Am I defective because I don't like sandblasted pipes?

[misterlowercase]

For a long time, grain-hounds prevailed over blast-heads in the pipe collecting world. I think perhaps it was the American artisan makers who initiated a resurge in the interest of blasts, because they took the artform to the next level.
When sandblasting originated it was a great novelty and often the pipes sold for slightly more than the smooths, but as time went on the blast was mostly seen as an inherently flawed pipe, made from inferior briar - and that attitude held sway for quite a while, excepting the Dunhill Shells though, because there was an influx of cheaply made blasts.
I dunno.
I'm a big fan of the craggy blastitudes.

 

[sablebrush52]

I like visual interest, however it is derived. It it's a smooth, then I'm looking for an interesting shape or grain figure, like the Castello Occhio di Pernice, or a good contrast stain. If it's a sandblast I tend to like highly detailed blasts, like the older Dunhill and Barling blasts, the Von Ercks, Tatums, Talberts, etc. I'm not much of a fan of subtle refined blasts as are favored by Danish carvers. Those just bore me.

 

[dustmite]

I'm not a fan of blasts, either. But every once in awhile I see one that makes me change my mind. I also didn't like the look of cobs, but they smoke so good, and they're so inexpensive I've grown to love them.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Some pipes are blast because of defects, or some are actually blast because of a beautiful ring grain that a carver wishes to bring to the surface. When I commissioned this blowfish, I asked for a blast, but Bruce said the grain was too beautiful to blast. I have to say that I agreed. I love his blasts, and blasting would have ruined this pipe.

http://pipesmagazine.com/members/chasingembers/album/picture/16697

 

[newbroom]

I guess that's as good a reason as any.

 

[deathmetal]

I can see his point with that pipe. Lots of lovely wood, like an old library.

 

[pipestud]

I love smooth pipes to look at and handsome sandblasts to smoke. Why? Because I think sandblasts just smoke cooler and drier. Why? I don't know, probably just in my little mind.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Because I think sandblasts just smoke cooler and drier.

Don't know how true it is, but read once that the ring grain in a deep blast acts like radiator fins and cool the smoke. No idea how true it is, but have never gotten tongue bite from a blast pipe.

 

[bigpond]

I seem to only stop to admire my smooth pipes when I'm taking them out or putting them away. Since textured pipes are a joy in the hand I find I never run out of opportunity to appreciate them during smoking.

 

[shawnofthedead]

Because I think sandblasts just smoke cooler and drier.

Because sandblasts have a larger surface area. Nontheless I'm not a fan of sandblasts, and I dislike rusticated even more. Smooth finish for me.

 

[sid1]

I love rusticated followed by smooth.
I am ill.

 

[rfernand]

I only have one in my collection, and it stands out for sure. It's reserved for aromatics, which I rarely smoke. What I liked about it when I bought it was a somewhat hypnotic feel it has on the front. There are a few natural ridges that I travel with my index finger and.. I don't know, it's a nonsensical thing.
I pine for a Dunhill Red Bark 5104 I once saw. I like Bulldogs, but holding that pipe was a very... I don't know. A very different vibe.
So it may happen to you. A 40+ collection of smooths with a handful of sandblasted (or rusticated even) pipes that managed to hypnotize you. Keep looking

 

[georged]

Yes
:wink:

 

[seagullplayer]

Sounds like you are at least open to the possibility that you may have a mental issue.
That has got to be at least the step before the step where you are ready for help.
And that may one day be progress.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I like the textured pipes, because sometimes while I am working I need to set my pipe down, and I am afraid that the pipe will spill over. A textured pipes more easily sticks to a wad of gum, and I can just stick my pipes anywhere. A couple of good juicy chews on the bubblegum, and stick it to the wall, and then presto, the pipe just sticks right to the wad. A smooth pipe would just eventually slide off the wad and hit the floor, "boooo!"

Also, when travelling by plane, as you've said, the blasts look like testicles, so I can more easily hide my pipes in my pants, so that I can sneak a puff or two in the plane's bathroom when the stewardesses aren't looking. Just make sure the pipe is fully extinguished, before placing the pipe back into your pants. A smooth pipe has to be hidden further up the colon, and that gets uncomfortable on a long flight. ::

 

[okiescout]

It looks like testicles
Sounds Freudian. :D
Also, when travelling by plane, as you've said, the blasts look like testicles, so I can more easily hide my pipes in my pants,

But Cos think what that looks like in your mouth :mrgreen:
I too believe that the textured pipes smoke cooler in pipes that are thinner walled. I like both but have found myself leaning toward blasts over the past few years. To me a really good blast that is on a great design tends to be more interesting. A smooth pipe must be a really great grained pipe or it just looks dull. Just my 2 cents.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I like smooths too. Just not on planes. :wink:

But, I am weird in that I really don;t care for straight grain, flame grain or any of that. I want odd grain, birdseye, knotholes, something interesting instead of just a bunch of lines. Don't get me wrong, I have some pipes that have beautiful straight grain, and I like those pipes, just not specifically for the grain. This is why I really like bulldogs, all of the facets give differentiation to the grain orientation, different look all the way around the pipe, if done well. But, all in all, I would rather have blast if given the option. If it looks like I have balls on my chin, well, at least it will be on a straight pipe, not a flaccid looking bent pipe. I'd hate for people to think that I wasn't doing a good job.

 

[phil67]

Better that it looks like a testicle rather than the whole package.

 

[vink]

Not a fan of sandblasted pipe either. A pipe with some nice grain is so much more beautiful!

 

[brudnod]

Phil, are you supposed to stick the "long part" into your mouth?!?