Another Ashton Bulldog "Streamliner" Stem

[georged]

Someone on the board got inspired by the swan-style "streamliner" stem I made for an Ashton bulldog last week to replace its original, oddly proportioned taper stem, so asked that one be put on his exact-same model pipe that had an oddly proportioned saddle stem. :lol:
What are the odds? (Natural Old Churches aren't terribly common, never mind the shape)

 

[mranglophile]

Looks nice, the original saddle doesn't look as off as the last one you did. Enjoy Al!

 

[misterlowercase]

Friggin' gorgeous!

:clap:
Love the up close detail shot.
Definitely makes the pipe much more graceful,

it's a very nice one too with a great blast and I bet the owner is tickled pink to have its beauty amplified tenfold.
:worship:

Very well done George.
Ye be a grand magic sorcerer!

 

[ssjones]

Holy Smokes! That pipe was just delivered to George on Saturday!
That looks fantastic and exactly what I had pictured.
My modest investment with George for a new tapered stem actually SAVED me money.
You've heard me mention my "Holy Grail" list. There is only one Ashton on that list, a tapered stem Rhodesian. I also have the sister pipe to that one, in Pebble Grain, XX and a saddle Cumberland stem. With the Cumberland stem, the shape doesn't look as ungainly, so that one will remain OEM.
I wasn't expecting the pipe for a month or so, wow.
So, this kills two birds with one stone - it fills an empty spot on my Grail list and I've always wanted a George Dibos stem - Thank you!

 

[wolfe64]

That looks alot better than the other stem!!!
Mark

 

[ssjones]

Re-stemming this pipe was a little more challenging in that it has a flat nomenclature panel, that transitioned to the bottom of the saddle stem. George finessed that nicely.

And the sister XX Rhodesian, in Pebble Grain.
The Old Church was purchased as an unsmoked estate.

 

[pruss]

Nice pipe porn, lads.
Al, I love your commitment to your shape.
George, I am in awe of your stem skills. Do you take on apprentices?
The new stem shape is a significant improvement and, as Al says, the fitment looks to be spot on.
Well done.
-- Pat

 

[misterlowercase]

Major congrats Al,

the pipe looks absolutely fabulous.
Glad to see that it's yours!
...and the pair together are very sweet indeed!
Happy smoking!

::

George, I am in awe of your stem skills. Do you take on apprentices?

Whoah Pat,

look out now,

I'm first in line to be an intern!
All ready to be johnny-on-the-spot and jump at any command,

"helper boy, fetch me the ebonite rod, and make it snappy!"

yessir yessir yessir!
I'm ready to move to Kansas City and willing to live in a shed in the backyard,

or a van down by the river.
And I'm even eager to do menial housecleaning duties to keep everything neat and orderly and in the proper place, so George won't have to bother hisself with such mundane tasks.
I make good mixed drinks too.
I'll learn to cook if need be.
:P
Have you seen what his shop looks like?
Un-friggin-believable pipe restoration heaven and fitted to the gills with all the proper kit...
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/your-work-shopkitchen-table
:!:

8O

 

[ssjones]

I've said the same to George, and he always responds with "come on down". One day...

 

[glpease]

Wait until you get it back, Al. The original "time machine" from the previous thread pipe was mine, and it's now back in my hands. The transformation was remarkable. Not only is the pipe more beautiful with the new stem, it's more comfortable, and has evolved from a pipe that I often looked at and occasionally smoked to one that I will reach for often. George does exceptional work - this is just one example of many. In this case, I'm happy to say that George's combination of eagle eyes and skilled hands transformed a not-quite ugly duckling into a magnificent swan, an analogy quite fitting given the shape of the stem's now beautiful curve.
There's a profound lesson embedded in the photos of these pipes, as well as of an earlier posted GBD prince, for aspiring pipe makers, and even some veterans. The stem's shape is integral to the overall presentation of any pipe. A nicely cut bowl can be transformed into something awkward and clunky with a poorly executed stem, and can only reach its destiny as part of a beautiful pipe if all of the elements are brought together into a cohesive whole.

 

[ssjones]

Well, surprise, surprise. GLP, the number one cause for my tapered stem Rhodesian addiction. Makes sense!

 

[lonestar]

I'm ready to move to Kansas City and willing to live in a shed in the backyard,

Gluttons for punishment, all of you. You'll just get posted to the front yard anyway, to shake your fist and yell "You kids get off my lawn!"

Although this will free up a considerable amount of Georges time, you won't learn much about pipe repairs.

:nana:

 

[gloucesterman]

George can I get on the list to apprentice? Judging from the above it's probably a pretty long list by now. Your work is truly amazing.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Hah!
Are light colored pipes by top makers varnished, lacquered or shellacked?

 

[misterlowercase]

Well, surprise, surprise. GLP, the number one cause for my tapered stem Rhodesian addiction. Makes sense!

Another cosmic interlude providing wonderful synchronicity,

all is well within the vast galactic framework.
Skydog supremo!
Thunderstuff lightningstrike!

You'll just get posted to the front yard anyway, to shake your fist and yell "You kids get off my lawn!"

Although this will free up a considerable amount of Georges time, you won't learn much about pipe repairs.

:lol:

LOL
I'm a great cane shaker,

just sayin'.
= )

 

[georged]

I can't believe you guys think I would station an apprentice on my porch to chase away whippersnapper interlopers so I could get more work done. What a wasted opportunity THAT would be.
Much better to turn 'em loose in the shop so I could spend more time chasing the little bastards away. :twisted:
Why, I saw one just yesterday walking along with wire hangin' out his ears, staring at a deck of playing cards, and talkin' to himself. Completely delusional. Probably takin' the crack.

 

[aldecaker]

The new stem is incredibly nice, and the bend suits the pipe better than the original. I do think the pipe would look good with a saddle stem, though. One with better proportions than the original would probably look very good on it.

 

[lonestar]

Probably takin' the crack.

aYup. Most of em do nowdays.

 

[ssjones]

The Streamliner was delivered today and well, I'm astounded. I've seen one of Georges stems in the flesh once, but it has been a while. The fit and finish is as good as I've seen on a pipe. I've always considered the stems on my two Jack Howell's to be the best on my rack, this is their equal.
Because of the flat nomenclature panel, George had to finesse in the flat to round stem and it is seamless.
The Ashton stem was very good, fitment and button. The replacement outshines in in every area. The funneled tenon is a huge improvement over the flat original tenon (no funnel). The button is also just to my specification (and similar to the original, which I liked).
I can't improve on George's excellent photography, but a few additional shots are below. I'm smoking it now and she's like an old girlfriend who just received some good plastic surgery!

 

[jkrug]

Well done and a definite improvement to the original stem. Enjoy. :clap: