Didn't like the look. Thought the stem looked too big in diameter, so I reduced it a little. Not totally satisfied, but it looks better - IMHO... So THIS is the final:
Used 600 grit to "depeak" the rusticated area, then I used white diamond on the smooth area help take out most of the imperfections that were left. Then I stained the rusticated area tan. I plan on using a dark wax which should darken it up just a little.?.? Anyway, we'll see if waxing and buffing will change the hues on the pipe and, if so, how much... tomorrow...
Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.) is a dense, hard shrub wood native to the western United States. Its use in smoking pipes is niche compared to briar. Key points:
Density and hardness: Manzanita is very hard, resists denting, and has tight grain. Similar workability challenges as briar but often more brittle.
Heat resistance: Less fire-resistant than briar. Manzanita can char faster if not drilled correctly or if smoked hot. Requires thicker bowl walls.
Toxicity: Wood itself is not known to be toxic when cured and cleaned, but bark and green wood contain tannins and resins that must be removed. Pipes should only use fully seasoned, debarked, and well-cured wood.
Flavor: Some smokers report a mild, sweet note early on, but others find it imparts a harsher taste compared to briar. Break-in period is longer.
Durability: Susceptible to cracking if not cured properly. Tends to move with humidity shifts more than briar.
Result: Manzanita can be used for pipes if carefully selected, dried, and cured, but it is less stable and less heat-resistant than briar.
Sorry for the delayed response guys. It was a family weekend and I'm just now checking out the blog. Concerning your query @RockyMountainBriar I doubt that it is manzanita. I can see why you posed the question, but, before I cut back the shank, I noticed a very faint stamping. The beginning was "Kay" and then was faded out from that point. Based on that, I assume it was a Kaywoodie and to the best of my knowledge, they didn't use manzanita wood. But then, what do I know?.?.
@KA9FFJ I’m pretty sure Kaywoodie did use manzanita during the “war years”, as did WDC, also, Yello-Bole (a Kaywoodie 2nd), along with other US manufacturers as well. It was also called “Mission Briar” (I believe it was harvested in the Mission mountains of California).
I have a few WDC’s that are Manzanita burl and maybe a Kaywoodie and Yello-Bole or two as well? They are pretty much devoid of any grain, but they smoke🙂 These pipes are Manzanita. The bottom pipe, of three, originally had a similar “grain” pattern as the middle pipe before I refinished it (it was beat). The “grain” pattern is a finish technique. The middle pipe is a “Royal Demuth”, I believe all “Royal Demuth” WDC’s are Manzanita with a faux grain pattern. The top is a WDC Wellington, and the bottom (of the three) is a WDC Milano. I do not think all WDC Milano’s or Wellington’s are Manzanita however?
You guys really should feel sorry for me. Most would throw it away, but you know me. I decided to see if I could salvage it. Started by cutting off the top of the bowl.
Fitted a stem I had. Stained, polished, waxed, buffed, etc. Somebody might want it. If not, I'll probably give it away. Again, sometimes I think it's a curse not willing to see pipes die/thrown away... Here's the final.
Have this stummel with deep cracks. The one above the shank went through to the inside. I marked my rustication line and proceeded to fill the cracks. It took 3 applications before the cracks finally stayed level with the surface.
Comments
So THIS is the final:
Continues to impress….
You are amazing, Brother!
Then I stained the rusticated area tan.
I plan on using a dark wax which should darken it up just a little.?.?
Anyway, we'll see if waxing and buffing will change the hues on the pipe and, if so, how much... tomorrow...
Here's the final:
A healer of ailing stummels…..
I'm wondering if that last pipe is Manzanita wood? The grain looks like it might be, which, if it is, it's probably from the WWII years.
Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.) is a dense, hard shrub wood native to the western United States. Its use in smoking pipes is niche compared to briar. Key points:
Result: Manzanita can be used for pipes if carefully selected, dried, and cured, but it is less stable and less heat-resistant than briar.
Concerning your query @RockyMountainBriar I doubt that it is manzanita. I can see why you posed the question, but, before I cut back the shank, I noticed a very faint stamping. The beginning was "Kay" and then was faded out from that point. Based on that, I assume it was a Kaywoodie and to the best of my knowledge, they didn't use manzanita wood.
But then, what do I know?.?.
I’m pretty sure Kaywoodie did use manzanita during the “war years”, as did WDC, also, Yello-Bole (a Kaywoodie 2nd), along with other US manufacturers as well. It was also called “Mission Briar” (I believe it was harvested in the Mission mountains of California).
They are pretty much devoid of any grain, but they smoke🙂
These pipes are Manzanita.
The bottom pipe, of three, originally had a similar “grain” pattern as the middle pipe before I refinished it (it was beat). The “grain” pattern is a finish technique. The middle pipe is a “Royal Demuth”, I believe all “Royal Demuth” WDC’s are Manzanita with a faux grain pattern. The top is a WDC Wellington, and the bottom (of the three) is a WDC Milano. I do not think all WDC Milano’s or Wellington’s are Manzanita however?
It's like I always say, you're never to old to learn something new...
Tnx for all the info. Very interesting.
Started by cutting off the top of the bowl.
Somebody might want it. If not, I'll probably give it away.
Again, sometimes I think it's a curse not willing to see pipes die/thrown away...
Here's the final.
Remarkanle effort!
Nice work-over.
I’ll admit, as much as I like to save a pipe, I think I would have tossed that bowl in the fire.
It took 3 applications before the cracks finally stayed level with the surface.