Pipe smoking, a lost art.

[StuOhQ]

I just bought my first starter pipe - a churchwarden. Used to smoke cigarettes and since I gave them up I've smoked one each year on New Year's Eve as a victory lap. That recent tradition has made me come the realization that cigarette taste terrible. Awful, in fact. I do smoke Hookah on occasion and still enjoy the taste and aroma of that very much.

Queue this thread and I was reminded of my original aim of cutting loose the cigarettes - to actually enjoy smoking tobacco again, every once and a while. I've always fantasized, and even talked, about switching over to pipes and just enjoying a bowl every few weeks and now I've finally made the purchase.

I'm thinking about getting some McBaren Seven Seas Royal as my first pipe-tobacco buy. Any reviews, suggestions, favorites?

 

[jwitt]

It all depends on what you like! I personally don't care for aromatics, so a "nice" English or Balkan would be my vote. I put nice in quotes because it doesn't really mean "mellow or mild" so much as a tobacco that is easy to smoke. I find that a lot of Virginias really bite the tongue, yet a bold smoke like Dunhill Nightcap is easy to smoke, very flavorful, and all around awesome. Actually, there's a good recommendation! A complete non-smoker blew through a stash of Nightcap I left at my office once when I went out of town. He filled in for me, grabbed a pipe, and puffed his days away.

Two of my favorite producers are Cornell & Diehl and GL Pease. They're sister brands. I met a couple of the guys at a pipe show years ago, and they're very knowledgeable and friendly ... not to mention good deals on tins at a show! Check out their website- they have a trial pack offer that allows you to pick 5 blends if I'm not mistaken.

 

[jeepinjeepin]

From Cornell & Diehl website:

We offer a Trial Pack, (5 blends, 2 ounces each, you pick'em, including premium blends - pressed, too, if it's available) for $35.00, or 8 blends for $43.00 plus S&H. The trial pack may include C&D tinned tobaccos, GL Pease tins, Two Friends blends, and Hermit Capt. Earle blends but the sample will be 1 ounce.

 

[jwitt]

Yeah, that's the ticket! It would be a good way to check out a wide variety of really interesting tobacco without spending a lot on expensive tins. (I had a tin of MacBaren I just didn't really like- it was too sweet...ended up blending it into a big jar of "tobacco")

Kajun Kake! And try the Capt. Earle Nightwatch. It's a smokey smoke if there ever was one!

 

[Stauffbier]

From Cornell & Diehl website:

We offer a Trial Pack, (5 blends, 2 ounces each, you pick'em, including premium blends - pressed, too, if it's available) for $35.00, or 8 blends for $43.00 plus S&H. The trial pack may include C&D tinned tobaccos, GL Pease tins, Two Friends blends, and Hermit Capt. Earle blends but the sample will be 1 ounce.

I'll have to look in to this!

 

[passedpawn]

I love the old-timeyness of pipe smoking. I really like the thought of it.

But, I haven't had a puff in 6 years. Was a lifelong smoker here, started in my early teens. One of the ways I gauge my value, my manliness, is to keep my vows. This is one of them.

I envy you guys, I really do, but I'm not doin it. Arggh.

 

[Stauffbier]

I love the old-timeyness of pipe smoking. I really like the thought of it.

But, I haven't had a puff in 6 years. Was a lifelong smoker here, started in my early teens. One of the ways I gauge my value, my manliness, is to keep my vows. This is one of them.

I envy you guys, I really do, but I'm not doin it. Arggh.

Very respectable!

I had a similar attitude for many years after I quit cigarettes in 2000. I mostly quit for my daughters sake. She had awful allergies, so I decided to quit. It was for my own benefit as well, but mostly for hers. Now she's all grown up and never home, so I figured a pipe every now and then couldn't hurt. I'll never smoke cigarettes again, though!

 

[Genuine]

I haven't had a pipe in a while, just been so busy With work, I haven't had much time to have a beer and relax with the pipe. I have been looking for a new pipe on eBay for the last couple of weeks. I'm Almost out of tobacco and I'm thinking of picking up some carter hall again. It's a nice honest smoke and I love the aroma. I think I have some captain black left over as well. Any other OTC brands to suggest?

 

[NordeastBrewer77]

I'll have to look in to this!

Me too! I'm starting to get to the point where I need to restock the supply, and that sounds like a great way for a n00b to try a variety. I've really enjoyed the few English and Balkan tobaccos that I've tried.

