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.

Pipe refurb #2

I have recently completed refurbishing pipe #2 of  The Nasty Seven.  This pipe is an Olde London with a carved bowl.  My first opinion of this pipe is “that bugger is so ugly, I’m not sure I want to salvage it”.

It goes to show that anything you put work into earns a spot in your heart as it is one of my favorite smokers as it’s draw is effortless and it has a relatively deceiving large bowl.

A few ‘before’ pics:

Now the ‘after’ pics:

As you can see, I had to ream the bowl just a little bit bigger and had to take approximately 1/8th inch off the top of the bowl.

I like the looks of the top rim of the bowl as I sanded it down and just added carnuba wax with a buffing wheel.

This pipe has earned a spot in my daily lineup.

I learned a lot from this exercise. I learned not to judge any pipe by just it’s looks. Clean it up, fire up a smoke, and then make your decision. These pipes were in such tough shape as they were VERY well used – and for a reason – they are exceptional smokers!

My next entry will be my recovery of a meer-lined Whitehall straight apple that too has become a favorite smoker.

Thanks for stopping by.

Refurbishing some Estate Pipes (1 of 7)

The “Nasty Seven” as I call them were gifted to me from a friend from www.my-pipes.com. Being new to pipe crafting, I thought it a good idea to try my hand at refurbishing.

This gentleman obviously loved his pipes, but I’m quite sure a pipe cleaner or reamer was never sold within a hundred miles of his residence. I had my hands full as these pipes are heavily caked, the bowl rims are either coated in gunk, or severely cracked or chipped. The stems were very dirty and oxidized. Basically, “The Nasty Seven”…

Below are some of the pipes with “before” and “after” pics.
The first being a Dr. Grabow Westbrook pickaxe. The biggest flaw on this pipe was the large chunk missing from the upper bowl.

Well, after a lot of scraping, reaming, sanding, cleaning and some cussing, I present to you the new Grabow!

This is post (1) in a series of (7). I’m having fun with this trying to see I can do with these pipes.

Timberwolf Pipe 8-003

This is my third pipe. It is made of Osage Orange with a purpleheart shank extension. The stem is vulcanite hand made with a delrin tenon.

My goal as an established pipe crafter is to make classic shapes and make them flawlessly.

Right now I am experimenting with the wood medium and just going wherever the block or grain takes me.

This started out as a volcano of sorts, then morphed into a bent brandy – of sorts. This block was gifted to me by Chris Reynolds of RI. a.k.a “ckr” on www.my-pipes.com and “ckr” as well on www.pipemakersforum.com. Chris has become a good friend and mentor who is helping me get off my feet by gifting me supplies and sending advice and encouragement. Many thanks Chris!

Anyhow, I’m hooked and there is no going back! Your burden now on this site is to incessantly follow my path from a rank amateur pipe crafter to an establish artist of the briar.

Below are pics of Timberwolf Pipe 8-003. Thanks for looking.

The last picture is just to compare it in size to pipe 8-002.

Timberwolf Pipe #8-002

I have definitely caught the bug to make pipes and I’m having a ball!!

I have minimalist tools, but with the right attitude, and a little ingenuity, I can’t be stopped!!

The pipe below is a simple bent dublin nosewarmer made from Wild Cherry. A few blocks and stems gifted to me by Chris Reynolds – my resident mentor from Rhode Island. Many thanks to Chris for his support!

I drive 30 mins to and from work and I like to have a smaller pipe around for that kind of commute. I am looking for a basic “burley burner” that will keep the ole schnozz warm during the upcoming months.

         

Timberwolf Pipe #8-001

Finally a pipe that I can post!  I am extremely fired up and proud.  These pics are grainy at best as “Thumbs Timberwolf” dropped  the Nikon and the zoom lense is out for repair or replaced (hopefully “repair”…)

This is a PIMO chunk of briar.  Slight issue with the transition from the shank to stem, but I’m working on getting the proper tools.  Thanks for looking and am looking for honest critique.
     

Cautious

It is taking me way too long to build a pipe as of late.  I purchased a nice piece of briar from PIMO and I have been staring at it for weeks trying to figure out what shape will best fit the grain.  There is exposed burl on a portion of it and I kinda thought it would be neat to work that into the pipe.

Being cautious by nature, I am having a hard time diving into it and start making chips.  I really don’t want to screw it up.  Common sense tells me that I need to get started and it’ll all work out.  It’s only a $6 chunk or briar, but I  want an amazing pipe to emerge.

Cautious, or impatient perfectionist?  Maybe a little of both.

I have enlisted the help of a very talented pipe carver Chris Reynolds from www.my-pipes.com.  He is a very giving and helpful individual that I see as my mentor.  He has sent me a pipe that I finished and enjoy very much.  I am sure that by being a bug under his rug, I’ll get the information I need as well as the confidence to get this baby fired up.

I’m looking to get some experience under my belt as I signed up for a pipe ‘draw’ called Pipe In The Hat on www.pipemakersforum.com where a theme is agreed upon on the site and everyone that is participating makes a pipe with their creative rendition of the theme and then names are drawn and the pipes disbursed to the lucky or maybe not so lucky recipient.  Fun idea, just want to make a good showing.

Pics of the ‘caution’ pipe during its creation to follow – hopefully sooner than later.

Thanks for stopping by.

Bob Rivet

Making pipes!!

I have added a new tab to my blog as you will see “Timberwolf Pipes”. I just started with my first pipe and will document my progress on new pipes as well.

Thanks for looking.

A tribute to my son

On the grainy cell phone photographs that I show below, you will see that I have sketches on pipes that I would like to make once I have all the tools.

Whenever I’m at my desk in the basement (Timberwolfers Den =0)) and sketching, my 11 year old son Evan who is autistic, is by my side watching me sketch.  He is amazed at my drawing skills (he must be easily impressed) and states “I wish I could draw as good as you”. I have also attached a sketch of a shark that he drew freehand as a 4 year old. The kid has amazing skills. I told him that he is far advanced that I was at his age.

Anyhew, the first picture is a sketch he made of a pipe that he thought would be neat. Picture number two is my sketches. The one on the bottom is my rendition of this pipe.

Once I start making pipes, I will be refining this pipe and offering it up for sale. Should I sell any of this type of pipe, 50% of the proceeds will go to Autism Research. I want to put a lot of thought into naming this pipe to include his name and a reference to Autism research.

Thanks for reading.

www.autismspeaks.org

Will I EVER build a pipe?

Ever since a good friend of mine from MPC gave me a starter pipe that he had shaped the stem and bored the bowl so I could finish her up, I have been dreaming of building my own pipes.  The same gentlemen sent me one of his work as a “gift” and the beauty of this pipe has only fueled the flames!!

As you can see on previous posts, I am slowly getting my pipe making bench in order.  I have a buddy from work making a lathe for me (would have been quicker and cheaper to buy my own). 

I think what will get me started is to just go ahead and buy some chunks of briar!!  I know me – I won’t be able to let that briar just sit there without some sort of shaping assault!!

I guess my fear is that they won’t turn out looking like other folks.  You know, the grass is always greener…

I do believe that it may be the ugliest chunk of shaped briar ever, but the fact that I made it will okay.