Ribbit, ribbit

Super job on the tamper too! Is that your first tamper?

Anywho ... really nice job pal. Is it cherry or briar?

Nice looking pipe, there. Any other angles?

Are those mushrooms?

this picture and I am sure that Rick won't object to me telling it.

It goes back about a year or so ago.

When I first started making pipes I frequently experimented with some Japanese Cherry. I have two pipes of that wood and one is a dark blue full bent. This wood has probably seen about a hundred bowls is caked well and consistently delivers an excellant smoke. The other Cherrywood pipe has not seen nearly as much action and the jury is still out on it.

Anyway, the problem was how to get a Dunnie man to try one of my pipes and give me a few pointers. So after a few threads about alternate woods and my endless supply of Japanese Cherry Rick agreed to try one. He wanted it dark green, same shape as my bulldog and a funky clear stem. I guess when a Dunhill man goes out of the box - he goes way out of the box.

I tossed 2 blocks as the wood kept on tearing out during the shaping, down to my last block it more files and sandpaper than work on the lathe but finally it took form. Bad luck continued to haunt this effort as the first rod had a bubble in it and a second had to be cut. About that time my kitchen rehab started and it sat. Then the Shop rehab came and it still sat so finally after all the delays I did a final sanding and shaped and bent the stem. Rick I appreciate your patience and look forward to a trip up north soon so you might take this baby on its maiden voyage.

Having dubbed the pipe Bullfrog makes the toadstool back drop appropriate. I think it is a killer pipe for St. Patricks day and I will have to make a tamper from the same wood for a better match. As for the Cleaner holder, it is Pear and if he twists my arm, I am not sure, but I think that the color variances of the wood may look good if dyed green also.

I ate the decorations with a cheeseburger he'll have to get his own.

I'll get some better shots before it leaves and no - I have made a few tampers with brass feet but these shell casings are so damn easy. You just glue them to the end of a stick and presto, instant tamper.

No way ... you're not shittin' me are you? ... really ... holy crap. That pipe is gorgeous! Its really my own Bullfrog! Freekin' A! Score a HUGE one for Dunhillman. I'm speechless. I don't know what to say. Uhhh. I want it! I want it bad!!!!!!!!!! Holy shit Chris - that really is one nice lookin' pipe. You know how much I like that shape - hell every time I see yours I make a comment about it. This is just an opinion but I honestly believe its the best shape you make. And having seen your work before I'd put it on par with anyones. Oooh it even has my clear stem. Oh man I can't wait to see the water droplets forming! *big shit eating grin* ... oh man, this needs a special tobacco. Hmm. Something very MPCish.

Ok guys ... a little help here ... whats the ultimate MPC tobacco? 9 months ago I would have said MPC does MacBaren Navy Flake! 6 months ago it changed to MPC does OGS. Lately its been MPC does Burley. Suggestions! Please!!

Ooh ... I just reread the post ... I get the tamper and the cleaner holder too! Oh man, I owe you big time ... I'll leave the color of the cleaner holder in your capable hands. If you want it green go for it, if not its absolutely gorgeous the way it is IMO.

Zowie!

What can I say?

*duh*

Out of words. (but I get a CKR Bullfrog soon!)

and now I can see you cut grooves in the bowl (bulldogish) ... way cool.

Man ... I owe you seriously.

That is a great lookin piece of smoking machinery Chris... and Rick is obviously one happy camper. Nice job.

blue cherrywood full bent was weened on Frog Morton and Penzance before migrating over to many of Stokkebye's flakes and Mac Baren Navy Flake with an occassional F&T CVP. It is also familiar with the spiciness of perique and the pugnancy of the oriental. It has been home to the Junkyard Dawg as well and has always has preformed admirably with each blend. I think your options are wide open, dedicate it to what you like and I am sure it will do fine.

Dude, you owe nothing - puff buddies are pretty hard to come by these days, especially good ones.

I just read about and noticed the clear stem. Very nice. While I am normally a black stem kind of guy, I really dig the clear ones. Take, for example, the Brebbia Crystal pipes. Love that look.

Clear stem, diamond shank, just the right about of bend . . . all very nice. And I have a feeling from Rick's post that he might like it too. Just maybe.

Is that stem a full- of half-saddle?

As much as I'd like to say otherwise ... I think that pipe is a Mac Baren Navy Flake pipe.

Congrats buddy. Many happy smokes.

Hmm... I sense a dynamic duo name coming on here... there are so many that are already taken...

I GOT IT !!!

"The Powerpuff Boys"

He he !

No Justin! I keep telling you I don't like Chris *that* way!

This pipe was made by Ckr. He is an avowed Tobacco Slut. We have many blends here on MPC that we all rave about ... therefore, this pipe is formally dedicated to no particular tobacco and will sample many blends ... yes folks, the Bullfrog will be a Slut too. (this is an exceptionally good thing because now I can grab it any time and load it up with anything I'm in the mood for without any reservations)

That's a great pipe, and a great story to go with it, you can't beat that. congrats, Rick!

Keep it up punk and the next concrete job you'll have is trying to get out of a pair of cement overshoes at 30 fathoms.

The Powerpuff Boy and the Nailgunner. *snicker*

Hmmm, what have we here. Someone has left a nail gun lying around the forum floor.

*Picks up Nail Gun*
*Clicks the safety off*
*Shoots nails into Q's hat*
*puts nail gun back down*
*Clicks the safety on*

ckr exits through the east door.

I was asking for that.

He he... sorry, I thought it was funny at least.

That's because it IS funny. Chris is a goodhumored albeit old as dirt, kinda guy. We love 'im so :)

as in Dirty Harry, goes for you too, punk. *picks up Nail Gun* Well punk, Do you feel lucky!

A vague attempt to stay on topic - Chris, do you have a showcase of your work online somewhere that we can look at? I seem to remember you had some snaps on photobucket or some such at one point.

My gallery page has some links

http://www.my-pipes....

and some have even come out pretty good. This pipe may be headed to points north today and the weather is not cooporating for some decent photos. Could be I will be stuck with crappy indoor shots.

This thread is quite old now... perhaps someone besides me want to know how the pipe performs ?

Yeah, come on Rick .. Spill it!

Yeah I've had this pipe for a while naw and its fully broken in. Its a real good smoker. The pipe is comfortable to clench (good balance). It smokes a bit warmer than briar (its made of cherry wood) but not hot - just a little warmer. It caked up quickly! I've smoked a lot of different tobaccos in it and while all have done well, McClelland's Dominican Glory (Va/Cigar) has been astounding. Bottom line is if you're ever lucky enough to get a Ckr pipe you'll be a blessed man.

Yeah I've had this pipe for a while naw and its fully broken in. Its a real good smoker. The pipe is comfortable to clench (good balance). It smokes a bit warmer than briar (its made of cherry wood) but not hot - just a little warmer. It caked up quickly! I've smoked a lot of different tobaccos in it and while all have done well, McClelland's Dominican Glory (Va/Cigar) has been astounding. Bottom line is if you're ever lucky enough to get a Ckr pipe you'll be a blessed man.

==>Chris causes Timberwolfer to temporarily lose bladder control after that comment...

Hilarious!

This is why rp is such a good guy, anybody else would be pissed I ate all the mushrooms.

the forum is the lessor for the lack of a beaver.

Thats (or should that be that's) no mystery. Well, you got my point anyway.