I forgot to mention that I also purchased 4 stummels at the pipe show for 10 bucks! I'm starting off by showing you 3 of the 4... I'll be looking forward to cleaning and generally refurbishing them before stemming...
Thought about making a putter out of it, but changed my mind...😏 The wall of the mortise is also huge and has very little wall to work with on the bottom...
So I have turned a shank extension that should relieve any undo pressure from the stem... Had this super-wide stem for a long time, and now I think I have found a use for it... Anyway, I'll take my time and hopefully wind up with a functioning conversational piece... 🙄 Time will tell...
I decided to smoke the first bowl after refurbishing this old WDC Wellington today. It’s been sitting in a rack ready to go for many years. I had to make a cork mortise seal when I refinished it. The stem sat way too deep when I got it. It was well smoked, and pretty well cared for. It has the original (fake P-Lip) Bakelite stem. I believe the pipe to be fashioned out of domestic Manzanita/Mission briar by the grain pattern…..or lack thereof. Which means it was probably made during the WWII years when Mediterranean briar was not available.
I hauled out another pipe I refurbished years ago but have yet to smoke. It’s a RATOS Select Old Briar Handmade in France. It was smoked very lightly before I became it’s conservator. It has the strangest inner bowl treatment I have seen. It has several deep gouges, they are factory, because I have seen them in other RATOS pipe pictures. It has a well in the mortise like a Peterson System, but it has a weird stem insert, I guess it serves the same purpose as the “chimney” in a Pete Deluxe System? The stem is partially lined with an aluminum tube as well. We’ll see how it smokes today😉
First, I don't care for the rod color I used. I may wind up turning another one. Second, the stem was too stubby for the overall look of the pipe. I decided to lighten up the stain of the stummel while taking care of tiny scratches...
Then put a bend on the stem to fit the pipe. That's where I am for now. I know I'll use the stem, so I'll get it all polished up. Again, I will probably change the extension color, so for now, I won't be permanently attaching it to the stummel... It's nice to do a fun(ny) project now and then...😁
If it were me, I think I would machine the extension as a reverse calabash and fix it to the stem flush…but that’s me🙂. Looking forward to what you do with it.
@RockyMountainBriar Yes, my thoughts went in that direction as well. However, at the extreme angle for the opening of the mortise, I couldn't turn that. It would have to be cut to match the angle, then belt sand and file to fit leaving that Calabash look. Quite an undertaking, but if successful, I would agree it would aesthetically be much better...
@RockyMountainBriar I might add that's not to say I won't try it. It's an excellent idea. It's just all the extra work for a "fun" project. We'll see, but I like how you think...
Comments
https://rnatreasures.com/collections/price-per-pound
-Aged Italian Briar Wood Stummels
- 1 lbs Select Specific style of stems
-Practice Stummels
-Random drilled Stummels
Use Promo Code: RNAPOUND get 30% OFF
Until Feb 20th
I'm starting off by showing you 3 of the 4...
I'll be looking forward to cleaning and generally refurbishing them before stemming...
It's HUGE! 😬
The wall of the mortise is also huge and has very little wall to work with on the bottom...
Had this super-wide stem for a long time, and now I think I have found a use for it...
Anyway, I'll take my time and hopefully wind up with a functioning conversational piece... 🙄 Time will tell...
You are absolutely correct. The shank extension I turned fits PERFECTLY in the chamber... Good eye...
I’m not sure it would be considered a pocket pipe….unless maybe you were an Andre The Giant type🙂
What's the material of your stem?
Bakelite
It looks like it needs a neck strap, like those used on Saxophones.
It’s Bakelite, here is a picture that shows what it looks like a bit better. It looks closer to real amber than the first picture suggests.
This blend has hints of raspberries and mangoes, but not overpowering at all...
😬
@RockyMountainBriar
Love that classic shape that NEVER goes out of style...
Second, the stem was too stubby for the overall look of the pipe.
I decided to lighten up the stain of the stummel while taking care of tiny scratches...
Again, I will probably change the extension color, so for now, I won't be permanently attaching it to the stummel...
It's nice to do a fun(ny) project now and then...😁
Nice juxtaposition with the picture of Larry, Mo, and Curly in the background there!
Yes, my thoughts went in that direction as well. However, at the extreme angle for the opening of the mortise, I couldn't turn that. It would have to be cut to match the angle, then belt sand and file to fit leaving that Calabash look.
Quite an undertaking, but if successful, I would agree it would aesthetically be much better...
I might add that's not to say I won't try it. It's an excellent idea. It's just all the extra work for a "fun" project.
We'll see, but I like how you think...