I make the pipes with a 3/4 inch bowl and a brass or stainless screen.

The stem is bored at 1/8 inch unless otherwise noted. Because I make each pipe from a single piece of wood, the stem is most easily cleaned by running a 1/8 inch drill bit in the mouthpiece and through to the bowl. You can also use a stiff piece of rod, for example welding rod. 3/4 inch pipe screens are inexpensive and easy to get on Amazon or from your local smoke shop. Simply pry out an old screen with something sharp and pop in a new one.

This double pipe is a good example of how I work to preserve the character of the tree. Japanese maple has more durable bark than a lot of other species making it easier to leave on moss and lichens.

And speaking of species, I choose them first for their safety, second for durability and character. The pipe above is Cherry, an excellent wood for pipes. Fruit woods are great, and all species of Maple. A few species of wood are toxic, for example Yew and a few kinds of Rosewood, so I don’t use them. I also do not use any resinous woods, for example no firs, pines, etc. I stick to deciduous hardwoods.

Finally, I give all pipes the sparkystick.com brand, burnish the wood, and finish with natural, foodgrade tung oil.