edit: now should this be blasted?

[Joe Hinkle Pipes]

Tried A dark contrast. Im really not happy with the way it turned out. It is much shinier and even in person. I didnt even notice that big streak on the shank from staining until now. thats embarrassing. Now off to the blaster?



Since I dont own a sandblaster and havent seen the process, I was hoping you guys could help me out with this pipe. Its A little over 7" long just for reference. Im waiting to go any farther with sanding untill I have decided one way or another. So what do you think?

[wisemanpipes]

id worry about your button first.

[Joe Hinkle Pipes]

#1 Evan, your opinion doesn't count because everyone already knows what you are going to say.
#2 I like the button that way. I did it on purpose and Its my artistic choice to have A big nasty button.

[E.L.Cooley]

I understand it good for dentures


Sent from my banana phone.

[wdteipen]

I'd probably stain it dark and see how it looks. If the speck bothered me too much I'd blast it. Looks like you'll get an exceptional blast out of it. So, your call: a mediocre smooth or an exceptional blast.

[wdteipen]

BTW, that's a really good looking pipe shape-wise.

[Joe Hinkle Pipes]

thanks for the replies guys. Wayne. I kind of thought the same thing. It would make an OK smooth, except for those 10 freckles. It does have some pretty nice ring grain so I will send it with a batch to be blasted.

[pipedreamer]

What wayne said is best approach.

[PremalChheda]

looking like a smooth to me, but you never know. A flaw can pop up at anytime.

[Joe Hinkle Pipes]

Damn. Now i'm conflicted.

[d.huber]

On one hand, you could blast it. On the other, you mightn't.

Hope this helps.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

[Joe Hinkle Pipes]

david suggests a partial sandblast? interesting. it has been noted.

[RadDavis]

Is there a reason you're only showing that one side?

Rad

[Joe Hinkle Pipes]

Rad. I only took two quick pictures. the other side has more sand pits, but they are all smaller. This was a huge block and i didnt see any crevices while turning it, nor do I see any in the chamber if that info is helpful.

[yachtexplorer]

My bias is toward smooth pipes. For me, a few black pinpoints are just fine. Now if they are black PITS then it is a no-brainer..blast away.

If the grain is otherwise beautiful with a few black spots, I prefer a dark contrast stain strategy to camouflage the dark spots. IF the grain is exceptional with a few dark spots I will even go without stain. Briar is a natural product. Make your work perfect and let the briar speak for itself whenever possible. Just my opinion here which is probably a minority one at that.

[Sasquatch]

Contrast stain, see what it looks like. If you hate it, then blast it. I'd try to save it as a smooth.

[Yak]

Leave it alone.

Call them "beauty marks" -- women do.

I'm looking at 3-4 tiny ones on a pipe I just got recently ; Bother factor = 0.

[Joe Hinkle Pipes]

Ok guys. Ill try a dark contrast stain first and see what happens. Only two hours to get it there from 180 grit.

[Frank]

Contrast stain, see what it looks like. If you hate it, then blast it. I'd try to save it as a smooth.

I Agree. It looks like it has nice grain, try a contrast.

[The Smoking Yeti]

Yeah, just practice your dark contrast stains- I'm guessing the black spots would be invisible.