toast Posted January 2, 2015 I've finally had a chance to work on a project I've had in the pipeline for a while, a nicotine-based snuff & self-applicator pipe made from only native ingredients. For the pipe, I used leg bones of a Pied Currawong (Strepera graculina) and resin from several unidentified species of Xanthorrhoea (Grass-tree). Cleaned Pied Currawong Leg Bone. Cut Pied Currawong Leg Bone. The resin was collected from Sugarloaf Mountain NR, and appears to be from at least two Xanthorrhoea spp., based on the fact that both yellow and red coloured resin was collected. Unfortunately I didn't have time to attempt to identify the plants that I collected from. Unprocessed Xanthorrhoea spp. resin. Using an online tech, the resin was mixed with fine sand and powdered home-grown Dianella caerulea (Blue Flax-lily) fibres, heated in a pot, and applied as it melted. This stage was fiddly & messy, and thankfully I'd purchased an opshop pot for the job as it is now caked with burnt resin. Fortunately, the pipe sealed almost airtight, but the finish was pretty rough, however I was able to smooth it a little with sand paper. I had hoped to decorate it with some other native materials, like seeds & a small stingray barb but it was pretty awkward to work with first time round. Pipe & ruined pot. Unused congealed resin saved for future use. For the snuff, I used a combination of Nicotiana gossei (Mingulba; thanks Prioritise ), Duboisia hopwoodii (Pituri; from a member who would rather remain nameless. Thank you ) and home-grown Mentha australis (Native Mint). Snuff ingredients. Finished products. So how does it go? The bones are a little narrower than I'd prefer, particularly compared to similar Brazilian pipe I have, however it still works ok. The snuff is pretty pleasant for a first batch but I will continue to tweak it. I have some Piper novae-hollandiae (Giant Pepper Vine), a traditional tooth ache remedy, that I'm interested in adding, might make it smoother... Anyway, thought I'd share it, as it;'s been a fun process. Brazilian pipe (left) & Ozzie pipe. 17 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alice Posted January 2, 2015 That's fantastic, thanks for sharing 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manic Posted January 2, 2015 Very very cool toast you could really be onto something cool here. Love the idea of native snuff. Now, if you dont mind me I have to go and start worrying about this appocalyptic looking sky of bushfire smoke heading my way..... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theuserformallyknownasd00d Posted January 3, 2015 Awesome toast good work! If you need more mingulba let me know I found a bag about 3x what I originally gave u! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toast Posted January 4, 2015 Awesome toast good work! If you need more mingulba let me know I found a bag about 3x what I originally gave u! That would be great thanks mate I'll send you some of the snuff blend 1.0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phoenix_Osiris Posted January 4, 2015 ^toast.. thats great news Can't wait to try this new blend. Might grab an aussie pipe too.how much they going for? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horus Posted January 5, 2015 Ive been wondering what you have been up to........rip snorting as usual. classic Toast behavior !! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shamanistic Posted January 7, 2015 Cool enough that you're making your own blends but to make the pipe too..great job man! Ive been wondering what you have been up to........rip snorting as usual. classic Toast behavior !! All that's missing are box of nangs 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toast Posted January 8, 2015 Thanks for the positive feedback Can't wait to try this new blend. Might grab an aussie pipe too. how much they going for? Sorry PO but neither are available at the moment. I'll let you know if have some native snuff available but it's unlikely I'll have any pipes available as suitable bones are proving difficult to come by. Ive been wondering what you have been up to........rip snorting as usual. classic Toast behavior !! Thanks H ... 'put that in your pipe & snuff it' All that's missing are box of nangs Only because I haven't found any native species rich in N2O Anyone else into making making native snuffs or using Xanthorrhoea resin? I still have a bunch of resin left if someone is keen. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flora Posted March 8, 2015 cool! i wonder what bones your brazillian pipe is made of. pied currawong bone has a good ring to it so you reckon you need a better way of heating the resin? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bardo Posted May 28, 2015 Thats awesome, how did you obtain/process the resin from the plants ? i feel inspired to give this ago : ) i have just started looking at natural pigments as paint. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toast Posted May 28, 2015 Thanks bardo. The resin melts out of stem during fires and solidifies into small balls along its length. You search the smooth little nodules up and down the stem. They break of pretty easily. I have some resin available if you're after some Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tarenna Posted May 29, 2015 ^ Xanthorrhoea resin also makes a brilliant fire starter or wet weather helper when deep in da bush. Kinda like burning plastic but without the dioxins and smelling really nice. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bardo Posted May 29, 2015 Thanks heaps for the offer and reply, i like the idea of collecting and making it personally, be good to learn and experience the process first hand, ill just take a jar with me on my next bush walk. Nice spot mount sugarloaf, i used to live at wallsend so been up there a few times, good veiws from up there : ) Thanks again for the offer, it is appreciated : ) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theuserformallyknownasd00d Posted May 29, 2015 Bardo I have some of this snuff left if u wanna try? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theuserformallyknownasd00d Posted May 29, 2015 Bardo I have some of this snuff left if u wanna try? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bardo Posted June 1, 2015 Hi, thanks for the offer : ) not sure how it would go sending from states but its all good anyhow : ) Thanks again Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theuserformallyknownasd00d Posted June 1, 2015 I'm in nsw. South Coast Share this post Link to post Share on other sites