I’m anxious to be done with these stems now so I can move onto the wood bowls. After a couple hours on the belt sanders the little soldiers are starting to look like their final form. I still need to file/sand/shape the buttons and then buff and bend them to their final shape but the heavy lifting has been done.

I’m trying to get as much done as possible before Thanksgiving because I won’t be able to work much over the break. I have someone interested in another “Extended Acorn” shape as well as four local shops who want some pipes and to top it all off, I’m trying to get some inventory together for the Chicago Pipe show in the spring. I feel like I’m getting to know the shop pretty well these days.