Before And After

[zack24]

The most frustrating part about making pipes for me is looking at a pipe I made three months ago and knowing I could probably do it a little better today. This is a pretty good example- when I did it in June, the draft was too tight, the stem was badly shaped, and the finish didn't pop. The same pipe- after cutting a new Cumberland stem, doing some subtle reshaping, opening up the draft to 4mm, and spending an hour hand sanding through 1200 grit...

The final result

The original

 

[homeatsea]

I'd be glad to be caught smoking the before and the after. Good work, sir!

 

[numbersix]

Nice work zack - the grain and shape are excellent, a very handsome pipe!

 

[zack24]

Duckfat, The stems have been the biggest learning curve. I made a couple of hundred pipes back in the 80's, but never thought about making a hand cut stem until I started carving pipes again this May. Fortunately, Harris was kind enough to let me measure the dimensions on some of his pipe stems and at least I'm heading in the right direction. Another 1000 stems or so, and I might get fairly good at it...

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

I would have been more than happy to smoke the original Nice looking pipe either way. I've said it before, you do great work

 

[cigrmaster]

Zack, that is a big improvement, the stem work is definitely a lot better and the grain is more eye catching as well. Looking forward to seeing it in person on Saturday.

 

[papipeguy]

Nice looking oiece. You can be very proud of your efforts. Enjoy it.

 

[zack24]

Thanks Guys!
Harris, Bring your appetite and your pipes...WE're good to go!

 

[metalmilitia]

"very nice, how much?"--Borat

 

[allan]

I remember when you posted the original pics and it was gorgeous then. It is gorgeous now. The shape is very appealing and pleasing to me. I feel that it would sit perfectly in my hand.
The current photo does not show the button on the stem very well, and Duckfat mentioned that he preferred the original. I can't tell, and with the lighting a bit brighter, it's hard to see whether or not the pipe has been 'brightened' to a lighter color.
This is a pipe that I would be proud to own. I hope it smokes well for you and I can't wait to see what else you produce.

 

[rebornbriar]

Yeah, the new stem button looks much improved. As a restorer I don't have to be worried about cutting stems, but I am getting a half finished stem from a pipe maker this week along with a bunch of instructions. When I read them I reckon I will have it finished about Christmas......next year!! It is certainly not an easy task.
Sometimes it just takes a slightly darker shade of stain to make the grain pop out. Nice result.

 

[pruss]

Zack, that's a pretty pipe. And I :clap: you for going back at it, to satisfy yourself. That's the kind of passion and character that helps build a following.
Thanks for sharing that with us.
-- Pat

 

[zack24]

The funny thing is that the extra hour of sanding to 1200 grit made all the difference in the grain popping- the only finish is Carnauba wax on the original and the reworked one- no stain. My current stems are measuring 3.9mm thick behind the button with a nicely v'd out opening in the stem to open the draw. The time to cut a stem from the rod is slowly coming down to around 2.5 hours and the consistency improving...At the Vegas show, I hope to sell a few pipes, but more importantly meet some of guys who are recognized as the masters- a lot of them are pretty open to having someone spend a couple of days in their shop.

 

[auslander]

Nice work, that looks the goods.