 

[jeepinjeepin]

I did a bit more work tonight. It's going to look rough. One thing is for sure. People will know that I made it.

 

[CreamyGoodness]

that pipe has a lot of character actually. Crazy idea, but does silly putty harden? You could fill in that v-shaped area between the bown and stem and then apply your paint/stain over that...

 

[jeepinjeepin]

Oh, that's just a mock up. That gap will go away and the stem will get some sort of shaping.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

Oh, that's just a mock up. That gap will go away and the stem will get some sort of shaping.

Are you using a lathe or just whittling by hand?

My suggestion would be to create a tendon into the bowl (look at your cobb pipe for an example) and hand shape the shoulder to conform to the curve of the bowl.

Finally, maybe even look into drilling the other end of the shank for a mortise and tennon and use stock bits from Missouri Meescham.

btw, looking good.

 

[Billy-Klubb]

because I'm awesome.

 

[jeepinjeepin]

Are you using a lathe or just whittling by hand?

My suggestion would be to create a tendon into the bowl (look at your cobb pipe for an example) and hand shape the shoulder to conform to the curve of the bowl.

Finally, maybe even look into drilling the other end of the shank for a mortise and tennon and use stock bits from Missouri Meescham.

btw, looking good.

I'm rigging up a lathe of sorts. I will be cutting the bowl side of the stem down and recessing it into the bowl. I have thought about MM bits. I'll be using something off the shelf. I don't really feel like learning vulcanite for this build. I'm also trying to make it with tools and materials I already have on hand(excepting the bit).

 

[Stauffbier]

I opened a new can of tobacco tonight. If you like aromatics I recommend this stuff. Very sweet smoke!

 

[Dan]

Hey Mike

Is that sweet like sugary flavorings or just a nice smooth naturally sweet tobacco flavor? Cool looking pipe BTW!

 

[Stauffbier]

Hi Dan!

Thanks! It's actually just a cheap drug store pipe, but it smokes better than my expensive one. Go figure.

This tobacco is indeed naturally sweet. It's not sugary or overwhelmingly sweet. It has a great chocolate back bone with a very mellow finish. It's not harsh or robust. It rolls down the tongue very nicely...

 

[Dan]

Cool. I might have to try some. Did you buy it online?

 

[Dan]

I did a bit more work tonight. It's going to look rough. One thing is for sure. People will know that I made it.

Really enjoying watching the progress on your hand made pipe! Please keep the updates coming.

 

[jeepinjeepin]

Really enjoying watching the progress on your hand made pipe! Please keep the updates coming.

Thanks. My lathe if it works uses 12vdc motors. I don't now what they actually draw, but in a previous life they were fused at 20A. Looks like I'm pulling jumper cables to run this thing.

 

[Billy-Klubb]

jeepinjeepin, you gonna name the beast?

 

[passedpawn]

because I'm awesome.

With the right hat and a can of spinach...

 

[jeepinjeepin]

jeepinjeepin, you gonna name the beast?

The pipe or the lathe? I'll take names under consideration. I'm never been big on choosing names. I seldom name my home brews.

 

[Billy-Klubb]

The pipe or the lathe? I'll take names under consideration. I'm never been big on choosing names. I seldom name my home brews.

yeah, but this is your home made pipe. beer gets drank, but this will be around a long time. I'm leaning toward Lancaster for now. I won't know until you're finished though.

 

[jeepinjeepin]

Enjoying some cob tonight. Actually, sitting and sobering for the drive home. Oh yeah, McClellands Christmas Cheer.

 

[Stauffbier]

What do you think about the Christmas Cheer?

 

[jeepinjeepin]

What do you think about the Christmas Cheer?

Without having much to base it on, I would say it's quite a mild smoke. Great smell in the can. Fruitcake maybe?

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

Enjoying some cob tonight. Actually, sitting and sobering for the drive home. Oh yeah, McClellands Christmas Cheer.

Missouri Meerscaum Freehand?

I mentioned before that I chopped an inch off mine and sealed it with elmers. It has become one of favorite pipes to smoke.

 

[Stauffbier]

Without having much to base it on, I would say it's quite a mild smoke. Great smell in the can. Fruitcake maybe?

Actually, that's a pretty good description. I like it, but not as much as all of the hype.