On balance, I would say that half of pipe making involves sanding. It’s not exactly the fun part of making a pipe, but the results are worth the care and effort. Theoretically, rasps and files are used to establish the … Continue reading
When we left off last time, we had a stem inserted into a drilled block of briar wood. Now, you could smoke this block if you wanted to (I’ve seen it done!), but you probably want to do some shaping … Continue reading
In my last post, I explained how I prepare a stem to be fitted to a pipe. In this post, I will show how I drill the holes in the block of wood itself. This stage of the pipe-making process … Continue reading
Five years ago, I wrote here about making a tobacco pipe with hand tools. That post assumed you were starting with a “pipe kit,” i.e. a pre-drilled block of wood with a stem pre-fitted into it. I still think that … Continue reading
I’ve spent quite a bit of time this summer making more pipes. I learn a little bit (and sometimes a lot) with each one I’ve made recently. I’ve been experimenting with layering different stains on top of each other, and … Continue reading
Why do some tobacco pipes look smooth and graceful while others look clunky and clumsy? I had been looking at classic pipe shapes, especially in old Dunhill catalogs I’d found online. I began wondering why some designs stood out, and … Continue reading
It is with some trepidation that I announce that the Literary Workshop has gone commercial. I will now be selling my tobacco pipes (and perhaps a few other items) at my new Etsy shop. I plan to make one or … Continue reading
I have made two pipes in the last two weeks. The first is a freehand churchwarden, which was a lot of fun to shape. The textured top is the natural top of the burl from which briar pipes are made. … Continue reading
This afternoon, I was reading William Goldring’s The Pipe Book: A History and How to (1973), which briefly recounts the history of each historical type of pipe and explains how to make a similar one using a few, simple tools. … Continue reading
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