2014 BOTL Pipe of the Year

[Angry Bill]

I'm extremely glad for the community that this is going to happen. I would like nothing more to own one of these and place it in my lounge for display. Even though I don't pipe smoke! But how can I commit to a deposit when a base pipe has not even been chosen. Not sure if anyone else is in this "corner". But I'm sad to have to put down money on a collectible I'm not even sure I'd like to "collect".
Good luck gents on the design. I wish you all the best times smoking with these works of art.

I totally get where you are coming from J, paying a deposit on something that you don't know what the final outcome is might be a tough pill to swallow.

The reason behind it is for two purposes.

One being that we are already playing catch up on getting this pipe worked out. I need to order the appropriate materials to build the pipes that are chosen, as my main materials are sourced from Germany and Italy shipping takes some time, as well as the appropriate briar needs to be sorted and selected from where I am ordering it. With a build of this magnitude I do not feel comfortable fronting the expenses on the chance of getting burned. Nothing personal in the least, but many pipe maker will not start commissioning a piece until they have received payment in full. I am open to proceeding on the basis that a chunk of my costs have been accounted for.

The second reason is that we want the members who have been the most pro-active with the Anniversary Pipes to be the first to ensure they will be getting one. There is a possibility that not everyone wanting a pipe will be guaranteed one, this heavily depends on those interested and once again the time frame we have to produce enough to answer for the demand. The pipes will also be numbered in accordance to when they are made. This allows those that have been more engaged a chance at a lower production number or for that matter a number of there choosing.

Thanks for the explanation Cody. I have no problem putting up the deposit. But do see the fear that some have. As Clint said, we need to get the shape poll up sooner than later. Once we have the shape, then other characteristics of the pipe can be made, such as stem (lucite or vulcanite), bent, half bent or straight stem, color, sandblasted, rusticated, natural or smooth. But the basic shape is critical for Cody to know so he can order the proper size of briar from his sources,

 

[Deadman's Point]

Personally, I'll be good with a bent poker or cherrywood. If you guys move into a tomato or author, I'll bow out... but obviously I'll be watching with jealousy.

 

[CATom]

It's been a few days with many shape suggestions maybe we should put the poll up and get moving?
I'm also thinking subsequent polls on bend,finish,stem could follow pretty rapidly. there is less to discus about those things as there is a more finite amount of choices then shape.
Let's do this!

 

[Goalee1]

I"m not a pipe maker by any means but I'm sure we can at least get an idea as to shape, finish, stem shape and material before deposits are taken. Regardless of shape, briar will have to be ordered, so if we can get a quick poll like Tom mentioned, and narrow things down, we can get the deposits sent and things can get rolling. This way, if people have a certain dislike for the final pre-product decision, they can bow out as well as anyone who's on the bubble can be added as allows. G1

 

[cgraunke]

I'm glad people are anxious!
I was worried about making sure I allowed enough time to let everyone get their opinions in, but I guess after recent comments will just move ahead full force! All the poll suggestions are already part of the plan that has developed over the last couple days.
I'll be back to a computer after lunch. Opening polls then. Deposit info shortly after!
Thanks guys!

 

[Angry Bill]

I'm glad people are anxious!
I was worried about making sure I allowed enough time to let everyone get their opinions in, but I guess after recent comments will just move ahead full force! All the poll suggestions are already part of the plan that has developed over the last couple days.
I'll be back to a computer after lunch. Opening polls then. Deposit info shortly after!
Thanks guys!

Woohoo.

 

[cgraunke]

Polls are up for shape and finish!
2014 BOTL Pipe SHAPE POLL
2014 BOTL Pipe FINISH POLL
These will run for two days.
Don't miss your chance!

 

[Angry Bill]

Awesome. Thanks Clint. Voted on both

 

[DStan]

Thanks for the legwork. Voted!

 

[K Williams]

My votes are in.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk

 

[thedismaltrade]

Voted. Thanks

 

[cgraunke]

These are some snippets from my late night conversations w/ Cody that I really would have liked to have included at the time of posting the "BOTL Pipe - FINISH POLL", but just didn't have the time to put it together.
I just wanted to make sure that everyone knew he is not up-charging for beautiful grain like you would normally see in an artisan pipe, and I'd hate to think anyone voted not for what they really wanted but with the intent to try and save a buck. I don't want to bias anyone's opinion, but a lot of times I see rusticated pipes as hiding flaws, either in materials or workmanship. For anyone that is curious, Cody addresses this in the comments below.

