maxmil]

What if it's orientation.
Best regards.
Félix

Por si te sirve de orientación.
Saludos.
Félidx

[The Smoking Yeti]

I was looking at the half saddle upside down as well. I think if I finish it properly I can try it upside down and upside up to see what I think.

Felix, I was considering trying that style stem as well. If this stem doesn't work for me, I'll try that instead.

[The Smoking Yeti]

I think I prefer the saddle being upside down. Well said.

[maxmil]

Best regards.
Félix

Saludos.
Félix

[The Smoking Yeti]

I see what your getting at, and if this doesn't turn out I'll try that for sure! Thanks man!

[The Smoking Yeti]

So the stem is mostly shaped and bent, here is what it looks like. Personally I really like the stretched out shape a lot. Thoughts?

[Ocelot55]

Hmmm.....

That looks pretty good...I don't know what some of the more experienced pipemakers think, but I wondering if it would look better with something separating the black on black of the stem and the extension. A small ring of wood perhaps...I don't know, just thinking out loud (or rather typing as I think).

Still, other than a really long shank extension, that looks pretty sweet.

[Tommi]

Hey man,
i love your Idea and the drawing of the pipe.
the most pipemaker would make this as Felix this has explained an it looks also good.
But i love the unusual. That is a very cool pipe in my opinion.I think the mouthpiece looks better when the saddle ist not upside down and a softly swing would make it very elegant.
But this only my Opinion.
Best wishes
Tommi

[The Smoking Yeti]

So your suggesting flip the stem and softly curve it the other way? I can try that and take a picture of it, it might look good. But thanks for the advice for sure!!! I'll keep updating ya'll.

[The Smoking Yeti]

Alright, so I did an initial stain, I love the blacks, but I think it needs a tinge of red in it. I don't want it to be an overpowering mahogany, so I'll just do one layer and sand most of it out. Thoughts so far?

[Ocelot55]

Lookin' good. The only thing that bugs me is that, from this angle, the extension has a grainy appearance to it. If it is made out of vulcanite it should be glossy when polished.

If you want red go for it. I personally like what you have. You can always sand it off if you don't like it.

[The Smoking Yeti]

So the reason it looks grainy is cus' I never finished the buffing process. I'm testing a shellac I got, and I didn't end up buffing the entire pipe smooth because I realized I was going to take the entire finish off so it'd be a waste of my time. The strange texture goes away with a little bit of love and patience with my White Rouge buffing compound- fear not.