It's rare in any field, not just the PipeWorld, to find artisans who can come up with original ideas and execute those ideas to a high standard.
I suppose it's a left brain / right brain thing... Designers want to sketch and invent, while technicians are obsessed with detail and precision. Getting them to leave their "passion area"---their comfort zone---is usually difficult. And when they do try to do it all, their output is disappointing.
Once in a while, though, both abilities can be found in the same individual.
Doug Finlay is one of them.
A life-long shop and tool user at a high level (luxury automotive repair), he dove down the pipe making rabbit hole about four years ago and found the outlet he'd been looking for his entire life: Being in control of every step---inspiration, design, materials selection, and fabrication---while creating something he loved.
The pipe shown here is something I've never seen before in 48 years of PipeWorld involvement.
The technical design is insane. The aesthetic design is both singular and brilliant. The execution is perfect.
What name did Doug give the shape?
Atlatl
(search the word and all will become clear)
PS --- since someone is bound to ask, the shank is boxwood
I suppose it's a left brain / right brain thing... Designers want to sketch and invent, while technicians are obsessed with detail and precision. Getting them to leave their "passion area"---their comfort zone---is usually difficult. And when they do try to do it all, their output is disappointing.
Once in a while, though, both abilities can be found in the same individual.
Doug Finlay is one of them.
A life-long shop and tool user at a high level (luxury automotive repair), he dove down the pipe making rabbit hole about four years ago and found the outlet he'd been looking for his entire life: Being in control of every step---inspiration, design, materials selection, and fabrication---while creating something he loved.
The pipe shown here is something I've never seen before in 48 years of PipeWorld involvement.
The technical design is insane. The aesthetic design is both singular and brilliant. The execution is perfect.
What name did Doug give the shape?
Atlatl
(search the word and all will become clear)
PS --- since someone is bound to ask, the shank is boxwood