Discontinued The Okin by D.M. Pipes
- Thread starter Stu
- Start date
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- charcoal powered okin portable
axakal
Well-Known Member
get that coffee table book published already! 
While Okins are in the mail, I thought I would reflect on the changes since the first Okin prototype...
Proof of concept, worked OK, didn't last very long, heh.
Better. Still fairly crude and not very practical.
More prototypes, we're getting somewhere! But still a few problems.
Hmm.. maybe I'll add a box.
A better box. But still too many things inside..
A better metal tip, with two screws on each bronze prong.
New bamboo stem.
Forget the bamboo, hardwood all the way!
The production model.
Between the Beta test units, and the production units I made these minor changes:
Improved joint between steel tip and wood stem.
Steel mesh screen instead of fabric screen.
Polished inside diameter of steel tip.
Improved, darker, patina on the steel.
Hardwood stem instead of bamboo.
Improved inner airway design.
Beveled the edge on the steel tip that butts up against the charcoals for a better seal.
Improved charcoal manufacturing process, yielding more consistent charcoals, less rejects.
Improved logo design.
Added a proper charcoal drill.
It's been a wild ride! Thanks for all the input everyone!
@Dan Morrison - Okin's are in the mail???
stickstones
Vapor concierge
Congrats, @Dan Morrison ! I like the coffee table book idea!
Jazzah
Well-Known Member
@Dan Morrison
Obviously your work is amazing. I'm not sure if these questions have been answered before, but
1) Would the painted leather sleeves be maintained like the raw ones? Can the leather still be greased through the paint? How about chipping and drying out?
2) The way the crown is positioned in the box when it's packed, doesn't it rattle? I understand to secure it more tightly would require heat resistant means, but I think having it secured would be less annoying and possible better longevitywise.
3) As for the little box holding the charcoal, I've noticed that there is a gap between it and the sleeve. This concerns me because charcoal is so brittle, and it makes me fear that if I bring the box on a hike, there will be charcoal dust everywhere inside, most annoyingly on the mouthpiece. Is there no way to make the charcoal compartment completely closed of from the rest of the inside when its shut?
These are intented as constructive criticisms and in no way to insult or demean. I do realize that you have been using the Okin and I haven't so maybe I'm picturing it wrong in my head.
Obviously your work is amazing. I'm not sure if these questions have been answered before, but
1) Would the painted leather sleeves be maintained like the raw ones? Can the leather still be greased through the paint? How about chipping and drying out?
2) The way the crown is positioned in the box when it's packed, doesn't it rattle? I understand to secure it more tightly would require heat resistant means, but I think having it secured would be less annoying and possible better longevitywise.
3) As for the little box holding the charcoal, I've noticed that there is a gap between it and the sleeve. This concerns me because charcoal is so brittle, and it makes me fear that if I bring the box on a hike, there will be charcoal dust everywhere inside, most annoyingly on the mouthpiece. Is there no way to make the charcoal compartment completely closed of from the rest of the inside when its shut?
These are intented as constructive criticisms and in no way to insult or demean. I do realize that you have been using the Okin and I haven't so maybe I'm picturing it wrong in my head.
delloy
Well-Known Member
@Jazzah As far as I understand there is no leather anywhere on this vape. The slip cover for the box is made from laminated Kraft paper, painted with milk paint and then protected with beeswax/mineral oil. You could always just make a little card lid for the charcoal box as shown in the pictures of the box posted just above. 
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@Jazzah
1. No leather, its laminated Kraft paper. Painted surface is finished the same as the raw surface, beeswax and mineral oil. So, no chipping, no drying out.
2. The box was designed around the hieght of the crown when its laying on its side. The prongs have a bit of spring to them, and as you close the sleeve, it will press ever so slightly down on one of the bronze prongs. applying a bit of pressure to keep it from knocking around. You'll still get some rattle from the stem in there, but its fine IMO.
