Cutty Question

[shikano53]

I was wondering if someone would please tell me what the correct location is for the Spur? Below is a picture of one I'm almost finished and a good friend mentioned that the spur was probably out of position. I know there is no randomness in making any shape, and there has to be a precise location where the spur goes. I posed the same question on the makers forum and am waiting for comment from the pro's but I know there is a wealth of knowledge and wisdom from you folks. Here is a pic.
Thanks folks!

 

[mso489]

Seems like the spur is often at the base of the bowl rather than the end of the shank, but I think a little variation might be a fair innovation. I think shapes are exceedingly malleable.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I would look to the original cuttys for the answer.
.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Excellent looking pipe bro. I want to say that it could shuffle a bit to the left (in pic), but then the bowl is tilting forward some, so maybe it’s where it’s supposed to be.

Btw, I call shotgun when you get around to making a footed devil anse nose warmer.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Wasn't the origin of the spur to strengthen the joint between the stem and bowl?

 

[kcghost]

I think we have a clear case of a self-appointed expert showing off. The spur looks fine to me.

 

[shikano53]

Thanks guys, ah man, kc, I sure ain't no expert. I honestly don't know the answer. But hopefully the next cutty will be a fairer rep.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Thanks guys, ah man, kc, I sure ain't no expert. I honestly don't know the answer. But hopefully the next cutty will be a fairer rep.

I think he was referring to your friend

 

[shikano53]

Ahh! kc, my sincere and humble apologies for misunderstanding. The 40watt light bulb in my cerebral cortex wasn't firing on all 40 watts.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

You've made a beautiful pipe. I especially love the finish on the stummel.

 

[anotherbob]

Wasn't the origin of the spur to strengthen the joint between the stem and bowl?

I thought it was so you could hold it without burning your fingers on the bowl.

 

[condorlover1]

Nah. It is so you can hit Weezell over the head with the pipe!

 

[anotherbob]

I thought it was so you could hold it without burning your fingers on the bowl.

which if you ever smoked a clay you'd see the advantage especially coupled with the fact they're so fragile that holding the stem can snap the stem. Had that happen before.

 

[anotherbob]

Nah. It is so you can hit Weezell over the head with the pipe!

you're getting confused. That's what the claw part of the hammer you're thinking about.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I thought it was so you could hold it without burning your fingers on the bowl.

That was the secondary benefit, but it is there to make it harder to break the bowl from the shank. An old potters trick.

 

[hauntedmyst]

Wasn't the origin of the spur to strengthen the joint between the stem and bowl?

That's an old wives tale. The spur was originally much longer. You have to remember that during their genesis, the world was a much dirtier, smellier place. Deodorants hadn't been invented. Pipes in bars were often rented and much like the way a patron would snap off a little bit of the bit, they would also snap off a bit of the spur to use for nasal cleansing. After a day of coal mining, pig farming or black smithing, the nasal passages were stuffed with crap. Since cars hadn't been invented, men needed a place and a tool to help them "mine the tunnels" as it were. Men need a place away from the wives who, even in centuries past acted like that was unnecessary - ever. Enter the bar and the spur as a way to take care of business and pleasure at once. Even today, historians and archeologists can tell what the prominent businesses were in regions from the fossil spur evidence.

 

[shikano53]

Ahi ka, I make a few Devil, Anse now and then. I'll let you know when they are on my website.

 

[Ahi Ka]

This thread reminds me of that song “apple bottom jeans, pipes with the Spurs “

 

[jpmcwjr]

Mon. Myst-

An engaging tale!

 

[wyfbane]

It looks just fine to me! That is a real looker. If you make another, I'd be interested.