It's common in pipemaking circles that any given stick of bamboo might yield only about 1/3 of it's entire length usable for pipes.
The problem is staining, discoloration, bends, uneven knuckle interim, or any of the hundred other things that can be blamed on the
inconsistency of nature. However, every once in a while I happen on a piece that, while it certainly isn't straight and uniform, is especially interesting and
I feel could make an interesting pipe. The piece of bamboo in this pipe was actually the middle secition of a piece about eight inches long that,
by itself, was not usable. But the bend in this section was just right, and I knew it was going to be great for I had in mind.
The bamboo here is thicker than normal, but in this shape is just sort of works. It helps the apple-shaped bowl really balance out like a thinner piece of bamboo might not.
And as an added touch, I've decided to leave the bowl unstained. It's been quite a while since I left a bowl unstained, and it has been past due. Nothing compliments
the natural color of bamboo, in my opinion, quite like unstained wood.
