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1. The Calabash Project
701TM -PITCHED
702TM -GIFTED
703TM -NFS
704TM: -NFS
706TM - NFS
707TM- PITCHED
708 -NFS
709TM
715TM
716TM
C 07270
C 14262
C 54611
C 63230
Folding your Pocketmod
Other News
Pipe 10: NOV06 -SOLD-
Pipe 11: DEC06 -NFS
Pipe 12: DEC06
Pipe 4: OCT06 -SOLD-
Pipe 5: NOV06 -SOLD-
Pipe 6: NOV06 -NFS
Pipe 7: NOV06 -SOLD-
Pipe 8: NOV06 -NFS
Pipe 9: NOV06 -SOLD-
Testimonials
Buy TM Pipes etc.
TM Pipes, The Shop
Contact
Thos. Martin
Shaping The Stummels
Wednesday, 13 December 2006
Last Pipe of 2006!
Topic: Pipe 12: DEC06


This is the last pipe of '06!

Fittingly the tobacco chamber is perfect as is the beginning of the bowl. This pipe will be a subtle refection of my Castle pipe, but effectively is being CARVED to showcase my Blackrock finish, one of three Thos.Martin finishes : Blackrock, Castlerock, and Smooth Stone. Stay tuned.

  After final  shaping with the coping saw, this pipe will be carved old school style: with a knife . . .


Posted by thos.martin at 8:10 PM EST
Updated: Wednesday, 13 December 2006 8:11 PM EST
Permalink
Tuesday, 12 December 2006

Seems the second I say, "this pipes not for sale," people want it. There have been three people wanting this pipe. I should have said I can't sell this pipe because ALL the issues have been worked ut, except for the fact the bowl is cracked!!!!

Therefore, I smoked this pipe and will keep smoking it forever... or until it blows up. Several suggestions for a name: Crack pipe, LibertyBowl, but I think I'll call it The Baluster. Here it is about three or four sanding steps before stain, polish, and wax.

 The car is my son's creation and tied for first place (3x's) in the shop class derby! A Co2 inserts into a hole in the back.

 Its fassssssssttttttt........ so's the pipe:


Posted by thos.martin at 7:43 PM EST
Updated: Wednesday, 13 December 2006 7:58 PM EST
Permalink
Monday, 11 December 2006
A Kaywoodie Holiday 2006
Topic: Other News

As some of you know (those people waiting for pipes), I took the weekend off to visit the Kaywoodie workshop in Peeskill, NY. I was honored to meet so many nice people in the pipe community and to rub elbows with several of the finest pipemakers in the World: Joe Skoda, Tim Hynick, Rolando Negoita, and Bill Feuerbach III-  Kaywoodie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you all for the wisdom, advice, and support. A special thanks to Bill for the tour of the "factory," and to Tim for treating me as if a peer.


Posted by thos.martin at 7:01 PM EST
Updated: Monday, 11 December 2006 7:16 PM EST
Permalink
Testimonials
Topic: Testimonials
Wednesday, 14 March 2007

re the sleeve on pipe 708:   Very sharp! MP

Ontario, CANADA

February '07
"WOW!!! Just Wow!  SG New Mexico 
Dec 11, 2006 6:54 AM
Hello,
I just received the nice pipe with many thanks. First of all, I must tell you that I was very much impressed with the delicate shape of the pipe - although you said it was not "masterpiece"but a "study", I really love this nice delicate curving which fitted perfectly in my hand. I also love this smooth feeling, I even love the thinness of the stem which is softly touching on my lips. Good weight balance, yet it is stable when I put on the desk.
All in all, I was very much satisfied with this "masterpiece". In case you create the other one which you recognize as masterpiece, please let me know. I will certainly make a purchase of this.
Best wishes from Tokyo, Japan.
HK
Dec 3, 2006 8:39 PM
That's awesome. I'm always amazed at people with artistic ability... When you have time to work out the other one, I might still be interested in that one as well, so please do keep in touch. . .
CJR

Nov 16, 2006 7:24 PM

Tom,

Really appreciate your blog. reflection, and stage photos on pipe carving. Hope to refuel the pipe 5...wish i could have sent more.
KF

Posted by thos.martin at 6:34 PM EST
Updated: Sunday, 25 March 2007 5:02 PM EDT
Permalink
Wednesday, 6 December 2006
Of Disproportions & Broken Tenons
Now Playing: a Narrative
Topic: Pipe 11: DEC06 -NFS
  • I corrected the problem of disproportion by reducing the height of the bowl.

  • When working on where the shank meets the stem, I accidentally broke the tenon off the shank. I suppose now might be a good time to explain how to get the broken piece of tenon out off the mortis, especially if you do not have the special tool for the purpose. Find a sm. brad with a head diameter smaller than the draught hole. Hold the brad with a pair of pliers. Insert the head into the hole past the end of the broken tenon. Hook the end of the tenon with the edge of the head and pull the piece out. Backto the drawing board on the stem. . . Not as bad as it seems, but not tonight I have a headache...

