YABA

[sandahlpipe]

Yet another billiard attempt.

Don't be shy about your critique. And you don't need to go easy on me. I should know better.

[wdteipen]

Shank dips on top and the stem is a bit long for "proper" proportions although I think the long stem looks good here. I really like the craggy blast. Looks like a chunk of asphalt or lava rock. I like it.

[JMG]

One of the critiques I had gotten on a recent billiard is that it was too cylindrical. That may apply here as well. Though it's a good looking pipe to be sure.

[sandahlpipe]

One of the critiques I had gotten on a recent billiard is that it was too cylindrical. That may apply here as well. Though it's a good looking pipe to be sure.

I think you're on to something, and really close to an issue that hasn't been stated yet. But cylindrical isn't the right thing. The clue is in answering the question: what makes it appear cylindrical from certain angles?

[Alden]

Left and right sides of the bowl are straight.

[sandahlpipe]

Left and right sides of the bowl are straight.

You got it, though the right side is flatter than the left. This, along with the top of the shank are due to novice blasting technique.

There's at least one more thing I know is wrong.

[baweaverpipes]

Shank dips on top and the stem is a bit long for "proper" proportions although I think the long stem looks good here. I really like the craggy blast. Looks like a chunk of asphalt or lava rock. I like it.

As for the dip, shit happens when blasting! Ever see what J.T. Cooke does with a shank?

[Ocelot55]

I think overall the pipe works, however if you were shooting for a classic billiard you missed the mark. I'd call this more of a stack. if the stem and bowl height were shortened and the bowl given a bit more contour it would be a billy for sure. Looks like a really nice pipe though. Good job.

[wdteipen]

Shank dips on top and the stem is a bit long for "proper" proportions although I think the long stem looks good here. I really like the craggy blast. Looks like a chunk of asphalt or lava rock. I like it.

As for the dip, shit happens when blasting! Ever see what J.T. Cooke does with a shank?

I know what you mean. I made a bulldog recently and blasted the taper off the shank. I didn't account for it.

[scotties22]

Your button is still too thin front to back. A couple of good maintenace buffings and it is going to dissapear. It could also be a touch taller. Look at the slot compaired to the botton height. It looks like there isn't even anything to get your teeth on. It also looks like the pipe might wag a bit when clenched because of the lack of button, so to speak.

I know I don't make my buttons and bite zones as small as others here, but they are George approved, FWIW, and I know that after 20 years of use they will still be there.

[sandahlpipe]

Your button is still too thin front to back. A couple of good maintenace buffings and it is going to dissapear. It could also be a touch taller. Look at the slot compaired to the botton height. It looks like there isn't even anything to get your teeth on. It also looks like the pipe might wag a bit when clenched because of the lack of button, so to speak.

I know I don't make my buttons and bite zones as small as others here, but they are George approved, FWIW, and I know that after 20 years of use they will still be there.

I have started making my buttons a bit larger. I made this stem originally a few months ago, so that's why it's still small.

And there won't be wag on it because the bite zone is flat and the button is curved. That combination allows for comfortable clenching in a variety of different positions. I've had wobble in stems before, but flattening the bite zone and curving the button solves that problem.

[Sasquatch]

As mentioned, an attractive and well made pipe, and sitting somewhere between a vertically walled pipe and a curved-walled pipe, and it's just a little uncomfortable because of that, but lots of people will look at the pipe and immediately want to buy it, so there is that too. Chasing these ideals is good practice, and when you nail it, you've learned some really good skills, and in the meantime, pipes like this are perfectly acceptable to a very large number of clients.

[Joe Hinkle Pipes]

The lack of "body" on the bowl is the most obvious to me. Also the stem looks like it gets larger at the button.

[The Smoking Yeti]

I think most everything has been covered already, but I would like to pick one little nit. I don't think the square stamping area looks right- especially when it's in the middle of the shank, and not say on the edge of the blast right by the stem. You might try adding some curved edges to your smooth stamping area?

[maxmil]

For me it is well elaborate and proportionate.
Best regards.
Félix

Para mí está bien elaborada y proporcionada.
Saludos.
Félix

[maxmil]

Does anyone know what the golden proportions of the various types of pipes ?. I would like to know.
Best regards.
Félix

¿Alguien conoce cuales son las proporciones aureas de los diversos tipos de pipas?. Me gustaría saberlas.
Saludos.
Félix

[sandahlpipe]

Joe:
You're right about the lack of body. I'm not sure what you're seeing on the stem, but I'm pretty certain that the stem is 100% straight from button to shank.

Yeti:
Thanks for the advice. Normally, I would make the area closer to the edge of the shank, but on this one, I reworked a pipe I had already stamped and needed to blast away the old stamp. The stamping area has slightly rounded areas, but I think you're right and more rounded corners would help.

Sas, I appreciate the comment. I often feel like tossing my work in the trash when it's like this. But what you say is right. A lot of people don't notice or care about flaws that we pipe makers strive to eliminate.

[PremalChheda]

Daba Doo!