And Then There Were Three

(G. L. Pease) The late Bill Unger, long-time secretary/treasurer of the North American Society of Pipe Collectors and editor of the Pipe Collector newsletter, was often quoted as saying, “If you have one pipe, you’re a pipe smoker. If you have two pipes, you’re a collector.” Continued

Review Albatross 2" Clever Blade Pipe Tobacco Cutting Knife

Major Restorations for an Early 20th Century HBB Gourd Calabash

(DadsPipes) The Gourd Calabash pipe, in its current form with gourd body, rubber stem and meerschaum or clay bowl, has been around since the Second Boer War in South Africa (1899-1902). According to this article on smokingpipes.com, the war led to shortages of briar in Cape Town, pushing pipe makers to find an alternative material. Gourds had been used by the indigenous population as smoking instruments since the 1600s, so it was natural for European pipe makers to start experimenting with this local commodity. Continued

Rebirth of an Inherited Medico VFQ Foursquare Pot

(DadsPipes) Often when we think of family heirloom pipes what comes to mind is Grandpa’s collection of Patent-Era Dunhills or a complete set of Peterson Sherlock Holmes pipes, but the truth is that the vast majority of pipes sold during the Golden Age of pipe smoking (roughly the 1950s through to the 1970s) were relatively inexpensive, factory-produced pipes. Two such inherited briar smoking companions arrived at the shop recently – today’s Medico VFQ Foursquare Pot, and an LL Bean Bent Billiard I will cover in another post. Continued

Give it a Rest

(G. L. Pease) Something somewhat out of character has been afoot in the House of Pease. For more than a week, I have been smoking the same pipe every day, sometimes twice. What’s the big deal? Lots of people do that. Continued

Markus Fohr, Old German Clay, Moonshine, Briarworks & Sutliff Cringle Flake

Repairing a Horn Stem on an Heirloom Czech-Made Bavarian

(DadsPipes) Every now and again I get the particular pleasure of working on a family heirloom pipe, a treasured part of someone’s family history they wish to preserve for display or their own use. This Made in Czechoslovakia Bavarian style pipe is one such piece, first owned by the current pipe steward’s grandfather. Continued

Saddle from a Taper – A New Stem for an Isle of Man African Meerschaum Bulldog

(Dad's Pipes) This Isle of Man Bulldog, made by Manxman Pipes Ltd, was purchased as an estate pipe by a DadsPipes reader and sent to me for some TLC. The restoration brief included a good cleaning and polishing along with a new stem that would allow the pipe’s new steward to avoid having to work around the tooth dents left by its previous caretaker. Continued

Freshening a Dr Plumb’s 5091 Bent Billiard

(Dad's Pipes) The Dr Plumb’s brand has been around since 1925 when it was introduced by GBD as a budget line aimed primarily at the North American export market. First produced in France, Dr Plumb’s pipes are now made in the UK and stamped accordingly. Continued

Douglas Macarthur Smoked a Falcon?

 

"Like being in Italy" ... with Italian pipes and tobaccos

The Profitable Business of Pipes

Albert Camus

(Tobacco Business Magazine) ... Pipes are an accoutrement, so they must be maintained and cared for. Also, there are many varieties of pipes suitable for different occasions and preferences. Similarly, pipe tobaccos run the gamut from smooth and sweet to robust, leathery and rustic. One of the most interesting differences between cigar and pipe customers is that pipe customers must invest in a pipe, and a great pipe can last a lifetime. So, pipe customers tend to spend a lot of time scrutinizing pipes before they purchase. It is not uncommon for customers to spend over an hour looking at pipes, analyzing them, feeling them, and then either buying them or deciding not to. Pipe customers need time and space to shop. Continued

Wkend Chat: Pipe#17 & Wessex Curly Block?!

Pipe Talk - Two Different Ways To Pack A Pipe

ROUGH RYDER TOBACCO BONE PIPE DOCTOR KNIFE

My first Dunhill Pipe

The History, Manufacture, and Use of Clay Pipes

(Smokingpipes.com) Long before meerschaum and briar were utilized as pipe-making mediums, clay was the primary material used to make pipes. Clay pipes were at one time ubiquitous, often smoked in taverns, churches, and homes, and even after meerschaum became available, they were the choice of many because meerschaum was expensive. 

Clay pipes have been smoked for centuries and modern incarnations are nearly identical to early examples from hundreds of years ago in regard to the materials used and manufacturing methods. In addition to their classic appeal, clay pipes require no break-in and are renowned for their high level of heat resistance and flavor-neutral smoking qualities. Continued

Hello kitty shares new pipe and new tobaccos

THE DUNHILL FOUR - They're Really THAT Good!

Dr Grabow, Five Brothers & a chat