Rustication Discussion

[Country Bladesmith]

I hate em'....and the fact that almost all of them are stained that ugly coal black color. Butt-ugly.

I don’t generally care for black stain either. I do really like the unfinished rusticated pipes I’ve seen, though.

 

[cshubhra]

Sasieni used to do a very unique rustication to bring out the grain pattern. Here is one sample.

 

[cshubhra]

Personally, if a rustication is artistic I would like it. If was done to hide a flaw, unless it is made beautiful, I would not like it. The Sasieni I posted above - It used to take a lot of eye and effort to rusticate following the grain pattern.

 

[elessar]

I really dig the more sandblast style of rusticstion like this one by Joe Case.

 

[Country Bladesmith]

I really dig the more sandblast style of rusticstion like this one by Joe Case.
View attachment 37252

Looks like the texture of an emu egg.

 

[mso489]

I am disheartened when I see a whole online page of all black rusticated or sandblast finishes with all black stems. Even when the finishes are well done, which in some cases they are, it gives the whole prospect a grim sameness. However, I do think there are handsome pipes done in that motif, sometimes by adding an embellishment like a band, as Johs does a part of the shank in stained briar as a band, or when a contrasting color is used for the stem, or simply with especially stylish shaping or even noticeable restraint and simplicity that gives the pipe emphasis. The all black motif is unusually durable and doesn't show scratches and nicks, if you are trucking around with a pipe. But I agree, the all-black motif requires some attention to picking up the overall design and appearance, one way or another.

 

[jpmcwjr]

The Meteora rustication is, well, hideous looking to these old eyes. And the series of bumpy or bubbly rustications I don't care for. Searock, yes, and a Savinelli Capri I have, nice.

Diff folks, diff strokes.

 

[daveinlax]

I have some magnificent Castello Epoca’s in the collection that IMO are some of the greatest rusticated pipes I’ve ever seen. ?

 

[docaitch]

I prefer a great sandblast with deep ring and ray definition, but there are some stummels that come from blocks cut from near the center of the burl or near the stem or root that have areas that have little or no figure- these neither stain well nor do they produce a satisfying pattern with sand blasting.
These can benefit from judiciously carved patterns followed by blasting.
Robert Telfer makes very striking swan necked billiards with amazing drilling that have this sort of finish.
I also like the random rustication like Don Carlos or Sean Reum do.
docaitch