pipemakersforum.com

As I am a really newbie in this forum I'm wondering what is the definition of a so called "Steampunk" pipe. Are they, beyond the pipes of Daniel, more examples, pictures or threads about this item??

GJ

I think the provenance of the term "steampunk pipe" can be traced back to a post that a prominent collector made on a separate message board for pipe smokers. It was more about a certain gentleman at a pipe show who seemed to carry himself in a particular stylistic fashion and also happened to smoke a pipe. That term was then applied to a couple of pipes posted in the gallery here. At this point, there is nothing to define a "steampunk pipe" and there are no "examples" of same said. You can read about "Steampunk" on wikipedia here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steampunk

Todd

No, Steampunk is kind of a sub-genre of science fiction/fantasy. It's a play on the phrase cyberpunk, but usually involves a future or parallel universe that still depends on steam power and 19th century sensibilities....sorta....I don't have a whole lot of exposure to it.....but it's not a specific type of pipe. I think he just termed it that because it looks like something from the genre....

EDIT: I guess I wrote this right as Todd was responding. Check his wikipedia link.

Well, thank you both... I've got to read and learn a lot of new things... thanks!

Here's a steampunk computer:



Rad

RadDavis wrote:Here's a steampunk computer:


Rad

Come on Rad, fess up. That's your computer. Right?

Nah, It's pretty cool though. I'd have one like that if I didn't have to make it myself.

Here's a very cool ergonomic steampunk keyboard:



Rad

Based on the Steampunk aesthetic, I don't quite understand why Daniel considers some of his pipes to be "Steampunk".

I reckon this fancy Vesz has a kind of "Steampunk" feel to it:

Some of what these guys do with the steampunk idea is absolutely amazing. A lot of it hinges on the assumption that Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace had managed to complete both the Difference Engine and the Analytical Engine before they both died (Ada rather untimely). It's really fascinating to consider the changes to historical timelines.

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Hi,

Funny this came up,
I'm working on a version of this right now. A real pipe I mean, not illustration artwork. Great images though!

I guess it's not as original as I thought it was going to be.

Souljer wrote:Hi,

Funny this came up,
I'm working on a version of this right now. A real pipe I mean, not illustration artwork. Great images though!

I guess it's not as original as I thought it was going to be.

After sever million years of human history NOTHING IS ORIGINAL! I tend to view things either as "inspired" or not. I think there's much inspiration to be drawn from this stuff, though. I especially like Rad's computer, and it explains why his e-mails always seem to be damp and musty smelling.

TJ

Well Todd, I think you're right. And I think that's the great problem of the big pipe-factories... the lack of inspiration. By so many "novelties" I think: I've seen that before. That's why I have great respect for those freehand carvers who try to make pipes by an idea, by inspiriation, wherever they get it from. I often ask myself if the big factories spend much time and money in the creative, the "thinking" process....
A german girl who met a few of the carvers on a show up there wrote: I've had it with serial pipes... from now on I invest my money in the freehands. Less is finanilly more. To my opinion she's right.

I was wondering if the "real" steampunk pipe would excist. The answer is yes. An Austrian pipesmoker/collector send me pictures of a pipe that was made for the company Page-Hersey in Toronto, probably before WWII. The pipe is still in good condition...





GJ

Yeah, I've been following this "steampunk" discussion with great interest.

But I haven't had much to add to it thus far, except to say that I'm leaning toward the idea of a "steampunk pipe" being one that has the appearance of being "over-engineered".

It consists of more than just stem-and-stummel, and at least one or two of the components have a certain mechanical quality that either serve a purpose or appear to serve a purpose.

Examples might include: Tyrolean/Bavarian type pipes with those hinged silver spark covers; cavaliers with a special cleaning port or sump; or something like a hookah pipe -- except without any negative connotations.

pierredekat wrote:..... or something like a hookah pipe -- except without any negative connotations.

Negative connotations?? What negative connotations? Speaking of which, have you noticed the irony? Loads of people are trying to get tobacco completely banned, while other loads of people (including some of the previous bunch) are trying to legalize pot! Go figure.

pierredekat wrote:Yeah, I've been following this "steampunk" discussion with great interest.

But I haven't had much to add to it thus far, except to say that I'm leaning toward the idea of a "steampunk pipe" being one that has the appearance of being "over-engineered".

It consists of more than just stem-and-stummel, and at least one or two of the components have a certain mechanical quality that either serve a purpose or appear to serve a purpose.

Examples might include: Tyrolean/Bavarian type pipes with those hinged silver spark covers; cavaliers with a special cleaning port or sump; or something like a hookah pipe -- except without any negative connotations.

Yeah exactly. Don't forget a gear driven smoke cooling system and a venturi pump to get rid of the goo. Oh, and maybe also some kind of a choke or perhaps an intercooler ?

Or better yet, (as I mentioned in reply to Daniels pipes) A miniature steam boiler integrated with the bowl, attatched to a fully functional piston assemble and steam whistle... Also makes Julian Fries!!!

I propose a contest!

Well, a contest ...that would be nice!! Man o man...what have I done?? I just asked some information....

I'm in contact with a man who runs a hobbyshop that sell the wilesco steammachines. There is a catalogue of the specific parts necessecasry for a project like this. More info on: http://www.wilesco.de/wilesco/us/index.html

i would like to see them !
i gues that pipemakers who do knives and other stuff from metal
will have a nice project with this, if someone goes with this.