Discontinued The Okin by D.M. Pipes

[pakalolo]

@pakalolo
How about those in-depth tester reviews. I know you've already explained alot of things about usage and who would like it and who not, but you haven't really given us your personal opinion. Do you use it often? Has it gotten a special place in your life? What does your wife think (assuming there is a Misses Pakalolo)? and so on ...

I would include the other testers' names but I've forgotten who they were, and they really haven't chipped in at all yet, if I'm not mistaken

You spotted that, eh? I tend to be cautious about stating my personal preference because there are those who believe that I use my position as moderator unduly to obtain free vapourizers in exchange for promoting them. I try not to encourage that idea so that I can let my record stand on its own. (This is not a topic for discussion, it's just background, so if you want to comment please use a PM.)

Since you asked directly, I can reveal that I like the Okin a lot. Dan is an artist as much as a craftsman, so I've always seen it as an art object as much as a tool. I appreciate the simple beauty of the concept and the clever way it is implemented. I like the modern take on a ritual that takes me back to my earliest experiences with cannabis, in the 60s. While I have no fondness for smoking, I still find the way that the Okin resembles a combustion experience to be highly satisfying.

For me, using the Okin is a special occasion so I would not use it often. Mostly it will be on display next to the koa MFLB that MagicFlight gave me after I created the Vaporpedia entry. It's a show piece.

My wife thinks I'm crazy, but not because of the Okin. This goes back a ways...

 

[Stu]

I would include the other testers' names but I've forgotten who they were, and they really haven't chipped in at all yet, if I'm not mistaken

Ouch!

I very much like my Okin and really appreciate Dan's design and craftsmanship. It's a totally unique vaporizer and as such it has it's own unique qualities and limitations.

I enjoy the ritual of using the Okin as much as actually using it. Having said that, it is not going to be the vape for everyone, especially not for vape noobs. It is truly a connoisseur's vaporizer. Do not expect the Okin to be your biggest hitter, most stealthy, best tasting, or quickest-to-use vaporizer with no learning curve. There are other vapes available that better suited for those things.

Do expect the Okin to be a functional piece of art handcrafted by a master craftsman that provides a unique and satisfying vaporizing experience for those that can appreciate the finer things in life.

 

[sasNW]

The 2 reviews above are all I needed to hear, thanks for your input guys! I'm guessing no one is expecting this to be their "night out" vape. I know I don't plan on lighting a charcoal around the corner from the movies haha. But I can't imagine something I'd want more when I'm out in nature rock climbing, hiking or camping. I think of this vape as high quality tequila... No I'm not drinking it every night after work... But when I do bust it out you bet your ass I enjoy it and it's makes the experience that much better knowing it's not an everyday thing. Just my take

Thanks a lot for the input stu and pak!!

 

[Dan Morrison]

For all those wondering, I don't include any sort of bill inside of my packages. Everything is online, and it seems like a waste of paper to me.

Hey @Dan Morrison

<------- This fellow vaporizer manufacturer admires your craft and skills.



I want to say thank you because I have learned so much from you.

Triihouse motto is " made by people who love what they do."

I think you LOVE what you do.

Congratulations on all your accomplishments so far.

Lets talk design someday when you won't be busy as Shiite.

We can join forces against the big machine that spits out soul-less products that are made by people
who do NOT love what they do.

Awesome! I've definitely admired your work as well. Simple, elegant designs.

Thanks for the kind words!

I think, we love what we do, haha. And I'm sure we could both benefit from some level of collaboration!

 

[Dan Morrison]

I'll be posting progress updates on days that I spend in the shop. Here's day one working on the first batch of 10 Okins!

Measuring and layout.

Spot drilling on my drilling jig.

Cut some mahogany strips for the box sides.

Box sides all cut to length. Enough here for 14 boxes.

I spent the rest of the day putting together a proper box joint jig. The jig I used on the testers boxes was OK, but I wanted something more robust, accurate, and faster to use. Photos of the jig will come tomorrow when It's finished, right now it's covered in clamps after a glue-up.

 

[stickstones]

How about those in-depth tester reviews.

I don't typically like to post about a vape until I have it figured out, and this one is taking a while in the beta phase. We've been talking a lot about coal composition, length and holes. A lot of screen depth experimentation, as well as cloth versus ss screens. For a vape that looks incredibly simple, there is a lot to figure out and master. The main goal of the beta phase lately has been focusing on optimal usage instructions.

I think I was having the most trouble with it out of all the beta testers, so I haven't posted much. But the last several sessions have really been good and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! I'm still not a jedi at this thing by any means, but I've had enough of the good stretches with this thing to know it works and can get to where I want it to. My biggest problem has been getting consistently good taste out of my sessions. It's getting better, and I always get some tasty hits, I just haven't gotten consistent with it yet.

Here are my thoughts:

This vape is not for someone who doesn't want to tinker with technique. If you just want to push a button and inhale, move along. I also don't think it will be one that gets used more than once a day, so like the others have said, this is not your daily driver.

