Pipestone

[Craig]

While I was in Florida I was gifted with a piece of Pipestone the stipulation that I make the pipe myself and no power tools be used in making the pipe.

I can see the finished pipe in the stone however I do not have the knowledge to craft it. Does anyone know someone in the western New York area that I could talk to and possibly learn from?

Craig

[rjricelny]

Hmm... umm.. can't think of one that would not use power tools. Buff State does have a sculpture program, most recently they were working in marble. hand tooling big stone. And I would gather the tools and techniques would be different since your peice is for the hand size.

It seems you will need to devise a plan of action... the stone is soft like marble isn't it? And not hard like granite. Hand drills, hand tool (non powered) are ok?

[NYwhiteguy]

Tom Huff (Seneca Cayuga Deer Clan from Onondaga Rez ) is a Stone artist

I own two of his pieces (one pipe one larger sculpture)

he has a website called stonedust.com
but alas he does not have a Computer. but the page does have his Mailing addy.
He is originally from the Cattaraugus Rez
He may be able to Help You out.
P.S. the page has not been updated in two years but I don't think he has moved.

[Tsitshoh]

Hey Craig!

I think TNE can help you out as he has a few carved pipes already and is inclined towards that sort of thing. Actually, he should post some pictures of his pipes because they are something else!

Anyhow, for pipestone, you can get away with using some cheaper wood chisels - the smaller types, a two sided fine-medium file and some small rasps. That should help you clear away the material enough to reveal your vision. Maybe some super fine grit sandpaper and some heavy leather or rough cloth to put on the final burnish.

If you want to test how you would go about and work the cuts and angles and such you could form a piece of plaster about the same dimensions of your stone and practice beforehand.

Skennen

...Tsitshoh...

[Craig]

Thank you I have decided to save this piece of Pipestone and have ordered some pieces to practice on.

I am no artist however here is a poor sketch of what I will be attempting. Any help or information will be greatly appreciated.

[Blackbear]

yeah..ignore the no use of power tools rule LOL!!! you don't think that the old ones would'nt have used power tools if they had theM? LOL!!

[Craig]

yeah..ignore the no use of power tools rule LOL!!! you don't think that the old ones would'nt have used power tools if they had theM? LOL!!

If I had purchased the stone I would do just that however it was a gift and there was a stipulation that it be done by hand without power tools. I understand that and will learn and do it the old way.

[tprindle00]

If I had purchased the stone I would do just that however it was a gift and there was a stipulation that it be done by hand without power tools. I understand that and will learn and do it the old way.


I've done a little carving with soapstone, but none with pipestone. I've always used (or at least finished with) power tools, but pipestone is much easier to carve with hand tools. I've heard people using just an exacto blade to carve pipestone with. It's easy to polish with successively lighter grades of sand paper.

Though, drilling the holes for the stem and bowl will be your most difficult part by hand, I've used a metal wood-bit, you know the wide/flat kind that has the centering point on it? What I'd heard was used in the past is a wooden drill bit or reed, used in conjunction with wet sand to drill the holes, or if you know of a knapper maybe they could make you a stone drill bit, you could make a bow drill or a pump drill that is counter-wieghted to make it a bit easier and more precise. Could you use a metal wood bit in conjunction with your hand-powered bow or pump drill?


Tara

[Tsitshoh]

She:kon!

You could also use a 3" to 4" framing nail for the holes as well. With or without a bow. Of course, if you wanted to go truly traditional and find some Lake Superior ground copper and cold hammer it into a nail, that is another option. I would just go with the framing nail... :)

Skennen

...Tsitshoh...

[bearcat]

Thank you I have decided to save this piece of Pipestone and have ordered some pieces to practice on.

I am no artist however here is a poor sketch of what I will be attempting. Any help or information will be greatly appreciated.





Amazingly, your 'poor sketch' [looks great to me!] looks just like what was on the end of my father's talking stick. The one my younger brother dawit bonked me on the head with as a little kid. I still have the dent in my skull, from where the eagle's beak drew blood. Lots of it! I remember I ran through the kitchen of our old farmhouse to the nearest bathroom ... and left a dramatic trail of bright red blood on the black and white checkered floor. I think I was about 4 years old and he was about 2 1/2.

:sill

btw - He did not know better ... y'know ... terrible twos ... LOL

:rolleyes:

[Blackbear]

yeah I was gonna mention I like your sketch too... use small chisels and alot of hard metal files..then when you want to smooth it, you're gonna want three wieghts of sandpaper and alot of the fine grit weight. ( I talked briefly with a stone cutter here inanchorage)

[Craig]

Thank you all. The 2 pieces of Pipestone I ordered should be here soon and I am going to try and contact Loren's Uncle as he carves soap stone. Turns out I have most of the tools I need already now just have to learn how to use them.

[Bubs]

Craig, I took classes from Duffy Wilson at the Tuscarora School in 1970-1973. It is quit easy to work with, well it depends a lot on the actual stone. Some stones have chunks of non-stone material kind of like metal ore or mica and some don't. But we never used power tools, Duffy said anybody can use power tools but artist work with their hands and it means more to you when your finished. I would help you make a bow drill if you like, I have to make one for another project. I also do half ass flint napping, but I have a friend who does great flint napping. I agree with Tara and Tsi methods also. Duffy use to get stone from North Carolina by the trailer load maybe 2-3 ton a year. I have a few pieces around of regular soup stone, black ? stone and red calunite stone. I have 3 carvings at the Smithsonian that Duffy asked us if any of us would like to donate. Also using power tools you have all this micro dust particals floating through the air and you need a mask(very bad for kids and not good for adults). Doing it by hands you can work anyplace with just shavings falling off not offending anyone next to you.

[Bubs]

my light bulb went on! Cayuga Bears uncle Joe is problably the best carver. He carved the arch way at the Ottawa Indian Affairs building. He is a great guy, and love's to talk carving. I can't speak for him but I am pretty sure he would tell you how he would do it.