I used to prefer a smooth pipe. But now I seem to be smoking my rusticated pipes more. I really like the texture and hand feel of a rusticated pipe. Feels good on the fingers!
Rusticated or Smooth. What Do You Prefer?
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I like 'em all. Smooth shows the grain better. Sandblasted just looks good. Rusticated.. well they are rusticated.
While I can say that I have both rusticated and smooth, and I like all my pipes, I can also say that the preponderance of my collection is smooth.
I enjoy seeing the grain on the smooth pipes.
There are really good versions of smooth, blast, and rusticated, and finish is only one part of pipe. I have some pipes with bland or lesser finishes that are good for other reasons. A great smooth pipe with grain and great stain is visually vibrant; blasts have a lot of nuance and feel; and rustication done with some artistry is its own quality. And there are blah versions each too.
Depends on the pipe and the rustication. Some makers are good at rustication (Niel Monier, Brian Orton, etc) but some are terrible, like some Peterson's that look like they were done by an impatient 12-year-old with a dremel.
I like good rustication.
I like good rustication.
Most of my pipes are sandblasted or rusticated. In my opinion, they generally smoke cooler than a smooth finish.
I have both but do prefer smooth. Smooth shows the grain of the wood.
My wife used to be smooth, but now she's sort of rusticated.
Blasted or smooth. Too many rusticactions are unappealing. Some are.
I enjoy rusticated more then smooth. The smooth bowls just get too hot to suit me. Like others have mentioned, the rusticated bowls feel better in the hand and I agree with that.
Here's some good rustication:
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Brian Orton on Instagram: "Available All dremal work texturing. Briar bowl, Textured bamboo shank, Pearlescent green /black poly stem. #ortonpipes #artisanpipes #artisanpipemaker #briarpipes #briar #tobaccopipe #pipe #art #woodcarving #woodcarver
214 likes, 2 comments - orton_artisan on January 18, 2021: "Available All dremal work texturing. Briar bowl, Textured bamboo shank, Pearlescent green /black poly stem. #ortonpipes #artisanpipes #artisanpipemaker #briarpipes #briar #tobaccopipe #pipe #art #woodcarving #woodcarver #handmade...
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I like them all. I think smooth and sandblasted are very interesting for showing off the grain. A nice looking ring grain on a well executed blast is very interesting to me.
I have one of Tom Eltang's rusticated pipes to round out my collection from his. It was the latest addition, after a smooth and a sandblast. I wasn't entirely on board from the photos, but once in hand, I found it very beautiful. Pictures don't seem to capture his rustication style very well. He makes surprisingly delicate looking pipes that are very sturdy and the photos make them (especially the rusticated) look quite different than what you have in hand, from my experience.
The tactile feel of that pipe is amazing. So there's that quality as well, though I'd be very picky on which rusticated pipes I buy. Most are not very well done and many people here don't like Eltang's rustication style, so it seems to be a matter of preference as well that is maybe trickier to pin down than a smooth or blasted pipe which people more easily agree on, it seems.
I'd recommend getting a good example of each type, even if you don't particularly lean towards one of them. You may find yourself pleasantly surprised, as I did.
I have one of Tom Eltang's rusticated pipes to round out my collection from his. It was the latest addition, after a smooth and a sandblast. I wasn't entirely on board from the photos, but once in hand, I found it very beautiful. Pictures don't seem to capture his rustication style very well. He makes surprisingly delicate looking pipes that are very sturdy and the photos make them (especially the rusticated) look quite different than what you have in hand, from my experience.
The tactile feel of that pipe is amazing. So there's that quality as well, though I'd be very picky on which rusticated pipes I buy. Most are not very well done and many people here don't like Eltang's rustication style, so it seems to be a matter of preference as well that is maybe trickier to pin down than a smooth or blasted pipe which people more easily agree on, it seems.
I'd recommend getting a good example of each type, even if you don't particularly lean towards one of them. You may find yourself pleasantly surprised, as I did.
I really prefer sandblasted or rusticated. If you buy from a good maker, you get better value and i like the texture. Who does not like a Castello sea rock, old antiquari or a radice rind
I like smooth most, but also like a lot of sandblasts. Generally don’t like rusticated, unless it is done tastefully and artistically.
Only rusticated pipe I own - Sasieni Rusticated Viscount Lascelles from the family era ... where the artisan actually rusticated against the grain patterns to bring out the grain. Now that’s some effort!
Only rusticated pipe I own - Sasieni Rusticated Viscount Lascelles from the family era ... where the artisan actually rusticated against the grain patterns to bring out the grain. Now that’s some effort!