| When you buy a pipe, choose the finish you | | | | top-of-the-line pipe will be a sandblasted |
| like. Do you like the feel of the smooth | | | | straight grain and be absolutely beautiful. |
| waxed straight grain or the pebble-like | | | | |
| rusticated? As I have said, pick the pipe YOU | | | | Rusticating is done by hand and is really an |
| like, the pipe that feels right and it will | | | | art that is very time consuming. Rusticating |
| be with you for a long time. If you consider | | | | can be much deeper than blasting and also is |
| how long a pipe lasts, even if you do spend a | | | | usually more even or consistent. After |
| great deal (that is subjective), when you | | | | blasting or rusticating, the pipe is stained |
| divide it by many years of enjoyment it | | | | and polished to give it that "final look". |
| really is a bargain. Make sure the pipe you | | | | |
| buy is a comfortable and convenient size. If | | | | About the burl: The soil is very rough and |
| too large, it can be heavy in the mouth and | | | | sandy and many times a grain of sand or tiny |
| uncomfortable. Also where and when do you | | | | pebble will be next to the burl. As it grows, |
| smoke? If you smoke a short time, then a | | | | it will grow around it. When the block is |
| small to medium pipe is best. If you relax, | | | | sawed there may be a defect. |
| read or talk with friends, then a larger pipe | | | | |
| is fine. As I say, a beautiful pipe is a work | | | | With inexpensive pipes these flaws may be |
| of art, not unlike a sculpture. Pick your | | | | filled with putty or etched (carved to hide |
| pipe to suit your lifestyle. | | | | them.) Unless the spot is large, it affects |
| | | | only the appearance, not the smoking of the |
| Let us now talk about the finish on the pipe. | | | | pipe. I do not agree with the idea that |
| There are several types of finishes: high | | | | blasting or rusticating is used only for |
| gloss smooth, glossy smooth, matte smooth | | | | flaws. If a pipe does not have a perfect |
| (some call this natural), sandblast, | | | | straight grain, it may look beautiful in a |
| rusticated and several combinations of the | | | | rough finish. |
| above. With the very high gloss, be sure you | | | | |
| are getting a top quality pipe and not one | | | | Medium-range pipes may have an etching |
| with varnish or lacquer; it seals the wood | | | | covering a sand spot or may be partially |
| and it cannot breath. The very | | | | blasted to cover a flaw. I have never found a |
| top-of-the-line pipes are the straight | | | | problem with this. Low-end pipes may have |
| grains. And the very best of these is with a | | | | flaws that have been filled. Unless these |
| very tight even grain all the way around. | | | | fills are very large or unsightly, they |
| This usually shows bird's-eye on the bottom | | | | usually do not affect the smoking. If the |
| or top, unless it is a plateau finish | | | | fill has been done with care and stained to |
| (natural rough outside the burl). Bird's eye | | | | match the rest of the pipe, it can be very |
| comes from the grain getting sideways and can | | | | hard to |
| be very beautiful. Rough finish includes | | | | |
| sandblast and rusticating. Sandblasting is | | | | Here are some of the finest pipe makers: |
| just what the name implies; a high pressure | | | | Dunhill, Ashton, Ferndown, Castello, |
| burst of sand directed at the pipe, which | | | | Caminetto, Poul Winslow or Davidoff. |
| removes some of the wood, producing an uneven | | | | |
| rough texture. In a sandblasted pipe you can | | | | Take your time and enjoy. |
| very often see the grain. Sometimes a | | | | |