How to Make a Peace Pipe for Tobacco
The American Indian peace pipe is used in various ceremonies and rituals to communicate thoughts and prayers to the spirits. It is considered a small, personal altar, where the very act of smoking is also making a sacred offering to the Great Spirit (Wakan Tanka), Mother Earth, as well as the four directions. Regular tobacco and herbal blends are used as smoking material. This rich, meaningful custom is kept alive by traditional pipe making in the individual tribes and by those who respect and admire the American Indian spiritual path.
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Things You'll Need
- Branch of white ash (straight with no knots)
- Carving knife
- Small wood saw
- 3/16-inch metal skewer, 14-18 inches long
- Blow torch or propane torch
- Chunk of soapstone (or pipestone)
- Gloves and protective mask
- Pencil
- Stone carving tools (chisel, rasps and files)
- 400-grit sandpaper (optional)
Instructions
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1
Trim any small branches from the white ash branch, and peel the bark away with the carving knife. Using the wood saw, cut about 1/4 inch off each side so that the pith (the inside of the tree branch) is exposed. Sand it with the sandpaper if you like; if not, just leave it raw.
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2
Turn on the propane torch and heat one end of the metal skewer until it is red hot. Alternatively, you can heat it in a fire.
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3
Hold the branch vertically and push the skewer down through the center of the branch, going in as straight as possible. The hot metal tip will burn away the pith with gentle downward pressure. Reheat the skewer as needed.
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4
When you have reached the middle of the branch, turn it around and repeat the procedure from the other end. Heat the skewer and push it straight through the center, slowly applying pressure, until you have hollowed out all the pith inside. Blow through the stem to expel any ash.
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5
Use the pencil to draw on the piece of soapstone the general shape for the bowl. Mark the exact dimensions of the hole for the stem by using it as a guide to trace around the circumference. Cut off any extra stone with the saw, and then carve the bowl with a chisel, using the files and rasps to smooth and shape it. The bowl should be deep enough to have a connecting hole for the bowl and to hold the tobacco.
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6
Using gentle pressure, connect the stem to the soapstone bowl, pressing the stem through the hole. There should be no need for glue or another bonding material. The pipe is ready to use as is, or you can decorate it first using feathers, strips of leather, precious stones or tufts of animal hair.
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Tips & Warnings
Soapstone is very soft, and it is easy to make mistakes when carving it. Try carving on a few stones first until you are confident.
For a more polished look, try heating the soapstone for 10 minutes at 200 degrees Fahrenheit before sanding. Afterward, buff with a soft rag and furniture wax.
Be extra careful when handling saws, blades or knives of any sort. Always cut away from you and take the necessary precautions to avoid cutting yourself.
When handling the hot metal skewer, wear gloves to protect your hands from burns.
To avoid breathing dust while carving soapstone, wear a light mask and wet your piece of stone periodically with water. Vacuum thoroughly afterward.