It is for someone who wants a collector piece of art that is beautiful and enjoyable to hold and feel. It is for someone who wants to have a relaxing night cap or 'smoke' at the end of the day. It's for anyone who loves the ritual of smoking, like packing a pipe or rolling a joint. Dan's experience with pipes really shines through in the Okin by presenting us with a ritual that gets my mind off the day.

I find its ritual addicting and I look forward to giving my wife her cocktail while I prep my Okin and enjoy a session. I end up puffing on it like a cigar without meaning to.

I don't use it for the taste yet, but I see that improving. The effects are strong and with very little herb. Every time I dump out the load I am amazed at how little is in there. You can put more in if you want, of course, by changing the screen depth.

I think the perfect customer for this vape is the experienced vaporist who wants something really special, unique and captivating. I know I'll never be getting rid of mine!

 

[EmDeemo]

I don't typically like to post about a vape until I have it figured out, and this one is taking a while in the beta phase. We've been talking a lot about coal composition, length and holes. A lot of screen depth experimentation, as well as cloth versus ss screens. For a vape that looks incredibly simple, there is a lot to figure out and master. The main goal of the beta phase lately has been focusing on optimal usage instructions.

I think I was having the most trouble with it out of all the beta testers, so I haven't posted much. But the last several sessions have really been good and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! I'm still not a jedi at this thing by any means, but I've had enough of the good stretches with this thing to know it works and can get to where I want it to. My biggest problem has been getting consistently good taste out of my sessions. It's getting better, and I always get some tasty hits, I just haven't gotten consistent with it yet.

Here are my thoughts:

This vape is not for someone who doesn't want to tinker with technique. If you just want to push a button and inhale, move along. I also don't think it will be one that gets used more than once a day, so like the others have said, this is not your daily driver.

It is for someone who wants a collector piece of art that is beautiful and enjoyable to hold and feel. It is for someone who wants to have a relaxing night cap or 'smoke' at the end of the day. It's for anyone who loves the ritual of smoking, like packing a pipe or rolling a joint. Dan's experience with pipes really shines through in the Okin by presenting us with a ritual that gets my mind off the day.

I find its ritual addicting and I look forward to giving my wife her cocktail while I prep my Okin and enjoy a session. I end up puffing on it like a cigar without meaning to.

I don't use it for the taste yet, but I see that improving. The effects are strong and with very little herb. Every time I dump out the load I am amazed at how little is in there. You can put more in if you want, of course, by changing the screen depth.

I think the perfect customer for this vape is the experienced vaporist who wants something really special, unique and captivating. I know I'll never be getting rid of mine!

Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[Snappo]

I don't typically like to post about a vape until I have it figured out, and this one is taking a while in the beta phase. We've been talking a lot about coal composition, length and holes. A lot of screen depth experimentation, as well as cloth versus ss screens. For a vape that looks incredibly simple, there is a lot to figure out and master. The main goal of the beta phase lately has been focusing on optimal usage instructions.

I think I was having the most trouble with it out of all the beta testers, so I haven't posted much. But the last several sessions have really been good and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! I'm still not a jedi at this thing by any means, but I've had enough of the good stretches with this thing to know it works and can get to where I want it to. My biggest problem has been getting consistently good taste out of my sessions. It's getting better, and I always get some tasty hits, I just haven't gotten consistent with it yet.

Here are my thoughts:

This vape is not for someone who doesn't want to tinker with technique. If you just want to push a button and inhale, move along. I also don't think it will be one that gets used more than once a day, so like the others have said, this is not your daily driver.

It is for someone who wants a collector piece of art that is beautiful and enjoyable to hold and feel. It is for someone who wants to have a relaxing night cap or 'smoke' at the end of the day. It's for anyone who loves the ritual of smoking, like packing a pipe or rolling a joint. Dan's experience with pipes really shines through in the Okin by presenting us with a ritual that gets my mind off the day.

I find its ritual addicting and I look forward to giving my wife her cocktail while I prep my Okin and enjoy a session. I end up puffing on it like a cigar without meaning to.

I don't use it for the taste yet, but I see that improving. The effects are strong and with very little herb. Every time I dump out the load I am amazed at how little is in there. You can put more in if you want, of course, by changing the screen depth.

I think the perfect customer for this vape is the experienced vaporist who wants something really special, unique and captivating. I know I'll never be getting rid of mine!

Great reflective review!!! Thank you!!! I could not now be more convinced that the Okin is the PERFECT vaping companion for me!

 

[Stu]

I'll be posting progress updates on days that I spend in the shop. Here's day one working on the first batch of 10 Okins!

Measuring and layout.

Spot drilling on my drilling jig.

Cut some mahogany strips for the box sides.

Box sides all cut to length. Enough here for 14 boxes.

I spent the rest of the day putting together a proper box joint jig. The jig I used on the testers boxes was OK, but I wanted something more robust, accurate, and faster to use. Photos of the jig will come tomorrow when It's finished, right now it's covered in clamps after a glue-up.

