Pipe Manufacturers Dark Secret?

[kennerth]

One of my favorite pipes was a basket bent that had an ugly finish, but I saw some beautiful dark grain under it, so I decided to take it natural. After taking the finish off, it smoked like a dream and felt great. I also discovered while stripping the finish that most of the beautiful grain on the pipe was painted on with black paint! Since that pipe, I have found that in less expensive pipes, painting grain on was fairly common. I am not talking about adding a coat of black stain to enhance the grain, I am talking about painted on grain to add value and cover flaws. I recommend you look at your pipes closely when buying in person!
Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[bigvan]

I haven't experienced this myself, but I've heard of it. And not just with basket pipes, either. At the Chicago pipe show a few years ago, one collector was saying how this was a common practice among some of the "rock star" Danish pipe carvers. He said that they used a Sharpie marker to draw grain on the pipe, then finish it with stain and wax.
Again, I can't say I know this is true, it's just what I heard.

 

[ejames]

I've seen this on few brands of pipes WDC,Linkmans and HLT. The pipes are I believe from the WW2 era and are not made from briar but are made from Mt. Laurel,Manzanita or Rhododendron that several companies went to during WW2. These woods do not have good graining. I have two or three that look as if they have painted streaks and swirls on them.

Haven't seen any recent pipes that look like they have painted on grain.

 

[admin]

Wow, that's quite interesting. I've never heard of that before. At first, I thought you were talking about Contrast staining, but you stated that it was not.

 

[bigvan]

Kevin, regarding the story I heard about the Danes and Sharpies, I guess they did it to ENHANCE a contrast stain.

 

[admin]

Ah, ok. Thanks for the clarification BigVan.

 

[tiltjlp]

Guess I have even more reason to only buy corncobs!

 

[bigvan]

Really? You like corn cobs? I had no idea.

 

[kennerth]

I consider contrast staining acceptable artistry. I consider adding grain where there is none deception! I saw it on several pipes from the50's and 60's. That being said, just be an informed consumer and look closely.

 

[igloo]

Iam not sure about pipes but the practice is quite commen in furniture . In order to make a matched grained table of solid hardwood . One would need a huge fork more than four feet across . The lumber to make such lavish furniture is long gone or very rare .check out some wood porn. I promise it is good clean fun for those under 18 or older than dirt . http://www.talaricohardwoods.com/woodporn.htm

 

[mcarnevale]

Sounds like a lot of work (and time and money) for a cheap pipe with little profit margin.

 

[seakayak]

The Danes, I understand...but I can't conceive of an Italian or Irishman bending the rules

 

[lordnoble]

Clearly, you haven't met both side of my family, then John. The Italians on my Mom side are always looking for a loophole and the Irish side of my Dad's family usually don't give a flyin' hoot for the rules. :rofl:
-Jason
P.S.- Moved to Pipe Talk sub-forum