Acorn Octopus...

[ND Pipes]

Acorn Octopus...

[JMG]

It's a shame you couldn't get any decent bird's eye on the rim, You did a beautiful job brining out the grain on this block.

[ND Pipes]

thank you John.....
it would be better if the pictures are like this one bellow but i could not get it from all the angles so i decided to use that blue material....

[taharris]

That is a very nice pipe.

You are definitely developing an unusual (but good) style.

By the way, is your shop anywhere near Wallie's?
(Maybe there's something in the water. )

[ND Pipes]

heheheheheh... it is not near but.... sometimes seems like it is... for sure, i wish it is
but unfortunately i am miles from Walle - and he is a master, i am not...
i like the freedom he is having when making his shapes... not that i like all of his pipes but i like the "out of the box" way of thinking he is having... also, his way of exploring ideas...
his Magnet system, for example, is another of his "crazy" ideas... but he made it... and it seems it is working very good ...
he was one of the first pipemakers i found on internet when starting to make pipes (btw. it will be a year now since i made my first pipe), that i actually said "WOW - this is something for me that i really like"... his driftwood is nice but i like better to have my pipes smooth - and some of his shapes would look perfect in smooth finish ... later i turned more to other pipemakers styles but Walle is all the time in the background ... i am trying not to copy some of his ideas but it is hard since i like some of them really a lot... so, i am you will find his influence in my work
hehehehehehe

[taharris]

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."
- Charles Calob Colton

[ND Pipes]

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."
- Charles Calob Colton

hope Walle will remember that heheheheheheh...
thanks for posting it

[Mike Messer]

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."
- Charles Calob Colton

hope Walle will remember that heheheheheheh...
thanks for posting it

I agree with you about Walle, most creative pipemaker around, and he continues to come up with new ideas, but I don't think your style is imitating Walle. I think you have your own style developing and this Acorn Octopus is great. You just keep getting better all the time. Keep up the good work.

[Boekweg]

@tNd

Wow! . . . Dude, you never cease to amaze me!
That is a very cool looking pipe!
Hats off to you!

(Dr. Octagonapus)

[ND Pipes]

thank you man... this is a great motivation...
.. i need that to feel i am doing the rigth thing - even if that what i am doing makes me feel good and useful...

unfortunately there are not to many comments on my pipes lately (in general, not on this forum alone)... that is not to good...
if i want to sell some of my work i really need to make what people would like... so, i am thinking more and more to make some classical shapes even if they are not what i prefer...... :/

[Boekweg]

Dude, seriously, i find your pipes to be very cool. In my opinion, its pipes like yours that people need to see more of. Although traditional pipes are still cool, i think in general, we need to start seeing new wave pipes, Pipes that have an out-side-of-box look. There is a new generation of up-coming pipe smokers and carvers. Its time to look to the future. I think one reason people dont coment on pipes that have an out-side-of-box look, is because they are afraid of change, or maybe not sure of it. But i feel that it is carvers like you and some others, that will take us pipe carvers into that new future of pipe carving.

Stay cool my friend!

[Nate]

I enjoy your work as well Daniel. I have liked watching you progress, especially lately. This pipe is a fine example! Your contrast work looks nice, and I like the partial rustication on the 'tentacle', that's a nice touch. I think this one is a good step in that, your eye is not stuck on one part of it. Your integration of different items is executed well. I think with the nice curvy lines you have throughout the rest of the pipe, the rim would look better as a constant curve, but that is getting into 'nitpicky'. It appears (at least in a couple shots) your stem has a bend at one point rather than a full curve, again I think a curve would help the continuity of the pipe. That said, I think the amount of curve is about spot on. The stem turning borders on being 'too busy' for me, but I think it still works well. Did you chamfer or counterbore the shank by the mortise? I think a chamfer would fit the best there, to mirror the nice chamfer you have on the rim. Whatever you did there it looks like a nice detail. I will hold to these thoughts until a pro says otherwise, then I will deny ever posting this.

[HumblePipe]

The more and more I look at this, the more and more I love it. Great job!

[ND Pipes]

thank you guys... happy you like it...

[baronstrasil]

I like it - is pretty interesting shapes and staining

edit: sry i post here text in my language ))) so sorry

[maxmil]

A beautiful pipe.
Best regards.
Félix

Una pipa preciosa.
Saludos.
Félix

[ND Pipes]

thanks guys