A Kind Word for Bamboo

[lestrout]

Yo fishb - re your "choosing a particular shank to fit the bowl he is working on" comment, sometimes it works the other way around. One evening at Morley's, I witnessed a fascinating exchange between our DrG and Jeff Gracik, who used to be a Morley's member before he moved to San Diego and set up J Alan. DrG has such a fine collection that the term 'patron of the arts' comes easily to mind. His collection has dozens of bamboo shank pipes and he had just been called when Jeff found several especially delectable bamboo pieces. He sent over pix from different angles and DrG asked how Jeff proposed to use each piece. Jeff then sent pix of several briar blocks, wetted to show the grain and penciled with prospective shapes that would harmonize with each bamboo piece. So rather than having the briar or stummel dictate the choice of bamboo, it was the bamboo piece that determined which piece of briar would be carved and with what shape. This is a long way from the old days when bamboo was used to save a stummel that showed up with defects in the shank. Charatan's Afterhours series using smaller ebuchauns with yellow horn or acrylic shank extentions have a similar visual effect. I don't know which came first.
hp

les

 

[lestrout]

Yo tro - I don't know about any pipe with shanks made from triangular bamboo strips, such as used to make cane rods (not necessarily hollow). But there is a German pipesmoking cane rod maker, Baginski, who showed up at a couple of fly fishing shows in NJ with briar to which he added bamboo strips. Banjo got one - I never got to the show soon enough to score one for myself.
hp and tl

les

 

[npod]

@fishnbanjo, thanks for the props on Roman’s work. I just went from luke warm to more intrigued. I love the novelty of his work and your example exemplifies that in spades. I am starting to take notice for sure.

 

[irishearl]

Am rather fond of bamboo as a shank adornment. Have only 1, however, a Nording.

 

[fishnbanjo]

I don’t believe Nording made many bamboo shank pipes, anyone know, thanks.

banjo

 

[irishearl]

I was under that impression too fish. But then it was pointed out to me that there were actually a few current Nordings with bamboo being offered @ SP. Mine is the hunter pipe, the beaver.

 

[eggrollpiper]

Seems Bamboo Shanks are yet another dividing issue, being personal preference. And although there may be some filtering effect I think it's used mostly for aesthetics. Its also pretty strong for a grass and in never-ending supply as opposed to briar so its cost efficiency may render it out of the high end luxury material department for some. Being that I like most anything Asian I'm a fan. A bamboo fan, hee hee.

My specimens are sans metal rod thankfully. I Do have A kiseru with the rod and its never sat well with me, although easier to clean that way.

I'd take a smoking device derived from plant parts before one from animal parts anyday as well. Horn/antler skeevs me out, although once I had a native pipe with an antler bowl and leather wrapped shank that smoked like a dream, lost to the indiscretion of youth.

Albatross just seems downright appalling, as much as I would love one of those bc pipes it seems the material may be better suited to drink liquified pate, tiger blood, etc.

Lastly, Cosmic thaks for the Gilligans reference. I've previously never made that connection and now will never be able to not make it. RIP S.S. Minnow.

 

[mikethompson]

I know mikethompson and maybe others don't favor bamboo as a pipe material.

Well you know you've made it around here when you make it into a MSO thread :worship:
It is just like so many other things in the pipe smoking world: down to personal preference.

 

[lestrout]

Yo Banjo - I don't know if Nording made many bamboo shanked pipes, but I have several. The latest one just came from Saatchi this month, but my first one is at least 20 YO.
hp

les

 

[warren]

Seems Bamboo Shanks are yet another dividing issue

It's a matter of personal likes and dislikes, hardly a decisive issue.

 

[unadoptedlamp]

I have a Dunhill ring grain that I like to smoke sometimes. It doesn't have a metal insert, as far as I can see into the pipe. I find the lightness of the bamboo makes for a good mouth feel. I don't clench often, but sometimes this sits in the lip without me noticing it is there.
I also have two Tsuge bamboo shanked pipes. They're a much fatter knuckle of bamboo, and shorter, but I think they look fine. Not on the hunt for any more, but I like some bamboo in a collection.

 

[macaroon]

I wouldn't buy one, personally, but I can't deny that some of those pipes look pretty spiffy!
The aesthetics of bamboo aren't quite my taste, but really I don't much like the idea of adding more complexity and pieces to the construction. I like to keep things as simple and practical as possible without compromising aesthetics. As such, army mounts are more my preference.
Either way, buy and smoke what you like, right? ::

 

[peckinpahhombre]

I actually really dig bamboo and have many in my collection. Some variations below.
First a Satou with weathered bamboo:

A Jess Chonowitsch billiard with clean bamboo:

Another Satou, with bamboo for days (11 knuckle churchwarden):

This next one is interesting - a Tyler Lane egg, but he actually lightly blasted the bamboo as well which gives a really neat texture - feels great in the hand:

A Walt Cannoy Elephant Foot with dark banboo:

 

[irishearl]

Those are some beautiful bamboo pieces peck. They're all appealing but really like the weathered style.

 

[npod]

Peck - Right On Brother. Wow.

 

[writingraav]

I own two at present and enjoy both. The first is a Stanwell Billiard, the second a J. Crawford Apple

 

[bienden]

Bamboo has good water absorption properties, is a suitable material for stems.

Of course, bamboo materials have certain deficiencies, for example, it will become sticky after a long time, causing clogging in the pipeline. So you have to regularly clean the shank after every suction.

I find that using bamboo is the best option in some cases: if you need a new form; or need a long body and bend.

Here is the pipe I made, besides bamboo, I have not seen any more suitable material.

 

[gatorlope]

Nice stuff, guys! Most of the bamboo shanks that I’ve seen were disappointing in that they didn’t really do any thing artistically for the pipes they were on.

 

[sablebrush52]

This is a Walt Cannoy that I used to own:

And this J&J:

 

[mso489]

peck's, sable's and other's examples are breathtaking. I rarely gasp a little when looking at photos, but those pipes do it. Like others and I have said, bamboo can look real patchy and corny, but when it's right, it can be spectacular.