The original acrylic stem on this Becker first split at the button, then the tenon twisted off during normal use (the pipe wasn't dropped).
Making a spot-on copy wasn't possible without the Becker "b" stamp, though (which I don't have, or know anyone who does), which in turn made the extra effort/expense of replicating the briar ring seem pointless.
The briar quality and cut of the stummel was exceptional, however, so the replacement catered to THAT. Meaning the slight upward curve and three-dimensional flare were accommodated in the Danish style by making the barrel portion of the stem an extension of the shank, visually, instead of a ring-adorned afterthought that turned inward. (yuk)
Slightly less overall bend, and voila! The world's first Italdane (Danaly?) pipe.
Making a spot-on copy wasn't possible without the Becker "b" stamp, though (which I don't have, or know anyone who does), which in turn made the extra effort/expense of replicating the briar ring seem pointless.
The briar quality and cut of the stummel was exceptional, however, so the replacement catered to THAT. Meaning the slight upward curve and three-dimensional flare were accommodated in the Danish style by making the barrel portion of the stem an extension of the shank, visually, instead of a ring-adorned afterthought that turned inward. (yuk)
Slightly less overall bend, and voila! The world's first Italdane (Danaly?) pipe.
