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I don't really know the official definition of a peace pipe. But thats my story and i'm sticking to it. I'm very proud of it and it brought me moments of peaceful bliss while i created it.

I carved and shaped it out of Sapele and Walnut. Most of the work took place between my bandsaw and my horizontal sander. Took me a while to figure out how i could do a curved stem hole, but think i came up with a rather clever method. I cut out the back side shape of the cobra then slotted the stem area on my router table before i began any shaping. Then i simply partially filled in the slot, leaving an 1/8"x1/4" open channel inside. The skin texture i achieved with a tiny bit in my dremel tool.

Theres a couple coats of Tung Oil on him now, and I may go over it with a satin lacquer to give a bit more sheen to it.

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That's really neat, Miles. Great to see an Alabama dude doing well. Surely no one will question your originality here. I've sure never seen anything like it. 532 days ago, a very famous man said: I'll just go out on a limb and say you don't know half the joy of woodworking until you find a way to express YOURSELF with it! Well, I'd say you definitely expressed yourself here….....and I'd stick to that story about it being a peace pipe if I were you.
 

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Very beautiful work. I can't help but feel compelled to explain as best I can about the "peace pipe". Though I have only been practicing aboriginal spirituality for a few years I will share what was explained to me. As far as I know the term "peace pipe" was a generalisation for native pipes by white society. The pipes are actually spiritual gifts given to individuals by the creator through dreams or visions which are translated through a medicine man. Only a certain individual may make these pipes which has been given this special gift from the creator. The pipe made in two parts, the bowl (stone) and the stem (wood). Once the pipe is made and given to the owner it must be blessed by a medicine man in ceremony before it can be used. In the ceremony the individual will be explained the meaning and purpose of that particular pipe whether it is used for healing, personal use, or to help all people in some special way. The pipe in part or as a whole is usually cleansed before and after use through the use of a smudge. When the pipe is put together as one then the spirit of the pipe is brought forth and used in prayer. Well that is the basic jist of it. So your pipe is definitely not a peace pipe but it is no ordinary pipe either, but an amazing piece of work.
 

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That peace pipe is smokin' !
 

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That looks like it was fun to create. Nice job on that inspiration!
 

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I made a "peace pipe" similar to this in high school. Except mine was made from a 20oz bottle, a pen, and some tin foil. : ) Nice job.
 

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nice one …once I'm inspired to make something new someday
 

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A Great looking pipe. The details look very nice.
 

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think I'll make one myself.
 

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Smokem if ya got'em!
 

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Thanks for the compliment guys.
Localmac, i've made those kind of pipes too…Lol

Dan, come on, you can do it. I envision a mission style pipe with a lil tiny tile insert!
 

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nah … I'm thinking about a mahogany cobra with a soap stone bowl.
 

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Yah Baby! That cobra has a secret smile…

Exemplary work, Miles. I found this source for authentic Minnesota pipestone. I always thought it wasn't available to non-Native Americans. That or Meerschaum would make a cooler burning bowl.
 

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I bought a box of soap stone from a ebay seller a few months ago. it is very easy to carve using common woodworking tools. Glues well with super glue and finishes wonderfully with spray lacquer. link to soap stone seller
 

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Nice job Miles. Nothing like a happy snake.
 

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well, my first attempt at a cobra pipe is a train wreak ! Really had something going… and after about a half dozen repairs , I ground it's head off with 24 grit.
 

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Lol Dan….You killed the snake! Now bring him back alive!
 

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Dan "Mongoose" Walters…I don't get the sense Dan's projects go awry that much. Go buddy!
 

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I'm thinking I can recover, but there will be more soap stone then originally planned.
 

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Stunning pipe , what will the next one look like?
 
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