I have 2 stummels I started to work on. No stems, so I found stem ODs that were slighter larger, but very close to their respective shanks. First order of business (after thoroughly cleaning the internals) was to turn the tenons...
After staining, wiping, waxing, etc., etc., I finished the one on the left. I'm waiting on the other one to dry, so I presently taking a break. Anyway, here's the final on the first one: '
Was going through my stummel box and came across one I've been putting off for a long time. This guy at last year's pipe show bought a small box of well used pipes. He was at my table going through them while talking to me and shopping for pipes. He came across a stemless stummel in his box, looked at it and threw it away in my small plastic trash can. After he left, you already know what I did, and it's been sitting in my box ever since. My opinion is that the stem broke, and it was used as a practice stummel for some kind of weird rustication experimentation. Anyway, here it is after internal cleaning, rim charring removal, making a shank extension (another pipe with a HUGE mortise ID), and the stem I plan on using... Obviously I will be rusticating this pipe in hopes of finding a new owner...
Oh, by the way, that blue stemmed pipe had some really bad pit marks around the middle of the bowl, so I decided the rusticate that area. Didn't make a very pretty pipe, but for what little I'll be asking for it at the show, it should make someone a great little alternate pipe to add to their collection...
I've decided to two-tone this stummel. First, stain the entire stummel black, then allow it to sit overnight. Plan on finishing the 2nd half tomorrow...
This stummel is a pretty good chunk of briar. The OD of the shank is so large, I don't have a stem big enough to fit it. I have an idea... I'll fill you in as it progresses.
Decided to use the largest OD stem I have. Vertically it's a pretty good match diameter wise, but I'm afraid I will have to reshape the shank to get a good fit.
Had this stummel with a cracked shank. IMHO, I think the original shank had a dangerously small OD and cracking was just a matter of time. Anyway, I had to cut it back to good briar and here's the result...
Comments
Do these "need lo'vin, too?"
Absolutely. Some more than others.
First order of business (after thoroughly cleaning the internals) was to turn the tenons...
I'm waiting on the other one to dry, so I presently taking a break.
Anyway, here's the final on the first one:
Great work….again🙂👍🏻
This guy at last year's pipe show bought a small box of well used pipes. He was at my table going through them while talking to me and shopping for pipes.
He came across a stemless stummel in his box, looked at it and threw it away in my small plastic trash can.
After he left, you already know what I did, and it's been sitting in my box ever since.
My opinion is that the stem broke, and it was used as a practice stummel for some kind of weird rustication experimentation.
Anyway, here it is after internal cleaning, rim charring removal, making a shank extension (another pipe with a HUGE mortise ID), and the stem I plan on using...
Obviously I will be rusticating this pipe in hopes of finding a new owner...
Phase 2:
Set the shank extension
Insured a good tight stem fit
Basic smoothing of the transition from pipe to stem...
Smoothed out the stem/shank joint. It's looking like a good marriage IMHO.
Next phase: working on the stummel...
Cleaned and ready to create a rustication pattern:
Plan on finishing the 2nd half tomorrow...
I didn't feel the need to waste your time with step by step processes, so here's the final:
A huge example of irony will be if the same guy that threw this stummel away winds up buying it at the show...
🤭
I have an idea... I'll fill you in as it progresses.
Here's the final:
Just freaking awesome craftsmanship….
Anyway, I had to cut it back to good briar and here's the result...