Anthony, looking forward to seeing your work on whichever one is deemed most "problematic".
I'll get to fine tuning the button and bending the stem later [...]
I'll re-texture the 403, 191, and 185.
I'd love to see a thread on how you go about that, following your progress and results. I'm tempted to try on one of the two I got.
I do like the 191, but I have a slightly larger Johs bulldog that fills that niche.
No real issue, Anthony, just personal taste/aesthetics. The druaght on the stem is great but the 245 could use more bend to my eye and came with a blemish(pin hole divot) that was buffed over and glares at me. Also the button is a little amorphous/blobby on one side. Doesn't affect the smoke, just my ocd. No skin off my back for the price.What's your issue with the button, Alex? That's one thing that I was particularly impressed with on these pipes.
I'll add to your easy to follow instructions for rustication by emphasizing step 2, really hack at it full psycho style. Half finished rustication just looks bad.2.) Hack at that briar like a masked psycho in an 80s slasher flick
randelli, those are the same two I bought. The 86 looks great, though the 405 has a massive protruding fill.I just picked up an 86 to go with my 405