In search of the hidden stem

[unclearthur]

Tim West once said inside a big stem there are several small ones hiding. He is correct.

A member asked about the pipe on the right here. I gave him a quote and he was happy but wanted a 6mm filter. No way I could adapt that one for a filter so I offered to do a similar pipe at the same price with a filter. COOL!! all round. Then I searched my sources for a stem that is set up for a filter. No go! So I made a visit to Mr Lathe with the style stem on the left and a short time later I proved Tim right with the stem in the middle.

 

[cortezattic]

I get the impression that making the stem is at least as difficult as drilling and shaping the bowl.

And to me, the feel of the stem more often than not determines whether a pipe will be well used

or spend most of its life gathering dust in the rack.

 

[unclearthur]

It can be more difficult than drilling the bowl . Takes a very steady hand and light cuts.

 

[winton]

The experts in pipe making forums strongly suggest using off the shelf stems until a newby is experienced in making the bowl portion of the pipe. Then learn the other half of pipemaking. In some ways it is easier. There are no defects to worry about. But there are lots of other skills like heating /bending and file work to shape.
FYI, at this stage of my pipe making, all my pipes are for my personal use. Incredibly the cheapest stems I can find in the size I want turn out to the exactly the shape I want! Someday I want to be like UncleArthur.
Winton

 

[papipeguy]

Most everyone wants to be like Arthur. The man is an artist.

 

[westcoastrich]

Arthur you amaze me, I know the pipe will smoke perfect and will be a favorite of mine, if for no other reason than its birth history. I beleive some of the reasons we like a paticular pipe is because of its brand name or knowing about the person who made it, or maybe the pipe's personal history, it previously belong to a relative or friend and we think about them while we are smoking the pipe, thus the enjoyment of the moment is a blend of the pipe, the tobacco, and history all rolled into one that make us appreciating that smoke more than others.

 

[unclearthur]

I hope it becomes a favorite Rich. The challenge is a lot of the fun in making a pipe.

 

[wolfscout]

It's really difficult to shape a stem. I agree get your bowl shaping skills in hand... stems can be part of that later...

 

[echopipe]

Westcoastrich, So beautifully put. Very nice and insightful. Thank you