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Link Posted: 5/10/2018 8:19:27 PM EDT
[#1]
Link Posted: 5/10/2018 9:55:42 PM EDT
[#2]
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Quoted:
Done.  I'll decide what phone number to get.  I wonder how easy or cheap it would be to get a second line.  Although, I also wonder if I really even need it.
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Quoted:
Quoted:

I would remove the address and get a business number, but otherwise I like the site.
Done.  I'll decide what phone number to get.  I wonder how easy or cheap it would be to get a second line.  Although, I also wonder if I really even need it.
Just checked it out on my iPhone 6s+/Safari.
Looks good, no issues.

Many online retailers don’t even provide phone/addy any more.
Link Posted: 5/10/2018 10:16:00 PM EDT
[#3]
Nice looking site.

A few suggestions:
  • If feasible, I would add a zoom feature for the inventory pictures. (Close up shots if not)
  • You need end quotation marks on your reviews.
  • You might consolidate them under a customer photo gallery/user review section.
  • In a niche field, customer service is key. You might consider adding a handwritten note with each order, time allowing. Goulet Pens is famous for this in the fountain pen industry. They include a note, decorative card, and a Tootsie-Pop in each order.
  • Using Goulet again as an example, they grew a built-in customer base with free educational material on their site and on social media (YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook). I can purchase pens anywhere. I choose to shop primarily at Goulet because I feel like I have a connection to them due to Brian Goulet's hundreds of YouTube videos. Perhaps make videos of the pipe making process, occasional vlogs about the industry, pipe conventions, what have you. Pipes are a natural for classy shots on Instagram.

I know these are simple suggestions. I don't intend them as condescending or snarky. They mostly came to mind as I am in the process of launching a small business as well. Good luck and I will be ordering a pipe as finances allow.
Link Posted: 5/10/2018 11:08:38 PM EDT
[#4]
Link Posted: 5/11/2018 12:43:16 AM EDT
[#5]
Link Posted: 5/21/2018 12:43:47 PM EDT
[#6]
Link Posted: 5/21/2018 1:41:20 PM EDT
[#7]
I just found your thread and read the first page. I enjoyed it and got much pleasure from it.

Great photos and work. It’s obvious you are talented. Methinks you are underestimating your gift!
Link Posted: 5/21/2018 3:59:19 PM EDT
[#8]
Link Posted: 5/21/2018 3:59:30 PM EDT
[#9]
Link Posted: 5/21/2018 5:18:42 PM EDT
[#10]
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Quoted:
I am upgrading the site, so that for each of the "Available Pipes" you will be able to click on any of the images, and then be taken to a dedicated page for that pipe, with larger images showing more detail, as well a dimensions and weight for the pipe.

Right now, I've only done it for the "Rustic Danish Freehand" if anyone wants to test it.
View Quote
Looks good (Fancy Smooth Blowfish is working now also).

I'll check it out on the iPhone...

Works good on the iPhone.

Only oddity of note, the order of the pipes on the page was different between the PC and the iPhone.
Link Posted: 5/21/2018 6:10:54 PM EDT
[#11]
Link Posted: 5/21/2018 7:18:42 PM EDT
[#12]
The Lars Ivarsson style one and the recent blowfish are really, really nice - definitely stepping up your game with those!
Link Posted: 5/21/2018 7:24:45 PM EDT
[#13]
Link Posted: 5/21/2018 7:54:24 PM EDT
[#14]
Link Posted: 5/21/2018 8:51:30 PM EDT
[#15]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
I just finished a new pipe! ... and this one took a while.    It's a follow-up to the blowfish I posted on the previous page.  This one is smaller, and as a result has a more elongated shape, but keeps the basic design elements of the previous one, including the exposed plateau in three locations.  I like this one a lot, but it may not be everyone's cup of tea.

Blowfish are definitely hard to make!

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/1715/P1013609_JPG-551099.jpg

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/1715/P1013608_JPG-551098.jpg

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/1715/P1013601_JPG-551093.jpg

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/1715/P1013603_JPG-551094.jpg

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/1715/P1013605_JPG-551095.jpg

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/1715/P1013606_JPG-551096.jpg

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/1715/P1013607_JPG-551097.jpg

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/1715/P1013610_JPG-551100.jpg
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Link Posted: 5/21/2018 11:33:02 PM EDT
[#16]
Link Posted: 5/22/2018 8:10:15 AM EDT
[#17]
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Quoted:
You are a very, very patient man.  
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I just finished a new pipe! ... and this one took a while.    It's a follow-up to the blowfish I posted on the previous page.  This one is smaller, and as a result has a more elongated shape, but keeps the basic design elements of the previous one, including the exposed plateau in three locations.  I like this one a lot, but it may not be everyone's cup of tea.

