Well, I posted a before pic and two after pics in my gallery. I used this first pipe to get a tutoring session on pipe finishing from John Crosby (Thanks for the tips, John!). The after photos in the gallery were taken by me - I just put the thing down on the couch and snapped a couple of digital pictures. These are pictures of the same pipe, taken by the much more experienced Mr. Crosby in his garage photo setup (without taking a great deal of time to set things up, I might add - just a quick couple of snaps). I am struck by how much nicer John's quick pics make my pipe look. Looks like there is a second part of this pipemaking thing that I hadn't counted on: pipe photography! I have seen fancy shots of pipes taken with briar blocks, rods, wood shavings, nature scenes, you name it. There is definitely something to that part of things.
Now that it is finished, my biggest regret is not more sharply defining the shank/bowl transition and actually committing to a shape. I can't figure out if this thing is a volcano, a brandy, an apple... a volbranapple?
Now who wants to order briar with me? I need more cheapie newbie blocks! After one briar pipe I am hooked.
-Scott
