blasted strawberry prince *edit*

[Joe Hinkle Pipes]

Refaced the shank and bent the stem 4 or 5 more times. I hope it is looking better.


Hey guys. Just finished inletting the stem face and polishing this pipe up. I received a strawberry wood prince from Steve Norse in the PITH trade this year and it has become my go to pipe, especially when in the car. Perfect length of smoke, sweetness from the strawberry burl, and lightweight. Anyway let me know what you guys think.The stem wasn't seated fully in one of the photos. I drilled the draft hole a little off center and I probably should have made the tenon 1/4" instead of 5/16" so it is offered low on the website. http://www.solomonpipes.com if you are interested in the dimensions and price. Let me know where I could have improved. thanks for looking!

[cmcclarney]

I definitely don't know enough to be able to give constructive criticism yet, but I will ask for my own benefit... Is the length of this shank typical of the prince shape? My gut reaction is that it seems a little long. Please don't hear that as a knock on the pipe, though! It looks beautiful and really well done! I'm being more curious than critical. (Also let me reiterate: I have absolutely zero idea what I'm talking about.)

[Joe Hinkle Pipes]

Its at the max as far as length. Probably 1/4" too long.

[cmcclarney]

It's got some really nice grain there at the end of the shank (especially in that first profile shot). So I can see what you'd keep it long.

[sandahlpipe]

Perhaps it's just lighting, but I think the stem has some unevenness in the bend. Also, it looks like there's a gap between stem and shank.

[JMG]

Perhaps it's just lighting, but I think the stem has some unevenness in the bend. Also, it looks like there's a gap between stem and shank.

What this guy said. Nice shaping on the stummel though and nice color.

[d.huber]

The stummel looks pretty good, but the bend in the stem and the gap really detract from the pipe.

[Joe Hinkle Pipes]

I am going to reface the shank after the glue up in my lathe is cured. I thought I had the gap closed. After you guys mentioned it i looked at it again. With the stem upside down there is still a gap on the stamp side of the shank. I'm tired of this shitty wood lathe. While i'm there I will bend the stem for the 7th or 8th time.

[sandahlpipe]

You'll probably be best off to close that gap by sanding the shank face on a flat surface very carefully. Next time, make sure you've got that all flush before you continue. As for bending the stem, make sure you've got it heated up evenly all the way down. But make sure you don't heat up the tenon. If you heat the tenon, your gap is probably going to get worse. Ask me how I know...

[The Smoking Yeti]

Ask me how I know...

I'm guessing you know because you don't use Delrin!

I second what has already been said. The stem's bend isn't quite even. When heating stems for bending, it's helpful to hear the thicker portion of the stem more than the thinner- it takes less heat to get the end to bend, much more to make the middle portion pliable. You need most of the stem length pliable to get a really nice bend.

I also notice some distortion right at the button/bite zone area which suggests over-buffing. Sanding more thoroughly with 1000 grit alleviates this issue for me. It definitely takes some extra work though.

[The Smoking Yeti]

Also, upon re-examining the photos, I think you may have actually taken too much material off on the back top half of the stem. Go figure- usually we don't take enough off our stems If you put a bit more material back on at that point, the top line of the shank would transition to the prince-bend smoothly.

[maxmil]

Nice Prince.
Best regards.
Félix

Bonita Prince.
Saludos.
Félix

[Joe Hinkle Pipes]

added new photos for those who are interested.

[sandahlpipe]

I think you got the bend better this time. Good job!

The stem does look a little funny, but I think the reason is that the shank is a little bit long. The straightness of the shank makes the bend in the stem look a little off. I wouldn't fiddle with it any more at this point.

Having said that, it's a really nice-looking pipe and quite reasonably priced on your website. Keep up the great work.

[d.huber]

IAWJ. Looks much better.

[Joe Hinkle Pipes]

I thought I posted a reply to this. Must have been drunk. I think the oddness of the bend is in the abruptness. If I had started the bend after the transition from the shank it may have looked better. Thabk you guys