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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
Thursday, 18 January 2007
Bookmatch
Topic: 704TM: -NFS

I had to get this pipe "along" enough for me to bring it North Snowboarding this weekend. All that is left is to sand, stamp and dress. I can finish sanding it in NH next to the wood stove.

Here it is unfinished. The blemishes are what they are.  .   .    .

 but, what could be better than a bottle of Merlot (Ca.), a bottle of VT maple syrup, and an Italian briar? The clear stem looks better than in photographs.


Posted by thos.martin at 8:32 PM EST
Updated: Friday, 19 January 2007 2:22 PM EST
Permalink
Shine on, Roman Lighthouse
Topic: 704TM: -NFS

This wood from Michael Parks is very nice Italian Briar. Very nice. This will be a large pipe, sort of fluted with nice grain. (This isn't even the best side.)

The other side has awesome flamegrain with what looks like a seam down the middle. Have you seen the top of a nice guitar,or table. It appears bookmatched but is completely natural.

 

The stem is clear acrylic and is taped for protection. It just needed to be on the stummel during shaping so I could sense the overall proportions and line. I did unfortuneately drill the tobacco chamber a bit too deep, so I filled the bottom with "pipemud" which I believe will actually afford a drier smoke as it absorbs moisture at the heel, like having a built in charcoal filter.


Posted by thos.martin at 5:57 PM EST
Permalink
Wednesday, 17 January 2007
What Goes under a black dress?
Topic: 703TM -NFS

Not a black slip, an undercoat. This is one option I was told to try in order to achieve a nice black dress finish on a smooth pipe; a black under coat. This is it; can't tell you what it is because it is actually someone elses trade secret told to me in confidence.

This pipe, dubbed "the tophat," will be classy with its shiny black finish, black carbonised bowl (inside), and black lucite stem from pipemakers.org


Posted by thos.martin at 5:51 PM EST
Updated: Thursday, 18 January 2007 8:45 AM EST
Permalink
"A Pipe"
Topic: Other News

From Weber's Guide to Pipes and Pipe Smoking by Carl Weber:

"A Pipe is nothing more than a bowl to hold burning tobacco, and a tube through which the smoke may be drawn into the mouth. But this seemingly simple device is the reulst of a suprising amount of skill, industry, and science."

 


Posted by thos.martin at 11:39 AM EST
Updated: Wednesday, 17 January 2007 11:42 AM EST
Permalink
Tuesday, 16 January 2007
More important than pipes
Topic: Other News

... visted my friend at Mass General after work tonight. Its hard to get on in the shop when there are so many more important things in life. That said, I have spent more time sanding the two pipes in progress and good things are happening in the shop or elsewhere. I've been doing the sanding upstairs with family.

To summarize lessons learned lately:

  • Its only wood!
  • Good sandpaper with cloth backing is worth its weight in gold
  • Buy good briar. Buy the best you can afford. If you wreck it,
  • Its only wood!

And I almost forgot; I've seen this in two pipemaking forums relative to the briar. (Simply) take away, what's not the pipe. Easy. . .


Posted by thos.martin at 11:34 AM EST
Updated: Wednesday, 17 January 2007 11:39 AM EST
Permalink
Monday, 15 January 2007
What do you call...
  • Q:  What do you call toilet paper and Duct tape wrapped around a bloody finger?

A:   A man-daid


Posted by thos.martin at 6:18 AM EST
Permalink
Sunday, 14 January 2007
Roman Lighthouse
Topic: 704TM: -NFS

     BRUSHING THE BARK OF THE BURL: 


Posted by thos.martin at 11:13 AM EST
Permalink
Saturday, 13 January 2007
More important things in life
Topic: 703TM -NFS

There are obviously more important things in life than pipes, jobs, or money. Of course. Take a minute to call a friend who has slipped away, or if your estranged from your family, for God's sake don't be. . .

What remains to be done on this pipe:

  1. Fix registration of stem to shank
  2. sand
  3. stain
  4. polish
  5. Sell!

 

 


Posted by thos.martin at 11:06 AM EST
Updated: Thursday, 18 January 2007 9:26 PM EST
Permalink
Friday, 12 January 2007
briar received
Topic: Other News

Today after much "ado," I recieved the most beautiful Italian briar from Michael Parks. There are pieces that I'll need to set aside for a while until I am worthy. Seriously!

 Also, spent the night updating the website rather than sanding in the shop.


