Bulldog with Bamboo

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 2:06 pm

Hi all. Here's my latest. The stem is handcut. I got the briar from Roland Schwarz in Germany. Good stuff too.

I'd love to hear any comments or critique that you all have to offer.

NJ

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 8:57 am

Whhaaat? Does it just suck so much no one can think of anything nice to say?

achduliebe · Post by **achduliebe** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 10:11 am

Sorry Nick, somehow I missed your post. In the first pic the stem looks like it has a sharp bend in it, but in the other pics it looks fine. Overall, to me, the pipe looks very good. Looks to have some nice grain. I like the shape of the bowl, although as a personal preference I would have made the ridge around the bowl a little sharper...but that is just me. Very nice.

mahaffy · Post by **mahaffy** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 8:45 pm

Ah, one of those instant gratification guys. . . . No, but really, the little thing that's supposed to say to one and all "NEW POST" just didn't show until you added your post script.
First two pix look a little washed out, but #3 is good and shows a nice stain job and a good fit at the shank. Strange how the bend in the top one looks so sharp. (The tin's reflection gives the appearance of a crack in the bamboo.) Nice job; looks to be a light and comfortable smoker. Is the bowl kinda deep to be called a bulldog? I don't know -- just asking.

bscofield · Post by **bscofield** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 1:10 am

Nick wrote:Whhaaat? Does it just suck so much no one can think of anything nice to say?

hehe... sorry. I had seen it on the run and wanted to say something but didn't have time. And then it didn't show up as a new post so it slipped my mind.

I like it alot. I think it's very original and flows really well. While slightly too large, I think the bulge in the stem works really well as a way to transition from the bamboo into the stem. The bowl shape looks like a winner to me. I think this is my favorite pipe that I've seen from you! How long'd it take to make?

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 8:25 am

Thanks guys. And yes John, I am totally one of those instant gratification kids. A child of the 80's all the way.

Bryan, I very much agree that I would have liked to have a sharper edge on the bowl. But darn thats hard! I totally can see now how a faceted pipe would be very difficult. Keeping this sharp edges is very difficult.

John, I think you have a point about the bowl. The more common bulldogs have a more squat bowl. However, I do have a few pipes in my collection that are taller like this one. GBD made a great bulldog with a taller bowl. The pictures were tricky. I don't have alot of expirience modifying digital pictures.

Thanks Ben! I really appriciate it. Looking at the stem, I can see your point. I wanted to mirror the bamboo's shape in the stem, but perhaps a smaller proportion would have worked better. Again, I was going for a sharper edge, but just couldn't get there.

Thanks again all. I appriciate your comments and critique. Any tips on how to get those sharp edges would be appriciated.

achduliebe · Post by **achduliebe** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 8:33 am

Hey Nick,

For me, getting a sharp edge like what I was talking about on your bulldog, is just lots of patience. And consistency along with keeping the piece moving, meaning not working on one area too long. When I am making something with a sharp edge that is going to be round, I try to get my arms and the file or sanding block in a very tight position. Then I spin the stummel using my hand and try to keep it very controlled. It is kind of hard to explain. I also do this with the sanding disk. In fact, that is the technique that I used on the blowfish, but really the name of the game is consistency and patience.

I know that sounds like a bunch of babbling. I wish I had a digital video recorder, the I could just show you what I am talking about.

Anyways, I hope this helps.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 2:15 pm

No, that helps. I think I get the idea. I was sanding much more up and down, which would have a natural tendance to round off the corner, where as side to side, especially with a rigid tool, would bring out that edge. I'd love to see the video if you ever get around to it though.

Btw, the blowfish is smoking great!

achduliebe · Post by **achduliebe** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 3:06 pm

Great Nick. I think my digital camera will film short digital movies. If it does and they come out half decent, I'll send one over.

I am glad to hear the blowfish is smoking good. I had five people send me emails this past weekend wanting to know if it was available and how much it was. I was floored.

bvartist · Post by **bvartist** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 6:38 pm

mahaffy wrote: Is the bowl kinda deep to be called a bulldog? I don't know -- just asking.

UH OH! The shape police are here! 8O

Nick, nice pipe! And I've seen taller bulldogs. Looks like it would be light and comfortable for a clencher like me. My only complaint, too much background clutter in the pics! Nice grain and very nice staining.

David

mahaffy · Post by **mahaffy** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 7:48 pm

mahaffy wrote: looks to be a light and comfortable smoker.

bvartist wrote: Looks like it would be light and comfortable

Gee, I guess maybe part of my post was acceptable. Do I have to go eat worms, now, or what?

bvartist · Post by **bvartist** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 8:06 pm

mahaffy wrote:
mahaffy wrote: looks to be a light and comfortable smoker.

bvartist wrote: Looks like it would be light and comfortable
Gee, I guess maybe part of my post was acceptable. Do I have to go eat worms, now, or what?

Nah! I'll let you off this time!

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 8:35 am

LOL!

*sings*

No body loves me
everybody hates me
I'm gonna eat some worms
big long fat ones
skinny little juicy ones
watch 'em as they squirm!

Hehehehehehe! I love that song.