Soapstone anyone?

[TheOtherOne]

I figured I'd make a thread about soapstone pipes. It's a great material I've used a couple times (lost them all on the way to oregon) and plan to make a new one soon.

I'll just leave this here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soapstone

-Can be carved with simple hand tools such as a pocket knife
-Completely heat resistant (at least under a few thousand degrees, they use it in metallurgy as a crucible)
-Comes in many colors

I'd like to see some soapstone pipes in here guys! And if anyone knows of any blanks for a good price, pm me.

 

[DGBAMA]

Sold here by weight. Don't know if it is a fair price or not. Appears to be by weight, not dimentions, so a phone call would be in order:

soapstone

 

[TheOtherOne]

Seems like about the right price by weight, I was looking for more like an ounce sized piece though, lol

 

[garryricketson]

Well this is not soap stone, it is Onyx,

Unlike soapstone, onix is rather difficult to work with, soap stone is much easier,and can be carved with a pocket knife, But anyway, just thought I would share this. I posted about this in the general discussion awhile back, but just now noticed this topic, about soapstone pipes,.. There are some more photos, here: http://garryricketsonartworks.com/images/stone-pipe.html

 

[bonehead]

a big piece of flat soapstone makes the best cooking surface on a bbq for pizzas and breads over lump charcoal.

 

[Planter]

How warm does such a pipe get on the outside? Cooler than clay?

 

[Knucklehead]

Soapstone is also used by welders to mark their cuts. Very heat resistant. I've had the mark still visible after cutting the metal with the torch.

 

[TheOtherOne]

The ones I've had where quite thick. I never noticed any heating up like with clay or terra cota.

 

[Ishi]

Not to hijack the thread but i have a piece of pipestone that should make 2 or more pipes if some one is interested in making them. I do not have time. PM me

 

[Knucklehead]

Is pipestone the same as soapstone?

 

[TheOtherOne]

I'd be quite interested! As I said, I've been looking for pipestone of soapstone for awhile, but I'm a bit too cash poor to just grab some online.

@ knucklehead the two are similar (maybe identical) minerals, but pipestone comes from a specific (and sacred) site.

 

[Ishi]

Pipestone comes from Minn and is now controlled by the Indians there. All that I have seen is red with some pieces having white specs or streaks in it. Local gem shop has some chunks. You buy it by the pound.
Dan

 

[dubhelix]

Is pipestone the same as soapstone?

Pipestone is Catlinite, a type of Argilite, which is a lithified mud composed primarily aluminosilicates and alkaline earths. Soapstone, while also a metamorphic rock, is composed primarily of Talc, which is a magnesium silicate. Soapstone is usually softer than Pipestone, though the hardness of both types varies based on source location. I've carved a pipe or two from Pipestone, using hand tools only. Made a mess of pink dust, but worked pretty well.