Posted by thos.martin at 8:49 PM EST
Updated: Friday, 12 January 2007 9:01 PM EST
Permalink
Wednesday, 10 January 2007
These Are The Pieces
Topic: 703TM -NFS

     These are the pieces that make up a memory-  Adam Duritz

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Posted by thos.martin at 7:45 PM EST
Permalink
Tuesday, 9 January 2007
The Cutaways
Topic: 703TM -NFS

Still a little miffed in regards to staining pipes (that haven't been rusticated) black. 702 didn't come out as expected. I expected it black. I ran it by the guys in the pipemakers forum @ christian pipesmokers and learned that it can be a problem for everyone and that it isn't easy. Anyway i got a few more tricks up my sleeve, and am pleased with the way 703 is progressing. And I am still in search of my briar which is sort of lost in Canada since the 4th, thats 11 days! Anyway, it'll get here. Here is where 703 is at:

 

 


Posted by thos.martin at 8:19 PM EST
Permalink
Last pipe of 1940's Briar
Topic: 703TM -NFS


 


Posted by thos.martin at 8:01 PM EST
Permalink
Monday, 8 January 2007
702TM ~ FINISHED

Gifted to my Brother in-law:


Posted by thos.martin at 8:13 PM EST
Permalink
Briar
Topic: Other News
  • For all intents and purposes, the shop was closed Sunday.

 

  • Briar shipment is here:
    2007/01/04 20:53MISSISSAUGA, ON
     CANADA

Posted by thos.martin at 9:39 AM EST
Permalink
Friday, 5 January 2007
Flame Grain?
Topic: 702TM -GIFTED

No, just staining PIPE 702TM as described yesterday or the day
before (6 coats, 6 days, dress black, burning off the alchohol etc.)


 


Posted by thos.martin at 5:34 PM EST
Updated: Friday, 5 January 2007 5:38 PM EST
Permalink
Cost of Doing Business
Topic: 701TM -PITCHED

Pipe 701TM dies while stamping it after
15-20 hours of work was put into it. . .


 

 


Posted by thos.martin at 5:27 PM EST
Updated: Friday, 5 January 2007 6:19 PM EST
Permalink
Thursday, 4 January 2007
I Didn't Forget Aboutcha!
Topic: 702TM -GIFTED
Pipe 702TM, of the Raven Series, is about shaped, and almost ready for staining! Pics coming soon. This pipe will before sale in the shop upon completion (1 week.) If interested, feel free to e-mail me at martinthomasj@gmail.com. It will be in the fifty dollar range including shipping!

Posted by thos.martin at 8:41 PM EST
Permalink
Wednesday, 3 January 2007
Dress Black Pipes
Topic: 701TM -PITCHED

'Dress Black Pipes," a phrase I believe coined by Dunhill, refers to a deeply black pipe, or in there case with reddish undertones. It is also considered more formal a pipe for "dressier" occasions.

Unfortuneatley in more recent years it has been negatively associated with pipes made of lessor qualtiy briar. Not always true. I like Black pipes which is why I started the Raven Series, and made the "Blackfriar" for myself.

 True the briar wasn't of the finest quality, but is in now way inferior. and, neither would I be crazy enough to stain a straight grain black, but please enjoy them for there awesom finish. The "Blackfriar" didn't end up as deeply black as I wanted so I researched staining on pipemakersforum.com and learned the following about stains:

  • Typically used leather dyes (alcohol based) do not raise the grain.
  • Plan on using 6 coats with a day between each coat.
  • After applying the coat, set it o fire to burn off the alchohol to set the stain. (Buffs off less, and is fun to do!)

These facts will be put into practice on this pipe (701TM) and 702TM, and everyother black pipe hereafter.

I finished coat one on 01TM today. Remeber, this pipe is spoken for and will not be offered for sale.


Posted by thos.martin at 8:06 PM EST
Permalink
Tuesday, 2 January 2007
Sherlock Holmes Pipe club of Boston Meeting
Topic: Other News

Since I took the night off to attend the SHPC meeting, I thought this would be a good opportunity to reprint an article I wrote for the December newsletter as it received favorable reviews:

Husdson Valley Pipe Clubs Holiday Extravaganza and
The Northeast Regional Pipe Smoking Contest


My first annual pilgrimage to the Hudson Valley Holiday Extravaganza and Pipe Smoking Contest certainly lived up to my expectations. It was held at the S. M. Frank & Company, manufacturers of Kaywoodie, Yello-Bole and Medico brand, in Peeksill NY. After hours of driving we stopped at the I-84 Diner for brunch. With only thirty minutes of driving to go, I was excited to get there. Apparently not as excited as Dock, Steve as they passed us on the highway hell bent on Peekskill, obviously anxious to be the first of the Sherlock Holmes Pipe Smokers to arrive.

