Show us your Michael Parks Pipes

[Ben.R.C]

I have commissioned my first pipe with M Parks, largely because of his fine collabs with Les Wood and I just love his Canadians. I’ve commissioned a large Canadian with him inspired by his sandblasted Canadians he did with Les Wood and some of his other beautiful work. I have to wait a year before he can begin, I’d love to see any of his pipes, especially those not currently in his site Gallery. Please let me know if this is the wrong place for this post!

TIA,
Ben

 

[Davy]

Parks is extremely talented. I have always wanted a pipe from him. Maybe one day? That would be nice.

 

[gervais]

Parks pipes are too rich for my blood!

Absolutely stunning work though.

 

[georged]

This isn't mine, but a repair I did many years ago (it needed a new & larger diameter mortise & tenon).

It's one of Michael's very first pipes. Meaning literally. Probably among the first ten or so he ever made.

(Hardcore collectors who focus on specific carvers love having a "full spread" of their work. It's like owning a bootleg recording of the Beatles playing at the Indra Club in Hamburg.)

 

[Ben.R.C]

This isn't mine, but a repair I did many years ago (it needed a new & larger diameter mortise & tenon).

It's one of Michael's very first pipes. Meaning literally. Probably among the first ten or so he ever made.

(Hardcore collectors who focus on specific carvers love having a "full spread" of their work. It's like owning a bootleg recording of the Beatles playing at the Indra Club in Hamburg.)


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That’s too cool, thanks for posting that’

 

[Rpink53]

Nothing to post yet but Michael said he will start my commission in June. That puts it at 14 Month Lead Time. I'm pumped. Details below:

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Would love to see the pipe when you get it. Mike did a long shank set for me sometime back, which I detailed here: Michael Parks - Project Longshanks :: Pipe Talk - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/michael-parks-project-longshanks.42269/

 

[kcghost]

Unfortunately, I sold my only Parks a few years ago. It was a six-and-a-half pipe with a half bent to it. Decent pipe but it was part of a club pipe order that Parks ended up changing the terms of sale on unilaterally. Shame he ended up showing that side of himself.

 

[Davy]

Parks pipes are too rich for my blood!

Absolutely stunning work though.

About 4 - 5 years ago, his starting point was $500. It was really pushing it for me (especially once converted to CAD) but I sat on it.
Nowadays he starts at $1,000. I could beat myself for not seizing the moment back then.

 

[AroEnglish]

Unfortunately, I sold my only Parks a few years ago. It was a six-and-a-half pipe with a half bent to it. Decent pipe but it was part of a club pipe order that Parks ended up changing the terms of sale on unilaterally. Shame he ended up showing that side of himself.

That's unfortunate. Was there an explanation as to why the change was made?

 

[Ben.R.C]

Unfortunately, I sold my only Parks a few years ago. It was a six-and-a-half pipe with a half bent to it. Decent pipe but it was part of a club pipe order that Parks ended up changing the terms of sale on unilaterally. Shame he ended up showing that side of himself.

Why did you get rid of it?

 

[kcghost]

I didn't like his integrity in business matters, and it was a little large for me.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I didn't like his integrity in business matters,

Stories like that are why I won't buy from him, Todd Johnson, or Grant Batson. Luckily I've never seen any pipes from the three that made me rethink that decision.

 

[Ben.R.C]

Stories like that are why I won't buy from him, Todd Johnson, or Grant Batson. Luckily I've never seen any pipes from the three that made me rethink that decision.

Todd mentored a lot of guys I like, I do like some of his shapes but never owned one. Never owned Batson or Parks either. I was close to getting a Parks a while ago. Just trying to gather information before deciding,

 

[AroEnglish]

Did your pipe get made, Ben?

 

[briarbuck]

I have one of his rusticated bent Rhodesians. Fabulous pipe.

 

[AroEnglish]

I have one of his rusticated bent Rhodesians. Fabulous pipe.

Can we take a peek?

 

[briarbuck]

Can we take a peek?

Exactly like this one. Never gets wet. Fine piece of engineering. I love really gnarly blasts and imho MP is right up there with the best.

 

[AroEnglish]

Exactly like this one. Never gets wet. Fine piece of engineering.

Yeah, that's not a bad looking pipe

 

[TheIronMonkey]

I bid on a Michael Parks pipe last month, but was the under bidder (half knowing I would lose, given what his pipes are selling for these days).