A Kind Word for Bamboo

[mso489]

I know mikethompson and maybe others don't favor bamboo as a pipe material. I certainly respect others' taste, and if it's unappealing to you, it just is. I never owned a bamboo shank pipe, and might never have gotten one, but fishnbanjo posted so many beauties featuring bamboo that I relented somewhat, such that I bought a bamboo shank pipe from the late great Bob Hayes at the TAPS pipe show in the last hours of sales. He made me an offer I couldn't possibly refuse, and the pipe is excellent. No, I haven't bought any other bamboo shank pipes, but between fish' and the late Bob Hayes, they now have a special place, one place, on my rack.

 

[crashthegrey]

I personally like the look of a bamboo shank. My issue has been that they always seem to have a metal rod through them for support. See, one of the beauties of bamboo and why it is used on the kiseru pipe in Japan is that they are a natural filter and absorb moisture. If you block out the bamboo with metal I am not sure why we are using it, but for aesthetics alone. So my only bamboo pipes currently are kiseru pipes.

 

[ashdigger]

Ryan Alden Bamboo.

 

[mau1]

I find that bamboo can greatly add to the artistic beauty of a pipe. It opens up a whole new avenue for pipes.

 

[npod]

It took me a while to warm up to bamboo shanks. But I now have a few and love them. They are lighter weight for sure. And bamboo is fun to photograph, lots of character and nuance. But in a way it's like true love, it has to feel right and the heart wants what the heart wants.
I'm a diggin the boo.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

They tried to make us like albatross bones, and a few various other materials, but it is interesting that bamboo was the material that stuck in the trending category. I love it myself, with about five pipes with bamboo. But, it is interesting that it was bamboo over so many other materials, carbon fiber, threaded rod, albatross bones, etc...
To me they have that Gilligan's Island feel to them, and I like to accompany my bamboo shanked pipes with a frozen concoction in a coconut shell, a vintage white antique radio, and a redheaded in a bikini. Cheers!!

 

[ashdigger]

Cosmic, no umbrella?? Unconscionable.

 

[crashthegrey]

Ash, that Alden is gorgeous.

 

[npod]

But a follow up to MSO489's OP. What do you all think about the new age Roman Kovalev, "Doctor's" pipes style bamboo shanks? I have not warmed up to those as much. And I see lots of people going for that style lately.

 

[npod]

I love this shot of bamboo from a pipe workshop/studio. Just waiting to be picked over for production.

 

[warren]

Bamboo between briar and a black bit is as jarring to me as colorful acrylic bits. My eyes simply do not like such.

 

[mau1]

Cosmic, I hope that isn't you in the bikini.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

One way or another, I'll be getting into that bikini. heh heh :wink:

 

[mau1]

Hahaha

 

[mso489]

Following up on warren's post, I think bamboo for a shank is a high level of difficulty in getting a pipe to integrate well visually, so it doesn't look like various pieces pasted together. I think that's what sold me the Bob Hayes pipe, beyond the price. Bob Hayes was an artist with his carving and got it just right. When it works, it is pretty remarkable, but I've seen some high-end pipes where they just don't get it right. More don't than do.

 

[georged]

Go ahead... try to hate them.
You heard me! TRY, I say!!!
Good luck
[still waiting]
Yeah, that's what I thought. :mrgreen:
.

 

[warren]

I don't get too emotional with regard to pipes. I don't hate bamboo accents but, I'm certainly not enamored with them either. To me they look "cobbled " together. Even with outstanding workmanship they are still off putting to me. I can admire the craftsmanship but, not the "look."

 

[Briar Baron]

Only have one but really enjoy it.

 

[fishnbanjo]

npod, I have all kinds of bamboo shank pipes of various genus of bamboo. I think Roman Kovalev (Dr’s Pipe) shows off his bamboo skill in choosing a particular shank to fit the bowl he is working on, his stem work is beyond reproach and his integrated bronze adapter fitting is unique as his acrylic work filling the bamboo leaf nodes. The smoking quality of his pipes is well regarded and I found myself putting his Crazy Army Apple with bamboo shank into my rotation after just the third smoke, regards.

banjo

 

[trouttimes]

I wonder if anyone has ever made a stem using bamboo strips like hollow rods are built? Fishbanjo care to way in?