Re-Made My Churchwarden

[shikano53]

I decided one of my first Churchwardens needed a make over. I changed the shape to a brandy, sanded it all down and stained it a dark navy blue. I then re-shaped the bend in the stem. Took out the cheesy over bend into something I think is much more graceful and put a cap on the shank.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Sweet!!!! Great work!

 

[kcghost]

That does look a lot better!!

 

[pepesdad1]

Looks great, shikano53!!

 

[STP]

Nice ?

 

[Toast]

Looks great - do you have a before photo?

 

[jhowell]

nICE

 

[olkofri]

What!? No coloured stem?? ?

 

[shikano53]

Here are a couple of before pics.

 

[OzPiper]

Looks great - do you have a before photo?

^^^^^
Ditto. A "before" pic will be great.
I love the curve you've put in the stem. How did you share it ? Free form or did you bend it over something like a large jar ? Asking because I'd like to put a subtle curve in a stem, but don't want to ruin it with an over or acute bend

I started this reply before your "before" pics came through. A definite improvement.
Good job ??

 

[anotherbob]

big improvement.

 

[shikano53]

Thanks all for the comments.
ozpiper, I bend all my stems with a heat gun and slowly working my way along until I achieve the bend I want. At each stage, with my fingers holding the hot stem (ouch) where I want it, I then plunge it (while still holding it) into a bucket of ice water. It doesn't need or require a lot of ice. A dozen or a few more cubes in no more than enough water to cover the cubes and ensure I can submerge the stem. Hold until set and then proceed until you reach the bend you want. Each time plunging the stem into the ice bath. You can bend, re-bend, straighten. Just be very careful to not overheat and melt the vulcanite, ebonite or acrylic. If you want to bend a thick bodied stem; start at the thickest part. What you don't want is a crick in the stem you want a nice bend. I've made a lot of cricks that I had to take the crick out of and start over.
Again, heat uniform, (for a thicker, bulkier stem, see comment above) bend, plunge, repeat until you reach the desired bend.
I hope this helped.
Happy shaping!

 

[saltedplug]

I love what you did, transforming a rather ordinary 'warden into elegance, especially in the bend of the stem. I learned to see elegance in similar bends of Dunhill full bents, if that makes any sense.

 

[olkofri]

Yeah, the old stem woulda driven me bonkers. The ferrule is nice. I preferred the old colour/finish, though, but heck, I won't be the one smoking it.

 

[Country Bladesmith]

The stem is much better now in my opinion. I like the cap, too. ?

 

[OzPiper]

Thanks @shikano53.
That was most helpful

 

[shikano53]

Oz, you are welcome. Since I'll be the one smoking it; I went with the blue. I get weary of all the browns and I like to change things up once in awhile if for no other reason that I like it.

 

[captaincalabash]

Niiiiice!