How to Make an Indian Peace Pipe
Many people are drawn to American Indian history and artifacts, which tell the story of the United States long before today's societies inhabited it. If you are one of these people, you may have discovered that owning a piece of Native American culture, such as a peace pipe, can be an expensive endeavor. Express your appreciation for this proud people by making your own.
Things You'll Need
- White ash wood, 1-inch wide by 1-inch tall by 16-inches long
- Soapstone slightly larger than you wish the bowl of the pipe to be
- 18 inch metal barbecue skewer
- Measuring tape
- Jewelry wire
- Chalk
- Carving knife
- Large candle
- Matches
- Pipe screen
- Feathers and/or beads (optional)
Instructions
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1
Measure across the width of each end of the wood to locate the exact center (it should be very close to 1/2 inch from either edge), and mark it with the chalk.
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2
Light the candle with a match. Hold the sharp end of the metal skewer in the flame until it is red and hot.
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3
Push the sharp end of the skewer against the top chalk mark. The skewer will slowly sink into the wood, making a hole. Reheat the tip in the candle flame and reapply it to the wood as needed. Stop when you reach the center of the wood. Turn the piece of wood around. Repeat this process from the opposite end until the skewer goes all the way through the wood.
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4
Insert a piece of jewelry wire slightly longer than the pipe stem through the hole and rub it around the edges to clear any loose particles of wood. Discard the wire.
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5
Carve a design into the wooden pipe stem if you wish. (Traditional patterns for specific tribes can be found online.)
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6
Place the end of the pipe stem against the center of the side of the soapstone so that it resembles a spoon. Draw around the end of the stem with the chalk to mark the circumference. Decide how tall you want the bowl of the pipe to be. Use the chalk to mark this. Draw a circle around the soapstone, level with this mark, to guide you. Use the carving knife to cut away the excess soapstone above this line. Use the knife to carve out the center of the soapstone after it is cut to make a hollow bowl. Cut away the stone within the circle that you drew around the end of the pipe stem to make a hole for it. Brush away any dust.
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7
Slide the pipe stem into the bowl and lay a small piece of pipe screen in the bottom of the bowl. Use the jewelry wire to affix feathers and/or beads to the stem, if you wish.
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