Etude #13, (Lucky 13 Perhaps...) Freehand Horn

[sethile]

Note: See my post bellow for pics of the revised version, with a thinner stem.
I think I finally understand the concept of letting the block have its way with the pipe it wants to become. Hit some nice grain on this one, and I think used it to some advantage with this shape. I had this little block on the bench for a long time before finally seeing the shape and position relative to the block. Once I saw it, it really seemed to come together for me. Some flaws and a few sand pits, but I was pleased with the overall result:



This is somewhat small as freehands go.The specs in inches are: Bowl height 2 by 1.315 wide side to side and 1.8 front to back at the top. The chamber diameter is .75 and it is 1.65 deep. The length is 6 inches overall. The stem is hand cut German ebonite with a Delrin tenon, and the inserts are padauk and ivory.





As usual, please let me know what you see that I can do better on the next efforts. I've learned a great deal through your very constructive critiques!
Note: See my post bellow for pics of the revised version, with a thinner stem.

[Nick]

Reeeaally nice buddy! That is a great looking pipe. The stem is a bit thick (for my tastes) near the shank, but otherwise you did a great job. I can't find much at all to critique about it.

[achduliebe]

Hey Scott,

That is one sweet looking pipe you have yourself there. I do agree with Nick though, the stem is a bit thick and tapers too late. I would start the tapering back close to the shank/stem junction and stretch it out...if that makes sense. Make it a more gradual taper. Otherwise you did awesome shaping it according to the graining.

Beautiful...I love the extension also.

[sethile]

Thanks guys!

Yes, wow, I see now the stem is definitely too thick. . I'd actually noticed it before too and reduced it some (believe it or not), just not enough. Bryan, you're exactly right about starting the taper just past the inserts (those are on the stem, not the stummel). In addition to reducing the stem to a more pleasing relationship, that would also create a nicer curve along the bottom axis between the stummel and stem too. Right now it looks too straight AGAIN! One of my peskier trademarks...

The viewing angle effects this greatly, which I think means the stem is also not as symmetrical as it should be. You can see that in the first pic it's not as bad as the rest of the pics, with the worst being the last two pics with the stem toward the camera.

I clearly need to view from different angles more often while fine tuning. And in general, I need to get braver about removing material. Had I trusted my instincts on this I think I would have been closser to the mark. I may have another go at the taper on the stem and buff it back up. I really like it otherwise. It's always a little hard to dive in once you get it "finished", but at least it's easier to remove material than add it!

Thanks for the help guys!

[sethile]

Ok, I've re-worked the stem, and I think it is greatly improved. I'll be interested in what you think. I'll try to post before and afters from similar angles:

Before

After

Left side After

Before

After

Before

After


Ok, you get the idea... Here are some more angles from the revised edition:



I feel much better with the revised stem. Thanks very much to Bryan and Nick for pointing out the obviuos to me! :dunno:

Still looking for any feedback I can get on this one. Thanks guys!

[ckr]

Very nice, re-done without being overdone, which is usually what I end up doing.

[Nick]

Better yes. Still, I don't think you're being agressive enough. To me, it could be a little slimmer.

[achduliebe]

Very nice Scott. I think it definately improved the lines. I think I agree with Nick that it could still stand a little more refining to slim down the stem, but that is a beautiful pipe even if you just load it up and start puffing away. I think you have already made a major improvement on the stem.

Exquisite pipe! Nuff said.