Lovat - Back to Basics

[bandkbrooks]

As promised, I have gone back to basic / classical shapes. There is nothing basic about any of the classics. Here is my feeble attempt at a lovat / billiard / canadian family. The shank looks bowed on the bottom due to the photo but is not in reality. There are some glaring sand spots (more like sand traps) but this one's just for me anyway so I don't care. No lathe so nailing the symmetry of the shape was a b*^&*!. Hand cut acrylic stem (I think it's about my 4th now). I had some trouble with the stem / shank junction mainly because I didn't use a large enough forstner bit shen I squared off the mortise end of the shank (live and learn). I am diligently studying this family of shapes so please critique and have at it.

Thank you,
Brandon

excuse the crappy photos

[Sasquatch]

I like your bowl shape and overall proportions. The barrel on the saddle seems long to me, both for tooth space and also just visually - I'd reduce it's length by half or more, lighten up the visual effect there. And I'm not sure but it looks like the pipe is just slightly reverse tapered. You want no taper or a very slight thinning toward the stem.

[wdteipen]

Not bad at all. I like the bowl shape although it could use a tad bit of refining and the length of the shank looks good. I also like the blonde stain. It looks to me, too, that the shank has a slight reverse taper as Sas pointed out. I also think the stem is a bit on the short chunky side. There appears to be a slight gap at the stem/shank junction. All in all a good looking lovat.

[bandkbrooks]

On the barrel of the stem, I completely agree. That has more to do with "Now wait, how deep did I set the delrin tenon?" and "Don't forget last time you sanded all the way into the delrin tenon." I see what you are saying about the reverse taper. I will check it out again tomorrow. I think I will do it now after all I do have to break it in sometime.

[Sasquatch]

LOL what's a delrin tenon???

[bandkbrooks]

I thought you use delrin??

[Sasquatch]

Haven't yet, but only because I'm a creature of habit.

[bandkbrooks]

Delrin tenons are really the only reason I even ventured into making my own stems. Without a lathe it just didn't seem realistic to try. Delrin really is like butter when you insert the stem. You should definitely try it.

[Abi Natur]

Hi Brandon'
That now is a Pipe shaped to my liking.This Lovat has a well executed straight shape that flows uniformly to the bowl,i just cant exactly see how the transverse flows from the shank to the cheeks ,but it seems well shaped.I would define the saddle on the stem some more,just a little bit steeper .I notice near the rim a small stain ,but the grain honers on this pipe the shape beautifully !

Cheers ,
Abi

[maxmil]

A classic Lovat.
I note that the plate is badly cut heather, and an output branch (branca).
Regards.
Felix

Una Lovat clásica.
Observo que la placa de brezo está mal cortada, y una salida de rama (branca).
Saludos.
Félix

[Sasquatch]

Brandon, I have a few pipes with delrin and I really like the feel too. I just never got around to making it part of my process, and I use some pretty freaky mortise sizes once in awhile too, so I'd have to get a bunch. Probably will give it a go one of these days.


Felix, this is your best translation yet!
"I note that the plate is badly cut heather, and an output branch (branca)."

You're right - it's not a very nice block!

[bandkbrooks]

Nah it wasn't but it was a gimme'. Thus it will stay in my grubby little hands. It's actually the best smoking one I've made so far and very happy about that.