catlinite pipe (SHE'S DONE!!!)

[swamp monkey]

Josh, loving it. I really like the hand tool approach.  It is indeed more work but it adds some appreciation to the final product.  You always make such nice stuff. 

Aj

[lebhuntfish]

Now that's a beautiful piece! That beeswax really makes it pop! Patrick

[longbow man]

      Very nicely done. A long time ago I bought a piece of catlinite from a man at the Friendship shoot and he explained the origin the same as you. His was made small so he could wear it around his neck and had the stem in his pocket. Mine is like a small church warden pipe also worn around the neck. Quit smoking years ago but I still love old neat looking pipes. You brought back some cool memories.

[Josh B]

Thanks fellas!  I really appreciate it!  I thought that I was going to have to wait another week to finish this project since the only piece of ERC I had wasn't big enough.  Then I remembered another project using ERC had some scraps leftover.  I dug around and sure enough I had a piece!  Sometimes I amaze myself with all the stuff I have squirrelled away in my truck.  So here we go!  There isn't much heartwood to this piece, so the stem will inevitably have some sapwood  in it.  That's ok though.  A little contrast makes it pop anyway.  So we will proceed as if the sapwood inclusion was intentional.  Shhhhhh!   Our little secret.  With a little luck, I should be able to finish this up today.  Here's what I'm starting with.  Josh

[Josh B]

Yep, it has some sapwood in it.  I think it'll look nice with the finish on it.  All I have left is to carve some lines to match the bowl and put some finish on it.  The shop lights bleached out all the color, but here is the stem so far.  The finish will bring out the colors nicely.  Josh

[Josh B]

Well....she's same as done!  A couple more coats of finish and some time to cure and she'll be ready to ship out.  Thanks for following along!   Josh

[koan]

Brother that is nice!.... Brian

[lebhuntfish]

Wow, wow, wow! Josh that is sweet! Wish I had me something like that! You have an amazing talent bud. I'm sure the fella getting it will be proud to own it!  Patrick

[Danzn Bar]

Fantastic work Josh!
DBar

[swamp monkey]

gun doc
bow doc
atlatl doc
and now you are the pipe doc.

hat off to ya sir.

[Josh B]

gun doc
bow doc
atlatl doc
and now you are the pipe doc.

hat off to ya sir.

Lol!  Don't forget I'm occasionally the doc doc after the far to frequent whoopses I have!  Here's my skull after a flying chunk of stainless steel whacked me.  The next pic is my fancy needle work that was required because the blood kept running into my eyes so I couldn't see to drive to the hospital.  Once I sewed it up, I decided I didn't need to go to the hospital!  Lol!
Thanks for the kind words fellas!  Josh

[Dharma]

I can't wait to comment anymore!  The pipe is absolutely perfect!!! BEAUTIFUL!!!! And I can't wait to smoke it!!! The bowl is gorgeous, the stem came out just as brilliant!! Outstanding work!! You, sir, are a true and excellent craftsman!!

[country]

Very nice Josh  you do great stuff !!!

[Josh B]

Thanks Mitch!
I'm glad you like it Kevan!  The pics really don't do it justice. Especially the coloring in the stem.  Josh

[Parnell]

Really nice work Josh!  That's something I've wanted to take on for some time.  Very inspiring, Bro.