Commissioned Pipe, Expect Inclusions/Pockmarks?

[namuna]

I've recently commissioned my first pipe and am a bit unsure about the current state of work and whether I'm expecting too much.
Here is a photoshop'ed image I sent of what I wanted (A Dunhill 2205, with more of a Dublin taper on the bowl and a redheart/bloodwood band).

And here are pictures I was sent of the final results (pipe has note been sent, nor paid for yet):

I like this pipe very much, except for 2 things:

1. The banding, while it IS there, is pretty much indistinguishable.

2. There are inclusions/pockmarks on the pipe, particularly on the bottom on the bowl (as seen on the image that shows the bottom).
Am I expecting too much from a commissioned pipe? I mean, that band is so indistinguishable it might as well not even be there (which still isn't bad overall). As for the inclusions/pockmarks, I was told that as an Artisan he doesn't fill or hide the imperfections.
Thanks for any guidance on the matter.

 

[flmason]

If you are not comfortable with accepting the pipe and it is still unsmoked most artisan makers have a return policy.
I would discuss your concerns with the pipe's maker. Perhaps your issues can be easily corrected and the pipe can be returned to you quickly.
If you are not 100% happy then do not accept the pipe in the current condition.

 

[anglesey]

I'd trust his judgement in all honesty. Whenever I go for a haircut somewhere knew, I always hate it after, but it grows on me. If it causes you a problem though, then you're doing yourself a disservice not to say so, you paid good money for it after all.

 

[yazamitaz]

Hmmmmm. I have never had a commission done for me but from what everyone else posts here they seem to be perfect in every way (including band specs, stem specs, etc)
Is this is a newer carver or a famous one? Have you expressed your dissatisfaction with them? Did they not send pics to update you as it was coming together?

 

[brudnic1]

How much did this pipe cost?

 

[namuna]

Apologies for not being clearer (I've updated original post). I was sent the pictures of the finalized pipe, I have not paid any money (not even deposit) on the pipe as of yet.
This was actually the 2nd attempt for making this pipe. The 1st had a pretty nasty inclusion on the bottom (to which I was offered to either take it as is, he'd rusticate it, or make a new one altogether...I opted for the last option).
This one also has inclusions, but he said he doesn't hide the imperfections and that the only time you'll usually see a 'perfect' pipe, the price would be quoted nearer to the $400 to $500 range.

 

[namuna]

I commissioned this pipe for $150. After discussing my concerns though, he offered to knock off $25.

 

[bigvan]

I think if he told you upfront that he doesn't fill or hide imperfections, then it's not going to be smooth as glass unless you're paying for a PERFECT piece of wood. But there's a longer "script" shaped mark on the bottom just below where the bit meets the stummel. That doesn't appear to be a pit or a wood flaw, but more like a tool mark (but I can't say definitely from the photo). If it's more than a dot, it's probably not a pit.
As for the band/ferrule, if you expected more of a contrast you should tell the carver. From the photos I can't even tell there's one there.
Finally, is this a new carver or a more seasoned veteran? I'm much more forgiving of a new carver who's still learning than I am of someone more established (and more expensive).

 

[woodsroad]

My only comment is that the photos are quite poor. They are low resolution and then appear to have been sharpened. This will tend to accentuate any flaws in the pipe by sharpening the edges of the flaws and enlarging them, and it will also introduce artifacts that look like flaws, but are really just in the photo.
I'd inspect the pipe firsthand before rejecting it based on these photos.

 

[namuna]

Thanks for the inputs.
rsuninv, on the pipes you've had made, do the pits still show through in the finished pipe? Maybe I've just had the wrong impression, that even when there are imperfections, once it's stained, polished and clear-coated...The surface should be smooth.

 

[shaintiques]

I make custom pipes and also don't use fills. If there is a pit I just leave it and yes it does leave a tiny mark, which in my opinion is preferable to a fill which will eventually discolor. The pipe does look hand shaped to me as the walls of the bowl are not exactly the same thickness all the way around. I would ask for some pics out in the sunshine, you can't really see the pipe well. It should sell itself. $125-150 is cheap for a handmade pipe and it looks like good quality and drilled well. Maybe he just didn't sand it down fine enough, but it hard to judge without seeing it in person. I would ask for better pics though. As for the band what band? I don't see a band.

 

[namuna]

Yeah, this is the pipe before the stain, that's how I know there was actually a band.

 

[allan]

As Shantiques has said, $150 for a hand made pipe is quite low, let alone a polished one. Established carvers command 6 or more times that amount of money on a pipe that is fully polished-way lower prices for blasted or rusticated ones.
Having said that, I'd ask to see the pipe and see how if feels, and be honest with yourself in terms of whether or not the pits are a big deal or not.
What you didn't mention is the stem work. From the pictures you sent, there seems to be very rough lines along the stem. I will just assume that is was the flash or some other photographic fault and its not in the work itself.
A wise member of our forum had told me a year ago regarding my original preference to polished vs. blasted; "you can't smoke grain' which I'll now transfer to; "if the pipe smokes well,the little pits on a polished briar probably won't matter.
By the way, it was Harris that mentioned that.
Good Luck

 

[sablebrush52]

At the price point mentioned, there should be no surprise in there being sand pits. Finer quality blocks of briar cost more, and it's always a crap shoot once carving begins. I honestly don't care about minor pits. It's not going to affect the quality of performance.

But if you're set on something flawless, then be prepared to pay for that, which means 3-5 times what you paid for this commission. You'll be paying for the expense of top quality briar, the expense of top quality briar that has to be thrown out when it turns out not to be such high quality, the work that goes into shaping, sometimes shaping more than once because of "surprises", etc. Perfection, to the extent that it even exists, isn't cheap to achieve.
That said, if this pipe is well drilled and engineered, the perfection that you seek will be more a matter of cosmetics than performance.

 

[dochudson]

if that's his second shot at making a pipe like the picture you sent him.. ot's time to move on. save your $25 and get yourself a couple of nice cobs. you don't need to go 6x the 150 to get nicely polished custom pipe. google Mark Tinsky.

 

[latbomber]

The draft hole on that pipe is completely crooked. For $125 you could get a very nice estate (my last patent Dunhill cost around that much) or buy a boatload of tobacco. I'd pass on it!

 

[rangerearthpig]

While you can't smoke the band...so I suppose it shouldn't matter much...I really liked your image better than the final product. I think the blood red band is what put it over the top. Without it, it's not near as special, at least to me. I don't understand why that would be a difficult thing for the maker to do. But then, I have never commissioned anything.

 

[rcstan]

+1 on the draft hole being noticeably off centre. Major no-no on a "handcrafted" pipe. Did the maker use a pre-drilled block?????

As for the imperfections in the wood, as long as it doesn't look it it has plateau inside the chamber, or they're noticeable from afar, no worries.

I'd lose that shiney shellac-like finish, makes it look cheap, but each his own.

 

[drwatson]

While I have never had a commissioned pipe done. I have many "handmade" pipes. And they all have small little pits, imperfections, etc..Personally I think they add charm. They are wood afterall.

 

[psychpipes]

While I agree that the pits are to be expected, even a novice like me can see the off drilling.