Do any of you guys have any panel shaped pipes? What do you think of them? Greg's September submission for Pipes Magazine takes some interesting turns - literally and figuratively. Follow along on the twisting tale here.
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G.L. Pease's Take on Panel Pipes
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The four square is one of my favorite shapes, I've got several in my collection. Great Read, thanks Greg!
I've always liked panel billiards. I went to a pipe show one time with only panel pipes in mind and came home with an unfinished Savinelli panel and a handmade Jerry perry carved from Mountain Laurel. Since then, I've picked up a Kaywoodie Saxon blast that is both light weight and well insulated.
I was pleased to hear GLP balk at the prices on White Spot/Dunhill panel pipes. His price point of $30 sounded about right, though my pipe show pick-ups cost a little more.
It is the very simplicity of the panel pipes that attracted me. They are rudimentary in design, in one sense, but properly done, they have an essential stability, dignity, and visual appeal.
Thank you for the heads up on this good article.
I was pleased to hear GLP balk at the prices on White Spot/Dunhill panel pipes. His price point of $30 sounded about right, though my pipe show pick-ups cost a little more.
It is the very simplicity of the panel pipes that attracted me. They are rudimentary in design, in one sense, but properly done, they have an essential stability, dignity, and visual appeal.
Thank you for the heads up on this good article.
I've had a few and there's two among my pipes currently.
I didn't care for them for a long time, really until I finally got one. Now I love the look of them, but they're often too large for my preference.
I didn't care for them for a long time, really until I finally got one. Now I love the look of them, but they're often too large for my preference.
I talked to Greg about this project the other day. He said he did not need another hobby.
I thought it was making the usual joke.
Nope. He meant it. As in, "I can feel myself being drawn into the ShopWorld, and... well... I mean... I DON'T NEED ANOTHER HOBBY! The space, the tools, the expense, the dust! Ahhhh!!!"
Yup. When the shop bug bites, it bites hard.
If you're a panel lover (longtime or newly minted) and like shop stuff, here is another project of exactly the same kind. Sloppy when first made, with the shaping errors being too much wood left in places, not too little.
Since the wood itself was excellent, and the brand of the pipe had intrinsic value, giving it a go was a no-brainer:
www.youtube.com
I thought it was making the usual joke.
Nope. He meant it. As in, "I can feel myself being drawn into the ShopWorld, and... well... I mean... I DON'T NEED ANOTHER HOBBY! The space, the tools, the expense, the dust! Ahhhh!!!"
Yup. When the shop bug bites, it bites hard.
If you're a panel lover (longtime or newly minted) and like shop stuff, here is another project of exactly the same kind. Sloppy when first made, with the shaping errors being too much wood left in places, not too little.
Since the wood itself was excellent, and the brand of the pipe had intrinsic value, giving it a go was a no-brainer:
Correcting a Pipe's Manufacturing Errors 2
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It amazes me how often that's the story with this shape. "I never paid a bit of attention to 4 squares, but fell in love once I did!"
That goes for me as a pipe maker too.
I never thought twice about the shape until someone commissioned one several years ago. Once I analyzed the shape enough to figure out how it all works, I was a bit blown away. It's fairly complicated and quite ingenious. I often think of the anonymous individual that was the first to dream up the shape. I imagine it was just some random French factory worker looking to use for some very narrow blocks that were otherwise nice sized. He really hit on a good one ! Perfectly practical, unique, artistic, without being overly complicated in execution.
I've probably made more standard Billiards and Lovats over the years, but I'd guess the 4 Square Panel Billiard has to be pretty close to the top for me, numbers wise.
That goes for me as a pipe maker too.
I never thought twice about the shape until someone commissioned one several years ago. Once I analyzed the shape enough to figure out how it all works, I was a bit blown away. It's fairly complicated and quite ingenious. I often think of the anonymous individual that was the first to dream up the shape. I imagine it was just some random French factory worker looking to use for some very narrow blocks that were otherwise nice sized. He really hit on a good one ! Perfectly practical, unique, artistic, without being overly complicated in execution.
I've probably made more standard Billiards and Lovats over the years, but I'd guess the 4 Square Panel Billiard has to be pretty close to the top for me, numbers wise.
I hope to purchase a four panel from Merchant Service - Why? It's always been about Bing! How can one write an article and not reference why the four panel was so important in the movie, Holiday Inn. It is a sitter, easily recognizable - an important plot point - and an iconic shape associated with an iconic pipe smoker. Right?
I did a "Holiday Inn" pipe recently. I'll never do it again, it was insanely difficult, and that was after consulting with Ryan Alden who has done a few and had some really good pointers.
Insanely. Difficult.
Insanely. Difficult.
Fascinating video. Can someone say how long it would have taken (off camera) for him to do this job?I talked to Greg about this project the other day. He said he did not need another hobby.
I thought it was making the usual joke.
Nope. He meant it. As in, "I can feel myself being drawn into the ShopWorld, and... well... I mean... I DON'T NEED ANOTHER HOBBY! The space, the tools, the expense, the dust! Ahhhh!!!"
Yup. When the shop bug bites, it bites hard.
If you're a panel lover (longtime or newly minted) and like shop stuff, here is another project of exactly the same kind. Sloppy when first made, with the shaping errors being too much wood left in places, not too little.
Since the wood itself was excellent, and the brand of the pipe had intrinsic value, giving it a go was a no-brainer:
Correcting a Pipe's Manufacturing Errors 2
Share your videos with friends, family, and the world
I forgot how long that one took. Sorry.
As for categorical "menu style" guesses, there are too many variables and gotchas in pipe repair for time estimates to apply except in the Old Fashioned Way. Meaning a job is considered satisfactorily finished when the pipe can be smoked again and doesn't look much different to most observers afterward when viewed from a distance of six feet or so.
Today, though, there are collectors who have been studying a particular brand for decades, or specialize in pipes that cost thousands of dollars. The only kind of work they are interested in is called "invisible" repair. That is done machinist style, meaning by logged time and materials.
Put another way, exactly the same project on a different stummel might NOT take the same amount of time.
Do you specialize in pipe repair or design pipes as well. I was so impressed with the precision work. I collect vintage cars and the precision it takes to do concours body and paint was very similar to your craft. I can do the mechanical work on my cars but I leave the body and paint work to the pros. It is skilled art.
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I've made a few, but Mother Nature's perverse sense of humor regarding briar quality kept me from going all in.
I also prefer the the "binary-ness" of repair work. (It's either right or it isn't, whereas pipe making falls on a range from pre-drilled blocks shaped with a pocket knife to world-class art.)
10-4 on collecting vintage cars.
PS --- We never knew that you were a pipe smoker, Mr. Leno. Welcome! (No worries... your secret is safe with us.)
Did somebody say Holiday Inn Bing ?
As much as I dislike making smooth pipes, I make some exceptions for this one.
It's a real bitch to get right !
As much as I dislike making smooth pipes, I make some exceptions for this one.
It's a real bitch to get right !