I did it just because I can

[Freezer]

There are things in life I do just because I need to, building kit gun, making an Appalachian Banjo, wood goblet and now a piece pipe. I've always wanted to build one and since I found some nice branches while cutting wood for my sister I figured it was time. This project started with three ash sticks and a block of of pipe stone that I bought online. They say pipe stone is easy to carve but I think the Indians like to lie to White boys.

I destroyed a couple saws and my files got a work out. The Ash stem also took some time but after three tries I got the smoke hole through and where I wanted it, then I started the shaping. I colored the wood with Aquafortis, the same product I used on the Muzzle loaders. For those not familiar with it, it goes on clear then you apply heat to get the color to show up. it is the traditional way to finish a long rifle. a few coats of boiled linseed oil and it was complete. After shaping, sanding and polishing the bowl I used hot Bee's wax to finish the stone.

My hunting partner is jealous and I think I'll make him a trappers pipe using Pipe Stone and turkey bone for the stem. This one is a little rough being my first try but it is a fully functional pipe.

20260326_144948.jpg (4.94 MiB) Viewed 563 times

20260326_145037.jpg (5.37 MiB) Viewed 563 times

20260326_150358.jpg (5.58 MiB) Viewed 563 times

20260326_145746.jpg (5.06 MiB) Viewed 563 times

20260326_145849.jpg (4.34 MiB) Viewed 563 times

[sakodude]

Nice work!

[GrapeApe]

Nice

[Wambli Ska]

I love it! Making my own pipe is on the bucket list.

[Zee]

Well done, Dude. Absolutely well done.

[Diver43]

That's pretty neat. How big is it?

[Wambli Ska]

Did you do the beadwork?

[Freezer]

It is 13 inches tip to tip. The bowl is 3 1/2 x 1 1/2 . I did not do the bead work, that is a pair of earrings that I modified. Of course I used buffalo glue to attach it to the stem. I pondered sinu and turkey feathers but I like it this way. It pleases me that you guys like it.

[Wambli Ska]

VERY cool project. I might have to start shopping for a piece of suitable stone... Thanks for sharing brother.

[Freezer]

There are a number of websites that sell pipe stone. Minnesota is the only state the has (Catlinite) Pipe stone. After trying to cut it by hand, I got my tile saw out for rough cuts. It makes a mess because the blade isn't adjustable and I had to work with the water guard up. My wife got a good laugh when she saw me. If you can't get to a tile saw I would get a carborundum or diamond tip blade, a hack saw blade doesn't work. In a video I watched they use a hand saw, it takes a long time and will destroy a hand saw or reciprocating saw blade. I used a long 1/8 drill bit for the stem and a number of concrete bits for the bowl. I had enough stone to make a trappers pipe also but the stone cracked when I drilled a little too fast. I think I'll make a trappers pipe next for my friend Tom.

How a man living in the stone age made a pipe like this leaves me with a lot of respect for their imagination, skill and patience. I now understand why they cherished these pipes.

I'm considering my next project, a trappers pipe or a Indian long bow.

[Jayhawker]

Nce work...how does it smoke?
Back in 20, the wife and I took the SS Badger across Lake Michigan and then drove over to Pipestone Minnesota to the Pipestone National Monument where Kelli can get some Catlinite because of her tribal affiliation...Anyway...this is her Raven Pipe and her pipe bags... This is before I stained and beaded the pipe stem

0403211226a.jpg (1.54 MiB) Viewed 129 times

FB_IMG_1594788960707.jpg (43.39 KiB) Viewed 129 times