Help me see what I am missing

[cosmicfolklore]

Do you think this applies in reality? Or just in theory?

It only makes sense that it would cool faster. But, just how fast... ? I can't say. I mean... I already smoke so slow that my pipes all stay cool. But, if someone is puffing like a small bus going up hill... the surface of the pipe probably isn't going to make much of a difference.

 

[AJL67]

I was half way joking but happy to further conversation, though it would have been cooler (no pun intended) if y’all ran with the mini rebel fighters flying the trenches.

 

[anotherbob]

it's what's trendy at the moment.

 

[canucklehead]

I was half way joking but happy to further conversation, though it would have been cooler (no pun intended) if y’all ran with the mini rebel fighters flying the trenches.

Only if you're smoking Squadron Leader

 

[mortonbriar]

You aren't missing anything, it is just your personal taste.

I like smooth, blasted and some rustification too but I am fussy about stain colours veering away from very indiscreet 'wood colours', and prefer a pipe that is just 'natural' in its colouring, letting age and use darken it.

 

[grimpuffer]

I would honestly get bored with my collection if it were all smooth finish pipes.

I like variety and some rustications and other finishes help round out a collection.

For me, I really like the Radice Rind finish, Jacono has some nice ones, as does Tom Eltang (cant afford his) and a few others.

There are some that I will agree just look lazy or were used to cover imperfections, but I will also add one caveat to my preference in rusticated pipes: I do draw the line at a certain price point....

When I see some pipes that are over $600-700 and its almost entirely rusticated, I do not see the value at all in it. At that price, the natural beauty of the briar should be on full display.

 

[Pipingntrucking]

There are broadly speaking four types of finishes on a briar pipe.

1 I prefer smooth

Some of my smooth pipes, have a little hand carving. This carving can cover all the pipe and shank if desired, and be a

2 Hand carved pipe

3 Rusticated pipes

are hand carved but by making a rough surface that approaches the look of

4 Sand blasted.

There can be smooth pipes with lots of hand carving and rusticated and sand blasted features.

It’s all a matter of personal taste.

BL....thank you for that list. Often I see rusticated and sandblasted nearly the same thing in advertised.

The bad stereotype of rustication is that it is first of all cheap, and second, just a way to cover up badly flawed and probably inexpensive briar. I'd say that is perhaps twenty-five percent of the story, not true about most rusticated pipes. Lesser, more imperfect briar may get routed to the factory line that is doing rusticated pipes, but those lines probably end up using some briar that would do fine as smooth or blast finishes -- i would propose, knowing the time constraints of most factory operations.

Having said that, I'd note that rustication runs the gambit from fairly primitive carving and texturing to some able crafted dappled surfaces that are as handsome as most sandblast, to some high artistry in rustication that is elevated to skill and artistry of its own. To talk about rustication as one thing means you're not looking a the pipes very well.

Many high end brands and artisan pipes use rustication, and some of it is masterful. And there are cheap and miserable examples of smooth and sandblast finishes. So look carefully, and fully see what you are looking at. You don't have to like rustication, and you sure don't have to buy it. But think about what you are seeing.

This gets more to the heart of what I was asking. The whole "if its not what you like then you don't like it" responses ....though I appreciate the time y'all took to respond.....the point was missed completely or glossed over because basic forum standards is just pushed to assumed complaint section. I wanted to learn what I wasn't seeing. Learning that doesn't change my taste, I wanted to learn the difference, the reason for, and now why every company seems to be going overboard pushing the finishes. Like the 2022 Christmas Pipe - not a fan. If it were a video game character I would just call it a re- skin. To my mind at least do something original for your limited editions. Heck get TalbertPipes to help with some uniqueness. A lot of these briars are starting to look like modern cars. Unless you see the badge you're not really sure (without being a life devotee) if you're looking at a Toyota or a Nissan...or a Peterson vs. Savinelli. I mean I appreciate the technology behind a Tesla but think they are fugly. But I appreciate them more because I can understand the why, and what went into it.

So as to the end of that. I am asking again. WHAT am I not seeing? What should I be looking for that would minimize the dismissal?

