First attempt at a blowfish

[i.b.pipes]

Pick away
Tips on getting off buffing compound in tight spots if you see I noticed after the pictures then got it off but it was a bitch then buffed it again



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[PremalChheda]

Lots of stuff you can improve on the next one.

1. the stem is a bit narrow from the top view. Maybe wider at the button would bring it into proportion with a flare.

2. Shank is also out of proportion to the bowl from the top view. A little narrower and flare.

3. Full blast > partial smooth when you have visible flaws.

There is more, but these are the easiest to start with. Dial in the shape a little more, and less on the contoured surfaces until you get a handle on the overall shaping.

[sandahlpipe]

I would recommend studying some well-shaped blowfish and paying special attention to how makers end the shank. The transition from shank face to stem doesn't really work.

Having said that, at least it doesn't look like my first blowfish, which looked like a lollipop

[Ocelot55]

What Premal and Jeremiah say are good things, but to me you missed the mark entirely. Sure the shape is interesting, but a blowfish should be about following the grain and in that respect this pipe could use a lot of modification.On the next one loose your preconceived notions of what you think the pipe should look like and let the grain dictate the shape.

[notow1]

What Premal and Jeremiah say are good things, but to me you missed the mark entirely. Sure the shape is interesting, but a blowfish should be about following the grain and in that respect this pipe could use a lot of modification.On the next one loose your preconceived notions of what you think the pipe should look like and let the grain dictate the shape.

First of all I wouldn't attempt a blowfish. I am glad You explained the idea behind a blowfish because I had no idea. Does this explain why the flatter side has ring grain and the more circular side has flame grain? I am not making My thoughts clear but maybe Someone will understand and explain the idea behind a blowfish. Thanks for Your time, Norm.

[N.Burnsworth]

The flat that wraps around the bowl should present straight cross grain, the bulbous cheeks should be Birdseye and flame.

[sandahlpipe]

Yes. The main idea behind a blowfish (or its counterpart the elephants foot) is to separate out the grain. Usually, the straight grain will be narrow and flat around the bowl while the Birdseye will be round on the opposite side. Because of how burls work, one side of the pipe is usually bigger than the other. Then you have to work out how all of your lines should be laid out. Working out not only the top and bottom profile line, but also the top and bottom view lines along with any fins is challenging, and the reason a blowfish is more difficult to make than a classic shape. If any one of your lines is off, the shape doesn't work at all.

[i.b.pipes]

Thanks for all your tips guys the way I put the block was birds on one side and flame on the other it just did not turn out the way I wanted to I guess

Sweet I'll try more with the things ppl said

Thanks boys


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk