Help me see what I am missing

[Chasing Embers]

gives me the notion that they ripped it off the side of a tree and forgot to knock off the bark.

That's why we like them.

 

[Pipingntrucking]

That's why we like them.

View attachment 164344

That one I can like. Love the color. The double texture finish but the shape and the color more than anything. For me if it was just blasted...... not so much.

Is there a durability and up keep positive to them? I am still trying to figure out the major push by all brands that hi lite mostly sandblast.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Is there a durability and up keep positive to them?

No more so than any other pipe.

I am still trying to figure out the major push by all brands that hi lite mostly sandblast.

They make what sells. Blasts seem to be the hot item right now. For the past several years artisans have been making more and more of them. Plateau seems to be rising in popularity again as well.

 

[Piping Rooster]

A lot of work is done to make a pipe. Pipes can be made with the intention to be smooth but as the work is done flaws may be found deeper in the wood. Flawless briar is rare and expensive. It would be cost prohibitive to do all the work just to throw it out because of a minor flaw that can be remedied with sandblast or rustication. Most factory produced pipes are made with inferior briar and finding flawless briar in that grade of wood is extremely rare. More and more pipe makers are coming on to the scene which makes quality briar even more expensive and spread out among makers. Take Dunhill for example, most of their pipes are sandblast nowadays. petersonpipenotes.org has a few examples of the rarity of flawless briar among their articles. I personally find sandblast charming, tactile and less prone to wear and tear.

 

[Chasing Embers]

A lot of work is done to make a pipe. Pipes can be made with the intention to be smooth but as the work is done flaws may be found deeper in the wood. Flawless briar is rare and expensive. It would be cost prohibitive to do all the work just to throw it out because of a minor flaw that can be remedied with sandblast or rustication. Most factory produced pipes are made with inferior briar and finding flawless briar in that grade of wood is extremely rare. More and more pipe makers are coming on to the scene which makes quality briar even more expensive and spread out among makers. Take Dunhill for example, most of their pipes are sandblast nowadays. petersonpipenotes.org has a few examples of the rarity of flawless briar among their articles. I personally find sandblast charming, tactile and less prone to wear and tear.

Some carvers look for flawless straight gains just to blast for a perfect ring grain though some will use the direction of the grain to dictate the shape of a smooth pipe.

 

[Piping Rooster]

Some carvers look for flawless straight gains just to blast for a perfect ring grain though some will use the direction of the grain to dictate the shape of a smooth pipe.

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Love how the maker followed the grain in that volcano and even "bent" the bowl to match the grain! That's what makes quality artisan pipes so expensive is the material and expertise used. Stunning!

 

[Chasing Embers]

Love how the maker followed the grain in that volcano and even "bent" the bowl to match the grain! That's what makes quality artisan pipes so expensive is the material and expertise used. Stunning!

If I didn't know that Bruto was Italian, I'd swear he was Danish.

 

[Piping Rooster]

If I didn't know that Bruto was Italian, I'd swear he was Danish.

My first thought was Danish!

 

[jpmcwjr]

I think you, the OP, have many answers, as well as assurance that you're not lacking because you don't understand why others like those finishes. Myself, I cannot stand two finishes on one pipe, as lovely as the work up thread that Embers posted. Nor do I like Quaints- but who cares?

We're done here!