My First Two Finished Pipes

lonestar · May 23, 2012

Well I finally got some pictures of my first two pipes, a cutty and a lovatish-billiard.

There is lots of room for improvement on both pipes, but I think the second was more successful than the first. I've worked out a few of the mistakes I made on the first, so hopefully I'll be offering some for sale in the next few weeks (really want to make that Anse Hatfield Cutty!)

Both stems are handcut from Ebonite Rod.

Heres the before and after pics.

The Cutty before;

The Cutty now;

Billiard before;

Billiard now;

marmal4de · May 23, 2012

Holy shit, Ryan! Those are magnificent! I especially like the pencil shank on the billiard. Do me next.

markw4mms · May 23, 2012

Those look great Ryan! Very nice for your first pipes! It looks like you've been doing this longer than you want to admit to. BTW, I really like the billiard! Very well done!

schmitzbitz · May 23, 2012

And then me; that billiard is amazing (I'm also a sucker for anything with a long shank...).

lonestar · May 23, 2012

It looks like you've been doing this longer than you want to admit to

My problem is the exact opposite... I wish I didnt have to admit I'm a beginner at all :rofl:

Ryan, I will definitely make you something. Neither of these pipes will leave my possession because of small flaws in manufacturing that I find unacceptable. The shanks on both are too small for the large tenons I cut, making weak spots at the stem/shank junction. Also, both stems are very thin and would be prone to break or be bitten through.

I dont want to release anything less than perfect, but I think I can work out my flaws in short order.

I made a rule for myself that I wont sell anything earlier than my 5th pipe, assuming its up to my standards anyway.

brian64 · May 23, 2012

Both very impressive! Great work. I love the grain on the cutty. :clap:

jvandy77 · May 23, 2012

I'm digging that cutty. Those both look amazing, I'm really impressed.
-Jim

lonestar · May 23, 2012

Just as proof that my stems are too thin, I was going to put a very slight bend in the stem of the billiard. As soon as I touched the flame to it to soften the ebonite, the airway on the bottom of the stem buckled :rofl: It is still airtight and will smoke fine. I was tempted to offer it up for sale otherwise, but that clenched keeping it. Thats when I made my rule about keeping the first 5 to smoke myself.

kyletheaviator · May 23, 2012

Nothing you haven't been told already, but those are beauties! Gorgeous grain on the billiard!

zunismoke · May 23, 2012

Ryan, Love pencil shanks, Lovat looks great as does the Cutty as well!! Keep up the good work!

lonestar · May 23, 2012

Thanks Kyle and Gary!

Schmitz keep your eyes peeled, I'll be posting all my creations here. I'm going to tentatively say it will be about 3 more weeks until I'm focused on just making pipes (I'm horrible at doing anything on time!). The goal is 5 a week but I bet its some time until I reach that every week.

I have about 25 hours work in each of these.

grizzly86 · May 23, 2012

Lonestar you just got added to "the list". If those are your first 2 I can't wait to see what you are doing in a couple of months.

bentmike · May 23, 2012

Nice pipes! I like the birdseye in the heel shot of the billiard. :worship:

lonestar · May 23, 2012

I can't wait to see what you are doing in a couple of months.

Me too !

At this point I have about $8,000 tied up in my shop and no good options for other income at the moment. So if my first pipes look good, its because I'm hungry and they damn well better be good if I want to eat next month :D

dervis · May 23, 2012

I will be a customer without a doubt.

briarbird · May 23, 2012

Beautiful work! Wow!

shawn · May 23, 2012

Very nice indeed Sir.

martiniman · May 23, 2012

unbelievable these are a first try, maybe first try at pipes but i see some experienced woodwork somewhere in there...
Keep posting your work, i especially like the steps throughout the process.

jameral · May 23, 2012

Those turned out great! Excellent work for your first attempt.

they damn well better be good if I want to eat next month

You're gonna be eating well my friend. :wink:

ohin3 · May 23, 2012

Very nice. I like them both, but if I had my pick I would take the billiard. Love the pencil shank on a billiard. Gives it a sleek and elegant feel as opposed to the traditional clunky billiard. I would be interested in buying a pipe from you if you intend on selling them.

My First Two Finished Pipes

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