Michael Parks - Project Longshanks

[peckinpahhombre]

I have commissioned a few pipes from Michael Parks before and have always been very happy with the process.
My previous other three commissions from Michael are detailed in the following threads:
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/michael-parks-rhodesian-set
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/parks-commission-no-2
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/parks-commission-update
A few months ago I decided to commission a few more pipes from Michael.
What I had decided to commission was a four pipe set comprised of four classic long shanked pipes.
That is:

The only direction I gave Michael is that I wanted each of the four pipes to be at least 7 inches long.
I also indicated that I wanted a presentation box for the pipes.
The first step was choosing the briar.

Then came the shping process.

And then last week I received an email indicating that the pipes were ready.
The metrics are as follows:
1. SB ExLS Lovat

Black and cream swirl ebonite saddle.

Length - 7 3/8"

Bowl Height - 2 3/16"

Bowl Width - 1 1/2"

Shank Diameter - 15/32"

Chamber Diameter - 13/16"

Weight - 47g
2.SB ExLS Liverpool

Cumberland taper.

Length - 7 3/8"

Bowl Height - 2 1/4"

Bowl Width - 1 1/2"

Shank Diameter - 15/32"

Chamber Diameter - 13/16"

Weight - 46g
3.SB ExLS Lumberman

Rich brown and black cumberland oval saddle.

Length - 7 3/8"

Bowl Height - 2 1/4"

Bowl Width - 1 1/2"

Shank Height - 7/16"

Shank Width - 5/8"

Chamber Diameter - 13/16"

Weight - 55g
4.SB ExLS Canadian

Ivory celluloid oval taper.

Length - 7 3/8"

Bowl Height - 2 3/16"

Bowl Width - 1 1/2"

Shank Height - 13/32"

Shank Width - 5/8"

Chamber Diameter 13/16"

Weight - 52g
Some pics of the final pipes are below in the same order as above. The box is made out of spalted maple.
Many thanks to Michael for these.

 

[raevans]

Beautiful. I would say more, but I'm a little too busy drooling.

 

[delkhouri]

WOW

 

[jfox520]

All of the pipes are amazing. That is something I would like to have done.

 

[blueeyedogre]

Holy Shit...... What a set of pipes!!

 

[daimyo]

Peck and MP strike again! 8O

 

[monty55]

Absolutely gorgeous Peck! Wow! Michael does fine work, and that blasting is deep and pronounced. The case is perfect of course. Very nice pick in design too.. eh?
Thanks for sharing these with us!

 

[newbroom]

Absolutely gorgeous! Who designed the presentation box? What kind of wood is it? It's made to be mistaken by some drunken house guest as another log to throw on the fire! Neat minimalism right there.

All I'd call 'ring grained' except the Canadian. ?

 

[peckinpahhombre]

The box is spalted maple and was made by a box maker named Ray Jones. You can see his work here:
http://www.rayjoneswoodboxes.com
Thanks guys.

 

[allan]

Well
The problem here, Peck, is that they are all STRAIGHTS!
Allowing for that, clearly the workmanship is top notch. Micheal's grain blasting is what is now becoming the new 'bar' to reach for.
Magnificent.
Even if they are all straights.

 

[pruss]

Greetings from the land of Hobbits and good Pinot!
Holy shitballs! Those are magnificent! Wonderful work from Mike, as usual.
Well done.
-- Pat

 

[lonestar]

Good Lord the box man ! That's some of the most beautiful maple I've seen, and I'm quite a collector of wood !

 

[jkrug]

WOW....just WOW!! That is an absolutely beautiful set of pipes. Just beautiful!! Enjoy the heck out of 'em. ::

 

[ssjones]

My first thought:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbUpGoOjFWw
I love how the grain radiates off each pipe, in different orientations. The stem choices are also spot on.

My favorite detail - the slender polished, beveled inner bowl rim.
It's been a while since we've seen a Peck pipe, you sure relaunched with aplomb!

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Thanks guys. Yeah, that box is stunning. I flipped Ray a note and a link letting him know we were discussing the box he made. I am sure he appreciates the kind words.

 

[ejames]

Beautiful pipes and I love that box.I checked out his website--amazing work!

 

[jackswilling]

Class all around. From conception to selection to execution to presentation. Beautiful to behold. A treasure chest, for sure.

 

[danielplainview]

Al, you beat me to it.
Beautiful pipes. The Cumberland Canadian is stunning.

 

[cigrmaster]

Talk about giving a pig whipped cream, those are too damn nice for you Peck, you can send them to a proper home like mine.
Incredible set, love the blasts and the case. His blast work is really something special.

 

[natibo]

Sweet. I really love the idea. Those shapes are some of my favorites.