pipemakersforum.com

I have decided to try to make a standard straight billiard. My problem is, what is a standard billiard? I have seen a few different sites with pictures and/or descriptions, The one constant seems to be the shank length is equal to the height of the bowl, but I have not seen a constant in the actual shape of the bowl.

Billiards are a lot easier on the eye if they have a slight curve (to the bowl). Look at a Savinelli Bing's Favorite, for example. That's a really nicely shaped pipe, and the continued popularity makes a guy think that they got something right in the shaping.

If you do a billiard with absolutely straight walls, the pipe has a very intimidating appearance - have a look at a Savinelli 604 Oom Paul - very chunky looking, and it's not even a big pipe.

So a guy puts a slight curve on the bowl. I would say it's fattest at mid-bowl. Too fat and you make an apple. Too low and you make a brandy. But of course these shapes fade into one another.

You pretty much can't go wrong if you copy a Dunhill.

Rad

RadDavis wrote:You pretty much can't go wrong if you copy a Dunhill.
Rad

Yup, that's the good thing in classics: when you copy a classic shape 1:1 then they say you carve classic shapes. When you copy a freehand shape only partially, and you have no name in pipemaking business you're a copycat... else you can call it extravagant names

To avoid confusion, not talking about Rad in any connection, just his words made me burst out that thought... he's rather the opposite, the one to be copied

RadDavis wrote:You pretty much can't go wrong if you copy a Dunhill.

Rad

Yep ... a Rad Dunhill, errr... Davis, that's it... would be an excellent example of a REAL billiard

That's a nice looking apple.

Sasquatch wrote:That's a nice looking apple.

Butthole.

Rad

C'mon.... how could I resist?