Smooth or Sandblasted?

seacaptain

Lifer

Apr 24, 2015

1,829

7

• May 27, 2015

• #1

Just curious which finish people prefer. I've really come to appreciate the sandblasted finishes. Not that I've had many pipes but I absolutely love my Sav GDO and Dunhill Cumberland. I find myself admiring the finish between puffs. My smooth Dunhill, while nice, just doesn't give me that same feeling of appreciation when smoking it. Being a prince shape, it sometimes seems like you're holding a cue ball.
Smooth finish pipes often look nicer than sandblast finishes, but for me, I think they fall a little short when you consider the entire pipe smoking experience.
Feel free to post a pic of one of your favorites, smooth or sandblasted.

 

gphenry

Starting to Get Obsessed

Jul 5, 2014

145

3

• May 27, 2015

• #2

Can I answer your question with a simple yes?

 

tarak

Lifer

Jun 23, 2013

1,528

15

South Dakota

• May 27, 2015

• #3

So, I've got love for both, but....stranded on a dessert island, I'd probably take the sandblast.

 

Chasing Embers

Captain of the Black Frigate

Nov 12, 2014

43,406

109,175

• May 27, 2015

• #4

Most of my collection are blasts.

 

Z

zitotczito

Lifer

Aug 12, 2014

1,128

175

• May 27, 2015

• #5

Interesting, since most of my pipes are smooths, I actually like the hand feel of the blasts.

 

jimbo69

Might Stick Around

Jun 21, 2014

84

2

• May 27, 2015

• #6

 

seacaptain

Lifer

Apr 24, 2015

1,829

7

• May 27, 2015

• #7

I can see where both could be the answer. Any pics?

 

mrenglish

Lifer

Dec 25, 2010

2,220

72

Columbus, Ohio

• May 28, 2015

• #8

I prefer blasts over smooth pipes, especially in the likes of Peterson. My fear is I will end up dinging the smooth pipes and it will be obvious or a fill will appear. I have a sweet little Ponomarchuck and ended up dropping it because the stem was so narrow. Now I have a nice ding in the side. You don't see stuff like that on sandblasts. Just normal wear and tear seems to show somewhat easily on smooths. Pet peeve I guess.
I'm probably 90/10 on sandblasts v. smooth.

 

philobeddoe

Lifer

Oct 31, 2011

7,433

11,711

East Indiana

• May 28, 2015

• #9

Both, though my collection is probably 60/40 in favor of blasts.

 

sablebrush52

The Bard Of Barlings

Jun 15, 2013

19,747

45,289

Southern Oregon

jrs457.wixsite.com

• May 28, 2015

• #10

Definitely both. My current ratio is 30% blasted, carved, or rusticated and 70% smooth.

 

mranglophile

Can't Leave

May 11, 2015

390

4

United States

• May 28, 2015

• #11

I enjoy the tactile experience with sandblasting and rustication but my collection is about 50% smooth 50% other.

 

misterlowercase

Lifer

May 31, 2012

4,295

34

• May 28, 2015

• #12

For me,

see here:

http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/favourite-sandblasts
::

 

Chasing Embers

Captain of the Black Frigate

Nov 12, 2014

43,406

109,175

• May 28, 2015

• #13

Three of my four Weaver commissions are blasts. Love that deep craggy ring grain texture.
http://pipesmagazine.com/members/chasingembers/album/picture/16141

 

newbroom

Lifer

Jul 11, 2014

6,109

6,594

Florida

• May 28, 2015

• #14

I like them both for their unique visual and tactile experiences. A smooth reveals the grain within and its surface offers a silky feel of quality, while a blast reveals the grain externally and its surface can be as alluring and offers its texture like an ergonomic grip.

Check out this unique rough cut poker.

http://www.briarblues.com/jio56.htm

 

seacaptain

Lifer

Apr 24, 2015

1,829

7

• May 28, 2015

• #15

Here's a pic from that thread. This is the type of sandblast that I love. Belongs to sablebrush.

 

seacaptain

Lifer

Apr 24, 2015

1,829

7

• May 28, 2015

• #16

I like them both for their unique visual and tactile experiences. A smooth reveals the grain within and its surface offers a silky feel of quality, while a blast reveals the grain externally and its surface can be as alluring and offers its texture like an ergonomic grip.

Check out this unique rough cut poker.

http://www.briarblues.com/jio56.htm

Click to expand...

We haven't really made a distinction yet, but I think this one crosses into the "rusticated" category.

 

seacaptain

Lifer

Apr 24, 2015

1,829

7

• May 28, 2015

• #17

I love this one too, from misterlowercase's thread.

 

brass

Lifer

Jun 4, 2014

1,840

7

United States

• May 28, 2015

• #18

I prefer sandblasted for average briar. If I can get briar with good contrast or flame grain, I'll go smooth. All depends on quality of grain.
There was a time when rusticated or blasted equaled inferior briar - or at lest that was my understanding. But I'm now appreciating blasts and textured finishes for their own merit.

 

jackswilling

Lifer

Feb 15, 2015

1,777

24

• May 28, 2015

• #19

I am the odd man out here. Only like smooth pipes. Unless something changes, which I cannot foresee, only smooth for me. Love seeing grain and Bird's Eye. Nice that we all have choices.

 

drezz01

Can't Leave

Dec 1, 2014

483

6

• May 28, 2015

• #20

I much prefer a great blast. I just find it fascinating to look at and it feels great in the hand. Now.... if I could afford a high-grade grain that may change things...