I’ve been looking over the hand carved snuff spoon menu on Mr. Snuff lately. Most are out of stock, but those still on offer seem a bit pricey for what looks like a junior high school woodshop project gone horribly wrong. Nothing personal against the artist; they just don’t seem to warrant the price. Has anyone had any experience with these? I’d like to hear some reviews from folks that have actually used them before I pony up hard earned dollars and end up with a stick that’s had a turn or two in a lathe and a bit of wax polish. I seek out hand crafted artisan items, be they bread, cheese, wine, snuff or tobacco furniture, but I want to make sure the cost is commensurate with the quality of the finished product. I’ll happily pay $75.00 for an elegant snuff spoon that has the ergonomics of snuff taking factored into the engineering and execution of the instrument. I look at these as heirlooms, not just implements. Any feedback appreciated. Cheers
So Daniel, what are your optimum ergonomic wishes for a snuff spoon? This baby was just delivered and I’ve been looking for a first project: 
I considered getting one that had a mouse carved on it (go figure, lol), but ended up making one instead, but no mouse… Not all that difficult, just used a band saw and a dremel. Probably too small for one who takes large hits though, but that’s the beauty of making your own.
@Mouse Very well done!
neat old Craftsman lathe; you’re going to have fun with that. Now you’ve got to buy lots of tooling and gauges and rules and scribes and a grinder and then you’re gonna want a milling machine. You’ve been warned, lol.
@mecompco Very nice! You’ll have some fun with that baby. Ever take a hard look at the faux bamboo on a Radice Rind Rusticated? I love that carved rather than sandblasted rustication and the faux bamboo is cool. That would make a nice snuff spoon, slightly curved, like a 1/16 bent stem similar to a prince shape. The bowl of the spoon should be somewhat smaller than the one @crullers picked up at the dollar store; say about 1/4 tsp, or about 1/1000th of crullers’ spoon. =)) About the same size and shape of the bowl on that beautiful piece by @Mouse (that is absolutely gorgeous).
neat old Craftsman lathe; you’re going to have fun with that. Now you’ve got to buy lots of tooling and gauges and rules and scribes and a grinder and then you’re gonna want a milling machine. You’ve been warned, lol.
Thanks, it’s really tight for an oldie. Got it off my gunsmith buddy–he was using it right up until delivery (he finally got his huge Grizzly set up). I hear 'ya on cutting tools, etc. The live center is shot and I need to find a good way to chuck up stummels and he only through in a couple cutting tools. I do have a 1x30 belt sander and a 2.5x36 belt grinder, nice vise and a crappy drill press from when I was interested in knife making so I’m not totally starting from scratch.
@mecompco Very nice! You’ll have some fun with that baby. Ever take a hard look at the faux bamboo on a Radice Rind Rusticated? I love that carved rather than sandblasted rustication and the faux bamboo is cool. That would make a nice snuff spoon, slightly curved, like a 1/16 bent stem similar to a prince shape. The bowl of the spoon should be somewhat smaller than the one @crullers picked up at the dollar store; say about 1/4 tsp, or about 1/1000th of crullers’ spoon. =)) About the same size and shape of the bowl on that beautiful piece by @Mouse (that is absolutely gorgeous).
I’ll check out the “bamboo”! Of course I got the lathe for pipe making, but snuff spoons and tampers (perhaps a combo?) are also of interest. I’ve got a couple small ebauchons I got in a trade on hand, but need to source rod for stems, etc. and more briar. I was sort of thinking a nice part brass, part exotic wood snuff spoon/tamper would be cool. The only thing lacking may be my skill.
neat old Craftsman lathe; you’re going to have fun with that. Now you’ve got to buy lots of tooling and gauges and rules and scribes and a grinder and then you’re gonna want a milling machine. You’ve been warned, lol.
Thanks, it’s really tight for an oldie. Got it off my gunsmith buddy–he was using it right up until delivery (he finally got his huge Grizzly set up). I hear 'ya on cutting tools, etc. The live center is shot and I need to find a good way to chuck up stummels and he only through in a couple cutting tools. I do have a 1x30 belt sander and a 2.5x36 belt grinder, nice vise and a crappy drill press from when I was interested in knife making so I’m not totally starting from scratch.
this site has some of the useful tools… “http://www.pimopipecraft.com/tools.html” littlemachineshop.com has bunches of lathe stuff somewhere I saw a neat chuck for briar blocks but I can’t remember where. There is also a forum for pipe makers “http://www.pipemakersforum.com/”. A note to Mark Tinsky might get you some leads.
