Rustic vs. Sandblast

[4dotsasieni]

In pipe finishes, what's the difference between "rustic," or "rusticated," and "sandblast?" I used to consider them pretty much synonymous, but I see that there are some pretty fancy "rusticated" pipes available that are real works of art.
For instance, in the Peterson line, many pipes are described as "rustic," but I don't see any described as "sandblast" (except that, in their caralogue, they say that Premier System pipes are "Available in smooth or sandblast finish." And yet, my System "rustic" pipes are what I once thought of as sandblast.
Can you guide me through my confusion? :roll: Thanks.

 

[petergunn]

I love blast but won't own a rusticated pipe, I believe it's a carving process and sandblast is a finish.

 

[admin]

They are different. The similarity between the two is that they both have non-smooth surfaces on the bowl and shank, the wood part of the pipe.
Sandblasted pipes have the surface decorated by using a large machine. The pipe is held inside the machine by the pipe maker inserting his hands into protective gloves that are attached to holes in the wall of the large sandblast chamber.
He then uses a pen-like apparatus that shoots small particles, sand or other, which hit the wood at high-velocity.
A Rusticated pipe has it's surface decorated without the use of a machine. A hand-tool is used to dig out pieces of wood to create the design.
You can usually tell the difference as a Rusticated pipe will have larger cuts and typically be less intricate.

 

[ssjones]

Here's two examples:
Castello Sea Rock, one of the most celebrated rusticated finishes.

A Jimmy Craig Ashton blast

 

[petergunn]

I won't own a fully rusticated pipe but a little bit like this I'll accept.

 

[ohin3]

I've always considered "rustication" to be a general term that referred to any process that somehow altered the smooth briar finish adding texture to the briar. To me, sandblasting is a type of rustication. Sometimes rustication is used to hide flaws in briar and sometimes it is used for purely aesthetic reasons. I love a well done sandblasted pipe and I also love a well done textured rustication similar to Castello's rustication. I just like the feel of the rustication in the hand.

 

[bigvan]

"To me, sandblasting is a type of rustication."
Sandblasting and rustication are both types of ROUGH finishes, but sandblasting is absolutely NOT a subset of rustication. You're welcome to define terms however you like, Ohin, but among pipe makers, retailers and serious collectors their two different processes with different attributes and values.

 

[wayneteipen]

Yes, rusticated and sandblasted finishes are very different. A rusticated finish is one where the surface of the briar wood is textured by gouging or removing the wood with manual tools or sometimes with rotary tools. Rustication is typically performed with a disregard for the natural characteristics of the wood. A sandblasted finish is one where the surface of the briar wood is textured using a sandblaster that uses compressed air to forcefully propel or blast various media (sand, glass bead, walnut shell, etc.) at the wood. Sandblasting essentially erodes the wood at an accelerated rate. The goal is typically to blast with a particular media and pressure combination (among other techniques) that removes the softer wood between the natural growth rings of the briar. This creates the patterned grooves and ridges you typically see in a ring grain sandblast. The growth rings run perpendicular to the grain. A cross-grained sandblast will look different with the ridges running the opposite direction.

 

[dukdalf]

In addition to the above it might be worth mentioning that a good blast is considered more difficult to achieve than a rustication. It requires a good eye for the grain before starting and in the process, a very delicate touch.

 

[withnail]

One more point to add - I've read many times that a rusticated pipe will be cooler as there is a larger surface area. I can't say I've ever noticed a big difference, but I don't have the same pipe in the two finishes to carry out a more scientific test.
Any readers out there that do have the same make/model pipe in the two different t finishes who can comment more?

 

[numbersix]

I think it's best to see the difference in a photo, here's another two examples...
Sandblasts usually follow the grain of the briar.
Sandblasted:

Rusticated are rougher, more rustic.
Rusticated:

 

[wcannoy]

