Any pipe smokers on BF?

BluegrassBrian

BluegrassBrian

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Apr 20, 2015
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I've lately gotten more serious about pipe smoking. I've had one for years but rarely used it until recently..and now the pipe bug has bitten.. Buying vintage pipes and trying out all kinds of aromatic and English blends of tobacco.

Anyone out there smoke a pipe semi-regularly?

I think the same aesthetics that drive a person to knife collecting are present with pipe collectors/smokers; the appreciation of hand crafted, usable items.

Here's a couple pipes of mine.. a pre-1980 LaRocca Pisa, and a new Neerup freehand.


kQ2g528.jpg



So pipe smokers... what are some of your favorite pipes? What tobaccos have you been enjoying lately?
 
Not a smoker, however my uncle is a maker and smoker. He does a podcast occasionally as well. I know he was featured in Pipes magazine a few years ago, I've always found pipes interesting, just never smoked them.


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gonebad395 said:
Never had but love the smell and would try it don't know where to start
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Search for a local tobacconist shop.. I'm sure there are plenty in and around Chicago.
They should be able to recommend a good pipe and some tobaccos to start out with.

Or.. try smokingpipes.com
 
buying pipes is addicting once you start . I no longer smoke but did for years and had to buy a pipe when I went to buy more tobacco .
 
gonebad395 said:
Never had but love the smell and would try it don't know where to start
Click to expand...

You need to trek to Iwan Ries in Chicago. Bring a bib to wear, and a big wad of cash.

Been smoking a pipe for a long time now. Mostly smoke one of my meers, but have several briars in the rotation. Love my Savinelli 320's.... great pipes. Favorite blends: MacBarens HH Old Dark Fired, Esoterica Stonehaven and Penzance, Escudo, Old Joe Krantz, Peterson Irish Flake and 3P, many more....
 
Yes. But I only keep three briars and a few MM cobs now. Gave the rest of my briars away. For me it's about the tobak and the smoke and not about the pipe.

The three briars I have left are from left to right, an Eric Nording, a Randy Wiley, and a Savinelli 310 basket pipe. The cheap Sav basket is the best smoking briar I've ever owned. The Randy Wiley on the far right has since been given away on a pipe forum.
Pipes.JPG


I have a Missouri Meerschaum Legend in hand more than any other pipe. A cooler, smoother smoke you'll not find. Those who laugh truly just don't know.
cob.JPG


My favorite tobaks are Esoterica Penzance and Samuel Gawith Squadron Leader. They remain difficult to find so I cellar it. When necessary my substitute standbys are McClelland's Old Dog (and old Ashton mixture now resurrected), McClellan's Frog Morton Across the Pond, and Balkan Sasieni. I prefer latakia blends.
Wiley%2520Galleon%2520SL.JPG

Sav%2520Basket%2520Old%2520Dog.JPG

Nording%2520Balkan%2520Sasieni.JPG
 
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BluegrassBrian said:
gonebad395 said:
Never had but love the smell and would try it don't know where to start
Click to expand...
Search for a local tobacconist shop.. I'm sure there are plenty in and around Chicago.
They should be able to recommend a good pipe and some tobaccos to start out with.

Or.. try smokingpipes.com
Click to expand...
Iwan Ries in Chicago. Oldest tobacconist in the country. Since 1867.

19 S. Wabash Ave.
2nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603
 
Nice pics Leghog.. I enjoy just about every family of tobaccos.
On the Latakia tip I've been enjoying the McClelland Balkan Blue and SPC Plum Pudding. I also like their Potlatch.
I've heard great things about Penzance, but like all the Esoterica blends, it's difficult to find.

Here's my new (estate) GBD Virgin Colossus Lumberman, filled with the Balkan Blue.
(Not a great pic)

5M5b6oZ.jpg
 
I like this thread, adding my old meerschaum. Apologies for the very new blade, but it's my first 14c28n

3yIFaL34mzxc.jpg
 
My favorite pipes have always been he Peterson 300 series. The 314 and 317's hang in my mouth just right.



But I do like a nice Meerschaum in the evening after dinner.


I've spent about 40 years putting some good color on this carved Turkish one.


Be careful with the aromatic stuff. Fake flavorings and the junk they put in there tend to make it smoke hot. A nice light English blend that isn't overly loaded with latakia is a nice smoke, but smells like bering leaves to non smokers. My better half exiles me to the back patio for my pipe smoking.
 
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Good Lord J jackknife , that last pic of the meer is incredible! That is some honest color earned there. I have more Briars than meers, but smoke my meers about 80% of the time. I have one Baki, which is my best smoker now, and one allegedly in the mail... Nothing beats a Baki in my book! Who carved that last meer you posted?
 
I offloaded a bunch of briar over the last few years. I came to the realization I smoke a pipe for the smoke and not the pipe. I'd rather cellar latakia blends than have a pipe collection. I'm down to four briars (a coupke of Wileys, a Nording, and a Savinelli) but most often smoke a Missouri Meershaum Legend. Regardless of how much you spend, you'll no find a cooler and smoother smoke than a good cob.

Pipes.JPG

cob.JPG
 
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Mongo said:
Good Lord J jackknife , that last pic of the meer is incredible! That is some honest color earned there. I have more Briars than meers, but smoke my meers about 80% of the time. I have one Baki, which is my best smoker now, and one allegedly in the mail... Nothing beats a Baki in my book! Who carved that last meer you posted?
Click to expand...

Hey bud, that last one I picked up at a pipe shop in Washington D.C. abut 1975 or so. I think the place was called Feders or something like that. Funny thing was, it wasn't an expensive pipe, was like 39.95 or so. But it's smoked like a dream ever since! I think it's gotten better than ever now. Well seasoned.

A nice meer is a great thing to enjoy in the evening. Cool and very very mellow.

And don't overlook a calabash. A good calabash is a great smoke, even with tobacco that is less than stellar. I don't know it's the airspace between the meer bowl and gourd or what, but it's a very cool smoke.
 
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