Hawkbill pipe shape?

[Daddypants]

I’ve been eyeing the Hawkbill pipe shape for a while now and, in particular, those made by Dr. Bob. Does anyone have any experience with the shape and/or the pipe maker? How well does the shape clench? It seems like it would clench well to me but I rarely see this shape online much less in person. I don’t recall ever seeing this shape at the few B&M shops I’ve been to.

 

[mso489]

I won a Caminetto Hawkbill pipe in a Forums limerick contest for vets sponsored by a Forums member. It is a great pipe, rather short so really easy to clench, and with an ample bowl. It is my first Hawkbilll and I am glad to have it.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

Dr Bob is known for his Hawkbill pipes, he's probably the most well carver of the shape.

 

[georged]

Does anyone have any experience with the shape?

The reason there are so few is because the shape is fiendishly difficult to get right, and looks like amateurish crap when done badly. Which translates into carvers deciding to make a shape that has a better chance of a successful outcome, doesn't require a jumbo block, can be made faster, and will sell for the same money.

From a repair perspective, know that Hawkbills are damage-prone because the (required by the geometry) super-short tenon increases the leverage against the sides of the (required by the geometry) thin-walled mortise, resulting in the shank breaking instead of the tenon snapping off when the pipe is dropped, sat on, or a side load otherwise applied. And when that happens it is not repairable. A band cannot be made which conforms to the compound curves, and the shank cannot be shortened.

 

[jguss]

The most remarkable collection of Hawkbill pipes I know of was put together by John Seiler (author of the Emperor Leopaldo stories). At one point John prepared a presentation celebrating his collection:

 

[Daddypants]

The most remarkable collection of Hawkbill pipes I know of was put together by John Seiler (author of the Emperor Leopaldo stories). At one point John prepared a presentation celebrating his collection:

View attachment 249412

Man, that would be a cool presentation to see.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

A local pipe club buddy scored a Dr Bob donkey nut in Columbus this year.
I'll have to ask him how he likes it when I see him.

 

[Daddypants]

A local pipe club buddy scored a Dr Bob donkey nut in Columbus this year.
I'll have to ask him how he likes it when I see him.

A Donkey Nut? That’s one shape I don’t believe I have ever heard of. Not sure if I want to Google that though. Lol.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

A Donkey Nut? That’s one shape I don’t believe I have ever heard of. Not sure if I want to Google that though. Lol.

Just another word for Hawkbill.
I like saying "donkey nut" more.
Makes me giggle.

 

[georged]

Further explanation (this time with handy dandy illustrations!)

The entire point of the Hawkbill shape---literally its reason for being---is the graceful reverse curve of the combined shank and stem. Meaning both of them together.

When done well, it's quite striking.

When the curve is made herky-jerky with flat spots, or avoided/dodged with lengths of straightness, the grace is gone.


GOOD:






NOT GOOD:

 

[lraisch]

IMHO, the last example is more of a 1/8th bent billiard than a hawkbill.

I have one, a Ser Jacopo, which smokes well despite having a draft hole drilled a little too high. It is not much of a clencher, with a short, chubby bit. The example Mr. Seiler's presentation is a beauty. I especially like the longer shank.

 

[Chasing Embers]

IMHO, the last example is more of a 1/8th bent billiard than a hawkbill.

Same. The top of the bowl is too high to be a hawkbill.

 

[georged]

Same. The top of the bowl is too high to be a hawkbill.

Bowl height is specifically not part of the shape according to this listing.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

Further explanation (this time with handy dandy illustrations!)

The entire point of the Hawkbill shape---literally its reason for being---is the graceful reverse curve of the combined shank and stem. Meaning both of them together.

When done well, it's quite striking.

When the curve is made herky-jerky with flat spots, or avoided/dodged with lengths of straightness, the grace is gone.


GOOD:


View attachment 249419



NOT GOOD:

View attachment 249420
View attachment 249421
View attachment 249422

Those are Dodo bills, and that’s how they’re supposed to look, kinda stupid…

 

[georged]

I think you're on to something...

 

[PaulRVA]

Only one that I have is a Ser Jacopo
Picta Picasso which in typical Ser Jacopo fashion is heavy. I have handled some Rinaldo’s that were well done also.
I don’t have any knowledge of Dr. Bob however the shape is generally comfortable to hold and ok to clench Im not a clincher unless its a yard or shop pipe that I don't mind using as a beater or back in the day in the field or the flight line in the military.

 

[Daddypants]

This is the one of Dr. Bob’s that I especially loved.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Castello is the best at Hawkbills in my opinion. Jose Rubio ain't too shabby, here's one I was lucky enough to snag.

 

[AroEnglish]

Further explanation (this time with handy dandy illustrations!)

The entire point of the Hawkbill shape---literally its reason for being---is the graceful reverse curve of the combined shank and stem. Meaning both of them together.

When done well, it's quite striking.

When the curve is made herky-jerky with flat spots, or avoided/dodged with lengths of straightness, the grace is gone.


GOOD:


View attachment 249419



NOT GOOD:

View attachment 249420
View attachment 249421
View attachment 249422

I thought I hated hawkbills until seeing this post as all of the ones I’ve seen are like the ones in the latter category. I’d love to own one like the first pipe pictured.

 

[gamzultovah]

This is my fairly unusual Hawkbill. It’s a Radice Rind T/B. As expected, it’s heavier than most average pipes but because of its design, it clenches quite well. As @georged said, this shape pipe (while extremely stout) is prone to irreparable damage if dropped so I only smoke it around the house and only while relaxing. I treat it as if it were a meer. It is a wonderful smoker with a wide open draw and because the chamber is drilled “pot” style, it is perfect for ribbon cut tobacco. If you purchase one you won’t regret it.