Replacing Missing Wood---Heavily Damaged Patent Dunhill (pic heavy)

[samcoffeeman]

That is phenomenal.

 

[derfatdutchman]

Fantastic restoration work!

 

[cortezattic]

Another example of your consummate artistry and craftsmanship! :clap: I am in awe.

Oh yes, thanks so much for the before and after pix. We-all just love this pipe porn.

 

[glpease]

George is the David Blaine of pipe repair. He does things that are impossible, yet observable before my very eyes, and leaves me feeling a little creeped out by the fact that reality can seemingly be altered so effortlessly and without trace.
It's a beautiful pipe, and one certainly worthy of his dark arts wizardry.

 

[bungee]

Gloucesterman said miracle worker, I call it black magic.
I'm amazed at the things you can do George. Amazed and speechless...
Cheers,
J

 

[woodsroad]

Just simply exceptional. And what a treat to be able to follow your thought process in approaching what the rest of us would see as an impossible repair.

 

[peteguy]

Epic repair Georged! The skill needed to pull this off is so undervalued today. :clap:

 

[georged]

Thanks for all the kind words, gents. :D
Glad you like seeing how the sausage gets made. Most people think repair work and pipe making overlap heavily, but they actually don't, and those who care about the process (as opposed to the result) are few and far between.
I get asked often why I don't make pipes since I like them so much and probably could, but physical limitations aside (I'm sensitive to briar dust and would have to build a hooded & vented overpre$$ure work$hop), the real answer is I find repair work more fulfilling and emotionally satisfying. Instead of creating potential new best friends, I get to work on already-treasured old best friends. And sometimes, like with this Dunhill, actually save their lives.
It doesn't get much better than that. Really. ::

 

[kcghost]

I think we all stand in awe of the work done on this pipe.

 

[sablebrush52]

George,
What you do doesn't border on sorcery, it goes far beyond it. Just astonishing work. Bravo!

 

[gtclark]

Holy cow...absolutely amazing.

 

[danielplainview]

Briar surgeon Georged M.D.
Outstanding save!

 

[peckinpahhombre]

I am just gobsmacked by the process and the result. I hereby vote that you should receive the title of Pipe Wizard to replace the appellation Senior Member.

 

[davet]

I hereby vote that you should receive the title of Pipe Wizard to replace the appellation Senior Member.

Agreed

 

[kcghost]

Maybe even Preferred Pipe Wizard!

 

[papipeguy]

As the lucky person who received Georges ministrations on the pipe I concur with the motion to upgrade his title here. His work on Grandpa's pipe deserves all of the accolades given here.

 

[graydawn]

Beautiful George. Just amazing. I appreciate your resurrection of old wood. Nothing smokes quite like old briar and to bring this old girl back to presentation mode is most pleasing.
Richard

 

[georged]

Since this thread seems to have stirred the rescue instinct in a number of you guys, here are a few more pics to answer some questions that came up over the phone this afternoon, as well as a look at the pipe before any work was done.
Snack food for the Dunhill Nomenclature Irregulars:

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Since the business end of the button & slot wasn't shown in the original pic set. (the older buttons were flat across, rather narrow, and the slot was taller than what became Dunhill's standard later):

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Here's the face of the shank (someone wanted to know if there was any trace left behind of the work):

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And here are the iPhone photos emailed to me when the project was first discussed. (As usual, I forgot to start taking pics until work was underway, and never shot the entire stummel. Note: since the stem was an obvious replacement it wasn't sent.)

 

[jkrug]

I am just gobsmacked by the process and the result. I hereby vote that you should receive the title of Pipe Wizard to replace the appellation Senior Member.

Indeed a fitting title!!
Remarkable work George. You turned it back into a gorgeous, or should the be Georgeous pipe. Well done. :clap:

 

[lonestar]

George if you weren't so egotistical, I'd congratulate you on a job well done :nana:

Seriously though, that is amazing work my friend !