My first pipe, almost finished

[wirtsleg]

hey everyone, here is my first pipe, its not perfect but it turned out better than expected, made from solid briar block, hope the pictures work, still need to hit it with tripoli and wax, and also need to bend the stem still, take a look

 

[rfernand]

I like it! Great work! How does it smoke? Was the briar oil-cured?
Show it off once it is bent

 

[hawke]

Looking good!!!

 

[wirtsleg]

it smokes alright! its my first time really using a pipe so i wouldn't know the difference anyways lol

 

[bigpond]

Going to call it wirts other leg, per chance?

 

[mso489]

You discovered some really fine birds eye grain in there. Brave to start out with a solid block rather than pre-drilled.

 

[brudnod]

Well done!

 

[aggravatedfarmer]

Wonderful job!

 

[clickklick]

What tools did you use to make it?

 

[papipeguy]

That is a great block of briar. I'd shave down the bottom of the shank a bit but it's a great first effort. You should be proud of that.

 

[peckinpahhombre]

I hope it goes better for you on the second pipe.

 

[shaylee23]

I've smoked a pipe for a few years now. If I was you I would start on a $20 pipe to see if you like it. In a month or two if you are still into it go for a $50 one. Don't smoke too fast or you'll get tounge bite! It's almost unavoidable at first so don't be discouraged. I've been at it for a couple of years and I still learn something everytime I have one!

 

[andrew]

If I was you I would start on a $20 pipe to see if you like it. In a month or two if you are still into it go for a $50 one.

I went with a couple estate 15$ pipes that blew away the 50$ pipes with just a simple cleanup. I think it's commendable to start by carving your own. I agree though the shank needs to be cleaned up, but if it's just a personal smoking pipe, it's not a big deal.

 

[wirtsleg]

thanks everyone it was not oil cured, and the tools i used: lathe, files, custom made sander, band saw, drill press. And yea i know the shank is a little bulky, but i just got to the point that i wanted to get it done so i could stain and smoke it aha, going to attempt a bent bulldog for my next one, need to get my lathe chuck fixed as it had a slight wobble, which causes the bowl walls to be a non consistent thickness, and i also cannot do the chamfer either until it spins true. Anyone know a thread that explains drilling airways for bent shanks? had to be a way to perfectly align everything with no guessing or "eyeing"

 

[zack24]

Anyone know a thread that explains drilling airways for bent shanks? had to be a way to perfectly align everything with no guessing or "eyeing"

Here's a site that will help you with those questions and more. http://pipemakersforum.com