Blasted Canted Dublin, Old Briar, Brass & Cumberland

For some years now I have had two large bags containing nearly 300 small blanks, most of which are not very interesting in terms of grain, but these blanks have spent years with Marco Biagini (Moretti pipes) and then with the pipe maker David Enrique before finally landing in my workshop. I estimate their age to be at least 40 years. From this old stock, I was able to select about 50 blanks whose size is usable and only about ten whose grain is pleasing to the eye.
I cut this little Dublin from one of these. The present model is a Dublin shape with an arched head, here with a sandblasted surface and black stain. The rims are smooth for easy maintenance. The thin shank is reinforced with a brass ferrule. This is exactly my kind of pipe, light and straight. The stem is made of a red-black German cumberland bar (from the renowned German company “New York Hamburger Gummi-Waaren” active since 1871 in the production of high quality ebonite). The flock is made of Teflon and the shank is drilled to 4.2mm. The button (cut cocave) is well opened in a V-shape for an optimal draw. The briar, of Italian origin, has benefited from over 40 years of storage.