Dan, I can't see the images. Is it just me?

 

[Madcap79]

Dan, I can't see the images. Is it just me?

I can see them on my iPad.

Edit: now that I refreshed, I can't. Hmmmmmmm

 

[EmDeemo]

Viewable fine on my phone here

 

[Dan Morrison]

Imgur seems to be experiencing some problems right now, They'll probably be back in a bit.

 

[axakal]

such great reviews and as usual amazing pictures from Dan. since @stickstones hasn't figured out the taste bit yet, what do the other reviewers say in regard to taste? what shall we expect upon achieving mastery, which apparently will take some time to learn.

 

[grokit]

My plan is to make the okin my hand-held armageddon/apocalypse vape. While I also am looking forward to refining my technique enough to find a good flavor, at that point I may put it on the mantle in its beautiful handmade wooden box with the mustard-painted sleeve as a backdrop and display this as the beautiful one-of-a-kind functional artwork that it is for quite a while. This is why I chose the mustard color, it will tie the okin and box colors together nicely. Functionally this seems to be the perfect companion for my desktop armageddon/apocalypse vape, the sublimator campfire/ufo whatever they're calling it these days kit.

 

[hoyo77]

I gotta have one of these...looks like it will go nicely with a nice snifter of Cognac or single malt...either way i got to have one of these!!!!

 

[stickstones]

This is why I chose the mustard color, it will tie the okin and box colors together nicely.

Yeah man, it really ties the room together!

 

[°k]

Yeah man, it really ties the room together!

Oh man... hopefully nobody will visit grokit to collect some money from him else I don't wanna start thinking what would happen to that Okin...

 

[axakal]

i think you should worry more about what is going to happen to those guys as soon as they touch grokit's Okin.

Oh man... hopefully nobody will visit grokit to collect some money from him else I don't wanna start thinking what would happen to that Okin...

 

[Dan Morrison]

Today I finished off the box joint jig. Turned out awesome!

The jig uses spacers to advance the blade to the next cutting position. Spacers are a very accurate way to achieve a repeatable position, IMO.

The jig is made from well seasoned hickory and oak, with some walnut, african blackwood, canary wood, and mahogany showing up in some places.

All of the clamping and critical alignment surfaces were made flat and true. The most critical measurements, like the thickness of each spacer, are within a tolerance of + 0.005"

This thing will cut all of the corner joinery for 5 boxes in 8 minutes flat. With very consistent accuracy.

Here are some box sides getting cut. 10 pieces are cut at once.

The oak spacers.

Mmmmmmm, box jooiinnttss.

In the background, all 10 boxes await glue-up.

After a coat of linseed oil.

I really love trying to figure out the most efficient way of producing this thing. I feel like the manufacturing process will evolve into something that's just a neat as the end product!

 

[sasNW]

Thank you so much for all the pictures Dan!! All of your setups are really unique and inspirational, I'm a newer machinist and pray that one day I'll have a shop like yours at home. Keep up the incredible work! #37 for the win!

 

[EmDeemo]

Just looks lovely. Thanks, Dan.

 

[Dan Morrison]

@emmdeemo , hahah!

 

[Dan Morrison]

Today I made this box gluing jig. After the joinery is cut, a box will get glued up, and placed into this jig which uses wedges to clamp all four sides perfectly square. Each box sits in the jig for about 30 mins, then it's switched out for a new one.

As you can see... I went a bit overboard with it, haha.

 

[Dan Morrison]

Some stuff from the last two days.

Flattening mouthpiece blanks so they're easier to chuck on the lathe.

Some custom tooling for all of the mouthpiece measurements.

Roughing out.

Spot drilling.

Marking out the total length and the length of the tenon at the same time.

Putting a bevel on the tenon to match the angle of the drill point that I will be using for the mortise hole. This will allow the tenon to fully seat into it's mortise so that there is no glue line on the inside diameter of the airway.

The finished mouthpiece blanks.

Boxes all glued up.

The shop at dusk. Usually I keep the doors open all day for a nice breeze. I get a lot of dragonflies flying in to check things out...and inevitably get hypnotized by the overhead lighting. The other day a hummingbird came in for a quick hello!

 

[Snappo]

Some stuff from the last two days.

Flattening mouthpiece blanks so they're easier to chuck on the lathe.

Some custom tooling for all of the mouthpiece measurements.

Roughing out.

Spot drilling.

Marking out the total length and the length of the tenon at the same time.

Putting a bevel on the tenon to match the angle of the drill point that I will be using for the mortise hole. This will allow the tenon to fully seat into it's mortise so that there is no glue line on the inside diameter of the airway.

The finished mouthpiece blanks.

Boxes all glued up.

The shop at dusk. Usually I keep the doors open all day for a nice breeze. I get a lot of dragonflies flying in to check things out...and inevitably get hypnotized by the overhead lighting. The other day a hummingbird came in for a quick hello!

...in such a heavenly setting you call this work?!!!