I have complete confidence in @mecompco If his skill with tools matches his tastes in snuff we’re in good hands.
I have complete confidence in @mecompco If his skill with tools matches his tastes in snuff we’re in good hands.
Daniel, I’m afraid my lathe skills are lacking, have not touched one since I was a lad. However, I do have a general knowledge of its operation and lots of patience. I’m thinking some 1/4" brass rod (perhaps a little thicker), some fancy turning, a drilled and sculpted snuff pocket and an exotic wood handle would be nice. A piece of brass or steel at the end of the handle would look nice and make a handy tamper. I use a Mr. Snuff titanium spoon and it is great, but the snuff pocket could be a little larger.
@mecompco I’ve got one of those titanium spoons, or rather, used to have one. I gave it to my wife for her WoS Raspberry bumps. The bowl is just too small and too shallow for me. She likes it, so that’s really all that matters; domestic tranquility and all that.
@mecompco I’ve got one of those titanium spoons, or rather, used to have one. I gave it to my wife for her WoS Raspberry bumps. The bowl is just too small and too shallow for me. She likes it, so that’s really all that matters; domestic tranquility and all that.
Yes, that’s my only beef with it. I’m thinking a bowl with at least twice the capacity would be good.
Minimum. Mr. Snuff’s stainless spoon is perfect for dual bumps.
So I’m thinking–the titanium spoon measures ~.350 at it’s largest part (~.286 for the spoon). Do we think something based upon a .4375 (7/16) brass rod would be large enough? I’m thinking of mating the brass rod to a nice exotic wood handle. My though is to leave the spoon bowl almost full width, say .40, drill the snuff reservoir, then sculpt it a bit. The handle would be the same diameter, tapered gradually down along with the brass. I’m also thinking a brass end on the handle for use as a tamper (max dia. of the Chez tool tamper is ~.575). I’m thinking Cocobolo for the handle: http://www.pennstateind.com/store/WX01-1.html. This isn’t going to be a cheap project, but I think it will be a super snuff spoon. Thoughts?
I think I’m getting an erection. :)) :(|) That’s sounds great. No worries on the cost. Heirlooms aren’t cheap. As long as it combines artistry (as in creativity), solid craftsmanship, great materials, serves its purpose and is a thing of beauty it fills in all the blanks for me. If I were looking only for an instrument to transport snuff to nose I’d still be using an old Bic pen cap. I’m looking for an artist like you to make something beautiful. I think I found the right place. Cheers
Materials ordered. Now, any thoughts on the length/proportions? Wood is ~5" long and the brass part can be any length (ordered 12" rods). Titanium spoon is a bit under 4.5" long total. I don’t think I’d want to make them any shorter, but I also don’t want it to be unwieldy. Perhaps 3" of wood and 3" of brass, tapering down to the business end. Too long? Any thoughts?
@mecompco The spoon I use is 4" and I think it’s a great length for me, but I wear a medium in gloves so my hands might be smaller than most, but I think you’re on the right track as far as length and spoon size. I’m excited to see the finished product.
@mecompco The spoon I use is 4" and I think it’s a great length for me, but I wear a medium in gloves so my hands might be smaller than most, but I think you’re on the right track as far as length and spoon size. I’m excited to see the finished product.
Thanks for the input. I bought enough Cocobolo blanks so I can try a variety of sizes. I’ll post pics of the prototype as it comes together. I’m noodling around a plan for the brass-wood joint right now. I’m thinking a tenon-type joint with slow cure epoxy. I could also pin it like I would do for a knife handle, but that might be overkill for a snuff spoon (but then, I appreciate overkill, so I might do it anyway).
For me 5" is about right. A gentle curve for ergonomics and aesthetics and more wood than metal; if 4" of wood and 1" of metal is possible that would work. I think a secure tenon joint would do just fine. If there could be a flat surface tapering to round at the “business end” that would be nice too. Let me know the cost so I can auction off my first born son on ebay. I wonder what 34 year olds go for these days?