clay pipes and creating them

[egontheviking]

I know there are several pipers out here that really enjoy creating their own briar pipes and I must say to all who do so, bravo. I have seen some works of art on this forum and I hope to make some in the future as well. But, I am also curious if any one has crafted any pipes out of clay. I have seen in the pipe shops and have yet to smoke from one but wish to soon and even create my own. I have some skill with working with clay and I have been doing research in how a clay pipe is made. From my research I have found that these pipe are made one of two ways both using a mold or a press cast to form these pipes. I do not have either of these devices and I am venturing to attempt making a clay pipe by hand and using only a few hand tools in the process.

I simply wanted to know if anyone here has any experience in this area of craft or interest in clay pipes alone. I hope to hear some different perspectives on this topic. I may even document the process here if people are interested.

[JacksonCognac]

I don't own a clay pipe but I'd be interested in hearing more about the process.

[SAjunidog]

I'd imagine the use of molds is not because its better, but because its much cheaper. Crafting a simple clay pipe doesn't seem too hard, although getting a beautiful one might be a bit harder.

Personally I'd make sure I knew what kind of clay they were made out of, in case certain kinds of clays might give off something toxic or other if smoked.

[idontknow]

I too want to make my own clay pipe because i cant find a store that sells them. There are 2 ways to make a clay pipe a cheap slip cast pipe: were a watery clay is poured into a mold and then fired(most of todays clay pipes are made like this). Or the tradional way which involes a soild ball of clay pressed into shape and fired.
Here is a viedo on youtube about one of the last pipe makers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G3nuBgnSDI

[billhud]

I lost a chance on two Civil war era clay pipes I had my eye on yesterday. Went back to speak the owner, but I witnessed him sell the four pipe lot to a guy who got there just before I did. 125+ year old clay pipes are neither uncommon nor expensive. They were almost always made in molds however. The molds must be uncommon because I have yet to see any of those or meet anyone who has. The four pipe lot (three from molds and a poker not molded) containing the two I was looking at (complete and proper) sold for $48.

There were two others (newer but not by much) I almost bought for $18.

[paperairplane]

#1 - do you have a kiln? If you can't fire it, you can't make it.

The only toxic thing with a clay pipe, would depend on the glaze.

[billhud]

Originally Posted by paperairplane

#1 - do you have a kiln? If you can't fire it, you can't make it.

The only toxic thing with a clay pipe, would depend on the glaze.

Many cities will have an artisan bloc or even schools (secondary or post secondary) with kilns available. Also, some ceramic art business have kilns available and will fire for a fee, Shouldn't cost much.