Thursday, March 18, 2010
Club Night
Finally the stars aligned and my schedule and the Christopher Morley Pipe club's schedule aligned and I was able to attend my first meeting since last fall. Or was it summer? Either way a long time ago. We had quite a nice crowd and I really enjoyed myself. The conversations ranged from movies to family and, of course, pipes and tobaccos. I brought my burgeoning collection of nose-warmers to show off and received a lot of good feedback. The Askwith Morta received the most attention. There was much talk of the recent NY Pipe Show and the upcoming Chicago Show. Someday I hope to be able to arrange things to get to the Chicago show. A few of the guys had exquisite pipe pouches made by Whitewood Leather company. The are made of various exotic skins and look and feel fantastic. Definitely on my list to look into in the future. It is always a real pleasure to spend the night over a couple of beers, smoking contentedly and unmolested, while learning much about this great hobby.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Calling Luke Stevens
I received a comment to this blog today from one Luke Stevens. Unfortunately I inadvertently deleted it while trying to publish it, so I re-print it here:
I currently have no pipes I have just turned 18 and pipes fascinate me and seem to be quite artistic. I have taken a liking to the "nose warmer" style and haven't been able to find one. My questions for you are... Where might I find one? Would it be worth it to buy a more expensive and nice one?
Now for my answer:
Dear Luke,
Welcome to the great fraternity of Pipe Smokers. Yes, pipes are fascinating and most artistic. I'm glad you are drawn to the nosewarmers as I happen to be infatuated with them at the moment myself. But I have had many such infatuations over the years: pokers, billiards, half-bends, bulldogs; the list goes on. I own over 120 pipes as a result. So beware: collecting pipes like collecting anything can be addictive. Much more so than the actually smoking. In any case, buy whatever shape strikes your fancy. Whatever you do be prepared to buy at least two, preferably four pipes in a short time as you will want to rotate pipes. They need to rest and thoroughly dry after a day's smoking. Pipes can be expensive, but do not have to be. With today's inflationary dollar I wouldn't recommend buying a pipe for much less than $100, though I have a couple of good smokers that cost in the $60-$80 range by reputable companies like Savanelli. It is worth saving up and buying a good pipe. A cheap manufactured pipe will smoke hot and wet and ruin your taste for the hobby. A good pipe will smoke dry and cool and allow you to taste the heart of this entire project, the wonderful blends of tobacco out there. Go to a reputable tobacconist if you can still find one wherever you live, or try a reputable web based firm like smokingpipes.com. Good luck.
Downie Arrives
Still not a great photo but I hope you get the idea of this lovely nosewarmer from Stephen Downie Pipes. I smoked it for the first time today and it seems like its going to be one of my favorites.
Maltese Falcon Returns
I did indeed crack open a tin of Maltese Falcon as an alternate to the Arcadian Perique I've been smoking. Very nice for a change. I'm beginning to really like the Latakia more than I ever have before and may branch out into a number of other recommended blends. Check out Neil Archer Roan's latest blog in the side panel for a discussion of Syrian Latakia and some recommended Latakia blends.
I currently have no pipes I have just turned 18 and pipes fascinate me and seem to be quite artistic. I have taken a liking to the "nose warmer" style and haven't been able to find one. My questions for you are... Where might I find one? Would it be worth it to buy a more expensive and nice one?
Now for my answer:
Dear Luke,
Welcome to the great fraternity of Pipe Smokers. Yes, pipes are fascinating and most artistic. I'm glad you are drawn to the nosewarmers as I happen to be infatuated with them at the moment myself. But I have had many such infatuations over the years: pokers, billiards, half-bends, bulldogs; the list goes on. I own over 120 pipes as a result. So beware: collecting pipes like collecting anything can be addictive. Much more so than the actually smoking. In any case, buy whatever shape strikes your fancy. Whatever you do be prepared to buy at least two, preferably four pipes in a short time as you will want to rotate pipes. They need to rest and thoroughly dry after a day's smoking. Pipes can be expensive, but do not have to be. With today's inflationary dollar I wouldn't recommend buying a pipe for much less than $100, though I have a couple of good smokers that cost in the $60-$80 range by reputable companies like Savanelli. It is worth saving up and buying a good pipe. A cheap manufactured pipe will smoke hot and wet and ruin your taste for the hobby. A good pipe will smoke dry and cool and allow you to taste the heart of this entire project, the wonderful blends of tobacco out there. Go to a reputable tobacconist if you can still find one wherever you live, or try a reputable web based firm like smokingpipes.com. Good luck.
Downie Arrives
Still not a great photo but I hope you get the idea of this lovely nosewarmer from Stephen Downie Pipes. I smoked it for the first time today and it seems like its going to be one of my favorites.
Maltese Falcon Returns
I did indeed crack open a tin of Maltese Falcon as an alternate to the Arcadian Perique I've been smoking. Very nice for a change. I'm beginning to really like the Latakia more than I ever have before and may branch out into a number of other recommended blends. Check out Neil Archer Roan's latest blog in the side panel for a discussion of Syrian Latakia and some recommended Latakia blends.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Stephen Downing Pipes
If you are looking for a high quality hand made pipe by a fine American pipe maker you should check out Stephen Downie Pipes. These photos are a little small but they depict a pipe Stephen carved for me. It is a lovely nosewarmer slightly bent blast.
Meanwhile I'm still working through my first tin of H&H Arcadian Perique. I'm enjoying it quite a bit. I only wish the weather would change so I would be able to get in an evening smoke so that I could open something else for a change of pace. Something like the tine of Pease's Maltese Falcon that's been awaiting me for months. As it is I rarely smoke more than the one pipe a day I manage to fit in with an afternoon visit to Holt's. But the weather is beginning to turn and this over-the-top winter may be loosening its grip. Not only will I soon be able to sit out back for a smoke, but also get up early for a bike ride.
Meanwhile I'm still working through my first tin of H&H Arcadian Perique. I'm enjoying it quite a bit. I only wish the weather would change so I would be able to get in an evening smoke so that I could open something else for a change of pace. Something like the tine of Pease's Maltese Falcon that's been awaiting me for months. As it is I rarely smoke more than the one pipe a day I manage to fit in with an afternoon visit to Holt's. But the weather is beginning to turn and this over-the-top winter may be loosening its grip. Not only will I soon be able to sit out back for a smoke, but also get up early for a bike ride.
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