following the briar suggestions

[lohengrin]

Tom Eltang kindly answered to a mail I sent to him in which I praised his design qualities. He added that design is importat, but who build pipes must follow briar too. So I understood that I had to start my drawings following the flame and bird eyes of the block of briar I actually had in my hands.

As a beginner, I tried to follow exactly the shape briar was suggesting to me and here's the result of this experimentation:
This is Boar

After I modified a little bit the stem

 

[warren]

That appears to be one massive pipe! How about a shot with a ruler or quarter included.
It's different, that's for sure. Different, still interesting, not unpleasant to look at but . . . different. Your "eye" is certainly different than mine. I'd have to remove more briar to get to the pipe were I doing the work. Still, don't let my opinion affect your concept.

 

[aldecaker]

I'm not a huge fan of non-traditional pipe shapes, but I actually really like this one. Like Warren says, a little size perspective would be nice so we could see how big it is.

 

[alexnorth]

Definitely a different but good-looking pipe. I like the shot from underneath.

 

[carytobacco]

Amazing. It looks as if you went as non-traditional as the briar allowed, without going overboard just for the sake of being non-traditional. I think it looks great.

 

[pruss]

You certainly took the 'follow the briar' advice, and a lovely block that is.
I look forward to seeing more of your work as you continue on.
-- Pat

 

[gloucesterman]

I'd say you captured what the block had to offer. I'm not sure about the shape but the grain is spectacular. But then again I'm not much for non-traditional styles. Nice work.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Yes, nice to see the grain and carving to go with it. Not at all my style, but very interesting.

 

[lohengrin]

Warren; L 7,7 in (5,30 without stem), H 1,60 in, W 4,40 oz. Even the next pipes I'll show are bigger than usual; the works of a beginner who is not still able to correctly sacrifice the nice material in his hands!
Everybody: this shape came out from the desire to mantain the whole block of briar just trying and lighten the wood.

 

[clickklick]

That looks like it was one prime piece of wood! I wish my blocks came in like that!

 

[pipesdownunder]

I love the profile shape but not so much the top view. Just my 2 cents! Very impressive for a beginner.

 

[warren]

I'm just making an observation here. I think you are a bit more interested in the briar than a pipe. You are creating nice curves and preserving grain while assaying to make a usable pipe. The sculpture is winning. As a pipe it looks clumsy to me. But, as a nicely sculpted piece of a very fine block of briar it is eye catching.

 

[lohengrin]

Same incapability to spare briar:
Big Horn L 8,30 in, H 2,3 in, W 4,55 oz.

Oval

Churchwarden

Little Wing

 

[lohengrin]

Mistake!
this one is Churchwarden