Rusticated or Smooth. What Do You Prefer?

[DonutLuvr]

There are some great looking pipes out there that have a smooth finish. I mostly smoke away from home, so at work or on the road. Due to carrying pipes around away from the house, I prefer rusticated or sandblasted. It feels much easier to grip, and can easily hide any small dings that are bound to happen.

 

[lochinvar]

The preponderance of my pipes are sandblasted or rusticated, but I do have a few smooth pipes.

 

[Grangerous]

I enjoy seeing the grain on the smooth pipes.

THIS and I have to believe the Briar selected for rustification probably benefited from it. My billiards are beautifully grained.

 

[shermnatman]

I prefer the look of high-gloss, smooth pipes for my indoor smoking; but for out-of-doors smoking, I prefer sandblasted for the grip and ruggedness. - Sherm Natman

 

[Chasing Embers]

Rusticated or Smooth. What do you prefer?

Really not big on either, but I love ring blasts. Smooths have no tactile appeal, and rustication often looks like an afterthought.

 

[tschiraldi]

Smooth or sandblast. I don't like the look of most rusticated pipes. The exception being Castello Sea Rocks.

 

[Chasing Embers]

The exception being Castello Sea Rocks.

I guess Savinelli's Capri would be my exception.

 

[Jacob74]

 

[anotherbob]

I have to say I really like smooth just a tiny bit more then the others. I just like seeing the grain more easily. I also find smooth feels better in hand. And I don't mind a few dings here or there on a smooth pipe either. Though when I started I loved rustication so much more. Rustication and Sandblasts just don't grab my attention as much, though when they do it kind of sticks with me.

 

[burleybreath]

My preference is smooth with the patina that only years of use can give. There's just something about the look. Second is a good sandblast, like on old Dunhills, the only reason I'd spring for a Dunhill. Rustication that appeals is rare and, without looking, I don't think I own any . One of the things I dislike about having too many pipes is that the smooth ones never get a chance to patina-up, if that's a word. I'm not talking about abuse, but gentle wear over the years--kind of like a pistol that's been carried for decades.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

Sandblast.
A good blast is a better exhibition of the wood than a polished finish.
After that my priority is a high polish Natural finish, then Rustication, then painted smooth (no visible grain).

 

[B18]

I only a two rusticated pipes, as I am really picky about rusticated pipes.
The only two are a Eltang poker and Former apple. I currently haven't found any other artisan whose rustication appeals to me.

 

[Fiddlepiper]

I definitely think that smooth catches my eye more and the wood grain definitely has a more pleasing aesthetic.

however, as I don’t own a rusticated or sandblast yet I can’t comment on feel etc.
I have found/seen one that wows me and makes me want to immediately make it mine so far.

 

[JOHN72]

Rusticated and sandblasts,in dark browns.......................

 

[captainsousie]

All other things being equal, I much prefer smooth pipes. Usually all things are not equal so I have a mix of smooth, rusticated, sandblast and hybrid finishes. I have pipes I hate the look of but they smoke so well I can't bring myself to let them go. Alternately, I had pipes which looked beautiful but were kicked out of my collection ASAP because they smoked badly for me. It all comes down to a saying that Brad (@tbradsim1) wrote out a few times. "Good looks goes but a good cook stays."

 

[admin]

Lean towards smooth, but my collection is about 60/40 smooth / sandblast. A couple rusticated.

 

[seagullplayer]

If I liked the stem, the shape and the size I'm not sure texture would matter.

I have pipes of both texture, but I didn't buy any of them because of it.

 

[stokesdale]

I prefer smooth when I don't want rusticated and rusticated when I don't want smooth.

 

[JOHN72]

Prefiero liso cuando no quiero rusticado y rusticado cuando no quiero liso.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Somehow I have feeling blasted and rusticated pipes offer cooler (drier?) smoke,but this is only assumption. I'm not that much into rusticated pipes but can't deny, Castello Sea Rock rustication is pretty cool looking and well executed