Blowfish carving

[Kirk Fitzgerald]

I really would like to try my hand at making some Blowfish pipes but for the life of me I can't get my head around how the bulge is carved into the side of the bowl.

Do you guys literally just use files to get the bulge working or is there some specialist tools used for it, I'd really appreciate some advice on this is that is at all possible please.

[baweaverpipes]

My suggestion, develop the skills to make classics.
Why try to make something that is beyond you skill set before you can make a standard shape?
It's like feeling you could drive Formula 1 right after learning to drive.

[Kirk Fitzgerald]

Thank you for your suggestion.

Advice on the blowfish is what I need all the same.

[sandahlpipe]

Tools don't make pipes. Use whatever you have on hand to remove material. A sanding disc is quick, and good files are very helpful.

If you're dead set on making a blowfish, just try it. It will most likely end up looking like a lollipop if your eye isn't developed yet. Then once you've gotten that out of your system, make a proper billiard. You'll learn everything you need to know about pipes by the time you can make a proper billiard. You may be surprised at how complicated a simple billiard is to make. But once you understand it, you should be able to shape just about anything.

[Kirk Fitzgerald]

Thanks for the helpful replies, I'm on my own then, be well and safe journeys.

[Ratimus]

I'm no expert, but try using bits of course sand paper for cancave surfaces. Smaller pieces can be better at defining and following curves.

[baweaverpipes]

It's done on the shaping wheel.
To be honest, if you can't grasp the technique conceptually, why try something beyond you skill set. Learn the basics. As Jeremiah suggests, learn to make a billiard before venturing out.
Just to make it easy, regarding a blowfish, think of a ribbon that goes around the bowl and shank. Shape from there, bringing the ribbon to an angle, then work from the edge to center. That's how one creates the bulge.

[Kirk Fitzgerald]

It's done on the shaping wheel.
To be honest, if you can't grasp the technique conceptually, why try something beyond you skill set. Learn the basics. As Jeremiah suggests, learn to make a billiard before venturing out.
Just to make it easy, regarding a blowfish, think of a ribbon that goes around the bowl and shank. Shape from there, bringing the ribbon to an angle, then work from the edge to center. That's how one creates the bulge.

I have made a few pipes, some of which have been Billiards, well, sort of if you can call the pipes I have made anything in particular, I have made around 60 pipes now but none of them have been especially good, it's very painful working with Briar for me due to my spinal injury but I love making them all the same.

I do love the classic shapes but I don't make pipes to make money you see, it is something I do to keep myself from going completely potty. Being trapped indoors all day due to disabilities and having no one to talk to other than SWMBO who can't stand being in the same room as me any more I truly need something to keep me occupied.

I love making the pipes I make but mine is more of a spiritual journey where I find comfort and pleasure from my journey. I do understand that many folk will find my stance an annoying one as I do not wish to continue making plain pipes. It just doesn't touch my heart or my soul when I make them, I love very much attempting to do something I haven't been able to do before, I just was hoping for some sound advice from you guys as you all know heaps more than I do.

I didn't mean my questions to offend any one, in truthfulness I found your replies a little hurtful Bruce, yes I have read all the comments some cruel folk like to make about don't go on the net if you can't take folk being unkind. I get confused easily and my feelings get hurt even more easily and it always makes me very sad at heart at such times but not being able to leave the house I am very short on places I can go to get help and advice, I did rather hope it would be safe to ask here without the fear of making myself look foolish.

I don't want my questions to ever annoy or upset any one and it seems to have upset you a little Bruce so I shall leave the subject now and be on my way. I do apologise for being a nuisance to you, I hope you will be able to forgive me in due course for offending you.

Be well and safe journeys.

[baweaverpipes]

I wasn't offended by your questions and didn't mean to be hurtful/cruel. Simple honesty shouldn't be construed as hurtful.
I believe I gave you the basics for starting a blowfish.
I've always been firm on one starting on their pipe making excursion with billiards.

[LatakiaLover]

Kirk ---

Bruce is trying to save you frustration, not cause it.

If you went to an ice skating rink and encountered an Olympic-class skater working out, then approached him and asked to be shown how a triple axel was done, what do you think he'd say if he knew you'd only been skating a few months?

This is like that.

Based on your description of your situation and state of mind, I'd say a good way to improve your skills and enjoy yourself at the same time would be to go off on a tangent from the traditional pipe making path, and take the "Micoli Route." Get a Dremel or Foredom rotary tool, a selection of bits for it, and just start cutting. Every pipe would tell a story, and every pipe would be a surprise:

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&sit ... bkCNS6GVoY

[Joe Hinkle Pipes]

Everyone is on a different path here. The billiard advice is offered to people that want to sharpen their skills, not to belittle or offend anyone. There are all kinds here, guys who make lower end pipes for fun and are completely ok with that, guys that know nothing about pipes but want to sell in the $1000 range next month , guys who have great talent but Don't have the desire to sell, and everything in between. Hearing your background helps to place your interest. I'm here if you have any other questions feel free to ask and I will give you any info I have.

