Freehand In Progress

[firstwordisee]

Well this is my first attempt at carving briar. I still have a lot of work to do but I need some opinions on the shape. It still looks "blocky" to me and I cant decide if I should shave off the corners to make it more round. There is also a chunk missing from the briar (block was like that) so no matter what I do it will be a rustic pipe. I will probably bend the stem (need advice on this too). If anyone has any input on finishing (stain/etc) I could sure use it. It has pretty good grain.

 

[irish2fish]

I like it so far. I cant give you any pointers on finishing it, but I cant wait to see what it looks like when it is finished. :worship:

 

[mikemacrdlnds]

Outstanding first carve. The only thing I would change is a larger tobacco bowl, and round the top of the shank a little.

 

[ejames]

Looking good! I like the looks of the squared shank,but then I like paneled pipes etc. But the thing is to make it look the way you want it to look. You might check out htis site for info on finishing etc.

http://www.pipemakersforum.com/
You can get your finishing supplies here- http://www.pipemakers.org/finishing_products.html or here--

http://www.pimopipecraft.com/index.html

 

[brian64]

Wow, very nice start...especially for a first time carve! :clap:

 

[batdemon]

I agree about a larger chamber. As for rounding off the corners, I like it the way it is in that respect. I think it will look better with the stem bent. Like ejames said, shape it the way that is most pleasing to you. I think this is a fine first attempt. Nice job so far!

 

[philip]

Keep in mind this is a suggestion from someone who has never carved a pipe -
Don't worry about what it looks like. Try holding in your hand for a while in the dark or without looking at it. Then let the feel of it tell you how or if it needs to change. From the start you have, I am sure it will look good, so make sure it feels good too.
And post more pics of what you come up with!

 

[mluyckx]

8O
That's all I can say. Amazed at how it looks for a first carve. Mine would look like a stick figure. I think it looks excellent. Maybe a rounder shank for me personally, but besides that... wow ! :worship:

 

[pipeinhand]

Philip is spot on with the holding part, hand feel is one of my 3 criteria of a good pipe.
I like the way the shank drops a bit to the bowl, so rounding that I think would take away from that.
Yup, bigger bowl and I would chamfer the top of the bowl as to not burn the edges of that nice rough when lighting.
With that nice stem, maybe a mahogany stain, with a real good shine.
OK, that is my 2p.
BTW, it looks great.

 

[bentmike]

Nice work Firstword. I like the squared off shank too. It gives the pipe a unique look. I also like Philips suggestion about holding it in the dark. Once your eyesight is removed from the equation touch can be a powerful sense. My only advice for finishing is sand, sand, sand. Once you put oil or wax to it any flaws will pop out. It's alot harder to deal with them after the fact.

 

[smokindawg]

You can actually use the stain as a way to find the flaws you want to work on. It's also easy to find the sanding marks you missed. Stain it a dark color and then sand it down again....... Doing this will bring the grain out to your sight much better. You can do this several times if you like and each time you'll see the grain better.
As to the piece that is missing, if it's the one I see on the top of shank, I wouldn't even worry about it as it will still look good in a smooth finish. I've rusticated pipes and while I like the look when done right, I prefer seeing the grain of a smooth.
The shape looks good and if you like it, that's what matters.
You can bend the stem in several ways. But for safety (So as not to close the airway any) I insert as many pipe cleaners as I can safely do into the airway before bending. You can use a candle or a lighter to heat the stem for bending, but be careful, as you can easily overheat the acrylic, causing the outside to sink into the airway, leaving a divot on the outside of the stem. I've just recently started using a heat gun with adjustable heat settings and find this way much safer for heating and bending the stem. Also remember when bending the stem, bend it only enough to make it comfortable to light and smoke when in your kisser. I've seen many pipes with too much bend in the stem, and while the amount of bend looked like it fit the pipe better, made it more uncomfortable to light and smoke as the bowl then cants forward too much for my liking.
Also wanted to say, that you need to be careful when heating and bending the stem so that you don't get any bend in the tenon...... That will throw the line of stem and shank off. I bend my stems going just a little at a time, then insert them back into the pipe several times to test fit the bend. It's easier to bend a little at a time and get it just right than to overbend it then try to reverse it.

 

[briarbird]

Hey Fistwordsisee, I like it a lot so far. Keep in mind, I am no "expert". Your shape is, just that, your shape! Make it look how ever you want to, its your creation and that is part of the fun :D My only advice is to make a definite smooth transition between the shank and the bowl. I can see a line of seperation on your pipe and although it is a lot of work to file and sand that part, it will make you very happy when you do. Great Job!

 

[scottyb]

Very nice! I like the shape very much. I agree a bend in the stem is much needed to give the look a better flow.

How does it feel in the hand? Does it appeal to your eye?

 

[cajunguy]

The pipe is coming along very nicely. Nice work, sir. As far as suggestions, like most, I have no experience (yet) with pipe carving, but I agree with going with feel.
When I restore pipes, however, I let the pipe "speak" to me, specifically when I am re-staining. I choose a color and start working: sanding, lightening, touching up--allowing the grain come out on its own and then moving on to other areas. Sometimes I add a lighter color for a contrast; sometimes I let the buffing/polishing finish the pipe.
I guess the same ideology can be applied to your project: start with comfort and go from there, letting the pipe determine--angle to angle, curve to curve--the shape that it demands. It sounds very hokey and Zen-like, but it works. 8)

 

[kf5eqv]

Great looking so far. Check your PMs.

 

[lonestar]

I agree with you, its chunky. (I wouldn't voice my opinion except you asked)

I'd take more material off everywhere except the shank and anywhere that makes the walls too thin.

Follow the grain. If the grain sweeps in, shave off some material to follow it, thats the basis of a freehand anyway.

Personally, I'd take more material off the sides all the way up to the bottom of the plateuax, then flare out to a wide lip all the way around the top, so the plateuax makes sort of a shelf hanging over the sides. The plateuax top also looks a bit blocky. I'd make a bit more natural looking edge when viewed from above. As it is, its more or less straight lines around the sides, looks too blocky.

Oddly enough, I think the blocky shank looks great, but with blocky lines on the bowl too it looks too much like a block and not enough like a pipe.

Great work by the way, I'm only criticising it to try to make it better

 

[lonestar]

Another point I'd make is, dont be afraid to take a file to the platauex top itself and smooth out some of the high spots. I think plateaux looks great that way where its partially smooth with natural bark lines running through it, and the areas you file down should show amazing birdseye.

Also, use a wire brush pretty aggressively to get all the loose bark out of the nooks and crannies on the top, leaves a nice finished look.

 

[rigmedic1]

Dare to be different! I like the way the plateau flares out from the bowl, and I think the squareness gives it character. I like foursquare shapes, and your carving reflects a foursquare trying to climb out of the briar.

 

[shawn]

Looks great. I like what Philip had to offer.

 

[firstwordisee]

Thanks to all for all the valuable input (and kind comments). Philip, it is starting to feel good in the hand, in fact I am puting some filed down areas just for my fingers on top of the bowl.
The bowl is 2" deep. As for making it bigger I agree that the diameter is small, not sure how this will affect smoke but I am kinda stuck with the diameter.
I bent the stem using a candle - thanks for that tip smokingdowg, worked just fine.
All other comments are taken with serious consideration. I started sanding and filing off more briar based on input received here. Ran into some pits that I am dealing with but it is starting to look more like a pipe.
Again thanksfor all the critique. I read some post on the pipe makers forum and those guys are out of my league so I didnt bother joining. I like this forum better! I will post more pics after more progress.