Contest

I doubt I could make a pipe out of that poor block of wood but I'm willing to give it a shot. I've got the files and I can buy the sand paper. Wonder what shape I'll make?!

but whether anything that resembles a pipe, or indeed anything at all, comes out, remains to be seen. Are you going to provide on-line coaching & advice? Do you have a ready supply of white dots? What's a coping saw? I know what vice is.

Hookers, mary huchie, CO-cane and alcohol. you will need one of each. A coping saw is what a doctor observes when you are using any vices to get by.

as long as this thing doesn't happen too soon...I haven't got access to the wood shop at school until the end of the summer...so anyway...if you want the pipes to be finished by the end of September...then I am in...but earlier than that...and I will still be stuck here in San Francisco...but I would be glad to spring for one of your kits regardless...just to see what comes out even if I do miss the competition...and if you want, i would be glad to judge...but I would much rather compete...though I know the time frame is a bit of a downer...

Cheers,

Josh

I don't have any tools, but a sharp knife.

and really no place to sit and carve.

I could be the judge tho ;) ie, taking tobacco based bribes :)

erhm, if this event happens, I will enjoy to see the results :)

Not for me to widdle on, but I have a friend who is anxious to try and make a pipe. I'd give it to him and maybe that would get him started. I have showed him our forum and he has watched the Ronatto movie. If you need a judge, my 42 years of collecting and puffing might be of help and I would enjoy being a judge if you need one.

Carvers - 5
Rick, Muddler, Josh, Henrik, Capt'n Bob

Judges:
?

Prizes:
50g Three Nuns - ouch
50g Firedance Flake - good riddance

Assuming I can actually make something that resembles a pipe out of that lump of wood what am I going to use to stain it? How do I apply a finish (alcohol based shelac? or something??). I don't like pipes that are just waxed finishes.

ended when I moved my office into my workshop...briar dust and computers don't mix very well. Anyhow, I can give my two cents on entries.

ckr... remove me from the pipe widdler's list please. The friend that I was going to give this to has already placed an order for briar blocks!

However, if you still need a judge, I would participate in that aspect.

Carvers - 4 Rick, Muddler, Josh, Henrik

Judges:
The Honorable Capt'n Bob

Prizes:
50g Three Nuns - ouch
50g Firedance Flake - good riddance

Stain:
A)I have heard tobacco soaked with Rum
B)Merlot or Red Wine

Shellac - immediately wipe w/alcohol soaked cloth

I lack a vice, and the other tools needed.

so strike me off the carvers list.

I could sent some tobacco to the winner tho, some FVF or so, or send it to the one no longer having opposable thumbs :)

I am honored and shall rise to the challenge. Looking forward to it with much anticipation!

Im in. That's if you are willing to ship a kit to South Africa.

I do want to try my hand at pipe making, but the time is not right for me. Cool idea, though.

Would judging be done from photographs only? Or would the pipes be shipped to the judge(s)?

I will pitch in something for the prize. Not quite sure what just yet . . . .

Carvers - 3 Rick, Muddler, Josh (numbers are dwindling, I think we need to increase the ante to reel more in)

Judges:
The Honorable Capt'n Bob

Prizes:
50g Three Nuns - ouch
50g Firedance Flake - good riddance

Judgment will have to be made by photos and we will have to trust that the kit pipe is not replaced with a Bo Nordh Ramses or the like.

Q, thanks for the donation!

__________________

Fume in pace, ckr

Please don't discriminate against me because I'm a newby here. Im definitely in on this one. What are the rules? Can one have multiple entries? Are we limited to carving or will stuff like inlays be permitted?

Do you think ant thought has been applies as how to run this? Not on your life.

So let's see, make them up as we go along.

One entry seems fair to all entering. However, I will send as many kits as you think you can screw up, within reason, and you may enter only one. Inlays, sure but the mortise and tenon will be sent to bottom out. You can't reduce the depth of the mortise to accomondate the inlay so you would have to re-cut and reface the tenon. If not you will likely end up with a gap at the bottom of the mortise to trap goo and moisture.

and since we're now making up the rules, I'm willing to butt in as a judge, if you can make it clear as to how the pipes will be judged. Will we, as a judge, get to see the pipes in person (there's always a risk in shipping them, as well as a cost involved), or will we just figure out what we think of the contending pipes based on photos?