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[PremalChheda]

I believe making a symmetrical shape will develop skills in sculpture much faster and better than starting with asymmetry. Once the skill is developed with symmetry, asymmetry can be made to look good from all angles. It is not often that someone can start with asymmetry and make it look good without mastering symmetry first.

[baweaverpipes]

I believe making a symmetrical shape will develop skills in sculpture much faster and better than starting with asymmetry. Once the skill is developed with symmetry, asymmetry can be made to look good from all angles. It is not often that someone can start with asymmetry and make it look good without mastering symmetry first.

RIGHT ON!

[Sasquatch]

I'll let you know once I've mastered symmetry!

[Kirk Fitzgerald]

Been thinking about what has been said here regarding the Billiard shape, whilst it is not a pipe shape I have any interest in making I thought I might look into giving it a try, see what comes of it, copying a traditional shape really grates me to be frank as I don't like copying anything or any one but I shall give it a try and see how it feels forcing myself to be conformist, I already know I'm not going to like doing it.

I have made light hearted variations of this shape but have never felt a desire to copy the shape formerly, this evening I have spent several hours looking at various sites studying this shape and something is troubling me, perhaps you learned folk can shed some light on the matter.

Just what 'exactly' is the Billiard shape, almost every single so-called billiard I have looked at is ever so slightly different, there doesn't seem to be any set shape from what I can see, what in your eyes should a Billiard look like. Some seem to have a bulge on the front of the bowl, some a bulge on the rear of the bowl, some have slight tapers top and bottom, some have almost perfectly straight walls. I am already suspecting the answer to this is going to be just as frustrating as my search this evening has proven to be but I am hoping the answer wont be "there is no specific shape" for this would just completely fry me noggin.

Something which does seem universal is a slightly elongated shank, now this is going to be impossible as I don't have any blocks long enough to do this so is it going to be wrong if I make a Billiard with a slightly shorter shank than seems to be the norm'!? Additionally I don't have any nice blocks either so the grain is going to be pants, I am hoping my attempts wont be judged on the quality of the Briar as I am experiencing some very strange and exceedingly frustrating problems sourcing Briar just now, all I have is low grade blocks at the moment, is this a problem!?

Oh and I don't have any decent smaller files to work stems with so I just use pre-formed stems which I re-shape slightly with each pipe I make, is this a problem, I hope very much not as without better files I'm stumped. Yes I know, I have been told many times by people with money to throw around that files aint that expensive, they are when every penny ya get ya grubby mitts on gets soaked up buying stuff for ya kids. I do hope to be able to afford better tools in time but for now I really do have to make do with what I've got here, makes me feel bad enough already so I really could use a bit of leeway there if that's cool.

[Joe Hinkle Pipes]

Once you identify what a billiard shape looks like you will see that there are subtle differences between billiards made in england, denmark, japan, and Italy. Some people have their own identifiable style as well. When we refer to a "standard" for the billiard it is usually the English shape. Look at older Dunhill as good examples. I will include a picture of a Dunhill with some geometric rings and angles marked out which will help with proportions. As far as the pre mold stems the stummel in your case will have to be made to the size of your stem. The stummel should be the same length as the stem when finished. And bowl height should be the same as shank length. Widest portion of the bowl should be around the point where the back of the bowl meets the top of the shank. Shank should slightly taper from bowl to stem.


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[Kirk Fitzgerald]

Joe, that is extremely helpful, thank you ever so much for taking the time to inform me so well, very much appreciated.

[PremalChheda]

Kirk,

Whether you make a billiard, apple, dublin, bent danish brandy, etc... does not matter. It is making a symmetrical shape that has guidelines that will allow you to learn how to use your tools properly to achieve a shape. A billiard is perfect for this lesson because it has some very strict guidelines compared to other shapes. There is a certain way to shape the bowl/shank juncture, keep the lines straight or slightly tapered on the sides, have a slight taper or drastic on the top or top/bottom of the shank etc... There are many lessons to be learned using your tools when making a billiard. That is why it is best to master the symmetrical shapes before venturing into asymmetry.

[sandahlpipe]

Whatever you do, don't leave material on the shank like the pipe in Joe's illustration. The shank/bowl junction needs to be crisp and defined. And I don't think that a taper on the shank is essential to the billiard shape. That's a stylistic thing.

As for billiard making, I know what you mean by having the billiard grate against your creativity. I was in the same spot before Chicago last year. When everyone told me to make billiards, I did and it helped. Then I made more billiards. I think I have now made about 15 billiards and two that I'm happy with the shape on. It takes a long time to master, but besides developing your skills directly, it gives you objective feedback, which you can't get on a freehand or blowfish. The objective feedback will make you a much better pipe maker in the long term.

For files, I use a set of narrow pillar files from Nicholson I paid like $8 each for. They work great. Also, a 3mm round file for the shank/bowl junction is really helpful. Stem blanks are fine for practice. You can get some good quality ones from what I hear from Steve Norse. Once you have mastered the shaping, hand cut stems are a definite improvement, especially when you go back to making freehand shapes.

I applaud you for deciding to take this step in your approach. It can be frustrating at times, but it's worth it in the long run.

[Joe Hinkle Pipes]

The picture illustrates the problem with trying to make a rounded contour on the back of the bowl. The white line shows the profile I typically go with.

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