 

Posted by thos.martin at 7:07 PM EST
Updated: Monday, 11 December 2006 6:33 PM EST
Permalink
Things to Do
Topic: Pipe 11: DEC06 -NFS

 I need to make sure that the panel billiard is less of a freehand and more trad...

I'll start by making sure the proportions are correct. I no doubt will have to trim some of the top. then I'll need to decide wether to leave the top of the bowl rusticated or not...

Then, I'll re-asses other aspects.Most important. I need to work the joint where the shank meets the stem so that it is square. This will take a while.  Carry on. . .


Posted by thos.martin at 6:12 AM EST
Updated: Wednesday, 6 December 2006 6:19 AM EST
Permalink
Tuesday, 5 December 2006
Sherlock Holmes Pipe Club Meeting

Sherlock Holmes Pipe Club of Boston

          

  


Posted by thos.martin at 6:01 AM EST
Updated: Wednesday, 6 December 2006 6:22 AM EST
Permalink
Monday, 4 December 2006
ugly fruit
Topic: Pipe 11: DEC06 -NFS

I proceeded and its reminescent of Dylan gone electric at the 1967 Newport Folk Festival. Either you hated it or you loved it. All other pipes were made while listneing to classical music. The station was down so I listened to Rock. Loud. And, well, it shows. Garish, bold, and out of tune but oddly interesting. Hard to put my finger on why I like this pipe, kind of Like Dylan; can't sing but I love him.

a hard rain is gonna fall....


Posted by thos.martin at 9:08 PM EST
Updated: Monday, 4 December 2006 9:22 PM EST
Permalink
Sunday, 3 December 2006
Panel Billiard Proving Difficult..
Topic: Pipe 11: DEC06 -NFS

despite the fact that PIMO says it should be the easiest. Maybe that is the case depending on what tools you got, but I HATE my sears Mitre Saw. S_cks.  Didn't get to work in the shop as much today because While cleaning the house today, I noticed that the roof is leaking. So I ended up cleaning the gutters, and then I had to rake what I had cleaned out of the guttes. And so it goes...

Also, the "twist" I mentioned on this "four square" earlier is that I twisted the  square shank ninety degrees to make it a diamond shank. It is although giving me a bit of grief (actually I love it). To think a little more positive, The stem is an awesome diamond twin bore saddle. Smoking....

pictures are worth a 100 words.... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Tommorow I'll decide how to proceed...


Posted by thos.martin at 6:50 PM EST
Permalink
Dear Santa
Topic: Other News

 

 I have been a good boy. I'll make you a pipe! remember how you used to smoke one before it wasn't PC? Please Santa. Please. I promise I'll be good next year too!


Posted by thos.martin at 9:41 AM EST
Updated: Sunday, 3 December 2006 7:38 PM EST
Permalink
Saturday, 2 December 2006
"The 4x4" A classic 4-panel billiard with a twist!
Topic: Pipe 11: DEC06 -NFS
This pipe is being made especially for a fellow member of Christianpipesmokers.org. I'm sure he'll love it!

Posted by thos.martin at 9:27 AM EST
Permalink
Finished
Topic: Pipe 10: NOV06 -SOLD-

This pipe is being packaged with a tobacco box and tamper/keyring.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Posted by thos.martin at 9:14 AM EST
Updated: Saturday, 2 December 2006 11:02 PM EST
Permalink
Thursday, 30 November 2006
Firewood!
Topic: Pipe 10: NOV06 -SOLD-

Here's my dog Ally basking the warmth of Pipe 10 which I rendered into firewood. I had too much difficulty drilling the holes to accomodate the bend. The mortise wasn't clean and thing went south from there... Enjoy the fire Ally!


 


Posted by thos.martin at 4:57 PM EST
Updated: Thursday, 30 November 2006 5:07 PM EST
Permalink
Wednesday, 29 November 2006
J. Courbe: Inspiration
Topic: Pipe 10: NOV06 -SOLD-

Interesting story about this shape... later though... My son picked out the the saddle stem.

 

 


Posted by thos.martin at 6:57 PM EST
Permalink
10th Reason I'm not selling
Topic: Pipe 8: NOV06 -NFS

All background images in these photos are from the Winter 2007 Edition of Pipes & Tobacco Magazine. The article titled "Briar Cutters" featuring the Romeo's of Italy. "Mimmo"Romeo states in the article that the outside of the burl is the MOST desireable. Pipe 9 includes the absolute, spot on, dead-center of the burl, which is safe to assume is the LEAST desireable part of the burl. For this reason PIPE 9 is mine and not yours.

