My First Commissioned Pipe, A Diplomat By Michael Parks

[iamn8]

Now I'm REALLY excited. Just got this email from Michael...
"I tell you, this Diplomat is on another level!

For real, wait until you see it, it's finishing out beautifully."

 

[newbroom]

Ya, that does sound promising.

This pipe has a 'chin' or pronounced front bottom shaping like I've seen on the Costello 55. A detail I had not noticed until recently. I mean, I've seen it, but when I heard about the 55 being such a great shape I took notice.

 

[iamn8]

Yeah because of the slope, were it not bent it would almost be brandy-like except for underside. When I had my first Dunhill Diplomat, there was something about the slopped underside that allowed it to sit my hand just so... it just felt so perfect and balanced. When I first saw his site I thought I'd love to see his take on that shape. I've not seen a Castello version, but can image it!

 

[newbroom]

The 55 is a different shape, but it has the same chin, sorta.

 

[iamn8]

I'm told mid-next week I'll have the finished photos. It's a grade V1. It's funny, when buying estate pipes, you look for the really nice high grade pipes, but when buying new, a higher grade just means its going to cost you more. I'm def excited about this pipe, but at the same time a tad bit sick at the amount of money I'm spending on one pipe.

I'd almost forgotten that this pipe is coming with the really cool tamp!

 

[ssjones]

Wow, Michael Parks, good stuff. I really like that shape, and the ovalized shanks of Diplomats.

 

[iamn8]

Thanks Al! A Dunhill Diplomat was my first "real" pipe and I LOVE that shape. I was shocked that Parks hadn't previously done one. This is his first Diplomat.

 

[shikano53]

Beautiful pipe, congrats!

 

[kanaia]

Beautiful pipe Nate.

 

[cigrmaster]

I was shocked that Parks hadn't previously done one. This is his first Diplomat.

Wow, so Parks got a sucker named Nate to test out a new style on. I hope he knows what a Diplomat looks like. By the way, the pictures above are a Brandy, no where near a Diplomat. I hope that was someone else's pipe.

 

[iamn8]

Wow... Speaking of not being diplomatic.

 

[pruss]

Wow... Speaking of not being diplomatic

Don't mind Harris, Nate. That's just his way of saying he likes you. PS - Everything Harris knows about shapes he learned from Rad Davis, who never met an English shape he couldn't make Danish.
-- Pat

 

[iamn8]

I know that's why I said "DIPLOMATic. Was shooting for irony. That he's a dick is no well kept secret.

 

[pipesdownunder]

Parks makes such a great pipe. i have a kick ass craggy blasted billiard by him, a real winner.