3 and an ugly 4

[Griz]

been working on these this past week, polished them both yesterday between selling some of my tools and loading them, and as always, please tell me what I am doing wrong.










and ugly 4, this is made from cherry, it was more of an experiment than anything. I wanted to see how cherry would look, it has no grain and really diudnt turn to well. I have one more experiment to try and then I gotta get back to horn work. Shows start in Jan and I gotta get my stock built back up;

 

[eastcoast paul]

I wouldn't call the 4th ugly, just plain. The others have such beautiful grain structure that even a non pipe smoker would want some just to display and look at. Awsome work, i can just imangine the works of art the powder horns are.

 

[cigarblunk]

Both are very cool.... I dig both of them. Very nice and an awesome job

 

[SFerrojr]

Both are incredible. I am so envious of your talent. If I was hard pressed for critique, my own personal preference would be a more substantial bowl or smaller stem on #4. Just a slightly different proportion. That being said I'd kill for either one as is. When does the etsy store come online?

 

[Jmphotog]

They look great brother! Keep it up! I dig that your designing the outer bowl now I love that look

 

[Stogie_Bear]

I wouldn't call the 4th ugly, just plain. The others have such beautiful grain structure that even a non pipe smoker would want some just to display and look at.

Agree with this. All are great work though, brother. Keep it up man!

 

[plumber1965]

What everyone else has said. Love the pipes!!!! the cherry wood grain is just much more subtle than the briar. Great pieces Griz!!!!

 

[JustTroItIn]

The first one is a beaut. The second is definitely not ugly.

 

[TonyRome]

Im gonna have to agree with everyone else they are both pretty cool. 4 just has that everyday feel to it IMO

 

[Hoshneer]

Shit... They are all beautiful and any piper would be more than happy to have them in their collection.

 

[3/5King]

Ok I'll be critical for the sake of growth...but before I do, let me say that they are both crafted excellently. My criticism is going to come from an artistic point of view. Number 3 looks like it's meant to sit at a 45ish degree angle? You shoulda pictured it that way so we can see fully what you were going for because I really enjoy pipes with nice angles! I don't personally enjoy the color combination of cherry finish and the burnt orange swirl stem. I would also note that I find some of the "pop" in that beautiful grain lost in the dark cherry stain. I think a maple might allow for more pronunciation of the Birdseyeish pattern and might also compliment the burnt orange swirl stem a little more.

Number two looks well constructed but I get a feeling like two different concepts/styles walked around the corner of a building and bumped into one another when considering the shank and stem design combination. I do enjoy the accent at the top of the bowl head. The black stem matches this pipe although black stems match everything, lol it's tried and true.

You're doing a fantastic job though Griz, you have the skills and for first pipes, you are creating very nice pieces. I think your progression will happen quickly and will feel more comfortable with your own work once you get a few more under your belt. It's intimidating putting your work out there for the world to see and judge. People are assholes..lol well except on BOTL! This is an asshole free zone.....but we have a rasshat..

Keep it up Griz!

 

[Griz]

Thanks for all the posts guys, I do like the third one better go the two and the pictures don't do the colors justice. It's just a little something different for me to mess around with...... For now anyway.

 

[MoldMan]

#3 is a beaut. I'm going to take a leap on #4 and give my take on it as well. I think I see the direction you were headed in and I like the idea a lot. It looks to me that you modeled the shank after a rimmed rifle cartridge. Maybe a 30/40 Kraig or a 7.62 x 54. Anyway where the neck of the cartridge traditions into the bowl looks washed out. Try going with a smaller radius at this junction and make it as uniform as you can. The bowl looks to be straight sided but the base looks larger after the shank transition. And finally the finish takes away from the wood. I know you said it was plane Jane Cherry. I think a clear Polly hand rubbed finish sort of like a danish oil on a quality Gun stock would bring out some of the color in the wood.

 

[Griz]

I was never sure about a finish, didn't know if a poly or Danish oil.... What if it burnt with the baccy and gave a terrible taste... I always over think things sometimes.

 

[3/5King]

I was never sure about a finish, didn't know if a poly or Danish oil.... What if it burnt with the baccy and gave a terrible taste... I always over think things sometimes.

Yes that's a great point. Its good that you're cautious.

 

[WaRevo]

I love them both really. To be honest I like #4 better then #3. Maybe it was intended to be carved that way but it looks like on 3 there is a flat spot on the shank side. Almost like the block was cut short of the design. Other then that only other thing is the color of the briar and stem.

Great craftsmanship in all your pipes.

James

 

[MoldMan]

I was never sure about a finish, didn't know if a poly or Danish oil.... What if it burnt with the baccy and gave a terrible taste... I always over think things sometimes.

Maybe a water based finish? I was thinking along the lines of the process more than the material. ☺ Sort of a satin clear coat that an oil rubbed finish gives. How about butchers block oil? Or in the case of some of the unfinished Savinellie's (sp?)
Nose/skin oils. I started to over think it an forgot that the shine comes from buffing with carnauba wax. Just a wax finish would be cool as well. Some times I like really simple finishes on some woods. Either that or rusticate and use a black finish.

 

[Griz]

I was never sure about a finish, didn't know if a poly or Danish oil.... What if it burnt with the baccy and gave a terrible taste... I always over think things sometimes.

Maybe a water based finish? I was thinking along the lines of the process more than the material. ☺ Sort of a satin clear coat that an oil rubbed finish gives. How about butchers block oil? Or in the case of some of the unfinished Savinellie's (sp?)
Nose/skin oils. I started to over think it an forgot that the shine comes from buffing with carnauba wax. Just a wax finish would be cool as well. Some times I like really simple finishes on some woods. Either that or rusticate and use a black finish.

That's what I should have done and may still change it and rusticate it... Thinkin again..

 

[MoldMan]

Love your stem treatment though. The "V" you've turned looks sweet. Details like this are what sets it apart IMHO.

 

[Grrrrr609]

Playing around on the new forum site and it appears ive been missing alot on tapatalk.

Loving the work griz. Keep it up.