I do feel that I did reconcile the dead center of the burl with the heel of the pipe, wrapping around to each side. I actually like it and like I said before it is rock solid. It is by definition the oldest part of this burl.

Mimmo also says that once the wood is processed/milled/cured it is not possible to dertermine the origin of the wood, neither i it as important as many people suggest. What is important is in fact the service Mimmo to the pipemaking community. The people with the sawing the blocks, in my humble opinion have a huge impact on the final product. For instance, if I put out a straight grain or other gorgeous pipe, it is because the folks with the saws made it possible.

 The pictures below hopefully demonstrate the center of the burl as it presents itself in my pipe:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Posted by thos.martin at 6:06 PM EST
Updated: Sunday, 3 December 2006 7:34 PM EST
Permalink
Tuesday, 28 November 2006
Finished Finishing ~ The Reader
Topic: Pipe 8: NOV06 -NFS

Can't wait to smoke it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Posted by thos.martin at 7:20 PM EST
Updated: Tuesday, 28 November 2006 7:26 PM EST
Permalink
Tampers, et cetera
Topic: Other News

I decide to add a line of tampers to production... for those "off days." I figured out the design, what to use as the actual stoker, the part that meets the ember: Stainless.  I decided what to use for the tamper material, and more imporatanly how to integrate it with the stainless. I need to work out some procedural kinks, and solidify some designs, and actually let my son make some as well. Cost of materials is more than you'd imagine but the will still be affordable, in fact I will probably take them to swap meets and hive them to SHPC every month as part of their door prizes they raffle off.

Here are some prototypes. Feedback encouraged. I forgot to photograph the one that already made it into my pocket. My favorite is the balck and orange castle/lighthouse shape one. the two others are for Christmas and are red and green.

 

 

 

I have also decided to catergorize my pipes:

  • Montseratt- Those pipes inspired by clay shapes.
  • Cove- Those pipes with a light upward bending stem. It makes the pipe less likely to be bitten, and more likely to be held.
  • Centerville- Freehands in the Danish trad.
  • Ryal Side- Custom requests .. .

Posted by thos.martin at 4:45 PM EST
Permalink
Stalling on Pipe 8
Topic: Pipe 8: NOV06 -NFS

I've been stalling on Pipe eight a bit because its my last bit-o-briar. I have a shipment on the way but as of today its in Erie, PA. I'm in Beverly, MA. It'll be a couple of days. And I took Monday off because that's what I do. Although I did do some sanding: 2-300 grind, with the staining inbetween.

Today I did 300-600 grinds and stained it for the last time. Tonight and or tommorow I will do 800 - 100, polish and wax it. I also carbonised the bowl.

Top ten reasons why this pipe is not for sale:

  1. Drilling tobacco chamber at too high a speed vaused the paddle bit to wander a bit do to the different densities occuring in one small piece of Briar.
  2. I like it too much.
  3. Why quest for the "ultimate pipe" when I can make one?
  4. I experimented on engraving my name on the stummel and didn't like the results. This will be the only such engraved pipe.
  5. Inconsisten bowl thickness which shouldn't be a problem because this wood is ROCK solid.
  6. I want a new pipe.
  7. I also experimented with treating the inside of the bowl:pre-carbonizing it. I did this because JP Cooke does it, not for the smoker, but for the protection of the pipe. I like that Idea. I watched his video, and he twice referred to the gender of the briar he was working on. Cool.
  8. I need to test it (see number 7)
  9. I'm currently sick of all the other pipes I own (except the Peterson Green Dublin.)

Posted by thos.martin at 4:42 PM EST
Updated: Wednesday, 29 November 2006 6:06 PM EST
Permalink
Monday, 27 November 2006
Day off . . . .
Topic: Other News


Posted by thos.martin at 1:53 PM EST
Updated: Monday, 27 November 2006 1:59 PM EST
Permalink
Sunday, 26 November 2006
It Was My Wife's Suggestion. . .
Topic: Pipe 8: NOV06 -NFS

... to use an acrylic stem for once. I hadn't because" the pipo tenon turner wasn't working on  acrylic for me because it was slightly bent and it was breaking and chonpping and making a bloody mess. Solution: I straigntened it out a bit and that help, but more importantly I use it in a different drill. An OLD drill of my dads. Its from back when they made them with aluminum casing. This drill has a higher RPM and worked much beter. Excellent actually.

About the briar. This is the hardest briar I've ever seen. Its not much to look at but its solid as a rock. As usual I'm going throught the same old thought processes as usual: love it hat it love it hate it, want to keep it, sell it, keep it. It's the best pipe yet, the worst, its a masterpiece, its trash. So, i decided it was time to put the ipe down and watch the Pats.

 


Posted by thos.martin at 4:45 PM EST
Updated: Sunday, 3 December 2006 8:02 PM EST
Permalink

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