Ebonite/vulcanite buy?

Frank · Post by **Frank** » Fri May 30, 2008 1:34 pm

Pencil me in for 3 of the 22mm rods.

Kurt, I'm not sure if you want to do this, but since many forum members only occasionally pop in here, a bulk email to all the forum members about this buy, might elicit more response.

Another thought. Since bowling balls are made from ebonite here in the States, has anyone thought of approaching one or more of the manufacturers with the idea of them making some rods? Could be a lot cheaper than having to periodically import.

hollywood · Post by **hollywood** » Fri May 30, 2008 7:37 pm

with the pricing; i can do 2 rods. maybe 3 if there is a slight break in price with the bulk order.

bscofield · Post by **bscofield** » Fri May 30, 2008 7:58 pm

Kurt - do you actually need numbers yet?

Post by **KurtHuhn** » Fri May 30, 2008 8:07 pm

bscofield wrote:Kurt - do you actually need numbers yet?

Not yet. I want to let this simmer a week or so in order to let everyone see it. When it looks like we can order, and I'll post an announcement. At that point, I'll let everyone know what the final price will be per rod including shipping, and work out the details from there.

sethile · Post by **sethile** » Fri May 30, 2008 9:39 pm

KurtHuhn wrote:What I do not yet know, is if that price will decrease at all if there's a larger sized order. I will ask, and let everyone know.

I don't think you'll find a discount on quantity (at least at this level), but if the total order is under 100 rods, you will be accessed a 25 Euro fee for a small order (not bad once you divide it out per rod). I think we will also see a significant shipping advantage to a group buy.

Depending on shipping etc.., I should be good for 2 rods of 24mm and and 4 rods of 22mm (both rough).

Post by **KurtHuhn** » Fri May 30, 2008 10:55 pm

Can I assume everyone wants rough? Smooth, at least for me, would be useless. I think we all, by now, know how to turn down rod and smooth it.

bscofield · Post by **bscofield** » Fri May 30, 2008 11:24 pm

Rough for me... I the price difference says it all for me.

Tano · Post by **Tano** » Fri May 30, 2008 11:29 pm

Hi Kurt please put me down for 6- 22mm rough. Thanks for volunteering to do this.
My only concern is that I might run into the same problem as Scott Thile had. I there any way this can be prevented?

sethile wrote:Hello All,
I've just run into another bad stave of ebonite from SEM. This one is just plain soft. Really soft... I cut a tenon and discovered it as I was trying to fit it to the stummel. Real spongy feeling--I could hardly even twist the stummel onto it with it chucked in the lathe. It acted like it was real hot, and I thought maybe it heated up a bunch from turning the tenon, but it acted the same when it had completely cooled down.... Then trying to clean up the tenon I noticed it won't take a shine at all. This is from 25mm rod.

The first bad rod I had was not soft like this one is, but also had problems taking a shine. It was 22mm rod, and I'd heard reports that others had issues with some of the early 22mm stuff. I guess that extends to some of the 25mm too.

Anyone else having these kinds of issues with the early production?

I assume they have all this worked out now. I'll see if I can get some replacements for these. I'm really hoping this is isolated, but have to think at least a few other bad staves are out there.

[/quote]

sethile · Post by **sethile** » Sat May 31, 2008 12:18 am

Tano wrote:.... My only concern is that I might run into the same problem as Scott Thile had. I there any way this can be prevented?....

The problems I had were from the first stock shipped to the US. I have not heard any reports of trouble from current production.

SEM is supplying Monte Blonc (high end pen makers now owned by Dunhill). I think we can be confident these issues have been resolved. I have yet to contact them about the bad material I received, but others that have received replacements...

TreverT · Post by **TreverT** » Sat May 31, 2008 8:36 am

Yeah, I haven't had any problems with the rod I've bought from them. The green sounds excellent! But I really wish they'd get their swirled rod problems worked out - I've been eager to get some black & green swirled since last summer.

Post by **KurtHuhn** » Sat May 31, 2008 9:35 am

I finally got the images up on my server (click on the links):

First is two pics of the traditional cumberland color - though it appears perhaps that it leans towards salmon rather than red in these photos. Could just be the lighting. The color is actually agreeable to me.
http://www.pipecrafter.com/images/sem_cumberland1.jpg
http://www.pipecrafter.com/images/sem_cumberland2.jpg

Next, the other colors in their swirled products under development. The green and yellow have got me all excited, and I can think of wonderful stuff to do with the blue as well. I really wish these were ready for production.
http://www.pipecrafter.com/images/sem_m ... staves.jpg

And finally, here's the images of the solid colored rods they're working. The yellow/gold is exceptionally cool looking, and the green has tons of possibilities. I like the color of blue that they've got, but I don't know if it would work on pipes. For pens it would be exceptional - I can see a custom blue ebonite pen with a gold fountain nib and clip. I suppose these might have been developed for Mont Blanc (see Trever's post above).
http://www.pipecrafter.com/images/sem_uni_colour.jpg

wdteipen · Post by **wdteipen** » Sat May 31, 2008 11:16 am

I'm good for 4 rods of 22 mm rough.

That cumberland looks awesome. I particularly like the blue and green. We going to get a bulk order together when that's available?

sethile · Post by **sethile** » Sat May 31, 2008 11:51 am

Thanks for posting the pics, Kurt, very interesting! Looks like SEM is making some progress on the Cumberland. I have a sample of it they sent me a couple of months ago that has the same exact Salmon color and larger swirls in real life.

It looks like SEM is trying to refine the Cumberland pattern in some of the newer pictures, but it's nothing like the finer more evenly distributed color the "other" German company achieves, which has a natural looking "grain" to it, almost like wood. I like that darker red color as well. The original Cumberland has always reminded me of rosewood or ebony.

Well, it's great to have options, and it certainly looks like SEM continues to show an interest in increasing our options, while also offering excellent Ebonite.

bscofield · Post by **bscofield** » Sat May 31, 2008 1:41 pm

sethile wrote:which has a natural looking "grain" to it, almost like wood. I like that darker red color as well. The original Cumberland has always reminded me of rosewood or ebony.

Ditto - I wouldn't be down with the salmon color. I like the darker red better, mostly because it's more subtle.

BD · Post by BD » Sat May 31, 2008 11:04 pm

I would be in for a few rods.

Thanks for starting this up Kurt!!

staffwalker · Post by **staffwalker** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 12:34 am

Kurt, I certainly want in on an order. bob gilbert

hazmat · Post by **hazmat** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:18 am

I'm good for 3 rods of the 22mm rough.

kkendall · Post by **kkendall** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 11:23 am

Are the cumberland (I hate calling it that!) prices the same as the black?

So far we have 13 meters here:

4 rods of 20mm
5 rods of 24mm
1 rod of 50mm

1 rod of 22mm cumberland
2 rods of 24mm cumberland

-Kim

woodreb · Post by **woodreb** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 7:19 am

Hello folks,
I'd be interested in getting in on the bulk buy.

5 rods 20 mm rough
5 rods 22 mm rough

Regards,
Randolph Ubben

rubbenpipes.com

dfurlano · Post by **dfurlano** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 10:33 am

We (select penmakers) have been waiting years for SEM to develop colors and have them available. They sent samples but every time we wanted to order rods the price and quantity kept going up until it was almost $10k for one color.

A fellow penmaker located in Germany told us the company was having difficulty and we shouldn't bother waiting.

This all transpired over a year ago so they may have finally started production. If so and you are looking to do a bulk buy I can get some people interested.

Dan

pipemakersforum.com

Ebonite/vulcanite buy?

ebonite/vulcanite buy