I Finally Carved a Pipe

[gmwolford]

Well, I finally got around to carving my first pipe (from a kit); my son inspired me though he's ahead of me in skills!
I made a terrible cut with a coping saw on the front and it almost ruined the kit. I managed to salvage it pretty well though I think. I mad my own rustication tool, a process I actually enjoyed doing.
I'm not sure if I'm going to leave the stem that came with it on or switch it out, probably leave it. I'm already looking forward to trying again, hopefully without the terrible starting cut on the front!
This is shortly after I began:

And how it came out:

 

[tbradsim1]

Nothing wrong with that Greg, I"d smoke it, damn fine first try, talent runs in the family.

 

[papipeguy]

I agree with Brad, not a bad effort. That has a very rustic folk art look about it and it's all about the smoke. Enjoy you new one off custom pipe.

 

[allan]

Excellent first effort, Greg.

 

[pruss]

Good on ya, pal!
Keep them coming!
-- Pat

 

[ejames]

Looks kinda volcano-ish. Great job Greg!

 

[mso489]

Hey, I think it looks good. The unusual shape looks intentional and smooths nicely into

the stem, and you've developed a handsome rustication that makes the shape lively

and bold. One heck of a first effort!

 

[agnosticpipe]

I like it Greg! It somehow reminds me of those big stone heads on Easter Island. Great rustic pipe!

 

[gmwolford]

Thanks guys. I was trying for a volcano like shape so I'm glad that came through. :: Hopefully next try will have a better better start and finish. There was no grain on the block, it's a Mr Brog bent pear wood kit, so I did see any sense in try to go smooth with it. And I've wanted to try rustication for ages so this was a great opportunity to do it.

 

[gmwolford]

I like it Greg! It somehow reminds me of those big stone heads on Easter Island. Great rustic pipe!

Our posts overlapped Orley so I alml missed that.
You're not the only one that sees that: 2-3 folks on Instagram said the same thing! LOL

 

[newbroom]

I'm laughing out loud as I look and read.

One of the most courageous posts and most generous and instructive, most inspiring too, that I've ever read here!

The rustication is gorgeous and I'd love to see the mechanism you devised for that, you're onto something there.

I think that would be a great forum project for some of us to do in the upcoming new year.

Kit pipes by forum members. 1st, or subsequent attempts notated.

Thanks for sharing Greg!
mike

 

[gmwolford]

@newbroom as soon as I have time I plan on posting a write up on it with photos. And thanks for the compliment.
A new year kit carving project would be a great forum activity!

 

[newbroom]

all right then Greg. Let's get something started for the New Year!

No rules. Just whatever you can do with a kit pipe. Like soap box derby. Everybody has the same 'ingredients' basically.

Or, maybe more like pumpkin carving...there's a huge range of skill level that can be expressed.

 

[gmwolford]

Sounds good, newbroom! I guess we need to start a new thread with the idea to get it rolling.

 

[bentmike]

Nice job Greg. Making a pipe by hand is a cool experience. I haven't done it in a long time so I would pick up a kit and participate.

 

[tbradsim1]

. Greg your pipe reminds me of the Easter Island Stone Gods.

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Well, it's way better than I could do, I will give you that. A commendable effort. Whether it is a success or not will be judged by the drilling and quality of the smoking experience you derive from it. How does she smoke?

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Great first pipe. I think the stem goes great with it. Keep 'em coming!

 

[gmwolford]

Bradley, it really does. I should've said that I was trying to make it look like that; I'd look like s real artist then! LOL
Mike, I'm glad to hear that you're interested in the pipe carving idea. I'll try to put up the post-idea this evening.
Peck, thanks. I honestly can't say how it smokes; I promised it to my son since he has given me two he carved. The drilling was very good on it, nicely centered and not too high, so I expect it should be a good little burner.

 

[gmwolford]

Great first pipe. I think the stem goes great with it. Keep 'em coming!

Thank you sir!