Pipe #3 - olivewood apple

[Jthompson1995]

Here is my latest:

Olive wood apple
5 3/4" overall, 1 1/2" dia. bowl, 7/8" dia. chamber
1 7/8" tall bowl, 1 1/2" deep chamber
Hand cut acrylic stem, unknown wood stem ring.

I blew through the top of the stem when widening the airway but was able to cut 3/4" off and remake the button. I know I could have made a new stem but this one was already fit to the shanks pretty good. Next time I'll make the stem ring narrower.

I tried to focus on tightening up the shank/ bowl junction and defining the cheeks better. Not perfect but I think it came out pretty good. The dark stain on the front of the bowl I think is from the wax that was on the block of olive when I got it. It's kind of a shame as the figure is nice on this piece. Not sure if I can try to sell it like that.

Comments & critiques appreciated.

[Literaryworkshop]

That is gorgeous figure, and I think the shape worked out well. The ring wood looks a lot like purpleheart to me. If so, it will eventually fade to a dullish yellow, which will work pretty well with the olive as it darkens.

[The Smoking Yeti]

I say keep it and smoke it!

I think you did a lot really well on this pipe- good job man!

One thought is the accent ring- a good rule of thumb is make them thinner than they are tall. As is, it feels a bit clunky- I almost think this particular piece would benefit from no ring- or maybe just a super thin black ring to separate stem from stummel. As is, the design feels too busy on the color scheme.

However, good work overall, keep it up!

[pipedreamer]

I assume you were making up length with the ring? I too, would keep it and smoke to watch the color changes.

[Jthompson1995]

The ring wood looks a lot like purpleheart to me.

It's not Purple Heart for sure. I got it in a big box of cutoffs. Really neat grain to it but I don't think pipes are the best way to show it off.

Yeti, thanks for the advice. I agree it's too busy and the ring is way too wide. I'm still trying some things out to see how they work. I guess I'm trying too much to apply designs from making pens to making pipes. Pens are smaller and so can handle the intricate patterns/textures better. They just don't translate we'll into a pipe.

I assume you were making up length with the ring? I too, would keep it and smoke to watch the color changes.

No, the ring was there before I had to shorten the stem. Next time I'll skip the ring, just trying some things out and get some of the engineering figured out. I just found black ebonite too stark against the olive wood but he acrylic needed something between it and he wood as well. Apparently that ring was not quite right.

[e Markle]

One thought is the accent ring- a good rule of thumb is make them thinner than they are tall. As is, it feels a bit clunky- I almost think this particular piece would benefit from no ring- or maybe just a super thin black ring to separate stem from stummel. As is, the design feels too busy on the color scheme.

I agree with the Yeti. There's a bit too much going on for the accent.

I think you've done a good job on the shaping, and that's the heart of the issue. Are you using a metal lathe? The side profiles as seen from the front are a touch off, but if you're free-handing it, that's understandable.

[Jthompson1995]

One thought is the accent ring- a good rule of thumb is make them thinner than they are tall. As is, it feels a bit clunky- I almost think this particular piece would benefit from no ring- or maybe just a super thin black ring to separate stem from stummel. As is, the design feels too busy on the color scheme.

I agree with the Yeti. There's a bit too much going on for the accent.

I think you've done a good job on the shaping, and that's the heart of the issue. Are you using a metal lathe? The side profiles as seen from the front are a touch off, but if you're free-handing it, that's understandable.

I am drilling and turning as much as possible on my wood lathe. I put this block too deep into the chuck and could only turn the top 1/3 of the stummel without hitting the jaws. I'll remember to think about that on future pipes.

[maxmil]

Very pretty.
Best regards.
Félix

Muy bonita.
Saludos.
Félix