Small Dublin

[Jthompson1995]

Had a fairly productive day. This is the second pipe I was able to finish. A very lightweight 0.67 oz (19 grams). The shank cap is resin cast apple wood and is attached to the stummel with a delrin tenon that also serves as the mortise for the stem. Hand cut ebonite stem with integral tenon.

This is the first "shape first" pipe I've completed. I went shape first as it was from a small block that I couldn't square up and still make a pipe. It didn't come out as originally planned but I am pleased with the result. Definitely need more shape first practice.

Comments, opinions and critiques are welcome.

[PremalChheda]

Very nice finish and composition.

1. Stem is a bit too long. A shorter stem will look better proportionally, but it can also work with the length you have it at if you could have slimmed it a little.

2. More definition in the bowl/shank transitions. The bowl seems to meld into the shank and is caught between a dublin and a horn, where if you were to make more sharper definition the shape will really pop as a dublin.

[sandahlpipe]

In my opinion, the front of the bowl comes up just a little bit too high. I suspect that the rim is not perpendicular to the tobacco chamber. But to me, it doesn't look like you deviated from the norm on purpose.

[Jthompson1995]

Very nice finish and composition.

1. Stem is a bit too long. A shorter stem will look better proportionally, but it can also work with the length you have it at if you could have slimmed it a little.

2. More definition in the bowl/shank transitions. The bowl seems to meld into the shank and is caught between a dublin and a horn, where if you were to make more sharper definition the shape will really pop as a dublin.

Thanks Premal. The stem was actually one from a previous pipe it didn't work out on. It worked better here but still a little off I guess. I'm still trying to work out when to make a more defined bowl/shank transition and when it can/should be smoother like it did here.

In my opinion, the front of the bowl comes up just a little bit too high. I suspect that the rim is not perpendicular to the tobacco chamber. But to me, it doesn't look like you deviated from the norm on purpose.

Jeremiah, you are right that the rim is not perpendicular to the bowl. I did decide to do that but looking back at it maybe I should have made it perpendicular.

I was trying to add some visual movement to the pipe and not have it quite as rigid looking as a purely traditional Dublin (same reasoning for the less defined shank transition), maybe blending a bit with a Zulu/yachtsman. Maybe this one would have looked better if it had been more traditional instead.

Thanks again for the feedback. Due to some internal issues this one will stay with me. Good thing I like it, it's nice and light so I can clench easier when driving home from work.

[sandahlpipe]

When I'm deciding whether or not to make a deviation from the norm, I look at it as a system. If you modify one thing, modifying another thing helps balance it out. Moving the rim up upset the balance, and you should find something else to help restore the balance.

[Charl]

Resin cast apple wood? That sounds interesting!