I had been seeing these Silver Castle bamboo pipes sell on Ebay for $30-50, and I was intrigued. I had read some of the issues concerning these pipes, but disregarded them for issues concerning the Ebay dealer and not the line of pipes. I emailed the dealer to get more info on the pipes, and found out that they were made by Jack Su's students in a workshop in Canada. His pipes are Huge Stones (HS), and Silver Castle is a side studio. I loved the look, and the price was right. So, I contacted the vendor and just selected a few and purchased outright. I hate bidding. I got a good deal and a great selection of bowl shapes. What I didn't like immediately were the bits. They are a injection molded plastic. They don't have the give of vulcanite, nor the firmness and substantial feeling of acrylic (although I am not an acrylic fan either).
I love bamboo pipes. They give me that Gilligan's Island aesthetic, zen-like, dainty, but yet durable. They all smoked great. At first I was afraid that they would gurgle, but that was just excitement on my part. Once I got into my clench breathe smoking mode, I had no issues. Very dry smokers. But, the bits... I hated them. Too narrow, barely a lip on them, and they just didn't feel right in my clench. But, they are beautiful.
So, I took out some of the bridled vulcanite that I had left over from a few bulldog projects and made new bits.
They have these stainless steel tubes that connect the bamboo to the shank, and the bit to the bamboo. So, I just drilled out the vulcanite and inserted the tube and connected the tube to a stationary rotary tool that I have on my workbench. I then used files to lathe out the basic shape, and then used files with the tube in a vise to shape out the rest of the bit. Then I wet sanded it to a polished surface. I love a taper that rests against the outside of my lips, making a good clench seal. I also require a thin bite with a gentle upswing of the lip. I also like a gentle curve to the profile to better let the bit curve with my teeth. These new bits also have a profile that goes better with the swelling of the bamboo at the knots, so that they look more fluid with linear lines. I think that they've improved the design immensely, plus they feel better in my smoking style. Lightweight, good fit, and ready for smoking while I work at my bench, fully connecting with me as I work. I modeled what I want in a bit on some of my artisan made pipes, Becker more specifically. His bits fit me like a glove.
I have no problems with modifying my pipes. I don't buy pipes with re-selling or value in mind. I want my pipes tossed on my funeral pyre when the day comes. So, value is only in what value the experience that I get with them has. And, I see these as improved. These in specific cost me just a few bucks each, very cheap for pipes, and for a few more bucks and a few more hours, I have pipes that I would rival with Eltang or Growley's bamboo pipes.
I just thought that you guys might be interested. I have made quite a few stems lately, and I have a few more that I will make to better fit me on a few other pipes. The feel and fit are very important to me. I can't stand most of the injection molded pipes that some artisans are using now a days. It's a cheap shortcut in my opinion.
Anyways, I hope you enjoyed...
I love bamboo pipes. They give me that Gilligan's Island aesthetic, zen-like, dainty, but yet durable. They all smoked great. At first I was afraid that they would gurgle, but that was just excitement on my part. Once I got into my clench breathe smoking mode, I had no issues. Very dry smokers. But, the bits... I hated them. Too narrow, barely a lip on them, and they just didn't feel right in my clench. But, they are beautiful.
So, I took out some of the bridled vulcanite that I had left over from a few bulldog projects and made new bits.
They have these stainless steel tubes that connect the bamboo to the shank, and the bit to the bamboo. So, I just drilled out the vulcanite and inserted the tube and connected the tube to a stationary rotary tool that I have on my workbench. I then used files to lathe out the basic shape, and then used files with the tube in a vise to shape out the rest of the bit. Then I wet sanded it to a polished surface. I love a taper that rests against the outside of my lips, making a good clench seal. I also require a thin bite with a gentle upswing of the lip. I also like a gentle curve to the profile to better let the bit curve with my teeth. These new bits also have a profile that goes better with the swelling of the bamboo at the knots, so that they look more fluid with linear lines. I think that they've improved the design immensely, plus they feel better in my smoking style. Lightweight, good fit, and ready for smoking while I work at my bench, fully connecting with me as I work. I modeled what I want in a bit on some of my artisan made pipes, Becker more specifically. His bits fit me like a glove.
I have no problems with modifying my pipes. I don't buy pipes with re-selling or value in mind. I want my pipes tossed on my funeral pyre when the day comes. So, value is only in what value the experience that I get with them has. And, I see these as improved. These in specific cost me just a few bucks each, very cheap for pipes, and for a few more bucks and a few more hours, I have pipes that I would rival with Eltang or Growley's bamboo pipes.
I just thought that you guys might be interested. I have made quite a few stems lately, and I have a few more that I will make to better fit me on a few other pipes. The feel and fit are very important to me. I can't stand most of the injection molded pipes that some artisans are using now a days. It's a cheap shortcut in my opinion.
Anyways, I hope you enjoyed...