I realize this is my second thread in a few minutes, but I had to see what your takes on these are.
Nate King.
Steam Punk Pipes
Nate King.
Steam Punk Pipes
Steam Punk Pipes
- Thread starter lostandfound
- Start date
- Status
I think they are neat display pieces and great for cosplay but i wouldn't see this in my regular rotation, and i am a fan of steampunk stuff but they are a bit over the top for me.
I think they're a legitimate expression of the pipe maker's craft. Not my style; not mainstream; but a valid part of the culture.
:laughat: Listen to me -- making judgments on cultural validity! A late-middle age white male pipe smoker in the only time in the
history of mankind when those attributes are unfavorable!
:laughat: Listen to me -- making judgments on cultural validity! A late-middle age white male pipe smoker in the only time in the
history of mankind when those attributes are unfavorable!
While I appreciate the artwork involved, they are a bit garish and over the top to actually smoke on a regular basis. Not something I'd smoke.
I'm a closet steampunk fanatic yet I own very little that would fall into the category.
The brass. The handmade factor. The detail. I just really have it bad for it when I see a nice piece but just don't ever see myself ever using any of the stuff. On a side note: There are a couple different steampunk clubs here and I have built misc items for some of the members but usually its home furnishings or retro fitting modern internals into vintage items. I'm a avid tinker with a shop and just enough tools and space to get in trouble. Its always a fun diversion when someone gets a steampunk cravings in mind.
Back to the OPs topic and the pipe in particular. I like it, but at just over half a pound in weight I just don't think it would be even remotely comfortable. But looks nicely made. Kudos to the maker for the originality and follow through. Jmo of course.
The brass. The handmade factor. The detail. I just really have it bad for it when I see a nice piece but just don't ever see myself ever using any of the stuff. On a side note: There are a couple different steampunk clubs here and I have built misc items for some of the members but usually its home furnishings or retro fitting modern internals into vintage items. I'm a avid tinker with a shop and just enough tools and space to get in trouble. Its always a fun diversion when someone gets a steampunk cravings in mind.
Back to the OPs topic and the pipe in particular. I like it, but at just over half a pound in weight I just don't think it would be even remotely comfortable. But looks nicely made. Kudos to the maker for the originality and follow through. Jmo of course.
In the context of both Steampunk and the Tyrolean influence, they make sense as "table pipes" - you wouldn't want to try to clench them. I'm curious about the internal engineering, as the aesthetics only take one so far. There's been a backlash within the Steampunk community toward marketing people who simply "glue some gears on it and call it Steampunk" - but this came up last time someone carped about one of Nate King's pipes, and he's actually carving functional art pieces, which to my mind is the point of 'proper' Steampunk - props are fun, but to take it to the next level, the item should have some function (even if it's not the fictional function it purports to have).
And I have to say - I'm kind of digging the non-traditional materials.
And I have to say - I'm kind of digging the non-traditional materials.
Phred, you more eloquently nailed the proverbial brass rivet on the head. This is much more than a nutjob that dusted off his modified bedazzler and hot glued old watch gears to something. He's quiet committed and talented at pipe making. I too would be curious how it would actually perform.
And curious if it would have an "fixed internal anti inbibement module "....(let's see if anyone even gets the joke)
And curious if it would have an "fixed internal anti inbibement module "....(let's see if anyone even gets the joke)
Your first linked pipe was super tacky and not steam punk at all in my opinion. The second one was well done and beautiful, but definitely not my style, it was legit steam punk though. I think part of the problem is people think they can add a couple of nuts and bolts, and call it "steam punk," nothing could be further from the truth.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFCuE5rHbPA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFCuE5rHbPA
I have seen both of these pipes in person and they are very impressive. They have a very limited audience in terms of who would purchase them, though. Nate King makes fine traditional shaped pipes and I encourage you all to give them a gander. They are very nice.
Nate was a transmission specialist for Indy Cars for ten years, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, before he started working on planes. You can see the gear in the bowl of the second pipe. Me, I appreciate the art but don't like the pipes. I would LOVE, however, to have this Nate King spurless Cutty (apparently called a Belge, thank you Eric Squires). The Belge is my all-time favorite shape. The band is titanium.
A pipe maker that can make a classic like that Belge and a Steam Punk pipe as well has more talent than most. I'll stick to the classic shapes but this new category of steam punk is a welcome addition and another category to incite new puffers.
I do think those pipes are cool looking, but I honestly do not see how they could possibly be good smoking pipes. No way a pipe cleaner passes meaning you have to pull it apart if it starts gurgling which in my mind makes it a failure as a smoking instrument. I have a hard time with artisans who make pipes just for looks and not for smoking properties.
Guess I'll offer up my two cents.
A tobacco pipe is an instrument made for smoking. While it should be aesthetically appealing, or pleasing, it's main function is to allow one to smoke tobacco. It should do this to the best of it's ability, and should not impose any nuisances upon it's operator, if used properly. These pipes look like they'd be a hassle. A hassle to smoke, and a hassle to clean.
To me a pipe loses a great deal of it's total value if only seen as a piece of art. Sure, it can sell for $50,000, but if it isn't used then its nothing more than an object on a shelf. I could make a concession of sorts, if the sentimental value were equal to or greater than that of it's monetary value.
A tobacco pipe is an instrument made for smoking. While it should be aesthetically appealing, or pleasing, it's main function is to allow one to smoke tobacco. It should do this to the best of it's ability, and should not impose any nuisances upon it's operator, if used properly. These pipes look like they'd be a hassle. A hassle to smoke, and a hassle to clean.
To me a pipe loses a great deal of it's total value if only seen as a piece of art. Sure, it can sell for $50,000, but if it isn't used then its nothing more than an object on a shelf. I could make a concession of sorts, if the sentimental value were equal to or greater than that of it's monetary value.
I agree with lost. It bugs me when someone buys a gorgeous Ferrari and parks it in the garage to let it appreciate. Mu uncle used to say, 'You're only rich if you don't spend it', with which I heartily disagree. If you die with a million dollars in the bank, and I die with a million dollars worth of toys, who was rich?
In other words, pipes are made for looking and smoking, which is why I'd buy that Belge (and neither of the Steampunks, though I appreciate the artistry) in a heartbeat.
@peck: It's $400. Certainly not cheap, but if the wifey doesn't get too mad at your new convertible maybe you could bring it home.
In other words, pipes are made for looking and smoking, which is why I'd buy that Belge (and neither of the Steampunks, though I appreciate the artistry) in a heartbeat.
@peck: It's $400. Certainly not cheap, but if the wifey doesn't get too mad at your new convertible maybe you could bring it home.
- Status