Pipe smoking, a lost art.

[Ace_Club]

Awesome! Thanks for the advice, I'll look into those. This pipe isn't hard to clean which I like. I ran out of pipe cleaners so until I get some more I've just been using paper towels, and I'll leave them in at night to absorb any moisture.

Keep in mind that there will likely be some good deals to be had during International Pipe Smoking Day (2/20) on the major sites. Maybe hold off on buying anything until then as you're more likely to get the best price.

 

[BrewingTravisty]

Keep in mind that there will likely be some good deals to be had during International Pipe Smoking Day (2/20) on the major sites. Maybe hold off on buying anything until then as you're more likely to get the best price.

My birthday is on the 24th, so sadly I'll probably miss that sale. Unless I get an early birthday present but I kinda doubt that I will.

 

[BrewingTravisty]

Also, do bear in mind that ghe size of a calabash is misleading. Most, if not all proper calabash pipes have a meerschaum bowl insert.

Oh yeah, I know they aren't as big as they look, bowl wise. I just really like the style lol and I've heard good things about how well they smoke. I probably should get a meerschaum though, since I'll be traveling a lot later this year and probably want something a little less delicate.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

Oh yeah, I know they aren't as big as they look, bowl wise. I just really like the style lol and I've heard good things about how well they smoke. I probably should get a meerschaum though, since I'll be traveling a lot later this year and probably want something a little less delicate.

Yes. They are known for smoking extremely cool thus allowing every nuance of the smoke to come through.

FWIW,

http://www.meerschaumstore.com/original_sherlock_holmes_calabash_pipe.asp

has just about the best price I've seen for a new calabash. The body is mahogany and not gourd tho. But $89 for a new, medium sized calabash isn't too bad.

 

[BrewingTravisty]

Yes. They are known for smoking extremely cool thus allowing every nuance of the smoke to come through.

FWIW,

http://www.meerschaumstore.com/original_sherlock_holmes_calabash_pipe.asp

has just about the best price I've seen for a new calabash. The body is mahogany and not gourd tho. But $89 for a new, medium sized calabash isn't too bad.

Ohh.. Nice. I might try to save up a little more and try to get one of those. How much difference does the mahogany vs gourd make? I know a more authentic one would be made with gourd but does it actually affect the smoke?

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

Ohh.. Nice. I might try to save up a little more and try to get one of those. How much difference does the mahogany vs gourd make? I know a more authentic one would be made with gourd but does it actually affect the smoke?

I do not know as I don't have a calabash nor have I ever smoked one. Have coveted one for a long while but never could justify the expense. And now with ~30 pipes in my collection it is even less justifiable.

At most, I'd expect the gourd to be lighter than mahogany based on wood density alone. They should smoke the same regardless by design.

 

[BrewingTravisty]

I do not know as I don't have a calabash nor have I ever smoked one. Have coveted one for a long while but never could justify the expense. And now with ~30 pipes in my collection it is even less justifiable.

At most, I'd expect the gourd to be lighter than mahogany based on wood density alone. They should smoke the same regardless by design.

That makes sense, that one would be lighter. I've wanted a calabash since I first started smoking a pipe lol same with the churchwarden, to a lesser degree. I might just wait 'til this summer when I get some money come in and buy a really nice pipe and with my birthday money just get a slightly nicer pipe to replace the one I have now, and maybe some tobacco if I have enough left over.

 

[Billy-Klubb]

I can't decide between Briar Fox and Gunjin tonight.

 

[BrewinHooligan]

I can't decide between Briar Fox and Gunjin tonight.

The only logical choice is both. Two pipes at the same time. And post a YouTube video because I need a good laugh. Had some Semios that was gifted to me tonight. A pure burley baccy that is surprisingly complex and tasty. Very dry though so pack tight and sip slowly. Gonna have to order a pound of the stuff to cellar.