Ok, here goes...
While there are many people who regard sandblasting as a form of rustication (and rightly so, I must admit), most pipemakers, merchants and collectors regard them as two entirely different categories because of the process and results.
A sandblasted finish is exactly what you think it is. Just as a sandblaster is used in removal of rust and paint in metalworking and other applications, the same process is used on the pipe stummel as a method of creating a textured finish. As this textured finish creates a "rustic" appeal to the pipe, some consider it a form of "rustication".
Just as a textured surface can be created by sandblasting, it can also be created by using many various tools to carve, gouge and scrape at the wood to give it the "rustic" appearance. These textures carved out by tools is commonly accepted as "rustication". For the purpose of keeping everyone on the same page, I think it best to keep sandblasts and (carved) rustication in seperate categories, just as pipemakers and most merchants do!
Now, here's the most important difference:
Using a sandblasting method to create a texutre will highlight the natural grain of the pipe. This method requires a well grained piece of briar and the end result is entirely dependent on the grain. Sandblasting will not mask large flaws in the briar! Many collectors prefer a blast over a rustication for those reasons.
Now, just as one can carve a horse head, nude figure, Sherlock Holmes, or anything else into a piece of wood, so also can one carve an irregular, craggy pattern into the surface of briar. This is rustication. The rustication is not at all dependent on the grain of the pipe, it can be nicely applied to pipes with very poor, undefined grain. It is an artificial, man made texture. It's also very well suited for hiding large flaws in the wood.
So there you have it! Sandblasting turns the natural grain of the wood into a "3D" relief. Rustication is an entirely "faux" texture indepenent of the quality of the wood.
PS: A couple of interesting facts...
Sandblasting is never done with sand as this is very dangerous and harmful to the lungs! The most common media used to blast pipes is glass beads mixed with a small amount of various other abrasives. Just as sandpaper comes in different "grits", so does these glass beads, with different grits yielding different degrees of definition in the texture of the blast.
Rusticated textures are carved with anything from Dremel tool bits and wire wheels, to the traditional "group of sharpened nails on the end of a handle"
Does sandblasting remove the softer grain, or the harder grain? This question has been debated to death, but those with the most hands on experience with blasting will tell you that the harder, more brittle grain is blasted away much quicker than the softer grain of which the media just bounces off. I can tell you that I am 100% sure that the harder grain is removed during blasting. No doubt.

 

[petergunn]

Now, just as one can carve a horse head, nude figure, Sherlock Holmes, or anything else into a piece of wood, so also can one carve an irregular, craggy pattern into the surface of briar. This is rustication.

+1 to me there are only two finishes sandblast and smooth. A carved pipe is a carved pipe and the only issue is does carving accentuate the overall shape or is it used for other purposes.

 

[allan]

Thank you all for the excellent explanations

 

[lordofthepiperings]

Great explanations.

 

[4dotsasieni]

Thanks, everybody, for all the great info. :worship:

 

[acme]

wcannoy, I was really rooting for you at the start. Seems as though you were speaking more to the point.

Both rustication and blasting are carving processes.

Rustication hides grain.

Blasting Enhances grain.

You can really see it in the numbersix's set of images. The top one really shows the harder winter half of the annual rings and the rays stand out.
That is as far as I can go with you.
I use playground sand when I blast. You are correct that the dust from sandblasting is bad for you, but all blasting media is bad for you. That is why you have to ventilate and wear breathing protection.

Second, the particals of media are all fractured, and cut the softer grain more than the hard.

You can enhance the process by using a very focused stream, but I would be surprised if you could cut more hard than soft grain.
anthony

 

[bentmike]

Great concise posts added to this thread. It's been said many times but I'll say it again. Stuff like this is what makes Pipesmagazine such a wonderful resource. Nice job folks!

Now, here's the most important difference:
Using a sandblasting method to create a texutre will highlight the natural grain of the pipe. This method requires a well grained piece of briar and the end result is entirely dependent on the grain. Sandblasting will not mask large flaws in the briar! Many collectors prefer a blast over a rustication for those reasons.

The last four pipes I've bought have all been blasts. I am becoming a huge fan. I don't own any "rusticated" pipes. They just don't do it for me. I like to see nice grain on a smooth polished briar or appreciate the texture of nice grain brought out by the sandblast process.

 

[wayneteipen]

Walt lost me there too, Anthony. It just doesn't make logical sense to me that blasting would remove the hard wood as opposed to the soft.

 

[wcannoy]

Second, the particals of media are all fractured, and cut the softer grain more than the hard.

You can enhance the process by using a very focused stream, but I would be surprised if you could cut more hard than soft grain.

That news is really going to dissappoint all the folks who use thin rubber sheets to mask glass when they blast it.
I know it's counterintuitive, but after watching, with my own eyes, the harder grain being blasted away quicker than the softer grain, I no longer wish to participate in this centuries old debate.

I use playground sand when I blast. You are correct that the dust from sandblasting is bad for you, but all blasting media is bad for you. That is why you have to ventilate and wear breathing protection.

Please don't use sand anymore. Do it for yourself.
"Because of the high risk for silicosis in sandblasters and the difficulty in controlling exposures, the use of crystalline silica for blast cleaning operations was prohibited in Great Britain in 1950 [Factories Act 1949] and in other European countries in 1966 [ILO 1972]. In 1974, NIOSH recommended that silica sand (or other substances containing more than 1% free silica) be prohibited as abrasive blasting material and that less hazardous materials be used in blasting operations [NIOSH 1974b]."

Preventing Silicosis and Deaths From Sandblasting - CDC, NIOSH Publications and Products