To bend or not to bend

[DocAitch]

I am working on a couple of plateau top Dublins and am getting into the fine sanding stage.
Both pipes have bowls that are either 90 degrees upright or perhaps A degree or so “back canted”.
I am inclined to give both stems a couple of millimeters (a 32nd bent ), but want to see what the members think.
I am applying some force to introduce a mm or two of bend


Also applying a bit of downward force to make a small bend

Thanks,
DocAitch

[LatakiaLover]

Just a smidge on the top one, because its departure angle will allow it.

The bottom one won't look exactly right, though, because it's dead straight and you didn't leave any extra material on the bottom. It will "kink" slightly and/or look "scooped" there no matter what you do.

[sandahlpipe]

I find with the longer straight shank, the bend at the stem doesn’t have an aesthetic function. It just doesn’t repeat anything else on the pipe. Perhaps if you did something to the bowl that would balance the bend in the stem, it may make more sense. Maybe there’s a practical function, like keeping the smoke out of your eyes when you’re lighting it.


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[DocAitch]

My concern is the real or perceived back cant of the bowel, especially the bottom.
DocAitch

[seamonster]

Is there enough wood at the chin of the bottom one? I think a slightly larger radius there might offset the perceived backward cant. Possibly tipping the angle of the front of the bowl a scootch.

That being said, I'm smoking a similar DocAitch Dublin that has just the slightest bend to the stem, and it's quite elegant.....

Jeremy.

Sent from my bloopty-bloop, using hooty-hoo.

[DocAitch]

Jeremy,
I am glad that you are enjoying that pipe.
Unfortunately, there is no extra wood in the chin of that second pipe.
The second photograph (4th over all) shows me applying a bit of force to produce a bend of the magnitude that I am considering.
I am still pondering, but leaning toward a tiny bend (sort of like a Prince but less)
Thanks for you compliment
Walt

[Sasquatch]

Straight pipe, straight stem is my rule. The only pipe I think looks any good at all with a curve is the Savinelli style bing and maybe a Prince, but as mentioned, that's a short shank/long stem presentation.

Don't compensate for a lack of cant by doing something ugly.

[LatakiaLover]

...by doing something ugly.

.

Says this guy, who owns that dog:

[Sasquatch]

SO?

[LatakiaLover]

SO?

Why, nothing, sir! Just thinking out loud, sir... And admiring that handsome dog!

You have a nice day, sir!

I think I'd better be leaving now, OK? [zips toward door]