Adjusting Artisan Pipes

[bigvan]

I have several pipes that are extremely well made but have one or two things that I'd adjust if I could; primarily rough rims that I'd prefer smooth.
So I sent them to Chance Whittamore, a pipe restorer and repairman I met a few years ago in Chicago. I asked Chance to smooth out the rims on these and in the case of the Perry White, adjust the foot so it stands a bit more "sure footed".
I don't have "before" pictures of all of them, but take a look.
Perry White Dublin BEFORE

Perry White Dublin AFTER

Larrysson Billiard AFTER

Rad Davis Billiard

Brian Ruthenberg Prince

I'll try to take some more photos indoors, as I think there was too much light out today. Man, it's been awhile since I've said THAT.

 

[wolfie90]

Beautiful pipes! Where did you get the little lawn chairs those are pretty amazing.

 

[ssjones]

I prefer a polished bowl top myself on blasted pipes. It looks like your man Chance did a great job!

 

[bigvan]

Honestly, Al, I had to give it a lot of thought before I went through with it. Part of me felt like I was painting flames along the side of a Stradivarius, especially the Rad and the Ruthenberg.

 

[philobeddoe]

Ultimately your the one who smokes them and enjoys them, I understand that you do not want to alter an artists work, but if your not happy with them, you'll eventually trade them off. That being said, I don't think I could do it, I am too chicken to alter an artisan pipe.

 

[bigvan]

The Ruthenberg was a commission. All I told Brian was to give me his interpretation of a Prince.
Nowadays I definitely tell the carver to make the rim smooth.

 

[ssjones]

I assumed as much, those sure aren't basket pipes! From what I can see your man did a nice job matching the stains, probably not an easy task on the light colored pipes.

 

[jbbaldwin]

That Rad Davis could not be nicer. I love that Cumberland stem, too, as well as the one on the Ruthenberg - tasty!

 

[peckinpahhombre]

I am in the "They're your pipes, do what you like" camp but I did want to pose this ethical question both to Bigvan and to everyone else: If you were to sell these pipes, would you tell any potential buyer that they were altered in the manner that they were?

 

[bigvan]

Good question, Peck.
Yes, I would say that they were altered. But I'd also say that they were professionally done by Chance Whittamore.
Not that I'm selling them anytime soon.

 

[cigrmaster]

bigvan, I also like a smooth rim in some cases, but since I am not a blasphemer, I have never altered an artisans take on a pipe. I personally would never do it because I am just too lazy and I don't want the pipe Gods angry at me for altering a pipe.
Seriously though, they do look great with the smooth top and if it makes you happy that is all that counts. Awesome pipes from some great carvers. Now I have to contact Rad and ask him to smooth my rims on the commissions I have with him.

 

[chubbster]

Your pipes, your smoke, your decision. Who cares? I think they look great, and I see nothing that detracts from te pipe at all. I try to commission all my pipes, I am picky and want them how I want them, so I never have a need to alter them. But If I buy an estate, and dot like something about it, and it is worth keeping, I am going to chane it how I see fit. I will pass on the information if I ever decide to sell it, but in the end, I am not in this to make money from a pipe.

 

[kashmir]

I also prefer smooth rimmed pipes. I've done this myself on a few Dunhills and Comoys. It's not that difficult. Much easier to maintain, plus I like to see rim bird's eye on a straight grained blasted strummel.

 

[wayneteipen]

Your pipes. Do what makes you love them. The only thing I would say to anyone who has this done is that you must disclose any alterations that you didn't have done by the original maker. That brings me to a question: Why wouldn't you have the original maker do the alterations? It's the only thing that would have retained the pipes' value. As they are, I would think you've decreased the pipes' value. Not a big deal if you don't plan on selling them.

 

[bigvan]

Good point Wayne. I could have asked each carver to do the work, and I'm sure I would have received different answers from each from the gentlemanly (like Rad) to something entirely different (like Brian).

 

[bigboi]

If it makes you love them more..then good for you

 

[wayneteipen]

Oh, and btw, they look great with smooth rims and Chance did an outstanding job matching the stains. I'm a sucker for a smooth rim too. In fact, the only time I usually sandblast a rim is if there are sand specks and even then sometimes I can't resist the urge to leave it smooth.

 

[bigvan]

So Wayne, if someone purchased one of your pipes and then later asked if you would redo something about it, like smooth the rim or strip and redo the stain, you wouldn't have a problem with the request?
Just curious.
JJ

 

[mso489]

In the unlikely event that these modified pipes get passed along while the owner is still around,

it would be good to pass along the information about the changes to the buyer. But these pipes

don't look like they're getting traded during the owner's lifetime.

 

[wayneteipen]

JJ, I wouldn't have a problem with the request at all. Of course, if the request was something that didn't match how I would want my work to be represented I may decline the offer. For example, if you wanted me to bedazzle the pipe I made you I would likely politely decline. That being said, I wouldn't be offended by the request and it certainly couldn't hurt to ask. Depending on the situation, I may want to be compensated for the work. Smoothing a rim on a pipe that I sandblasted I would likely do for free in most cases.