Justified Rustified - A Question

[saintpeter]

I hope this is even close to being in the right area.

I have been “researching” rusticated pipes for a while. I have come to the decision that these finishes are rather hit or miss in their execution. As an example I submit the Sav “Gator” rustication. Some will knock your socks off while others look like someone said, “It’s Friday, five minutes to end of shift, good enuff.”

So, in hopes of advancing my knowledge of styles and the personal tastes of pipe smokers I ask if you would share your likes, dislikes and perchance photos of your favorites or even personal attempts.

- Sincerely, Pete

 

[sasquatch]

Some fairly large percentage of briar is physically imperfect in some way, pits, runs, pepper-spots, ugly grain, whatever. Some of these will blast nicely, other's just won't because of the type of grain, the density, how it's cut, many reasons. So you rusticate. Price point has to be low on a lot of these pipes, the smooths and blasts are invariably more "special" (you could rusticate any piece after all). So a lot of these pipes are hastily done and the Gator type of texturing is one of those - cover up some flaws fairly fast and sell it fairly cheap - the old Roma line from Savinelli was the same. And no accident that these are usually dark pipes, it covers a lot of headaches.

I still like the Italian hand-cut rustications of Radice and Castello, I think the "Sea Rock" is a benchmark for a pleasing random texture.

 

[saintpeter]

Some fairly large percentage of briar is physically imperfect in some way, pits, runs, pepper-spots, ugly grain, whatever. Some of these will blast nicely, other's just won't because of the type of grain, the density, how it's cut, many reasons. So you rusticate. Price point has to be low on a lot of these pipes, the smooths and blasts are invariably more "special" (you could rusticate any piece after all). So a lot of these pipes are hastily done and the Gator type of texturing is one of those - cover up some flaws fairly fast and sell it fairly cheap - the old Roma line from Savinelli was the same. And no accident that these are usually dark pipes, it covers a lot of headaches.

I still like the Italian hand-cut rustications of Radice and Castello, I think the "Sea Rock" is a benchmark for a pleasing random texture. View attachment 9371

You see, now that is an example that is not "uniform," but in no way-shape-or form slap dash in execution! That is a good example of done right, IMHO.

 

[sasquatch]

That texture took longer than it takes Savinelli to manufacture a pipe en toto. And you have to pay for that, which I and others am happy to do. I love rustic pipes (done right).

 

[shanez]

I think Castello is tops for rustication but Ashton and Dunhill do (did?) a great job as well although theirs are more towards a sandblast finish. I'm very happy with the rusticated Savinellis I own as well. I can't stand the Savinelli alligator finish though.

 

[saintpeter]

After much experimentation I have only come up with one I can perform and stand. And it is...ah...labor intensive. I am seeking more ideas, LOL.

 

[unadoptedlamp]

I'm generally not a fan of rustication, because most of what I see is jarring to my eye. It's all personal preference.

If I did get a rusticated pipe, it would have very tight rustication. The broad strokes you see on some examples looks sloppy to me.

These two examples are what I mean by tight rustication. Seems like a fair bit of time went into it... probably making for a more expensive pipe at the same time.

 

[alaskanpiper]

Generally not a rustication fan, but my favorites are Castello's newer sea rock briars, as well as Boswell's black coal rustications. Also like Moretti's work, both black rustication and their tree bark looks. Not my favorite shapes below but the first ones I could find. Much prefer a sandblast but there are some good rustications out there.

 

[alaskanpiper]

I'm generally not a fan of rustication, because most of what I see is jarring to my eye. It's all personal preference.

If I did get a rusticated pipe, it would have very tight rustication. The broad strokes you see on some examples looks sloppy to me.

These two examples are what I mean by tight rustication. Seems like a fair bit of time went into it... probably making for a more expensive pipe at the same time.

That second pipe is amazing.

 

[saintpeter]

Generally not a rustication fan, but my favorites are Castello's newer sea rock briars, as well as Boswell's black coal rustications. Also like Moretti's work, both black rustication and their tree bark looks. Not my favorite shapes below but the first ones I could find. Much prefer a sandblast but there are some good rustications out there.

The bottom pipe with the bark appearance...yeah...time and a steady hand.

 

[alaskanpiper]

The bottom pipe with the bark appearance...yeah...time and a steady hand.

For sure. Not my favorite shape of his, but he makes some large pokers with this rustication that are quite spectacular. Literally looks like someone cut a chunk out of a log and turned it into a pipe. Pretty cool.

 

[agnosticpipe]

This Castello Old Sea Rock G has my favorite rustication. It varies around the bowl mimicking the grain. I've never seen this done before, but then I was never looking for it either. You're right saintpeter, some rustication is well done and some is downright terrible.

 

[saintpeter]

This Castello Old Sea Rock G has my favorite rustication. It varies around the bowl mimicking the grain. I've never seen this done before, but then I was never looking for it either. You're right saintpeter, some rustication is well done and some is downright terrible.

View attachment 9387View attachment 9388

Damn, I like that.

 

[agnosticpipe]

Damn, I like that.

Thanks, I got lucky on this estate pipe. Didn't notice the rustication until I had it in hand.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

In general, I don't like rusticated. My take on it is most (not all) rusticated pipes are the result of having flawed briar with too many sand pits to make it a smooth or even a sandblast. I prefer the look and feel of a sandblast. Just my personal preference. I certainly don't think rusticated pipes smoke any worse than smooth or sandblasted. In fact, they may smoke a bit cooler as you have maximized surface area on a rusticated pipe.

 

[saintpeter]

In general, I don't like rusticated. My take on it is most (not all) rusticated pipes are the result of having flawed briar with too many sand pits to make it a smooth or even a sandblast. I prefer the look and feel of a sandblast. Just my personal preference. I certainly don't think rusticated pipes smoke any worse than smooth or sandblasted. In fact, they may smoke a bit cooler as you have maximized surface area on a rusticated pipe.

Full agreement.

 

[BROBS]

I made a sea-rock "like" rustication using varying diagonal strokes over and over with the sharp end of a swiss army knife bottle opener.

 

[saintpeter]

I made a sea-rock "like" rustication using varying diagonal strokes over and over with the sharp end of a swiss army knife bottle opener.

Got a pic of it?

 

[Waning Embers]

To be fair, the alligators fall under a third finish, "carved", much as their Sherwood Rock Briar line.

My favorite rustication is Savinelli's Capri.

 

[saintpeter]

To be fair, the alligators fall under a third finish, "carved"...

With a chainsaw!