Loewe Rhodes Bulldog Clean-up

[donjgiles]

My recent interest in old English Bulldogs led me to this poor neglected puppy. This pipe dates to sometime before 1967 as far as I can tell. There is still more work to do but it is coming along nicely. I wrote in another thread about the difference between restoration and preservation, so I am not sure if I will sand the rim to bring it to round and possibly re-stain the pipe. What are your thoughts?
Before -

After

Don

 

[crashthegrey]

Just a word of advice. It looks like you sanded the stem and stummel separately, which has resulted in rounding of both. Avoiding this will increase the end product a lot.

 

[donjgiles]

Thank you Crash, always learning.
Don

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I've seen the term "English bulldogs" in association with these pipes a couple of times. My research shows that they were first frased in France, and the most classical of shapes for these are French made. And, all of my really old (100+ years) bulldogs are French made. Are people just confusing these with the wildly popular dogs? Or, did they somehow become English?

 

[redglow]

Looks great!

 

[crashthegrey]

You're welcome, Don. Thanks for taking that well. I always hesitate with advice, as I don't want to upset someone.

 

[donjgiles]

I always hesitate with advice, as I don't want to upset someone

Thank you.. how else will we learn? Thin skin does not belong in a forum when asking for advice.

I've seen the term "English bulldogs" in association with these pipes a couple of times

I used that term because it is a Bulldog, made in England.
Don

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I used that term because it is a Bulldog, made in England.

Gotcha! Then I have a few English dublins also. ::
You did a very nice job on that pipe. Despite the crap Crash is giving you. ::

 

[donjgiles]

The crap is very well deserved, I did not realize just how much rounding occurred on that stem from using Micro Mesh.

You are on to something about only using toothpaste and your thumb!
Don

 

[donjgiles]

Forgive me, it was Embers who only uses toothpaste and his thumb...

for good reason.
Don

 

[dmcmtk]

Don, what crash said. If you work with the stem on the pipe, tape off the shank so as not to damage the finish. Or, if you work with the stem off the pipe, I would highly recommend carefully watching George Dibos' videos on the subject, some very good tips as to method using sanding sticks/sandpaper and preventing round over.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnOgJZHhq-s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFKgzN5BU64
The inner rim, I've done it, just go easy. It won't be perfectly round, but you can ease the "kinks". Re-staining, NO it doesn't need it. Myself, I much prefer keeping the original finish. You can get a long way by polishing by hand with thr higher grades of micromesh, and hand buffing with a microfiber cloth.

 

[donjgiles]

Thank you Dave.

I agree about the staining.

I absolutely went too aggressive with the micromesh on that stem and now, it kinda breaks my heart.

This is the first Bulldog I have worked on and I clearly ignored the sharp lines needed for the visual impact of the stem/pipe. I will not make that mistake again!
Don

 

[jpmcwjr]

Well, not to worry, Don. You can fix the photos with photoshop, but the corners not so much in real life.

 

[scloyd]

I think you did a great job. Nice pipe!

 

[donjgiles]

You can fix the photos with photoshop, but the corners not so much in real life.

I am not looking to deceive anyone, also working in the history business I never alter a photograph to depart from reality.

I do however, appreciate the constructive criticism.
Don