This is the third pipe I made in the new shop. I wanted to make a Rhodesian and after drilling the block, I started shaping. The tool rest moved on me catching the corner of the block and almost pulling it from my jaws. (The ones I made, but they held fast and didn't kill me with a flying block of briar) Upon another look I saw that there was now a crack all the way across the block. I pulled on the two pieces and they came apart leaving what looked like Plateaux on the lower front of the bowl I was shaping. I decided not to toss it and go ahead and finish it, if for nothing more than the practice.
When I was done I found that the block would have had some nice flame grain down the sides and up the shank if not for the accident it may have made a really nice pipe. Of course as I shaped I also found lots of little flaws. But I wanted to stay with an idea that popped into my head when the piece broke off. So I left it smooth and called it "Jekylle and Hyde" My thinking, a great smooth finish with the really bad trying to come out with a wisp of smoke.
Here is what I came up with and as usual, the pipe looks better than the pictures portray. I really need to work on my photography skills.
When I was done I found that the block would have had some nice flame grain down the sides and up the shank if not for the accident it may have made a really nice pipe. Of course as I shaped I also found lots of little flaws. But I wanted to stay with an idea that popped into my head when the piece broke off. So I left it smooth and called it "Jekylle and Hyde" My thinking, a great smooth finish with the really bad trying to come out with a wisp of smoke.
Here is what I came up with and as usual, the pipe looks better than the pictures portray. I really need to work on my photography skills.