Rusticated vs Sandblasted

[BingBong]

Rustic vs. Sandblast :: Pipe Smoking Basics & Beginner Questions - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/rustic-vs-sandblast.20558/

I feel that I'm none the wiser. Can we have a re-run of this emotive topic for infotainment purposes?

Is a Dunhill Shell briar sandblasted?

 

[Briarcutter]

Is a Dunhill Shell briar sandblasted?

IMO, yes the Dunhill shell is sandblasted. I guess you could call a sandblast a rustication in technical terms, the wood is roughed up or "rusticated" but in today accepted terms a rusticated pipe is different than a blasted piece. A rusticated finish is achieved by using many different hand tools to achieve a roughed finish whereas a sandblast is achieved by high pressure abrasives and the "roughing" follows the natural wood pattern. A rusticated piece does not follow the natural wood "graining".

 

[BingBong]

IMO, yes the Dunhill shell is sandblasted. I guess you could call a sandblast a rustication in technical terms, the wood is roughed up or "rusticated" but in today accepted terms a rusticated pipe is different than a blasted piece. A rusticated finish is achieved by using many different hand tools to achieve a roughed finish whereas a sandblast is achieved by high pressure abrasives and the "roughing" follows the natural wood pattern. A rusticated piece does not follow the natural wood "graining".

My Chacom reverse calabash here is, I assume, rusticated - but close inspection shows it quite sympathetic to the grain (in places*). Blasticated?

 

[Briarcutter]

View attachment 385071

My Chacom reverse calabash here is, I assume, rusticated - but close inspection shows it quite sympathetic to the grain (in places*). Blasticated?

Definitely rusticated and maybe a little work with a wire brush.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

For me, what runs at the heart of this matter is that sandblasted pipes retain the spirit of the grain, while rusticated pipes do not.
I've never looked at a rusticated pipe and thought, " What a great looking pipe!"
But that's just me..

I may enjoy a great sandblast more than its smooth counterpart- like 51% to 49%... but ask me tomorrow and it may be switched.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

View attachment 385071

My Chacom reverse calabash here is, I assume, rusticated - but close inspection shows it quite sympathetic to the grain (in places*). Blasticated?

There are plenty of stummel out there that are blasted first (to an extent) and then finished so to speak with rustication.
There are even those that are carved and then blast finished to give the appearance of a very special sandblast. These are easy to pick out because the ring grain will be unnaturely perfect. There are some pipe makers that specialize in this technique, and plenty of people enjoy it.

 

[InWithBothFeet]

I tend to like like rusticated and sandblasted over smooth because I can drop it and can't tell where it hit that rock (or the asphalt in the last case ).

 

[Briarcutter]

I tend to like like rusticated and sandblasted over smooth because I can drop it and can't tell where it hit that rock (or the asphalt in the last case ).

They certainly are more forgiving!

 

[tubbyninja1337]

I tend to like like rusticated and sandblasted over smooth because I can drop it and can't tell where it hit that rock (or the asphalt in the last case ).

I never truly appreciated the benefit of rustification until I dropped my first pipe last week and it proceeded to tumble and somersault across the garage floor about twenty feet away

 

[telescopes]

Both my Kristiansen and Gepetto have beautiful rustication - deep and skillfully made. In the hands of a skilled artisan - rustication can match any other finish. In the hands of a line worker, not so much.

 

[telescopes]

This oil cured Radice Rind has a decent rustication.
Notice the color tone change as you approach the surface peaks. The Castello Sea Rock of course holds it own with anything out there. As does Gepetto. And my favorite - Kristiansen.

 

[Sig]

For me, what runs at the heart of this matter is that sandblasted pipes retain the spirit of the grain, while rusticated pipes do not.
I've never looked at a rusticated pipe and thought, " What a great looking pipe!"
But that's just me..

I may enjoy a great sandblast more than its smooth counterpart- like 51% to 49%... but ask me tomorrow and it may be switched.

I agree, but with one exception.
For some reason I just love the look and feel of this bottom line GBD.
It's the only rusticated pipe I've ever REALLY liked. I have many great smoking rusticated pipes, but much prefer blasted and smooth.....in that order.

 

[dunnyboy]

Although rustication is generally used on briar that won't lend itself to attractive sandblasting or smooth polishing, it can be quite beautiful in its own right. For example, Castello Sea Rocks and rusticated Paolo Beckers require as much hand work as their blasts and smooths, and are very handsome.

Rusticated pipes with a black or brown under-stain and light brown or dark red raised areas are especially handsome. They have a pleasant hand-feel and, of course, smoke every bit as well as pipes with better grain.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Is a Dunhill Shell briar sandblasted?

Sandblasted but rarely on a good block. Occasionally they use one with really good ring grain.

 

[Briarcutter]

Although rustication is generally used on briar that won't lend itself to attractive sandblasting or smooth polishing, it can be quite beautiful in its own right. For example, Castello Sea Rocks and rusticated Paolo Beckers require as much hand work as their blasts and smooths, and are very handsome.

Rusticated pipes with a black or brown under-stain and light brown or dark red raised areas are especially handsome. They have a pleasant hand-feel and, of course, smoke every bit as well as pipes with better grain.View attachment 385432

Castello nailed it with the sea rock Great finish.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Castello nailed it with the sea rock Great finish.

Still looks coarse. Savinelli's Capri is a bit more refined.

 

[Briarcutter]

Still looks coarse. Savinelli's Capri is a bit more refined.

Sorry, that went right over your head.Few will catch my pun. IMO, it should look coarse and craggy.

 

[burleybreath]

Sorry, that went right over your head.Few will catch my pun. IMO, it should look coarse and craggy.

Alluding to the tool?

 

[Chasing Embers]

Sorry, that went right over your head.Few will catch my pun. IMO, it should look coarse and craggy.

Oh I got it, but the Sea Rock finish just looks too amateur.

 

[Brad H]

Oh I got it, but the Sea Rock finish just looks too amateur.

Those are fighting words……