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I actually have that pipe saved on my computer. I have been looking at it for some time now. Something along those lines was my intention, but the more I got into the block the more wrong it felt. I took your advise on making look like it was turning left and Premal's advise about the shank (which I really hadn't touched until late last night). The bowl is going to lose some weight on the rim and I am going to try to make the bowl and shank one solid plain (?) on the right side (frome above). The bowl shank junction is going to be taken down probably another 1/8" or so and I think that will help the top line of the shank quite a bit.

Even if it ends up looking like shit I think I am acheiving my objective. I already see things I will do differently on the next one. And yes, now I have to make another one to "fix" the things I see going wrong with this one.

IMO, it is extremely difficult for a new maker to pull off a dip in the rim of the bowl (as seen in profile) without it looking very...amatuer-ish. Nothing wrong with doing it, but my guess is that in 2 years, you will be unable to explain what you were thinking at the time.

I speak from experience and hind sight.

It's looking better.

Ernie's right, btw. You'll look back on this one and wonder what in the world you were thinking, but I applaud your courage and tenacity! Even if the pipe is a bit rough when you're done, you'll have learned a lot.

Scottie,

If you can cut the saddle in a little more after you finish the stummel and stem portion that meets it, you will be able to get rid of the dip at the end on the top part of the saddle. That is the only thing that is looking off to me, but also the photo is at an angle so I cannot really see it.

I'm having trouble transitioning across the top of the shank. And by that I mean the left turn thing I have going on. The little dip you see is where I stopped working the shank from the left side. I really haven't done a lot to the right side yet so I still have a flat spot there.......I hope that made sense. I'll take another picture when I get finished working for the night.

I liked how you originally had the bowl /shank transition on the sides and the shape of the bowl. It looks now that you blended it in and it is becoming more not like a blowfish.

scotties22 wrote:(yes I am a REAL blonde and sometimes I'm not very observant)

Beware of spiked shoulder pads.

PremalChheda wrote:

scotties22 wrote:(yes I am a REAL blonde and sometimes I'm not very observant)

Beware of spiked shoulder pads.

I had to look it up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayyJkFscetY

I think I am to the point of just cleaning up the lines and finishing this as is. The only thing I still need to take care of is the rim. I think I want to bevel, but think it can still lose some weight on the right side.

I don't think I'm going to sell this one. I think I'm gonna keep it. I have another crosscut block set aside. I have two pipes to finish by Tuesday and then I'm going to start again (I am going to finish this one, hopefully tomorrow). Now that I know where I want to go with the shape I think the next one will be easier.

Thanks for the help guys. I'll post some pics when I get it finished.

Something that's been puzzling me lately: what is a blowfish?
It seems like most people think this is:

More or less roundish shaped panel on the side + (but not obligatory) a panel running from the front of bowl through the bottom into the stem = blowfish
But for me, this is a true blowfish:

What do you think?

The original blowfish is the one from the second photo, as developed mostly by Lars.
The shape with two rounded sides and a panel should be called a discus.
There's so many variations of this shape and so many collectors, retailers and even pipemakers have confused the two names/shapes, that it's pretty much impossible to go back to the original nomenclature, I think.

keilwerth wrote:The original blowfish is the one from the second photo, as developed mostly by Lars.
The shape with two rounded sides and a panel should be called a discus.
There's so many variations of this shape and so many collectors, retailers and even pipemakers have confused the two names/shapes, that it's pretty much impossible to go back to the original nomenclature, I think.

This.

Charl wrote: What do you think?

Yes.

Just listened to your interview on pipesmag's podcast! I had to come and look up your blowfish. Great interview!