Blowfish are definitely hard to make!

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/1715/P1013609_JPG-551099.jpg

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/1715/P1013608_JPG-551098.jpg

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/1715/P1013601_JPG-551093.jpg

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/1715/P1013603_JPG-551094.jpg

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/1715/P1013605_JPG-551095.jpg

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/1715/P1013606_JPG-551096.jpg

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/1715/P1013607_JPG-551097.jpg

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/1715/P1013610_JPG-551100.jpg
You are a very, very patient man.  
You finished it a lot quicker than I would have.  Not a bad turnaround at all.
Link Posted: 5/22/2018 4:16:57 PM EDT
[#18]
Link Posted: 5/23/2018 7:50:55 AM EDT
[#19]
Q: Is it true that Taylor Swift music is played while every pipe is made?

A: Taylor Swift is certainly not played non-stop in the workshop all the time!  But, yes, Taylor Swift will have been played at some point during the production of all pipes made by Vinland Pipes.  
View Quote
Link Posted: 5/23/2018 9:07:44 AM EDT
[#20]
Beautiful Pipes!

I will have to check out the site at home, same issue as someone else blocked (marijuana)
Link Posted: 5/23/2018 11:45:25 AM EDT
[#21]
Link Posted: 5/23/2018 11:46:20 AM EDT
[#22]
Link Posted: 5/24/2018 10:44:43 PM EDT
[#23]
Look what was in the mail tonight!





Link Posted: 5/24/2018 11:14:30 PM EDT
[#24]
I don't see a way to purchase items from the swag store, is there a shopping cart feature?
Link Posted: 5/24/2018 11:27:58 PM EDT
[#25]
Link Posted: 5/24/2018 11:28:46 PM EDT
[#26]
Link Posted: 5/25/2018 4:51:16 PM EDT
[#27]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:

No - you'd have to send an email.  Setting up the whole shopping cart stuff would be n expensive upgrade to the site.  

... plus, I didn't really think anyone would ACTUALLY buy anything from there.  
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The swag store...when you can't afford a pipe, but still want that pipe lifestyle.
Link Posted: 5/26/2018 12:56:25 PM EDT
[#28]
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Quoted:
Awesome!  

I hope it smokes well.  Thank you so much!
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Quoted:
Awesome!  

I hope it smokes well.  Thank you so much!
It smoked wonderfully.  Easy draw, and it was nice and cool.

Years from now, when Vinland Pipes are selling for thousands of dollars I'll be able to say I have one in the double digits serial number, back before he started making his signature "gooseneck" style.
Link Posted: 6/24/2018 3:14:04 AM EDT
[#29]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
The swag store...when you can't afford a pipe, but still want that pipe lifestyle.
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Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:

No - you'd have to send an email.  Setting up the whole shopping cart stuff would be n expensive upgrade to the site.  

... plus, I didn't really think anyone would ACTUALLY buy anything from there.  
The swag store...when you can't afford a pipe, but still want that pipe lifestyle.
I want a sticker for my gunsafe, not gonna lie.

DK, your pipes look great, as does your site.

This was a cool thread, very fun to follow along.
Link Posted: 6/24/2018 2:09:37 PM EDT
[#30]
Link Posted: 6/24/2018 2:23:17 PM EDT
[#31]
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Quoted:
IM me your address, and I'll send you one.  
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Quoted:
I want a sticker for my gunsafe, not gonna lie.

DK, your pipes look great, as does your site.

This was a cool thread, very fun to follow along.
IM me your address, and I'll send you one.  
Sweet, thanks!
Link Posted: 6/25/2018 1:02:59 PM EDT
[#32]
Link Posted: 6/25/2018 1:18:13 PM EDT
[#33]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Finished five new pipes over the weekend.  Well, actually one is a "salvage" pipe, in that the original design failed (I broke the shank), and I managed to create something sorta workable out of it after all.  

Obviously, they are not polished/waxed yet.

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/1715/EF621D35-D6B8-4B13-81B8-DAA543269A19-586970.jpg
View Quote
They look great, you are really talented IMO.

If I tried to do that, it would end up looking like a 5 year old went to town on a bandsaw.
Link Posted: 6/25/2018 7:33:00 PM EDT
[#34]
Link Posted: 6/25/2018 7:34:22 PM EDT
[#35]
Link Posted: 6/25/2018 7:39:10 PM EDT
[#36]
Link Posted: 6/25/2018 7:43:17 PM EDT
[#37]
Link Posted: 6/25/2018 7:45:28 PM EDT
[#38]
Link Posted: 6/25/2018 7:50:41 PM EDT
[#39]
Link Posted: 6/25/2018 7:51:45 PM EDT
[#40]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Finished five new pipes over the weekend.  Well, actually one is a “salvage” pipe, in that the original design failed (I broke the shank), and I managed to create something sorta workable out of it after all.  

