Sharing My Excitement!

[kenbarnes]

Here are a couple of photos showing the first eight blocks that I have cut on my old bench saw and prepared ready for turning yesterday. The grain on these blocks will become tighter after they are turned. When I cut plateau blocks, I do not to cut the block on the grain, I cut it just off the grain so that when they are turned to the shape required the grain appears - hopefully. Does that make sense? These blocks are so white and clean and lovely to work with.

Hopefully, when the Dublin on the bottom row – third one along is turned, it will become a real stunner, right up there in the XX or Charatan Achievement level – we will see. Sometimes, it isn’t to be and that is one of the challenges of pipe-making.

 

[aquadoc]

Looking good. That Dublin and the 2nd one on the top row both look to be stunners. Wish I had your skills.

 

[wyfbane]

Wow, Ken. Those blocks are amazing! I cannot wait to see update photos of those. I hope they turn out perfectly for you!

 

[sablebrush52]

Hi Ken,
I can't begin to express how thrilled i am to see you cutting and shaping once again. I'm very happy to see the master at work. Please keep the images coming as you go through the process of making these pipes! This is exciting!

 

[jvnshr]

Believe me or not I am also thrilled and excited to see the results. Thanks for sharing it with us.

 

[tschiraldi]

A true master at work! Happy to have you back in the game!

 

[cortezattic]

Thanks for having the forethought to post those pix! As Jesse said, it will be exciting to see these blocks come to life, through future progress reports. Great thread! :clap:

 

[ssjones]

I'll definitely stay tuned for updates!

 

[carver]

very interested to see how they turn out, these blocks look very promising. Keep the photos coming

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Nice shapes. Did I understand you right, when you write that these will have the plateau left on them? I have become a fanatic for the plateau on the rim.

 

[tbradsim1]

Ken are those to keep or they are going on the Market. Glad to hear an Old Master is back at it, watch the fingers. ::

 

[agnosticpipe]

Very nice looking briar! Thanks for posting this and will look forward to seeing more!

 

[jpmcwjr]

Excellent news! Glad for you, Ken, and happy for the rest of us who'll get to watch those babies being born.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

Super cool. I'm always on the lookout for a smaller group 2ish Upshall... but no luck just yet.

Looking forward to seeing how these stummels turn out.

 

[fitzy]

Wow looking good Ken.
I can't wait to see how they progress.

 

[saltedplug]

I know nothing about cutting and shaping but believe I see much promise at this point.

 

[kenbarnes]

Thank you all for your inspiring feedback.

It was on this forum 2 years ago when tarheel1 posted a topic 'James Upshall- a discussion' and when I replied to it I felt very welcome and the excitement started from there.

Yes, what I could do is to take these 8 pieces through the processes and take photos of each main stage of their journeys.

That would be fun for me.

 

[pitchfork]

This IS exciting! Can't wait to see what becomes of these blocks.

 

[tslex]

I really enjoy these process posts from talented guys, showing the steps along the way. I'm tagging this post so I can watch for updates.
Agreed that you have some amazing first steps there. That large bent apple in the top row is going to be amazing -- well unless it isn't. (That is something I admire about pipe carvers, and potters like my wife. You have not only the skill to make these amazing things, but the temperament to accept that there is a lot of serendipity at play, and things may not work out as you plan, despite all your efforts.)

 

[londonmake]

Ken, thanks for sharing and I'm excited by your new venture back into pipes!

Lovely blocks beginning to become lovely pipes I hope.