Sure is. Gorgeous! It seems the triple ring should be his trade mark.
Thanks John. On the pipe makers forum most rings are wood and acrylic. I like the organic materials. Bob gave me the idea to try some leather and bone from one of his posts about knife making material sellers as a source. I have yet to do it. of all the pipes I saw on that forum I can't remember any using metals in the rings. some companys spin silver as a cap to go over the shank but I haven't seen any stem rings with metal.
A couple of thoughts: Pipes sometimes fail because the briar at the wood/stem joint splits. Could one of your "trademark" rings be used to reinforce the briar?
The Osage pipe you gave me is showing an interesting and lovely (to me) trait as I smoke it a bit. The softer portion of the grain is starting to darken while the hard portions are remaining light thus Increasing the contrast as you go around the pipe. Really neat. Right the effect is pretty subtle an I doubt if I could show it in a pic. If it continues as I expect it will I'll try for a good one.
If the softer grain is coloring that quickly, you might want to buff a good coating of carnauba onto it, before tars actually seep out to the surface. It took my very first briar over 35 years to visibly darken through the grain.
Bob
I forgot to say thanks Wally,
I will cherish this pipe forever
Bob
Awww come on Knucks, you had a big head start.Your very welcome. Thanks to you I'm a Knucklehead.
I can't believe you already put that pipe up on e-bay. Let me know what it goes for so I'll know how to price them. LOL