Well I acquired this pipe a couple of years ago. I take it to every show and so far not much interest has been shown. It’s soapstone and rather rustic looking. What’s your opinion on it? Real or Fake
I am on the fence with it. It has the appearance of being pecked. I don't think soapstone AKA steatite, was pecked, maybe so. It could be those are imperfections in the stone.
soapstone when mined for use and fresh is soft and carved I believe. most of the steatite pipes I have seen, and I have one, are darker in appearance.
I agree with Up-North that its more likely late 1800s to early 1900s.
Here’s a pic. Of a recent pipe I made of a similar stone as yours.
Mine has been grinded and polished to give it this appearance, yours looks to be more in the raw state and it’s a cool pipe regardless to its age
That’s a cool pipe. Any idea where it came from? My friend in Tacoma found something very similar while she was camping. Hers was about the same size and looks almost like the same stone.