Altering or customizing a pipe

[PMR]

I’ve been absent from here for a while, not for any reason specifically, mostly laziness. But recently I came across a Radice Rind pipe that was within budget and seemed reasonable. Unfortunately as soon as I got it home I didn’t like it as much. But I figured if I stained it it would look much better. It’s a Pure so it’s raw wood. I’m not a fan. I’ve rehabbed pipes before and made some for myself and others before so I’ve used stains and finishes before.

My question is this: is it the wrong thing to do? I don’t intend to sell it so I’m not worried about the value dropping.

I believe I can recall someone posting here that customization and personalization makes a pipe your own but I wanted to make sure I’m not committing a sin here. It is a Holy Week...

Any insight is welcome.

[Emperor Zurg]

Lol! I'd hardly consider butchering any pipe a sin.

I do know Bruck has played around with stain on pipes. Probably bluenoser too; he's made a few pjpes, he must have fooled around with stains and finishes.

[bluenoser]

I've done a few. On the pipes I've made I usually use leather dye diluted in rubbing alcohol. I usually do a good coat in black to pop the grain, sand it lightly, then dye with brown. Finish with bee's wax buffing.

Way I see it, it's your pipe, and if you aren't happy with how it looks it's yours to change. Post some pics of how it turns out