How to make a pipe stem??

[Matt67thNY]

A few months back I bought an original clay Pipe in Fredericksburg. However I did not get a stem with it. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to make my own stem, or where to purchase a good one? Thanx!!

-Matt

[Jubilo]

Re: How to make a pipe stem??

Dear Sir,
I fashion my pipe stems from the branches of the elderberry bush. Cut to length, push out the pulp with a coat hanger wire and it is ready. Some fellers coat theirs with a sealer or wrap in twine or leather . The most difficult part is for a city feller to identify an elderberry bush!
all for the old flag,
David Corbett

[Matt67thNY]

Re: How to make a pipe stem??

Thank you David. Your right, this "city feller" will have to make a stop at google.com and type in "Pictures of elderberry bush" haha.

[marktaylor]

Re: How to make a pipe stem??

Matt,
Here in central to south GA and AL bamboo is found in slightly marshy areas. These plants in their adolescent stage make the perfect stem- just cut and trim to length. Not sure if this species of plant is found in the low lying areas of more northern states, though.

[Huck]

Re: How to make a pipe stem??

The berries from that plant, turn everything purple, if I am thinking of the right plant. If so I have always found then along side a fence line or something over grown like that.


Second thought that might be Poke weed that I am thinking of.

[Shockoe Hill Cats]

Re: How to make a pipe stem??

Here is a couple of images of an original pipe stem in my collection:


Pictured is the end for the bowl. It appears to be whittled down approximately 3/8". Bore diameter is 1/8". It is made of wood and looks to be just a simple twig without the outside bark.


This is the end for the mouth piece

Unlike the reed end, the mouth piece end has been grooved (the notches are visible). This created threads for the mouth piece to screw on.


Meerschaum bowl

[Matt67thNY]

Re: How to make a pipe stem??

Wow very Nice Jason!! thanx....i'm def gonna use that as a reference.

-Matthew Avellino

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: How to make a pipe stem??

Hallo!

You can also hollow out narrow cane shoots with a coat hanger or a longer drill bit.

If you plan on eating any berries, be sure you know the difference between the edible elderberry and the toxic pokeweed!

Curt

[Dreamer42]

Re: How to make a pipe stem??

Pipe stems...check out your local "Import Goods" emporium. They typically have a varied selection of reeds, in sizes and length. You may end up buying a dozen stems for about $7.00, but you're set for life - plus you could give some as Christmas presents to your pards. I use caution to carve a bit off the pipe end a little at a time for a snug - but not forced - fit.

-Jay Reid
Dreamer42

[Matt67thNY]

Re: How to make a pipe stem??

never thought there were so many possibilities in terms of getting stems lol. I wanna use all these outlets :). Thanx everyone!!

-Matthew Avellino

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: How to make a pipe stem??

Matt,
Here in central to south GA and AL bamboo is found in slightly marshy areas. These plants in their adolescent stage make the perfect stem- just cut and trim to length. Not sure if this species of plant is found in the low lying areas of more northern states, though.

Bamboo?? How does one identify an indigenous variety, from non-indigenous, or is there even such a thing?

Paul B.

[Matt67thNY]

Re: How to make a pipe stem??

that's a very good question lol....

-Matthew Avellino

[PetePaolillo]

Re: How to make a pipe stem??

Bamboo?? How does one identify an indigenous variety, from non-indigenous, or is there even such a thing?

Paul B.

There is I believe one indigenous species of bamboo, I just cant find the name. Ibelieve it grows natuarlly in Georgia and Florida but I am not 100%.......There is a period pipe in the Confederate EOG that shows a clay pipe with a bamboo stem.

[gilham]

Re: How to make a pipe stem??

An indigenous bamboo

River cane has variably been considered two species or a species with subspecies:

Arundinaria gigantea – also known as giant cane, large cane, river cane, Southern cane
A.tecta or A gigantea tecta – also small cane or switch cane
The two types share similar habitats and physiologies, and often grow together in the wild. As a member of the bamboo family, river cane is a true grass with a perennial woody stem. The larger variety typically grows to 3-5 meters, whereas the smaller cane may top off at 2 meters.

Current and Historic Distribution of Arundinaria
Arundinaria gigantea is found in 23 states and tecta in 14 of these states. River cane can be found as far west as Texas and as far north as New York, but is primarily distributed in the Southern and Southeastern US.

Rivercane is typically found in monodominant thickets or “brakes”. These were once a dominant part of the landscape. For instance in central Kentucky in 1790, one canebrake was reported to be ‘‘15 miles long and nearly half as wide.’’ Today it is estimated that less than 2% of original habitat remains.

Overgrazing and cultivation are the primary culprits of native Arundinaria’s habitat loss. Decades of fire suppression have also been harmful in two ways: the canopy grows too thick for understory plants like river cane, and when fires do occur, they tend to be catastrophic and leave too much sunlight for the cane to reestablish itself.