Clearing out of the diner took some time as we all had separate checks, but probably not as long if we had to figure out who owed what. While I was waiting I was speaking with a woman who was giving free "tattoos." Actually she was painting faces for the kids. Being a big kid, I wanted one and asked her if she ever heard of Sherlock Holmes and the case of the Rose Tattoo. She distracted me with a comment that I "had the face of a Pastor ." So instead of getting my face painted, I introduced to her my congregation: Mark, Tim, Eric, Tony, Rick, Nelson, Ken, Dock, and Greg.

I was a little concerned as we left the parking lot each headed different directions. Not a good sign, I thought. Some went for gas, others for beer, and Nelson and I , for both. We all met up again at the factory, the room all ready filled with pipe smoke, friends, and an air or camaraderie. It was also littered with pipes: pipes on display, pipes for sale, and pipes for smoking. It was a bit overwhelming for me, "the new guy."


My low budget helped to curb my enthusiasm for new pipe stuff, and focus an what was important, time well with friends. As an aspiring pipemaker, it was also exciting for me to rub elbows with some of the finest pipemakers in the States: Bill Feuerbach III, Joe Skoda, Rolando Negoita, and SHPC's Tim Hynick. I hoped some of the magic would rub off on me and was pleased to find that they shared freely with me information and support. Bill even toured a bunch of us through the workshop explaining to us the pipemaking process . Those who didn't take the tour, took the opportunity to drink all the beer.

 

I regret not getting the opportunity to meet Paul Bonaquisti as he is such a friend of the club, and I have heard so much about him and his pipes. From his new tobacco shop, he provided the Tobacco for this years Northeast Regional Pipe Smoking Contest. On behalf of the S. M. Frank Co, Bill made the contest pipes. I didn't much see the point in competitive pipe smoking, but now realize its about getting first dibs on all the door prizes and the winner does get placed in high esteem amongst his pipe smoking peers. After a great meal, we all got our Kaywoodie Contest Pipe, tobacco, and two matches.

I happened to sit between Steve, who was the contest winner in 2004, and Rick this years champ. As one of the first men out, I was still able to go home with a new U.P.C.A. shirt and a scorched tongue. Rick walked away with two trophies, one to keep, and one to pass along to next years winner. He also walked away with a new Kaywoodie Freehand and a lot of good memories I am sure. We all went home with a nice little Kaywoodie Rusticated Poker with Fishtail Stem, which no doubt Dock will swap out for a Churchwarden (stem).

Also new to our respective collections are: (Ken) Full Bent Clarence Mickles , (Eric) a Ser Jacopo LaFuma Red Dot Straight Grain, (Steve) An Ardor Mercurio, and a Ferndown Full Bent with Silver Band by Les Wood, (Tim) L'Anatra Rusticated Panel Freehand also with silver band, (Nelson) a Tim Hynick Stacked Poker with bark finish and Cumberland Stem, and (Dock) added a Kurt Balleby "Straight Grain, an S. Johnson Billiard, and his much coveted Lee Von Erck. And although I spent the days counting my pennies I managed to come home with a couple of estate pipes: a Barclay (Pipe & Tobacco) Sandblast, and a 2005 World Cup in Slow Pipe Smoking Rhodesian by Henryk Worobiec's who's pipes are almost legendary in Poland.

More importantly, I finished the day counting my blessings. Vern Vig had openly asked of the Sherlock Holmes Pipe Club of Boston, "what do we do to make the club a success?" The club is quite active and does a lot, but its not about what we do, its about who we are; a good bunch of great people, and you can't find that just anywhere. I am thankful to be a part of it. The ride home seemed twice as long and I pulled into my driveway about midnight. But before my head hit the pillow I was compelled to see if I'd won the eBay auction for the silver knight pipe stand. I did win the auction and sent payment right away. Am I sick? No, just the newest member of the Sherlock Holmes Pipe Club of Boston and crazy about pipes like the rest of them!

Pease be with you,  Tom


Posted by thos.martin at 8:19 PM EST
Updated: Thursday, 4 January 2007 8:41 PM EST
Permalink
Monday, 1 January 2007
Finshed, the Blackfriar
Topic: Pipe 12: DEC06


 


Posted by thos.martin at 6:55 PM EST
Permalink

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