Craggy Apple

[sandahlpipe]

FWIW, I agree that your buttons are too thin. Of course, that's coming from a guy who tends to make his buttons too thick but I'm working on it. I think if we met in the middle between my usual button and yours it would be just right.

That sounds like an idea. I'll see if I can make it a bit thicker and keep it comfy.

[sandahlpipe]

Guys, I really hope Scottie has started something here. The opportunity to ask a pro why they do what they do is priceless even if it's a preference thing.

Asking a pro is worth it. Best is to let a pro handle the pipe so they can see every angle. Posting here comes pretty close, though.

[sandahlpipe]

I think it's a beautiful pipe, I love the reds and blacks, how did you achieve that? What process to get the double stain?

Thanks. I blast first, then stain the base coat. Then I blast lightly and stain a lighter color.

[BobR]

Guys, I really hope Scottie has started something here. The opportunity to ask a pro why they do what they do is priceless even if it's a preference thing.

Asking a pro is worth it. Best is to let a pro handle the pipe so they can see every angle. Posting here comes pretty close, though.

What I meant was, it's nice when pros post their pipes which doesn't happen much here as this is essentially a pipe school for new makers with respect to the posting of pipe pictures. The current thinking is just critique newbie pipes and that will help them make better pipes. This is absolutely true but there is also a lot to be learned when an established pipe maker posts a few of his/her pipes ... not necessarily for critique, but to show us different ways to execute a great looking pipe. We can ask technical questions why they did what they did. It's really interesting to me to get inside the head of a pro and understand what they were thinking when shaping the pipe and what their preferences are. It's a chance to see different perspectives and philosophies and learn from it (like Wayne's approach to billiard stem tapers or Walt's approach to bowl shaping). It's fascinating how minute details can make a world of difference.

[sandahlpipe]

Bob,

I love to see pics from a pro... I'm in the stage between beginner and pro though. It's the long journey of finding one's own voice in the briar and establishing a reputation for quality. Either way, I'm glad if you can glean from this. Keep on working on execution and stem work and shaping and you'll soon be where I am. A long ways from being a pro.

[d.huber]

Bob,

I love to see pics from a pro... I'm in the stage between beginner and pro though. It's the long journey of finding one's own voice in the briar and establishing a reputation for quality. Either way, I'm glad if you can glean from this. Keep on working on execution and stem work and shaping and you'll soon be where I am. A long ways from being a pro.

Jeremiah nailed it. I think a lot of us are in this category. Mostly I think we stop posting because we start to realize how crappy our work is.

Getting critique from folks with more experience is priceless, and I really think you did a great job alliterating the value there, Bob. Jeremiah is at the point now where he's broken through some initial trials, found the answers to some questions, and has started making nice work with clean, attractive lines. He's a great guy to shred but also a great guy to learn from.

We all started out by making melting briar lolli-pops. At some point, they start to look less like they're melting and more like they're pipes.

[sandahlpipe]

I really sometimes wonder (since I've never worked a trade before) whether the apprentice, journeyman, master is appropriate to pipe making. If that were the approach, I think I would be just at the beginning of journeyman, but a long ways from master.

[notow1]

I once worked with an old timer who said first year apprentices want to reinvent the wheel, and when You top out and become a journeyman Your still a cub journeyman for at least two years.

[PremalChheda]

I really sometimes wonder (since I've never worked a trade before) whether the apprentice, journeyman, master is appropriate to pipe making. If that were the approach, I think I would be just at the beginning of journeyman, but a long ways from master.

There are only a few that I would consider "Masters" in our craft, and they have been making pipes and other things for 20+ years full time with only a couple exceptions.

[sandahlpipe]

I really sometimes wonder (since I've never worked a trade before) whether the apprentice, journeyman, master is appropriate to pipe making. If that were the approach, I think I would be just at the beginning of journeyman, but a long ways from master.

There are only a few that I would consider "Masters" in our craft, and they have been making pipes and other things for 20+ years full time with only a couple exceptions.

I agree with that. I'm probably a bit more generous with considering people masters because of my lack of experience.

[d.huber]

I really sometimes wonder (since I've never worked a trade before) whether the apprentice, journeyman, master is appropriate to pipe making. If that were the approach, I think I would be just at the beginning of journeyman, but a long ways from master.

There are only a few that I would consider "Masters" in our craft, and they have been making pipes and other things for 20+ years full time with only a couple exceptions.

I agree with that. I'm probably a bit more generous with considering people masters because of my lack of experience.

True mastery is pretty rare and takes a lifetime of dedication.

For example, in Japan (surprise, surprise) there is a theatre genre called Bunraku. It is live puppet on a string theatre. When you start working as a performer, you're allowed to control the left arm (non dominant in this case. Sorry lefties!). After at least 10 years on the left arm, you're allowed to move on to the right arm. After at least 10 years on the right arm, you're allowed to move on to controlling the head. The head is a huge responsibility as you control most of the emotional expression of the puppet. After 10 years controlling the head, some might consider you a master of Bunraku. That's 30 years of constant practice.

Personally, I think the Japanese have a more patient approach to achieving mastery and when they do it is significantly more profound than what most of us consider mastering a craft. Americans, in general, want immediate results (I know I'm guilty!) but it takes a great deal of time to screw up enough to actually become good at something. At this point, I'm just trying to screw up better.