School Me on Stem Making.

[LeafErikson]

 

[Briar Lee]

Not entirely sure it came out of the factory that way, but who knows.

That being said, there have been, and still are today, many fine French factories that produce excellent pipes that don’t get half the credit they deserve, simply because they are affordable.

On a $15 eBay find it’s nearly a hundred per cent the seller found it like grandpa left it.

My guess is that maybe in 1948 a Royal Ascot Supreme was a $10 pipe with a hand rubbed finish and no fills, and fancy stemwork, and in 1958 it was still a $10 pipe with the same grade of briar with fills and a tan varnish job.

Sort of the same, sad story as a 1948 and 1958 Kaywoodie Flame Grain.

 

[proteus]

Get to know the lathe. And a 2x72 belt sander. And a hot air heat source. Most stems can be made from these tools.