Bakelite-Style Resin Rods

Catalin—what we now know as bakelite—represented a revolutionary breakthrough in early thermosetting plastics. The Catalin company developed a bakelite resin that could be cast clear without fillers, enabling remarkably vibrant colors and intricate patterns. This innovation sparked nearly two decades of extraordinary creativity and competition, as casting houses across the industry developed their own distinctive color palettes and signature patterns. Our mission is to rekindle that pioneering creative spirit and carry this remarkable tradition into the future.

Four years ago, Chris Kelly of Eldritch Pipes reached out with an intriguing request: would I help him replicate the colors and patterns of antique bakelite in modern resin?

Chris had been casting a line of opaque resin rods for pipe stems and wanted to explore something different. Using transparent and semi-transparent pigments, he hoped to create resin rods that captured the beauty and texture of vintage bakelite.

Having worked with antique bakelite for years, I had extensive experience with the various colors and patterns found in this vintage thermoplastic. I could offer critique and direction while Chris handled the technical work—developing casting techniques, sourcing pigments, and fine-tuning recipes for individual color patterns.

After years of trial and error, we're excited to finally offer these rods for sale.

Instead of sourcing extremely expensive and rare antique stock—dealing with color limitations based on availability and budget—you can now look forward to affordably priced rods in an ever-expanding range of colors and patterns.

We're launching with four distinctive colors, with plans to expand our lineup as we continue experimenting and sourcing new pigments. Our vision is ambitious: to eventually capture the entire color wheel in bold, vibrant hues as well as subdued pastels, earthy tones, and everything in between.

All current rods are cast at 24mm diameter in half-meter lengths.

These resin rods perform similarly to ebonite, offering a softer feel than acrylic with the comfort and slight flexibility characteristic of traditional ebonite stems. The material accepts a beautiful polish and bends with the same workability as ebonite. For stem construction, I recommend using either Delrin or military mount tenons for optimal results.

Feel free to contact me—I'm happy to provide more information about our bakelite-style resin rods.