A fun fact about this commission (my only 2nd commission ever and from the same maker for both) is that I almost always prefer a sandblasted pipe. I requested one for this mini calabash, but as Chris began making it, he said the grain was too nice for a blast and suggested for the same price to leave it smooth. I wasn't sure, but I listened to him figuring he knew best and well what can i say?
@motie2 Since I've never owned a pear wood pipe, I would only be commenting from opinion rather than personal experience. I can say that there are some real beauties displayed at the St. Louis pipe show, but as far as how they perform,...?
@motie2 Beautiful pipe. Wouldn't mind giving it a spin to see how it smoked. Anyone have long term experience with olive or pear wood? Maybe let us know how they cake, and hold up after extensive use...
@motie2 I've heard of pipes like this. Supposedly the bloated shank is actually an expanded air chamber for collecting resudue and allowing the smoke time to cool before entering the stem... Does it work?... I don't know...
And if I'm not mistaken, I think there is a pipemaker on YouTube shown making one similar in design... without the curved shape...
@motie2 tnx for the link. I forgot about that thread. I even forgot about that pear wood pipe from China I USED to have. Strange story. Two years ago I was smoking that pipe at the St. Louis pipe show, finished the bowl and set it down by me on my table. Guy comes along and wants to buy it. I tell him I just smoked the pipe, and that it is pear wood, not briar. He says he doesn't care, he likes how it looks, and offers me 20 bucks... I don't have that pipe anymore...
“Reverse Calabash” are pipes with the second chamber. I have an Al Pasciá Curvy #02, it works well and I love it. The little Dublin I made has a “Reverse Calabash” chamber in it as well, it also works and smokes well.
@motie2 Not for me, cumbersome and possibly fragile. Took a look at the site and all I can say is wow, some wild stuff, thanks.
This one caught my eye, not because it's something I would want (only if I had young children) but a lot of work went into all of the stuff on that site including this one.
I was wondering how you smoked it till I found the other views
Comments
Man, that is a beauty!
That pipe does not look all that mini to me, it looks just about right
Can't. Be. Done.
Might be your style pipe, All Hallows’ eve is coming 🎃
or carve your own: https://www.amazon.com/Tobacco-Pipe-Pear-Wood-Block/dp/B009SYZN1U
I can say that there are some real beauties displayed at the St. Louis pipe show, but as far as how they perform,...?
I've had my eye on a Carey olive wood, but it's out of my price range.....
Anyone have long term experience with olive or pear wood?
Maybe let us know how they cake, and hold up after extensive use...
Check out
https://forum.thispipelife.com/discussion/1238/any-horror-stories-concerning-pear-wood-or-alternative-wood-pipes
Does it work?... I don't know...
And if I'm not mistaken, I think there is a pipemaker on YouTube shown making one similar in design... without the curved shape...
Strange story. Two years ago I was smoking that pipe at the St. Louis pipe show, finished the bowl and set it down by me on my table. Guy comes along and wants to buy it. I tell him I just smoked the pipe, and that it is pear wood, not briar. He says he doesn't care, he likes how it looks, and offers me 20 bucks...
I don't have that pipe anymore...
https://www.alpascia.com/en/pipes-curvy