Not every pipe will be a 100% copy of one another. Grain structure is different between blocks, some briar colors slightly different, if there is a blemish in the wood causing the pipe to be say 1/8 shorter then the one before it etc I will take those changes on a pipe to pipe basis. They will still all be made on the same platform and basis, they just run the risk of variance as to make the highest quality pipe I can. To me I see this as a positive as it negates getting a pipe with a pit in it if it was only made slightly to suite the block itself. This also ensures the guys will be getting a BOTL platform pipe but it will also be unique to them as no two pipes will be exactly identical.
Having said that any briar with large imperfections that will sacrifice quality or totally skew the pipes design will not be used.
The joy of handcrafted work in my eyes.

I would think most would want smooth but who knows.
Only problem with smooth is if there is a small little pit they will have to live with it. Where as blast or rust would hide it, but at the same time blast or rust you might lose some beautiful grain. Tough call.

Each briar block is going to be unique in its own right, regardless of grade you never know the final out come. Some pipes will come out with an amazing tight straight grain or a spectacular birds eye. Other times you will have a block that is better suited to a blast as the ring grain that lies within it will yield a very cool blast. However I can order and sort my briar to what I feel will cater to a sharper blast or overall better finish, you start to identify the characteristics with the more briar block you work with making your odds better out of the gates.
However briar always holds a large unkown, many times you will open up a small pit or small imperfection that can easily be removed if you are to only shape it slightly undersize, add a larger bowl bevel etc. These small changes can yield the difference between having a good pipe and having a great pipe, as in my eyes quality is in the smallest of details. You will see with many factory pipes where a run of pipes will be a carbon copy of the one before it, these pipes will very often have the pits and imperfections gouged out and filled with filler then stained and finished over top. I refuse to use filler and I will not leave an ugly imperfection in any one of my pipes if it is as simple as changing that pipes shank length, slight diameter..etc. I am to build the best pipe with what the wood will allow, this is why it is so important to start with the highest quality briar and what makes an artisan pipe unique in the craftsmanship that has been placed in ever pipe.

Will you be receiving a pipe built to the design and style of the chosen BOTL style and finish? Yes.
Will you be getting a carbon copy of the pipe before it or the pipe after it? Hell no...very similar but not identical.
Will you be receiving a pipe unique to you, finished to the highest quality possible from that individual block of briar? Hell ya!

*Having said that no blocks with any major flaws yielding a less then acceptable product will be sent out.

In reality a smooth pipe or a nice blasted is the best bang for there buck as I won't be raising the price point. Also a rusticated won't make much of a price difference at all as the price is already at a fair price point in my opinion for a commissioned piece

 

[Angry Bill]

I still stand by my choice of a partial blast, makes the grain pop

 

[SmokinNukie]

I voted for a smooth finish, however I would take a combination of smooth and blasted or rusticated. Either one would look great and really add to the custom effects of the pipe.

Can I have #007 of the pipes? Or is it too early to request the desired serial #?

Thanks!

 

[cgraunke]

Can I have #007 of the pipes? Or is it too early to request the desired serial #?

We'll start the deposit process tomorrow after the first two polls are done. Then it's first paid gets first numbers (or choice of number)

 

[cgraunke]

First two polls close in a matter of hours. If you haven't got your vote in yet, now's the time. These first two polls have the most impact!
Also, remember we will be opening up for deposits after these two polls are done.
Will likely put out the call right after I get home from work, around 5:30pm central time.

 

[Angry Bill]

I'm sure Eric might want the first choice of number for the BOTL pipe. Might ask him.

Looks like the polls are done, looks like a Poker was decided, although I'm not liking the smooth grain choice on a poker. Lol. Only 1 vote decided

 

[cgraunke]

I'm sure Eric might want the first choice of number for the BOTL pipe. Might ask him.

Already been addressed! 😆

 

[Angry Bill]

See I knew you were smarter than me, lol. Great job Clint.

Got my deposit ready to go.

 

[cgraunke]

See I knew you were smarter than me, lol. Great job Clint.

Got my deposit ready to go.

Excellent! This evening is going to be nuts! 👍😉