This pipe was a commission. I saw the request for this one originally on another forum, but passed on it because he stated that he wanted a large pipe. I don't typically like to make large pipes. But, when he came to me directly and asked me to make it for him I decided to give it a go.
Initially he wanted this rusticated on the bottom like another pipe he had seen before. I was fine with that because I figured with half of it rusticated I had a better chance of finishing the pipe, meaning that for at least half of the pipe, pits didn't matter so much. Well, as I got sanding on this I could tell the grain was really good. This is where I had to pause. "Do I tell go ahead and just make it they way he wanted it, or do I give him the chance to have a much more 'valuable' pipe at the risk of producing a pipe that really didn't fit his vision?"
I chose the later. I let the customer know that what I was looking at was some amazing grain and that my opinion was that it should be left smooth. I also added that I'd be happy to complete the pipe either smooth or rusticated because my main goal was to make a pipe he was really happy with. He said that he appreciated my professional approach by letting him know, and said that he'd buy this one smooth and commission me to make him another that was rusticated
. So, it was worth asking.Take a look.
Brian.
