Knowing that I'm reviving a four day old posting, I just want to ask if anyone else appreciates the "author" shaped pipe? I didn't see that anyone mentioned this shape at all. And that's a shame, because it's a great shape and so close to the bent bulldog that many of you said you prefer.
I had been aware of them for a long while, but never bothered to try one myself. I always thought they looked kinda in-between. You know, in-between a rhodesian and a bulldog, or a bull moose. Maybe even a tomato.
Then a couple years ago read one of Gregg Pease's articles on the Comoy 256 shape, or Author. I really enjoyed the article. So much so, that I started looking for one myself.
I wasn't able to find one for sale at the time, but I did come across a picture of one that Mark Tinsky had made for a pipe club at one time. It looked like a nice representation, so I contacted him and had him make me one with a dark finish. It arrived quickly and I have been enjoying it a lot since.
Greg's piece went into detail about all the benefits that this shape offered, and in the end he came to the conclussion that it just was a "comfortable" pipe to handle.
My Tinsky version is a little straighter than the Comoy Greg wrote about, but I find it is a very comfortable shape. I would even say that if I had to find one word to describe it, it would be "smooth".
From the feel, the handling, to the smoking of this pipe, it is just one smooth piece.
Also Greg's article mentioned that the shape usually isn't done that well, because it's hard to get the mortise and the floor of the mortise aligned properly, and that the pipe might develop condensation in that area. But this pipe was evidentaly done right, because it smokes great with little or no gurgle.
So if you have never tried this shape, the next time you have a chance to pick one up, don't be put off the shape like I was at first. It really is a very comfortable pipe to smoke
Tinsky Author Cabernet
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