A Back Woods Pipe

[cbates55]

Hello all, I'm sure most of you will think this is a very crude attempt at pipe making. My goal was to make a pipe that might have been made in the wilderness. To that point I think it fits the goal.
So what do you all think?

 

[dottiewarden]

Looks like you hit the mark!
Now tell us a little bit more about the materials and the process.

 

[pagan]

 

[bootlegbonvivant]

Ooooo doggie! I think that hit a couple of purdy sticks on the way down. ::

 

[jerwynn]

I really like it tho! I imagine if you wanted to be really rustic, you'd have to lose the plastic bit and used something completely organic and natural... horn? Quill? Seashell? Bone? Reed?

 

[cbates55]

Well the pipe bowl is made of Maple I believe, but to be a 100% sure I have to go with only 80% sure. The shank is made out of???
The bowl started as a failed walking stick/cane that I made a bit to short, but never tosed out. After I cut the length I wanted I drilled the shank hole to about the middle of the pipe body. With that done I used the vertical mill at my work place to create the tobacco chamber. The chamber depth is above the hole for the shank so that it could allow a clean transition between the two areas. The two minor errors I made I believe was making the bowl bottom flat and the draft hole a bit to big. I used Boiled Linseed Oil for the finish and was careful not to get any into the bowl chamber or the draft. It seems to smoke well, but I'm a novice at that so I could be totally off the mark.

 

[bootlegbonvivant]

Bowl bottom could be an issue, but I tend to like a larger draft hole, tbh. But hey, if it smokes well, enjoy!

 

[cbates55]

@ jerwynn, I agree that a totally rustic one wouldn't have a plastic bit. Though I'm going with the idea the woodsman broke his pipe some how and had the bit from it.

 

[cbates55]

Bowl bottom could be an issue, but I tend to like a larger draft hole, tbh. But hey, if it smokes well, enjoy!

I was thinking if I pipe mud the bottom I could round it out some.

 

[bootlegbonvivant]

That could definitely work and give a little insulation in the process

 

[shaintiques]

I like it. Looks mostly like an old Ropp, but more rustic.

 

[mso489]

It as an authentic look. If it breaks in well and doesn't show any signs of burning out (I don't think it will) you might want an acrylic stem for it, since plastic chews out fairly soon. Maple does pretty well as a pipe bowl I hear.

 

[winton]

Great first attempt. Couple suggestions. The pith (center part of a piece of wood) will crack as it dries. That will ruin the pipe. Also be very sure what type of wood you are using. Some woods can actually hurt you. Keep trying.
http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-allergies-and-toxicity/

 

[bentbob]

My "back woods" pipe. Unfortunately not made by myself but a circa 1890 Ropp. Only problem with it is that it is absolutely HUGE!

 

[cbates55]

@ winton, Thanks for the suggestions and if the wood I used isn't dry then there is a real issue .... I've had all the wood I used in my house for over 3 to 4 years. Now as far as the types I doubt either are of the toxic families...
I've seen the list of woods from the link you posted and it seems a bit confusing sort of...

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

Cbates, I would smoke the living heck out of that pipe! I love it! :clap:

 

[jkrug]

Damn brother that is an awesome and totally "woodsy" looking pipe.

I can totally see my self smoking a pipe like that when camping or other wise enjoying the great outdoors.

Nice work!! :clap:

 

[cbates55]

I want to thank all of you that have given feed back about this pipe. I have learned much from it and know the next one will be better in a couple areas...

 

[jpmcwjr]

Hits the mark of a wilderness project except for the stem.

 

[cbates55]

Pipe mud is some amazing stuff that can fix errors and flaws. What once was a flat bottom chamber is now properly rounded out with the draft hole at the bottom center more or less.
I couldn't get my hands on any cigar ash so I tried some cigarette ash with water and it seems to work. Time will tell how durable it is, but so far it has seem to set up hard.