Etude #15, PokerBash Blast

[sethile]

I revisited my freehand poker shape of Etude #11. This time I blasted instead of rusticated. Ended up with some decent ring grain, and some very nice birdseye on the top (with the exception of a couple of small sandpits):





Specs:
Bowl Height: 2.6 "
Bowl diameter at rim:1.75
Overall Length: 6 "
Chamber Diameter: 3/4"
Chamber Depth: 1.87"
Cumberland Stem
Ivory Insert

I'm hoping to refine this and develop it into a catalog shape. I need to work on the balance so that I can have less angle on the bottom while still having it sit well.

This was my third visit to the blasting cabinet, and my second partial blast. It was great to see the ring grain. No major blasting disasters this time, although it could be a little bit deeper and the stain on the blasted area could be a bit lighter, but it's close to the effect I was after.



I'd greatly appreciate your candide reactions and critiques on the shape overall, as well as the execution.

[RadDavis]

Hi Scott,

You have done a great job with that pipe! Just an awsome piece of work!

If you shorten the stem a bit to eliminate weight, you may be able to decrease the angle on the bottom to make it sit, but I like it the way it is.

The pics are a bit dark, so I can't really see the blasting, but it loooks good from what I *can* see.

I love that smooth birdseye top!

The pics make the stem behind the button look a bit thick. What's the thickness there?

Really, really nice! Congratulations!

Rad

[KurtHuhn]

I'l lsecond Rad's thoughts. That's an awesome shape all around I love pokers/sitters with longish stems and more extreme angles on the shank/stem. I think it looks great. The only thing I would do is try to thin out the bit slightly.

[sethile]

Rad and Kurt, Wow, Thanks very much for the encouragement! That really means a lot to me coming from you guys.

Yes, the bit is a bit too thick. It measures at .165" (I guess that's about 4.2mm?). I've seen it mentioned somewhere, but what should I be shooting for? I've got a little room to work as I managed keep my work on the opening a little thinner this time.

Tyler mentioned elsewhere that I might improve the grace of the stem if I take a bit more material off the bottom of it. Starting at the very end of the shank until where the bend of the stem starts. I can see it too--sort of a hump there. Do you think working on that when I work on thinning the bit a little more would be worthwhile?

[sethile]

Rad and Kurt, Wow, Thanks very much for the encouragement! That really means a lot to me coming from you guys.

Yes, the bit is too thick. It measures at .165" (I guess that's about 4.2mm?). I've seen it mentioned somewhere, but what should I be shooting for? I've got a little room to work as I managed keep my work on the opening a little thinner this time.

Tyler mentioned elsewhere that I might improve the grace of the stem if I take a bit more material off the bottom of it. Starting at the very end of the shank until where the bend of the stem starts. I can see it too--sort of a hump there. Do you think working on that when I work on thinning the bit a little more would be worthwhile?

[RadDavis]

Hi Scott,

Behind the button, I get my bit thickness to between .140 and .150. I also make the width 16 mm.

I see what Tyler was talking about on the stem bottom. It could stand to have a bit of material removed, but it also looks good as is. It's up to you whether you want to tackle that or not.

Rad

[Heinz_D]

Hi Scott,

very nice pipe! In my eyes just the shank/stem junktion on the bottom side makes this pipe looking very elegant. Normaly I would agree, that the shank could be a little bit thinner, but from the side view I like it as it is! very great bird-eyes on the border of the bowl...