Some guys are straight grain collectors, others are eye-popping birdseye collectors. Me? I've always been drawn to something I call "granite grain." Super-tight end grain bowls that don't have any (or many) dots, but, up close, look more like compressed paisley than anything else, and from any distance look bland. Almost like stone (hence the granite label). The problem is they're so rare that you can't properly collect them. There's no standardized term for such wood, so you just have to grab it when you find it.
This pipe is a decently cut 120, not great but good, and besides its "granite grain" bears an unusual stamp. "SP". I've no idea what it means, but it doesn't look like one of those distribution-related "add on" stamps because it's so large and also aligned with the other nomenclature. Anyone who has a clue, please say so. I've had this pipe since the early 90's and have had no luck asking around so far.
59.8 grams, 6.25" long.
.
This pipe is a decently cut 120, not great but good, and besides its "granite grain" bears an unusual stamp. "SP". I've no idea what it means, but it doesn't look like one of those distribution-related "add on" stamps because it's so large and also aligned with the other nomenclature. Anyone who has a clue, please say so. I've had this pipe since the early 90's and have had no luck asking around so far.
59.8 grams, 6.25" long.
.