Morta Finish

[tmgaus51]

Hi All,
Planning on getting a commissioned Morta in the coming months and just trying to figure out how to describe the finish I want.

I've been informed that both of the pipes above have been sandblasted, but is the different look due to different sandblasting techniques, or different natural grain on each piece?
Thanks for the help!

 

[pagan]

That is sweet!

 

[fishnbanjo]

If you have a photo to show the maker that might help but I would personally see if the make has pipes already complete and sold in a gallery on their site, much easier to see what the work they have done is like and if any of them meet what you are trying to get made, much easier if they have already made what you want.

banjo

 

[clickklick]

That is the grain pattern. The right angles square look is where the vertical lines of grain are. You'll get both results around the pipe based on grain orientation before blasting

 

[tmgaus51]

So is the sandblasting the circular lines on the right pipe, and the grain is the straight lines?
And on the left pipe, the sandblasting is the circles opening towards the left, and the grain the rightwards facing circles?

 

[didimauw]

I've never seen a smooth morta...

 

[clickklick]

It's not a burl grain pattern like briar. Think of a tree with a bunch of rings around it. Where the rings curve you get the circular blast. Where the grain rings are parallel and straight you get that neat square looking blast

 

[Waning Embers]

I've never seen a smooth morta...

 

[tmgaus51]

Very cool @clickklick. So I'm guessing you could easily have a pipe with both patterns on it?
Also, just a question in general--the pipemaker has control over how spread out and how deep the blast is?
For example the first pipe below seems to have a much more spread out and more aggressive blast than the second pipe. Thanks again.

 

[didimauw]

Thank you chasingembers lol I knew someone would have a pic! Now I need one of these beauties.

 

[fishnbanjo]

Here is one made by Ed James of EAJames pipes, it has a black palm insert to the stem.

banjo

 

[jerwynn]

Incredible page of pipes!! Magnificently splendid, each and every one!! Dear Santa, please bring me one this year!!

:D

 

[Waning Embers]

I love the copper morta, but have yet to find one in a shape to make me bite.

 

[tmgaus51]

@jerwynn, yes definitely some beauties here!
@1coyote, I've actually got 2 on the way (smooth finishes, and one is more like a Morta cigar), but the commission sandblast will be done by Todd Harris.

 

[clickklick]

TM- you will always have a pipe with both patterns on it. I personally like the square pattern to end up on the sides of the bowl, but to each his own.
You are correct about the blast, all depends on how deep you want to go. What I found when I blasted my first morta is that the wood can be quite soft when blasting and can be removed VERY quickly.

 

[tmgaus51]

Thanks clickklick - would love to see some of your work.
1coyote - will do!
-Dave

 

[clickklick]

Check out the threads I've started. Most of my work has been posted here!

 

[tmgaus51]

And the first Morta has arrived! A smooth from Moretti:

Any advice for the layman on care? Normally I polish smooth pipes with Paragon Wax, but this pipe is not quite smooth (small grooves and holes where the pipe seems to be a bit porous).
Thanks,

Dave

 

[clickklick]

You got any briar pipe wipes?you could use paragon but it would need to be thin enough to not build up in the pores and leave a residue.

 

[tmgaus51]

Thanks--would I be better off with Halcyon II?