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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
Saturday, 27 January 2007

Topic: C 63230

This one flaw (sand/stone) will dicate the carving of this pipe. It was then shaped and stained. The stain will hopefully lighten during the sanding process. This is a nice piece of wood, and my intention was nott to cover it, but to enhance it. The stem was then bent.

The quality control department (my wife) is not happy with the dark stain and thinks the curve is a bit too "curvey." I agree on both points.


Posted by thos.martin at 5:03 PM EST
Updated: Wednesday, 4 April 2007 10:28 AM EDT
Permalink
Friday, 26 January 2007
IN PRAISE OF MYSELF
Topic: Testimonials

Not to "toot my own horn,"  but if I did, it would be finely tuned. Pipe 704 smokes great and I am so glad that I am having the opportunity to keep and enjoy such a fine pipe.  I thought this pipe would fetch a tidy sum but I liked it so much I kept it with no regrets! The draw is awesome. Styed lit from Beverly to Boston; an hours drive.  I smoked my usual (McB's Plumcake) as a sort of control variable and must say that it tasted like plums. I happened apon flavors that I have noticed before. I did although have to be careful not to smoke it too hard lest the pre-carb produce flavor. Once I tamed the fire a bit, it truely was the most enjoyable smoke I've ever had!

There: I said it, for afterall, if I didn't believe in myself, and in my product, how could I sell them to you? I couldn't and wouldn't! T.M.


Posted by thos.martin at 11:44 AM EST
Permalink
Thursday, 25 January 2007
Blessed are the billiards
Topic: C 63230

Its an attitude....  I decided that the classics are harder than freehands so I stick with 'em for a while. The next pipe will most likely be a freehand but I am feeling a bit "out of control" in my life, and to do something structured reins me in. When I feel reconciled, I can better create.

705 is started, as a reminder of our roots; the billiard. Yes, the billiard. The billiard to me when not massed produced, but made by an artisan, is a thing of subtle beauty.

2007-01-25 // 20:35:51 So far the holes (or as I like to call the negative spaces,) are "spot on." Stay tuned.

 NOTE: This pipe did not end up as a billiard. It took on a less structured, more "organic" look.


Posted by thos.martin at 8:37 PM EST
Updated: Wednesday, 4 April 2007 10:28 AM EDT
Permalink
Wednesday, 24 January 2007
abStain
Topic: 704TM: -NFS

Well, I finished 704TM and wish I hadn't stained it (although not bad enough that I'd sand it back down to natural. The real issue is that I not as fond of the clear stem as I thought I would be. too plain, needs a shank extension ... I will although very much enjoy smoking this one (704TM, Right):

 I don't know why, but I photographed the worse side of this pipe.
Oh well, its still nice. But, the other side is even better!


 


Posted by thos.martin at 8:22 PM EST
Updated: Thursday, 25 January 2007 8:45 PM EST
Permalink
Tuesday, 23 January 2007
Floor Model
Topic: 703TM -NFS

Posted by thos.martin at 8:19 PM EST
Updated: Thursday, 25 January 2007 8:21 PM EST
Permalink
Sunday, 21 January 2007
all dressed up with no place to go
Topic: 703TM -NFS

Although finshed, this pipe will become mine because it is unacceptable for sale. My third (but not final attempt) at a dress black pipe, although "ok" is not great. I will enjoy this pipe greatly, but could not sell it to you. I will try again at an all black, smooth pipe, but I gotta say, it aint easy.

Time to watch the Patriots play the colts on their march to the Superbowl!


Posted by thos.martin at 4:57 PM EST
Updated: Sunday, 21 January 2007 5:04 PM EST
Permalink
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

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