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Finished up this sandblasted half bent poker with antler shank ring today despite it having a flaw in the tobacco chamber. The flaw is large but shallow. I don't believe it will cause any problems once a little cake is built up. Regardless this one is staying in my collection. Let me know what you think.



Here's the flaw:


There's also a couple aesthetic flaws on the left side of the bowl that you can see in this picture:

Oh, and for what it's worth, I think the antler band is too thick, the stem is slightly too long as well as the saddle. The bowl shaping is slightly off from the shank but I didn't get too meticulous since I knew this one wasn't going to sell. I didn't want to spend more time on it than I had to to get it finished.

Hi Wayne,

I agree about the stem being slightly too long... very nice pipe, though.
Nice shape and great blast - what a pity you got that bad flaw inside the bowl.

Best regards, Jens

I like the band - stem's a 1/2" long, yeah.

Too bad about that flaw. What a drag - at least you found it when you drilled, and not right before waxing.

That's stunning! I hope to be producing pipes like that someday. Very, very attractive pipe. Just curious. I tried doing an antler extension once but the antler (being very porous) got very dirty from the vulcanite dust. Is there a trick to avoiding this? Thanks.

I've only used antler from two different sources. The antler I got from Woodcraft didn't turn well at all and was porous. The antler used on these pipes is old and I assume has hardened. It turned to a smooth, shiney finish from the start and was very easy to work with. The only other thing I can think of is that the Woodcraft piece was larger and from the base of the antler and perhaps I was into the marrow. Maybe finding a piece where you won't be turning into the core would help. I'm no expert on it. This stuff is just real nice.

That makes sense. I have a huge set of antlers so I guess I'll find out sooner or later. Thanks.

wdteipen wrote:Oh, and for what it's worth, I think the antler band is too thick, the stem is slightly too long as well as the saddle. The bowl shaping is slightly off from the shank but I didn't get too meticulous since I knew this one wasn't going to sell. I didn't want to spend more time on it than I had to to get it finished.

nice pipe - your comments stand IMHO...

Hey, guys, I know I do not post here that often as my post count shows, but I thought I throw a couple of things out there just for general consideration.

Let me start by saying that it never ceases to amaze me the designs and work that you all put out. Most of these works are just stunnning!

I live and work in the firearms industry. Between that and my time in the US Army Infantry, I have been at this for nearly 30 years. Pipe collecting has always been a hobby of mine going back to my teens. I just stepped in and out of it for a time, and these last couple of years I have been drawn back into it - and all the more. My hobby (who some might call obsession) has grown into a small business of sorts and I'm always look to learn more and grow intellectually when it comes to pipes and tobacco. Which brings me to these points:

!. This Teipen Half Bent Poker is an exquisite piece. Yes he admits in a humble self deprecating way that this should have been different, and that would look better if... I understand. As an artist you have a vision of what the finished product should be, and then when it does not meet that grand, perfect expectation, you feel like the work has fallen short. All I can offer is one man's humble hobby opinion, but I like it just the way it is! It is in and of itself a work of art that requires nothing more than the person viewing it to appreciate it for what the finished product actually is, rather than wishing or hoping it were something else to be drawn into its 'differences' or unique idiosyncrasies to truly enjoy this pipe for what it is. Awesome.
2. Seldom do we see the artisan him/herself be 100% satisfied with the work. Meaning, we are all going to have different ideas of what is right or wrong about a pipe based on our own opinions, likes and dislikes. Yes, there are 'forms' or 'models' of pipes that have an industry 'standard' if you will from which to judge. But for the most part, I like the pipes are are 'like' a model or type, but have slight differences that make them unique. On the other hand, these same differences might drive the next guy crazy!

All in all, it is just fin to come here and see what's new, and (for the most part ) get civil opinions.
Thanks for the fellowship ya'll.