I want to say first that i have been lurking around this site for about 5 years now, but never felt the need to become a member due to having nothing to contribute. I was finally inspired to order some supplies by a recent series of pipes designed by Greg Pease/Diapiazzo. Their nosewarmer bulldog, as well as some of the nosewarmers made by members of this forum are just what i was looking for in a pipe. Instead of paying for a factory pipe, i decided to sketch my own more chubby version of the Pease bulldog. The first stem i made was a black lucite saddle with smoke lucite inlay. looked like dogshit, so i reversed it and made a diamond shaped smoke lucite stem with black inlay. It looks better, but i should have tapered the stem, as it is now almost a full inch across the bit. I am aware of the flaws in materials, shaping, and finishing, as well as photography, but hey, im learning a lot. my tools were limited to needle files, sandpaper, a cordless drill, and a Japanese hand saw. I have other tools available in my garage, but its been roughly 20 degrees for the past few months, so i worked inside. Please forgive my rambling, and leave any comments that you feel might help me become a better maker. Also thanks to everyone on the forums, i have read a LOT of posts, and i honestly couldn't think of a question that i haven't already come across the answer for.
and now its terrible photo time
and for size reference
when i was putting the stem back on the stummel, i somehow chipped the topside of the face of the stummel. it is now even more ugly. also the contrast stain looked awful, so i sanded back down to just the black. now it has a slightly green tint.
![Image](http://i1137.photobucket.com/albums/n519/fuchi-jeg/pipes/P2160080.jpg)