What Type Of Blast Do You Prefer?

[sablebrush52]

Over time I've really become enamored of blasts and rustication. I like blasts that have a good amount of depth and detail. I'm also fond of ring grain blasts

I'd like to hear from others about what they look for in a blast, rustication, or combination thereof. TO start, here's a very early, circa 1940, Barling sandblast.

 

[pipestud]

Personally, I enjoy a ring grain blast on a pipe with natural or a very lightly stain. In fact, my collecting motif is natural sandblasts by American carvers.
Pipestud

 

[peter70]

A shallow blast usually does not appeal to me. The deeper, the better. Ring grain is great, but as it only comes out on nice wood, these pipes are usually out of my price range.
Kind regards,

Peter

 

[petes03]

I like them all, but ring grain is what really gets my attention!

 

[flakyjakey]

In order, but this may change with time:
- The 'pinstripe' blast (could be a passing fancy?) on my 'Chris Askwith' Mortas
- The deep blasting on my 1926 'Dunhill' shell
- The craggy rustication on my 'Les Wood'

 

[lqjones]

I love craggy pipes of all styles. Seriously love rugged looking custombilts/Tracy Mincers.

 

[lordofthepiperings]

My opinion is that Walt Cannoy does the best sandblasting in the biz.

 

[jkenp]

Remember the Laugh In line, "And now something completely different."
This is a GBD Granatan -- a mid grade pipe. They were blasted and then polished out.

 

[kashmir]

I love a blasted pipe. Preferably in black. Like the old Dunhill patent shells. I think Michael Parks is producing the best blasts out there.

 

[cigrmaster]

I like a really well defined ring grain blast, shallow blasts do nothing for me. I like black, tan, gold, mahogany best. I am also a big fan of many of the American artisans as they are doing a lot of the nicest blasting.
Here are a couple of examples.

Rad Davis



Bruce Weaver

 

[foggymountain]

I do not care about the appearance as much as the taste. With this in mind I prefer Dunhill Countys, and avoid black finished sandblasts.

 

[sallow]

A shallow blast usually does not appeal to me.

I like a craggy blast too, like this Benson & Hedges

But I do like the Stanwell Golden Danish Finish, which is pretty shallow usually.

 

[captainsousie]

Not terribly fond of blasts but I will take a nicely executed one whether shallow or deep.

 

[mso489]

I like medium depth blasts. Black can be first rate, but two of my favorites are lighter stains. With blasts I want

the bowl to be fairly thick. I don't like a rim that has a thin edge. It's not the particular pattern of the blast, but

the "look" and texture. It's particular to each pipe. I don't like really deep blasts or rustication, both because this

usually gives an odd unsettled look, and because I feel like it might not have good burning characteristics (likely

not true, but we all have our theories). I have a number of smooth pipes, but I think an equal number of rusticated

and blasts. I like surprising shapes in blasts; I have a Johs diplomat that comes across especially well with that finish,

black and accented with a walnut stained band.

 

[wcannoy]

My opinion is that Walt Cannoy does the best sandblasting in the biz.

lordofthepiperings, thank you sir, thank you. I am honored!

 

[tarak]

I don't own one, but the Rad Davis blasts are killer.

 

[piperl12]

Hmmmm I think a Rad Davis is in order for Christmas

 

[bigvan]

I think this Scott Thile blasted egg is probably the finest blast I own.

 

[mso489]

bigvan, agree, it's a heartbreaker.

 

[cigrmaster]

bigvan, that is a killer blast, I always love looking at that pipe when you post it. One of these days I am going to get another Thile I love the way my one Thile smokes. Here is a pic of my lone Thile.