Obviously, they are not polished/waxed yet.

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/1715/EF621D35-D6B8-4B13-81B8-DAA543269A19-586970.jpg
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Is the first one on the right for sale?
Link Posted: 6/25/2018 7:51:47 PM EDT
[#41]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
This is a style I have made before, and I really like it.  I am sure it has a technical name - like "bent acorn" or "half tomato" or something like that - but I haven't looked it up.  That's the kind of thing I really should know, if I am going to aspire to be a serious pipe maker.  

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/1715/P1013639_JPG-587270.jpg

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/1715/P1013641_JPG-587271.jpg

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/1715/P1013646_JPG-587272.jpg
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Almost looks like a brandy snifter type.
Link Posted: 6/25/2018 8:02:28 PM EDT
[#42]
Link Posted: 6/25/2018 8:03:24 PM EDT
[#43]
Link Posted: 6/25/2018 9:04:58 PM EDT
[#44]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
This one is the "salvage" pipe.  It was originally a blowfish - similar in style to pipe number 65 further up on this page, but I made the shank too thin, and drilled the mortise hole slightly off-center - and so it cracked.  In order to try to get a workable pipe out of it, I then cut off the remains of the shank, and tried to make a more compact "pocket" pipe out of it.  I think it actually looks pretty neat, but it remains a failed pipe in my mind.  Also, the briar grain is not great, IMO; Ideally on the blowfish, you'd have really distinct birdseye/burl on the sides, but this one could be better.

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/1715/P1013614_JPG-587264.jpg

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/1715/P1013616_JPG-587265.jpg

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/1715/P1013617_JPG-587266.jpg
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Good save!
Link Posted: 6/25/2018 10:27:41 PM EDT
[#45]
Maybe you could make a tool to rusticate the briar where it has flaws?  I've heard of guys grinding down and sharpening things like old chisels.  Might be a way to salvage some of it.
Link Posted: 6/25/2018 11:03:02 PM EDT
[#46]
Link Posted: 6/25/2018 11:08:50 PM EDT
[#47]
When I was a kid there was a family named Smith that lived up on a dirt road at the bottom of the mountain in a single-wide mobile home with no electricity and chickens walking in an out the front door.  The whole clan had yet to throw off a high-school graduate and all older than about 21 were alumni of the ADoC.

Anyway, Dave Smith could make a pipe from anything.  Anything.  And he didn't even have a logo.
Link Posted: 6/25/2018 11:15:26 PM EDT
[#48]
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Quoted:
Finally, there is this one.  This is the 70th pipe I have made.  

Ironically, I am not actually that happy with this pipe.  On the one hand, I love the shape; the large bowl and the thin shank/stem works really well.  Also, the flame grain on the side and the birdseye on the bottom looks awesome.  So in terms of design, I am very happy.

However, in terms of actual implementation, I feel like the fit between shank and stem is just not "clean" and/or tight enough, and there is a serious flaw in the briar on the front of the bowl (you can see it - a horizontal flaw/crack - in the first photo).  So this one is a disappointment, despite how promising it was.  I need to develop my skill more, and I need to be luckier with the briar.

I got a big shipment of briar from Italy a few months ago, and while some of the pieces have been absolutely stunning, a distressingly large number of other pieces have had a number of small flaws.  So I may stop buying from this guy.  

Attachment Attached File


https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/1715/P1013650_JPG-587274.jpg

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/1715/P1013651_JPG-587275.jpg
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I really like this one. It seems very classic to me.
Link Posted: 6/25/2018 11:30:31 PM EDT
[#49]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Yeah, that's pretty cool, and moderately pornographic.
Link Posted: 6/26/2018 3:51:39 AM EDT
[#50]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Finally, there is this one.  This is the 70th pipe I have made.  

Ironically, I am not actually that happy with this pipe.  On the one hand, I love the shape; the large bowl and the thin shank/stem works really well.  Also, the flame grain on the side and the birdseye on the bottom looks awesome.  So in terms of design, I am very happy.

However, in terms of actual implementation, I feel like the fit between shank and stem is just not "clean" and/or tight enough, and there is a serious flaw in the briar on the front of the bowl (you can see it - a horizontal flaw/crack - in the first photo).  So this one is a disappointment, despite how promising it was.  I need to develop my skill more, and I need to be luckier with the briar.

I got a big shipment of briar from Italy a few months ago, and while some of the pieces have been absolutely stunning, a distressingly large number of other pieces have had a number of small flaws.  So I may stop buying from this guy.  

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/1715/P1013648_JPG-587273.jpg

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/1715/P1013650_JPG-587274.jpg

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/1715/P1013651_JPG-587275.jpg
View Quote
I really like that one.
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