Today, I discovered the newest Stanwell, a Facet designed by Vibe Harsløf, famous by her jewelry. I published a picture in 2 german spoken pipesmokersforums and the response was overwhelming ...negativ
May I ask you as experts on shapes to give your opinion to this new Stanwell shape?
The pipe is available in Black Sand, Black Smooth, Brown Smooth and Lightbrown Smooth.
I'm afraid my opinion of this pipe is pretty low.
- it lacks shape and definition, making it appear blobish
- what shape it does display is imbalanced and out of harmony
- it only has the vaguest hint of symmetry
- the round stem isn't a good match for the faceted bowl and particularly the faceted shank
- the stem really needs a slight bend
- the facets themselves appear random and not well composed and thought out
- the shank/bowl transition is clumsy
- the facets make the bowl rim appear uneven
If I were presented this pipe, not knowing anything about it, I would say that it was a good start, and ask the maker to finish carving the pipe and show me when it's finished. I have, truthfully, seen rough shaped pipes from complete newbies that exhibited more form and harmonious composition than this pipe.
It's inexplicable, Stanwell has such a history of employing eminent Danish pipe designers. It appears that along with abandoning their Danish production they are abandoning their sense of direction. What a terrible use of the material: The shape fails either to advantageously employ good grain or to obscure bad grain. And a production nightmare! Imagine buffing that thing without rounding the edges, and if the edges are rounded it will look even more haphazard than it already does.
My immediate reaction was, "Yoiks, if that was a gemstone, the cutter would have been fired on the spot for ruining a valuable stone".
In light of recent discussions, it shows what can happen when a newb to the pipemaking world gets a "brilliant" idea for pipemaking. I get those ideas all the time.
Regards,
Frank.
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Grouch Happens!
People usually get the gods they deserve - Terry Pratchett
Ryan wrote:Who in there right mind makes jewerly out of cork???
Who in their right mind buys it?? I guess that's the difference between a discerning pipe collector (or anthing else, for that matter) and a Fashionista. Or is that Fashion Whore, I've no idea?
Regards,
Frank.
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Grouch Happens!
People usually get the gods they deserve - Terry Pratchett
I quite like it. All these other established makers with their strict rules about pipes not looking like "shit," and their bounded sense of aesthetics can kiss off! The fact that opinions on the subject are unanimous just goes to prove the conspiracy. I for one think this pipe is a real gem! Actually . . . that's not true. I tried to like it, I really did, but it's just hideous. Sorry.
I'm going to make an elaborate shell shape, but turn it on its side. Then I'll stain it brown and use that especially stinky Hamburger ebonite to add to the ambience. When tobacco is smoldering it will look like and smell like a steaming pile of poo. ...but at least it will be well made.
jeff wrote:I'm going to make an elaborate shell shape, but turn it on its side. Then I'll stain it brown and use that especially stinky Hamburger ebonite to add to the ambience. When tobacco is smoldering it will look like and smell like a steaming pile of poo. ...but at least it will be well made.
Go for it, Jeff. That mean Oversized Ostrogoth keeps locking the good shit in the vault. It's been a good few hours without controversy 'round here. We're jonesing for more.
Regards,
Frank.
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Grouch Happens!
People usually get the gods they deserve - Terry Pratchett
Frank wrote:Go for it, Jeff. That mean Oversized Ostrogoth keeps locking the good shit in the vault. It's been a good few hours without controversy 'round here. We're jonesing for more.
Frank, did I mention the olive oil and leather pants?
I don't get it. That's some ugly crap.
