Michael Parks' Rhodesian Set

[peckinpahhombre]

Some months back I gave Michael Parks a few photos of a Comoy 499 shape that Al had graciously sent me and I asked Michael if he could make me a boxed set of pipes that reflect his interpretation of that graceful shape, albeit a bit larger as I prefer a larger pipe. Originally the plan was for one smooth and one blasted pipe, but Michael's first attempt at a smooth was not a success as he discovered a sandpit in the briar that he was not happy with. So he decided to blast that pipe as well and to make another smooth. I liked both blasts so I ended up taking all three pipes.
I don't have a shot of the pipes in the box yet, but the box will be similar to the one used for my two other Michael Parks sets, detailed here http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/parks-commission-update and here http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/parks-commission-no-2 ).
The pipe details are as follows:
1.

Rhodesian 499.

Black ebonite taper stem.

Length - 5 7/8"

Bowl Height - 2 13/16"

Bowl Width - 2 1/8"

Shank Diameter (At Stem) - 15/16"

Chamber - 7/8"

Weight - 87g
2.

SB Rhodesian 499 .

Red, grey and black swirl cumberland taper stem.

Length - 5 9/16"

Bowl Height - 1 3/4"

Bowl Width - 2 1/16"

Shank Diameter (At Stem) - 15/16"

Chamber - 7/8"

Weight - 76g
3.

SB Rhodesian 499 .

Cumberland swirl taper stem.

Length - 5 9/16"

Bowl Height - 1 3/4"

Bowl Width - 2 1/16"

Shank Diameter (At Stem) - 15/16"

Chamber - 7/8"

Weight - 74g























Many thanks to Michael for the completion of this commission. It was a lot of fun.

 

[fishingandpipes]

Lovely pipes! The smooth is out of this world.

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Thanks guys. It has been a rough week traveling and I have been a little out of touch with the forum as a result but it was sure nice to get pics of these shortly before I am about to hop on a very long flight..

 

[daimyo]

8O
No words....

 

[peckinpahhombre]

I should add one reflection on the smooth. When I saw some low light shots of it as Michael was making it I wasn't blown away. I asked Michael if a contrast stain might bring out some of the grain better. He was extremely reluctant to do that. He said that the smooth was a perfect piece of briar - absolutely no pits or imperfections of any sort - and he felt that it would be sad to use any sort of darker stain since, in his view, you normally do that to cover up flaws. At the end of the day I deferred to his judgment and I think he made the right call.

 

[beefeater33]

Stunning! The stemwork is amazing on those, hypnotic and mesmerizing. Congrats on that wonderful set!

 

[pitchfork]

Oh my. 8O That smooth is one in a million.

 

[morton]

The smooth is breathtaking but all three are absolutely beautiful and I hope they bring you hours of enjoyment.

 

[woodsroad]

Peck, #1 is most exceptional, but taken as a set, they are much more than the sum of the parts. It's almost humorous to look at them, as if they put on little sandblasted coats for the coming winter. Will you smoke them? If so, I'm curious as to how they are different.
Great commission, exemplary execution.

 

[pitchfork]

OK, I'm here just to look at this again:

 

[danielplainview]

All three are gorgeous. My favorite is the third. Good Lord!

 

[ericthered]

Beautiful! I love how the Cumberland stems flow so well with the finishes of the blasts. Truly works of art!

 

[elpfeife]

Them babies is killers!

 

[darthcider]

3 fine looking pipes, I like the second one the most.

 

[tbradsim1]

Peck if Tiffany made pipes he would have made those jewels.

 

[yazamitaz]

I have to underpin ericthered's post. Those stems are truly made for each pipe and add class to each one.
Congrats on yet another fine score Dean.

 

[ssjones]

Those are truly jewels and of course my favorite shape.

Good call on the stain of the smooth pipe - it would be a shame to hide any of that birdseye.

I really like the beveled bowl rim on the blasts.

The grain orientation and stem material is outstanding.
For reference, here is an original Comoys 499 Extraordinaire.

 

[petes03]

Damn Peck, those are awesome!

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Thanks guys. I can't wait to see these up close. I have a bunch of shots and only included some - I think this one probably should have made the cut:

 

[dread]

Wow! Those pipes are just fantastic! Those blasts really do it for me and the stems . . . !