How to Buy a Pipe

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