Commissioned Saucer/Rhodie Hybrid

[danielplainview]

Look what I found in the mailbox today. This is my first commissioned pipe from Gary Balestrieri. What drew me to his pipes was that he hand makes them from start to finish with the exception of drilling the bowl and airway.
I gave him a rough idea of what I wanted and left the rest to him. I wanted a fat Rhodesian with a saucer like top. He offered to send pictures of the build in progress but I declined and waited to see it until it was in my hands. 3 wide inch bowl top. 6 inches long. chamber is 3/4 inch wide x 1.5 inches deep.

 

[beefeater33]

That's a sweet pipe! I like the "domed" top treatment.......... The 3/4" bore is perfect too......Congrats on that one!!...

What will be the inaugural tobacco??

 

[dmcmtk]

Dave, looks very nice, esp. with the brindle stem.

 

[danielplainview]

Thank you guys. This pipe will be strictly for Lat forward blends. Firing it up right now for the first time.

 

[ejames]

Very nice Dave!! Y'all might interested in knowing that Gary is an over the road truck driver and does most of the work on his pipes while he's on the road -- or at least he was last I heard.

 

[danielplainview]

That's true Ed. In the cab of his truck, all by hand. He told me he drilled the bowl and airway at home and did the rest on the road.
My next commish, an E James Canadian???

 

[pruss]

My next commish, an E James Canadian???

Perhaps one of Ed's famous mulberry pipes?
Dave, that looks great. I love the contrast between stem and stummel shaping.
-- Pat

 

[stanlaurel]

Beautiful. Very nice. I like the large size. How much does it weigh?

 

[gloucesterman]

Dave, I just drooled all over my keyboard!! Absolutely beautiful. Dutch

 

[ejames]

That's true Ed. In the cab of his truck, all by hand. He told me he drilled the bowl and airway at home and did the rest on the road.
My next commish, an E James Canadian???

Actually I'm working on a Gold Morta Canadian Dave,but it is probably spoken for--a gent told me if I ever made one he'd like to have it. I'm a bit behind,but can put you on the list.

 

[fishnbanjo]

Very nice looking pipe, I find hybrid shapes lend some interesting artistic representations to pipe shapes, some show the DNA of one of the shapes, others of both and some just show you something new and interesting, may it serve you well.

banjo

 

[mso489]

Sturdy and handsome both. I really like the two textures. Reminds me of a Bob Hayes pipe at the TAPS pipe show, with the two textures, in a cream beige bent bulldog.

 

[mranglophile]

I just noticed the measurments...wow that is a chunk of stunning work. Great work!!

 

[clickklick]

Impressive. The ring looks nice too considering it was all done by hand! Enjoy it!

 

[layinpipe]

Sweet Dave, i like the way it turned out and am stoked to hear you like it as well. The stain goes really well with the cumberland stem and i also dig the rusticated bowl/smooth rim combo, gives it some contrast and pizazz. Enjoy that beaut, buddy!

 

[danielplainview]

I've smoked about 8 bowls in it since Saturday. I think it needs a little rest now. It's a great smoker with a perfect draw.