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HawkeyeLinus

Lifer
Oct 16, 2020
5,816
42,069
Iowa
Like all sorts of grain and didn’t really think I liked sandblast until I was mesmerized by some of the Rubio pics from @hoosierpipeguy and Rubio’s IG. So I got one and it’s really nice and I found out I like the feel just as much. Just picked up a bargain 90-100 year old estate with a unique sandblast I wouldn’t have thought about getting before. Like good craftsmanship!
 

troutface

Lifer
Oct 26, 2012
2,455
12,969
Colorado
More than half my pipes are blasted or rusticated, but I love a nice straight grain or good crosscut. What I hate is what I would call confused grain. Grain that is running haphazardly around the bowl with blobs of plain wood with no birdseye. I would imagine those blocks grade out very low. Straight grain reminds me of the perfection of nature and also the talent of the carver to have it harmonize with the bowl shape.
 

PipeIT

Lifer
Nov 14, 2020
5,140
30,424
Hawaii
Beautiful straight grain does nothing to make a pipe smoke better. It's kind of like a flawless diamond compared to one with flaws. The straight grain is worth more simply because of the law of supply and demand.
I’m all aboard this same boat, as I don’t really have disposable income to throw away, and I really love a great looking pipe, fancy grains and all, but it’s not always going to be a better smoker, than an inexpensive pipe. So this is always in the back of my mind when making pipe buying decisions.

A must read for every pipe lover who hasn’t read!

The Myth of Brand and Maker in Pipesmoking
By Dr. Fred Hanna, Ph.D



P.S. I just received my first Morta yesterday I ordered from Moretti, I’ll open on New Year, can’t wait to try it!
 
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