Best to get this out of the way before I decide whether or not I'm in.

Well, we do not have any cheaters in our midst, so I do not believe that touched up photos or the sudden appearance of a Nielsen will be an issue. However, there is the problem that some people might not have the right equipment and the photographic skills necessary to take a good, representative picture of their pipe. I think that I have a good eye and can take some decent photos (there are a few framed and hung on our walls), but I do not have the setup to create good pipe pictures. As a matter of fact, all the pipe pics that I have taken suck. Just something to consider.

I think sending the pipes might be a real nightmare too...the price involved...

but photos aren't that bad...and if someone doesn't have a digital camera...then they can just mail me a few prints and I'll turn 'em digital...or most photo processing places can do the same for a nominal fee.

as far as a set up...the best set up I have ever seen is a white sheet outside...the best light for color reproduction has and always will be the sun...so if you have access to a sunny lawn and a white sheet...then you are all set..I image a smooth white dish-towel would work as well...just not something fuzzy like a bath towel...and if you want to get really fancy, you could put some graph paper behind the pipe so we know how big it is...

Cheers,

Josh

I've been regretting jumping on board this contest ever since I joined up ... I know I have no skills to make a pipe and frankly wouldn't want to smoke one I made even if I could make it. So ... long way to say I'm out. It'll still be fun to watch to see what the others do.

And then there were 3 (Muddler, Josh, Olivier) ... didn't Agatha Christie write a murder mystery along these lines? (10 Little Indians / And Then There Were None)

I agree. Shipping the pipes around would not be nearly as practical and much more expensive. However, the pipe makers photography skills could become the difference between winning and losing if pictures are the judges only exposure to the pipe. I do not have the answer, just wanted to bring up the issue.

Maybe my contribution will not be to the prize, but paying for the shipping cost of the pipes.

I prefer to have the pipe placed on paper with 1 inch squares. There should be four photos. One each showing, each side, top and bottom all on the graph paper. One can simply draw in ink or pencil the one inch squares. Finally, it is very helpful to have the pipe pretty much "fill" the frame of the picture.
That's my two cents worth. I'll do whatever is asked and I look forward to it.

keep this on the fun level without a lot of cost or expense. However some good questions have been raised. I think the big issue is by photo or personal inspection.

The contestants have no control over chamber, drilling, mortise/tenon depth, style of stem, block of briar. They will each receive a ebauchon sized for a billiard, a stem fitted, the first 1/4 inch on the shank shaped and the first 1/4 top inch of the rim shaped. If they want, fill it up and light it as received - functionally it will be the same, just maybe not that comfortable.

Thier task is to shape the pipe and provide fit and finish. Since they have no control over other aspects they should not be judged on it. Since it is a judgement of exterior only I can't see bearing the expense of shipping. Possible after a few contests, change the criteria to encompass more and go from there.

I think the first thing that one needs to learn about pipe making is shape and proportions. Some of you have been looking at pipes forever and see things that someone else overlooks. Even if they know about them a lot of second guessing can cloud the picture. A lot about pipe making is technical, it can be learned through trial and error. Eusthetics is quite subjective and another story all together.

In consideration I think judges should be aware of the above faults/issues and judge on how they execute the shape and provide the fit and finish. Outside of the technical aspects these are the main issues that move a pipe or let it sit. So while experienced judges are very desirable they also need to take two steps backwards and let the others catch up.

Rick with the yellow streak and Corneel, would both make excellant judges and should take 1 baby step forward and volunteer thier expertise (based on photos).

Also it has been mentioned in regard to photography, most digital SLR's will blow away the cell phone crap for the fit and finish. However when it comes to shape I think the field is more level.

Thoughts anyone?

Keep it simple and that's that. Photos it is.

Now, what would be a good prize . . . ? A lovely new green bucket hat?

I am in total agreement with you and ckr. As for a prize, how about a new car?

have a flight simulator.

Here it is: http://www.youtube.c...

Take a look and let me know if it's good enough...

constitutes a contest. I was really hoping for far more participation. I'm be in for the carving kit - it's something I've always wanted to do. But, in all honesty, I think we're setting Chris up for something that just isn't worth the effort anymore. Carving kits at a fair price are available from many etailers besides. So.... unless we've got a sh##load more participation, I think we just let this go.