3. My charcoals are not as brittle as you would expect charcoal to be, based on probably every other charcoal you have touched. Hookah charcoal is extremely brittle and dusty, and same for most BBQ charcoal. My charcoals are quite hard and dont produce a lot of dust when its carried around in the box, even for extended himes.
Hope that helps dismay your worries!
1. No leather, its laminated Kraft paper. Painted surface is finished the same as the raw surface, beeswax and mineral oil. So, no chipping, no drying out.
2. The box was designed around the hieght of the crown when its laying on its side. The prongs have a bit of spring to them, and as you close the sleeve, it will press ever so slightly down on one of the bronze prongs. applying a bit of pressure to keep it from knocking around. You'll still get some rattle from the stem in there, but its fine IMO.
3. My charcoals are not as brittle as you would expect charcoal to be, based on probably every other charcoal you have touched. Hookah charcoal is extremely brittle and dusty, and same for most BBQ charcoal. My charcoals are quite hard and dont produce a lot of dust when its carried around in the box, even for extended himes.
Hope that helps dismay your worries!
Thats an older prototype box. No such design feature on the production model, found it too fiddly.
If you want to hold ABV in there i think a glass vial or corked tube or something would be a good bet.
delloy
Well-Known Member
They are, but its only the initial run of 10 that have gone out as I understand. I think Dan is making them in batches of 10 at a time
axakal
Well-Known Member
since you asked, my is in the first 10 and is on its way. it will probably take a couple of weeks until i can report its safe landing.
vapen00b
Many vapes & accessories. Always happy to help
Hope you'll have it sooner than later!
Please keep us updated - also regarding customs fees on EU shipping.
Enjoy vaping in the meantime - all of you
CharlieBelmont
Well-Known Member
The Eagle has landed my friends! Not going to get crazy with the photos, I'm not on Dans level. But I will share this for now:
Wow.
Wow.
Sweet!
I will be posting the Usage tutorial in like... 2 minutes. Check back!
EDIT:
Here is the Final usage/maintenance tutorial. Read it, learn it, BE IT. These instructions will mean the difference between joy and sadness, haha. As the beta testers know.... the learning curve is real.
http://imgur.com/a/B4z32
I may make some tweaks to the text over the next hour or so...
I will be posting the Usage tutorial in like... 2 minutes. Check back!
EDIT:
Here is the Final usage/maintenance tutorial. Read it, learn it, BE IT. These instructions will mean the difference between joy and sadness, haha. As the beta testers know.... the learning curve is real.
http://imgur.com/a/B4z32
I may make some tweaks to the text over the next hour or so...
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stickstones
Vapor concierge
fantastic tutorial!
And if you guys want a refresh of how the Okin was made. Here is a mega album of all the best photos from the entire manufacturing process!
http://imgur.com/a/1VaOq
http://imgur.com/a/1VaOq
"When you first bring the Okin upto your lips, exhale through the stem to blow out any remaining charcoal dust that may be inside the drilled holes. A few glowing sparks will fly out of the end."
This has been mentioned before and sounds really cool. I'd love to see a video of it.
This has been mentioned before and sounds really cool. I'd love to see a video of it.
Walter Bishop
Well-Known Member
Congrats on the thread breaking out of the, "upcoming and unreleased," forum and into the main portable vape area!
I must say, I've really enjoyed watching this process from start to finish. And I'm very Stoked to see that people are receiving their Okin's!
I'm #20 on the pre-sale list, so I'm hoping I'll be in the next batch. Very exciting!
I must say, I've really enjoyed watching this process from start to finish. And I'm very Stoked to see that people are receiving their Okin's!
I'm #20 on the pre-sale list, so I'm hoping I'll be in the next batch. Very exciting!
At the 1:30 mark of this video, you can see it. This is the older charcoal, and old technique. But you get the idea.
I'll be working on some much better video content in the upcoming months!
@Walter Bishop Thanks!
Seeing the thread in the new section was a really neat little milestone! And, yep, you will be included in the next batch.