What does it take to leave a forum?

I am proud to be a member of www.my-pipes.net – a grand, if not folksy online pipe forum.

It was started a few years ago from some folks that wanted something more from traditional pipe sites. What we have become is an extremely tolerant, self moderating site with members from all over the globe consisting of both men and women and people of all denominations.

The site offers insight, knowledge sharing and more than it’s share of humor.

We have had some long time, upstanding members leave our site over posts on religion and politics, and to be quite frank, they are sorely missed.

So I thought to myself, what does it take personally to get me to leave a forum that I’ve contributed to regularly and am considered ‘one of the crew’?

Maybe I’m extremely tough skinned, but I see each member as unique, and as long as they don’t intentionally attack other members, or post hurtful content, then I go with the flow and respect their rights to their opinions whether I agree or not.

Some folks follow some untraditional beliefs and values, but who am I to even make that determination? It’s my opinion. These folks have joined the site to share their love of pipes, tobacco and sometimes the comraderie of the forum.

Am I too shallow? Should I give enough of a shit on certain things to walk away if I find a member to be abrasive or making statements that go against my moral fiber? To each his own I guess.

I may be looking at this from the wrong side of moral ethics or allegiance to what I believe in. I certainly respect those that make a stand and decide to walk away. I just find it a shame when folks that I see as good friends walk away.

There – I got that off my chest and thanks for stopping by.

Timberwolf pipes 9-001 and 9-002

I had taken a break for a while from making pipes as I was getting frustrated with not providing a ‘perfect’ pipe. With the rudimentary tools that I’m using, I struggle with getting a seamless transition from shank to stem and am really struggling making my own stems.

Last week I decided to just focus on doing the best I can and the rest will come to me.

Timberwolf pipe 9-001 is a briar pipe with a cherry stain. The lesson learned on this one was to be patient and apply the stain, let it set, then sand, shellac, etc… I rushed it and you will see some light spots on the one side. The grain on this pipe is fantastic and I was able to work a little burl into the top of the chamber.

Timberwolf Pipe 9-002 is an Olivewood Billiard. I have seen, on other pipe sites, olivewood pipes and the grain just enamors me.

This pipe has a draft hole that is drilled just slightly off center, and a hairline crack on the top of the shank as I got a little too aggressive trying to get the stem tenon to fit, but it is glued back together and has an effortless draw.

The Olivewood pipes are stunning, but tend to smoke a little hotter than briar as they are not quite as dense.