To each their own! I'm not a fan of rusticated pipes most of the time but some artists can make some fantastic designs such as Talbert Pipes.

Talbert Pipes on Instagram: "One of our Made-to-Order bulldogs in Raven's Wing finish, ready for stamping and shipping to its new owner tomorrow. #lignebretagne"

668 likes, 5 comments - talbertpipes on August 14, 2022: "One of our Made-to-Order bulldogs in Raven's Wing finish, ready for stamping and shipping to its new owner tomorrow. #lignebretagne".

www.instagram.com

I love his designs also. Never would have labeled them rusticated. They are designed and crafted in my mind. Anything added to the wood pattern that wouldn't naturally be there via engraving, carving etc. Not just doing something to give just a random rough surface. Now if I only had the money to buy some of those Halloween designs.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I wanted to learn the difference

Oh, okay.

Sandblasting reveals the hardwood growth rings.



Rusticated is usually a rough finish created by tooling.

 

[Chasing Embers]

The wire designs on the Talberts would be called a carved finish.

 

[Rpink53]

Oh, okay.

Sandblasting reveals the hardwood growth rings.
View attachment 163242


Rusticated is usually a rough finish created by tooling.
View attachment 163243

That's a beautiful volcano sheesh. Is that a Bruce Weaver?

 

[Chasing Embers]

That's a beautiful volcano sheesh. Is that a Bruce Weaver?

Sure is. The very first pipe he made for me.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I prefer sand blasted, okay with smooths but don't care for rusticated. I've always thought rusticated pipes were smooths that ended up with sand pits or other flaws. Rather than throw a decent piece of briar away, carve away some wood, label it dissuade and sell it.

 

[jiminy]

It's been interesting to read everyone's thoughts on rustication. There is no denying that there is terrible rustication, but there is some really nice stuff out there.

For myself, I prefer the look of a nice smooth, but much prefer the feel of an aggressive rusticated pipe. Sandblasts just don't do it for me generally, but that may change yet.

Beyond aesthetics and sensory stuff, rusticated pipes are much nicer if they get smoked in more abusive contexts. If I'm going camping or hunting, my rusticated pipe is the one to bring along (I don't smoke cobs). If I'm at home, probably not.

 

[Streeper541]

What am I missing?

Nothing. You're not missing anything. You don't like them and that's ok. As the saying goes; different strokes for different folks.

I will say however that it takes just as much talent to blast a ring grain or carve a rustication pattern as it does to line up a beautifully grained smooth pipe. Rustication is certainly not a form of laziness.

 

[OzPiper]

The overwhelming majority of my pipes are smooths.
But that is not to say I don't like or appreciate sandblasted or rusticated pipes.
There are bad blasts/rustications, there are bog ordinary ones. And there are superb examples.

Take this 1952 Dunhill shell Straight billiard. It's craggy blast is so much more engaging in the flesh than these photos convey. If it had been left smooth, the grain would have been very ordinary indeed

Now look at the blast on this Peterson SH Lestrade. It would take an exceptionally grained smooth bowl to trump this Finally a rusticated S Bang
You may or may not like this rustications, but to me it is as beautiful and interesting as a smooth redolent with birds eye or angel hair grain

 

[OzPiper]

Just another example of smooth vs sandblast:
Here are 3 examples of the same pipe - a Stanwell Shape 35B by Anne Julie
Smooth vs sandblast with smooth panel vs sandblast
In my eyes, the sandblast takes the cake.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I do enjoy blasted rings.

 

[coming to_falling too]

I do enjoy blasted rings.

View attachment 163511

Very attractive, indeed.

 

[Pipingntrucking]

Ok. I understand the sandblast terminology. Where did the "rusticated" come from. And no, still not a fan of sandblast- I can respect the skill part. And maybe there will be one out there that catches my eye. Thus far every one I've seen just gives me the notion that they ripped it off the side of a tree and forgot to knock off the bark. No offense to those who enjoy them.

So why "rusticated" as a term?

 

[OzPiper]

"Rustication" in architectural terms is giving visible surfaces a finished texture that contrasts with smooth.

vs "sandblasting" which is using an abrasive substance (eg sand) to erode away the softer wood

We all like different things.
So no need to feel you have to conform