My New Alden Churchwarden Fat Tomato

[shaintiques]

After a thread on the forum here discussing the Savinelli 320 shape and the idea that it would be cool to have a pipe in that shape class made into a churchwarden I decided to give my favorite pipe maker, Ryan Alden, a call. He liked the idea so we got down to the business of discussing specifics. I told him I would really like two stems, a regular and churchwarden which he said was doable. I told him I would like a light blast with birdseye visible if possible, a dark red or purple stain and green cumberland stems. And with any pipe I have custom made I gave him free reign to tweak the shape to more his style. The pipe arrived today and I couldn't be more pleased. The regular stem fits my face just right and the pipe is nice and light for clenching. The churchwarden looks awesome, the colors on the cumberland are so rich, and I love the way he tapered the stem out. I'm a big fan of fat shanked and fat stemmed pipes. This pipe meets my aesthetic needs perfectly, now to go smoke it. First bowl will be some Escudo aged 13 years with the churchwarden stem. Here are some pics of what I'm calling the Fat Tomato.



And here is a shot of it next to my other custom Alden tomato.

 

[ashdigger]

Ryan does amazing work. Very nice.

 

[lifesizehobbit]

I met Ryan in Columbus last year and am so impressed with his work and his personality, I am scrimping money to get a commission from him. In fact, just today I was drooling over his gallery pics.
Just a great carver.

 

[papipeguy]

Sweet; love the color combination.

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

Ha! It's absolutely beautiful! I still haven't gotten around to getting that 320 converted to a churchwarden, but I'm still planning on it. I recently purchased an unfinished 320 that has a few fills, but I may stain it and send it off to have it done. I knew the shape would make for an excellent churchwarden and seeing your Ryan Alden tomato, very closely resembling the 320, I believe I was right! I love it! :clap: What an excellent pipe, Shaintiques. Ryan Alden knocked that one out of the park. The stain and stem work beautifully together. :D

 

[7ach]

very nice!

 

[jefff]

He is so good and so easy to deal with. You will be glad you got it now because in a few years I think he is going to be much more expensive.
Says the guy anxiously awaiting a slick little Cutty from Sasquatch.

 

[theloniousmonkfish]

Man, not really a fan of the Author style but seeing that thing with the fat CW stem, it just looks right. I am biased towards large pipes though. Blast, stain and stem all work great together. Congrats, that's a nice one.

 

[bootlegbonvivant]

Very nice indeed Dave! I just got my commissioned Alden today as well, lol Put some aged Penzance through and greeted with a new friend. I can't wait to see how it smokes after broke in a bit.

 

[shaintiques]

I smoked two bowls back to back tonight. I know, I know, no rest period, but that fresh bare briar bowl sucked up any moisture. The smokes were both perfectly dry. The draw was easy on both stems. Smoked the churchwarden first with some 13 year aged escudo. Then popped the short stem on and had a bowl of Wessex Brown Flake. I couldn't be happier. Here is a couple of pics of the inaugural smokes.

 

[jkrug]

Beautiful new pipe for sure...love the colours in the stems.

The stem and bowl colours compliment each other quite nicely. Enjoy. ::

 

[bootlegbonvivant]

:clap: ::

 

[ssjones]

Ryan knocked that out of the park, I love the "Fat Tomato" shape!

 

[lohengrin]

Nothing to add, it's a nice work.

Congrats even for the custom Alden tomato, it is really beautiful.

 

[pruss]

Nice choices, Dave. Ryan did some nice work right there. Congrats to you both on another awesome collaboration.
-- Pat

 

[fitzy]

Wow great pipe and stems. Congrats and I'm sure she will be an amazing smoker.

 

[jerwynn]

Och Dave!! THAT, or I should say THOSE, are most splendidly magnificent to behold, and I'll bet even better to smoke and enjoy!!! And that cumberland!!! Totally awesome!! I have one pipe with a deep red and black cumberland stem... the more I see them, the more I lust after them!! Congrats on a truly lovely acquisition!!

jerry

 

[snoopy311]

Gorgeous pipe, enjoy!

 

[brian64]

That is really nice...beautiful work...love the shape.

 

[mrmotoyoshi]

Beautiful pipes, I think he's so talented. Want to commission some pipes in the not too distant future.