Latest installment - a billiard that I sanded down and shellacked.



This started out as a "sandblasted" briar, and I have attempted to smooth it out as I prefer that look. Unforch (1) some of the sandblasting artifacts are too deep, so I had to leave them be, otherwise the walls would be to thin overall, and (2) although it's aged well, it's not all that high of quality briar, so there are some cavities in the bowl.

Here's the other side, close up.



No dyeing or other coloring, and coated with clear shellac - several coats of thinned shellac. Sort of like the "French Polish" method that Don, @Herf N Turf , mentions above. Shellacking is considered "cheating" among master pipe finishers, and the quick and dirty way to get a good shine on a cheap pipe, and all I can say is, guilty as charged on both counts, your honor. Thought I'd give it a try, mainly to see if Bullseye shellac stands up to the heat. So far so good, breaking it in with some Esoterica Stonehaven at this time.