Japanese Laquer?

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The Smoking Yeti
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Japanese Laquer?

Post by The Smoking Yeti »

So I was browsing smokingpipes.com, and I found the work of Smio Satou. In one of the descriptions I saw a mention of his finish technique being a form of Japanese Laquer- wtf is that stuff? Anyone know how it works or where to get it etc?
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sam a
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Re: Japanese Laquer?

Post by sam a »

its not a finishing techique... i think you are referring to their mention of the tsuishu that he uses, which is a multicolored inlay... kinda looks like thinly layered rainbow acrylic or something.
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KurtHuhn
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Re: Japanese Laquer?

Post by KurtHuhn »

Typically when "Japanese lacquer" is mentioned, they're talking about Urushi - a lacquer made from the toxic sap of Toxicodendron vernicifluum, a tree that grows in East Asia. Using it is, put bluntly, a monumental pain in the ass.

I have not seen what you mention, but if he's doing Urushi work on pipes, that is extremely impressive.
Kurt Huhn
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The Smoking Yeti
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Re: Japanese Laquer?

Post by The Smoking Yeti »

why is it such a pain?
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The Smoking Yeti
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Re: Japanese Laquer?

Post by The Smoking Yeti »

Oh, using a keyword you incidentally gave me, I found this http://store.hiromipaper.com/nikawacowskinglue.aspx is this potentially the "laquer you're thinking of?
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potholer
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Re: Japanese Laquer?

Post by potholer »

Japanese / chinese lacquers require extreme humidity to dry, generally a room with water running down the walls.
The urushi sap / lacquer can be coloured using natural mineral oxides, the colours must be applied in layers only after each application has dried
Not to mention that it is hideously expensive :shock:

try this for a start it is pens not pipes but is a good primer
http://www.stutler.cc/pens/wajima/

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dave
"Omne ignotum pro magnifico" - everything becomes common place by explanation :- sherlock holmes
The Smoking Yeti
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Re: Japanese Laquer?

Post by The Smoking Yeti »

Holy shit that's a pain!
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bregolad
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Re: Japanese Laquer?

Post by bregolad »

http://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/satou/history.cfm

I believe its very similar to the urushi laquer in the article about pens.
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