Afternoon Pipemaking

[canucklehead]

I have some free time this afternoon, so I decided to make a basic little pipe. A pipe-making friend of mine gifted me some pieces of Arbutus (briar relative) and I haven't worked with it before, so I figured hand carving a little pipe would give me a feel for the material.

Tools used:
-cordless drill
-olfa knife
-sandpaper

Here are a few pics of the start, I'll post more as I progress.

 

[sasquatch]

Cordless knife, too.

 

[canucklehead]

 

[augiebd]

Nice pipe in just an afternoon. I need to do some research on Arbutus.

 

[canucklehead]

I made it to fit a MM bit because a have a stack of spares and I'm lazy. Corncob shank for moisture absorption, and a 6mm filter fits as well. About to break it in with a blend made by my friend who gave me the arbutus (seemed appropriate), it's a mix of 1970's Prince Albert and his homegrown burley with some kind of a boozy topping.

 

[canucklehead]

Nice pipe in just an afternoon. I need to do some research on Arbutus.

Thanks! Arbutus grows root burls like briar but a bit lighter and softer, it grows on the west coast of BC.

 

[scloyd]

Well done...it looks really good. ?

 

[Waning Embers]

Nice pipe in just an afternoon. I need to do some research on Arbutus.

Makes a great pipe.

 

[Olkofri]

I like the bowl. Not so the cob insert. My hat's off to you for using nothing but a knife, though!

 

[canucklehead]

Well done...it looks really good. ?

Thanks!

 

[canucklehead]

Makes a great pipe.

View attachment 17949

It's very similar to briar, but not quite as tight grained and lighter in weight.

 

[jhowell]

Nice pipe!

 

[canucklehead]

I like the bowl. Not so the cob insert. My hat's off to you for using nothing but a knife, though!

Thanks!

 

[canucklehead]

Nice pipe!

Thank you!

 

[augiebd]

a mix of 1970's Prince Albert and his homegrown burley with some kind of a boozy topping.

Sounds interesting, you’ll have to give us your thoughts on the blend with your report on how the pipe smokes. Are you able to pin down the boozy elements?

 

[augiebd]

Makes a great pipe.

I do like the texture and finish on that pipe. Any big difference in how it smokes compared to briar?

 

[Waning Embers]

I do like the texture and finish on that pipe. Any big difference in how it smokes compared to briar?

Honestly I can't find a difference between most materials, all well drilled pipes smoke exactly the same to me. I will say that the one pictured is near magnum sized and light as a feather though.

 

[Waning Embers]

It's very similar to briar, but not quite as tight grained and lighter in weight.

Much lighter.? Great job on that one, the shank is a great touch! I really need to start carving again.

 

[canucklehead]

Much lighter.? Great job on that one, the shank is a great touch! I really need to start carving again.

Thanks! I like making pipes, it's addictive. I have a whole pile of amature pipes I've made lol.

 

[canucklehead]

Sounds interesting, you’ll have to give us your thoughts on the blend with your report on how the pipe smokes. Are you able to pin down the boozy elements?

Pipe smokes good, nice and dry, wide open draw which is how I like them. I think the booze I was smelling was maybe rum, but not sure, it faded after the tobacco aired out a bit. The vintage PA is smooth and mellow, the other burley is sharp, strong, and a bit spicy, so a good combo. Burnt effortlessly, no relights.