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A knife making friend of mine recently set up a small blasting rig and has been kind enough to let me use it. This is the first blasted pipe that I have finished so far. From all the research I've done around here, the compressor is probably a bit underpowered, and I'm certain that I didn't use the best mix of media (50/50 AO and glass bead). It's a pretty shallow blast, and hopefully the next one will have a bit more detail, but I think it will do the trick for small sandpits.
There were a couple things that didn't go my way but it was a good learning experience and there are some things that I probably won't do again. There are some pretty huge fissures on the left side of the pipe...sandblasting did not help these, and the faux ivory is part of the shank not the stem, even though it looks like a stem insert...I think next time I'll just make it a stem insert.
Isn't it fun when you think "Ah, I'll just blast this thing and these little flaws will blend right out." and you blast it and the thing opens right up and looks ten times worse? Whew! Good times!
Anyway I like the pipe quite a bit. I think the overall proportions are nice and the white band is a classy touch.
The bowl looks a little thicker on the front than the back, but the symmetry looks pretty good if I hide the bottom half of the bowl, so I don't know quite what to make of that, but I like the presentation - sort of an apple in offered up by an outstretched arm - nice overall flow in that regard.
To my eye, the shank might be better with just a bit more curve all the way along. I guess what I see is a bent stem, a rounded shape, and a very straight piece connecting them, and a subtle curve in the stem might relax things just a bit in that regard.
When you can't really tell if it's a shank extension or stem inlay, then I'd say you did a pretty job getting everything flush, well done. Sucks about the fissure on the left side. In that last pic it looks huge, though almost like it may be played up by a glare...not too sure. Personally, I would like to see the bend in the stem be a bit smoother. In the second pic it's flat more towards the rear bends in the middle and the levels back out towards the bit. However, it's not drastic or anything. Overall, I think it's a pretty classy looking pipe and the shallow blast suites it really well.
"No reserves, no retreats, no regrets"
"When you're dumb...you've got to be tough." - my dad
Wonderful job.
If you want more definition, in the future, turn down the pressure to around 60-80 psi, use your smaller nozzle, get very close to the pipe, while sweeping across the grain in a rapid motion. You don't want to go slow during this process since it will remove too much in one area. Keep the pistol moving. You will get more definition on the rings. The soft wood will be removed, keeping the rings.
Since the pipe was stained black, you could have done a fill. I bet Tad Johnston and Rod Davies fill all their blasts!!!!
Sas, the shank originally had the curve you suggested...it ended up getting flattened out by a series of mistakes that started with me getting stain on the faux ivory. I was a little disappointed with that. The back is thicker than the front. Because of the sweep of the heel/chamber angle I left more meat on the backside, ideally the next will be a little more even in that regard.
JMG, the fissure is as bad as it looks. It's a damn crevasse, is what it is. There is another one on the bottom closer to the shank that is almost as bad. It's great when one of the nicest grained blocks you work has the worst flaws you've ever seen, too. The stem issue you mention is probably because I thinned the button down after bending. After I was done shaping and bending, I felt the bit was still a bit thick, so I thinned it down, and it flattened out the stem a bit. I could probably try to re-bend and see if that helps.
Bruce, I'm lucky enough to own a really wonderfully blasted pipe you made, and it was my main point of reference when I started blasting, so I really appreciate the advice and compliment. Needless to say, my blast did not approach yours at all, but I know I still need to work out my technique, media, etc. I'll will try the setup you suggested next time I get out to the blaster. I didn't consider a fill, just because I've been convinced to stay away from them, but I guess if Rad and Todd do it... : ). My original plan was not to stain black, I did that to deemphasize the flaws...I figured I would share the horror with you fine folks, anyway.
Thanks for the feedback guys. It's quite helpful and very much appreciated.
Cool looking pipe. I like the high-contrast, Black & White. I noticed a lot of girls in Manhattan were looking very sylish in B&W last Spring. I guess it was the clothes? Even the shopping bags were B&W.
Your black stain finish is really good...looks very solid black and shiny, a lot like lacquer.
I can't seem to get a solid black stain job. In some areas it won't cover, and the grain shows through, so I end up sanding it back and using another color (hint-hint).
Mike, I find the same thing happens with black stain on smooth finished pipes. Blasted and rusticated pipes don't seem to have this issue and hold the stain better I also hit it with some thin cut shellac to set the stain and give it some shine. I buffed the blasted part with white diamond only, as tripoli often takes stain off the high points, which I wanted to avoid on this particular pipe.
Thanks Dixie! I haven't yet decided what to do with it because of the pits. I was hoping to use it as my first shot at trying to sell outside my circle of friends, but that's a no go. I'm open to suggestions on how to approach that, too.
I've yet to finish my first yet, so I'm no help in deciding what to do really. My only suggestion would be to try a trading post on here? That's what I'd do, but I'm not exactly the best at figuring things like this out.
Personally, if I had something to trade worth that pipe I'd offer it in a heartbeat.
I very much appreciate the compliment. I think this one is staying where I can keep an eye on it, though. I just can't feel good about those pits going out into the world with my name attached. Here's hoping the next one comes out right.
Thanks guys! Charl, I think you are right about the saddle. The faux ivory shank extension does kind of make the saddle look a little on the long side. Thanks for your input.
Nice looking pipe overall. The only thing I would have liked to see a bit different (and this is a mistake I made on a few early tomato/ball shaped pipes) is that the shank seems too straight. A slight upward curve would lend better to the overall flow with it being a very curvy shape.
It has a nice leathery old fashion look to it, I like it. I purposely finish a pipe with that look, if feels good to hold. For a deep ring blast use a smaller nozzle with a little extra pressure. Over all a nice pipe.
like it...