 

[BrewingTravisty]

I finally was able to restock my tobacco a bit, I picked up 4 oz at the local tobacco store. I decided to get away from the aromatics because they just weren't doing it for me. I liked the Lane 1Q alright. It was good, and I'll probably get some more of it eventually but I wanted to try something different so I ended up getting an ounce of straight black Cavendish (recommended to me to blend with the English blends if I needed to tone them down a bit) and then I got 2 ounces of Peter Stokkebye Proper English and an ounce of Dunhill My Mixture 965. I really enjoyed the 965, and I'll probably try the proper English later tonight or tomorrow depending on when I got to sleep. So far though I'm really enjoying English blend a lot more than the aromatics.

 

[Billy-Klubb]

I had a bowl from my "left overs" can. it's interesting.

 

[BrewinHooligan]

I finally was able to restock my tobacco a bit, I picked up 4 oz at the local tobacco store. I decided to get away from the aromatics because they just weren't doing it for me. I liked the Lane 1Q alright. It was good, and I'll probably get some more of it eventually but I wanted to try something different so I ended up getting an ounce of straight black Cavendish (recommended to me to blend with the English blends if I needed to tone them down a bit) and then I got 2 ounces of Peter Stokkebye Proper English and an ounce of Dunhill My Mixture 965. I really enjoyed the 965, and I'll probably try the proper English later tonight or tomorrow depending on when I got to sleep. So far though I'm really enjoying English blend a lot more than the aromatics.

English blends are probably my favorite. It's a toss up between them and either straight Virginias or Virginia/Perique blends. Pure, natural tobacco is my jam. Not many topped or cased blends get me like the non aros, but there are some really tasty ones out there.

 

[TheCADJockey]

Had a few smokes of the seville blend I have from our shop. Finally found my pipe, apparently the puppy ran off with it so my wife stuck it in her desk drawer. It smokes, 1000 times better than that stupid corn cob I bought. Now I need to find a tobacco I like. The blends from the shop were okay; I don't think I'll ever find something I can't enjoy to some extent. Just nothing I love yet. I'm going to go back to trying out some other brands instead. Thinking about one of those Tsuge tins they have, purely because they have nice artwork. Don't know **** about any of it otherwise.

 

[BrewingTravisty]

English blends are probably my favorite. It's a toss up between them and either straight Virginias or Virginia/Perique blends. Pure, natural tobacco is my jam. Not many topped or cased blends get me like the non aros, but there are some really tasty ones out there.

I'm thoroughly enjoying them so far. I had some aros that were decent but these so far have been much much more enjoyable. I wish my local tobacco shop had a better selection though. They're mainly a cigar shop.

 

[Billy-Klubb]

Had a few smokes of the seville blend I have from our shop. Finally found my pipe, apparently the puppy ran off with it so my wife stuck it in her desk drawer. It smokes, 1000 times better than that stupid corn cob I bought. Now I need to find a tobacco I like. The blends from the shop were okay; I don't think I'll ever find something I can't enjoy to some extent. Just nothing I love yet. I'm going to go back to trying out some other brands instead. Thinking about one of those Tsuge tins they have, purely because they have nice artwork. Don't know **** about any of it otherwise.

which Tsuge?

 

[TheCADJockey]

which Tsuge?

I don't even know. I just saw a display of them when I was there and they looked cool. Any suggestions of whats good?

 

[Ace_Club]

I don't even know. I just saw a display of them when I was there and they looked cool. Any suggestions of whats good?

Tsuge Knight.

 

[Billy-Klubb]

I don't even know. I just saw a display of them when I was there and they looked cool. Any suggestions of whats good?

I really enjoy Gunjin.

 

[TheCADJockey]

I really enjoy Gunjin.

Thanks. If they've got that, I'll just grab one of those.

 

[BrewinHooligan]

As much as I like to support local business, there isn't anything convenient around me for baccy and such for pipes. Just got my most recent order from P&C and am not gonna complain at all for under $30 shipped. The Moonshine Pipes XXX smells crazy good. A whiskey topped English blend, should be right up my alley.
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1455659416.430008.jpg

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

As much as I like to support local business, there isn't anything convenient around me for baccy and such for pipes. Just got my most recent order from P&C and am not gonna complain at all for under $30 shipped. The Moonshine Pipes XXX smells crazy good. A whiskey topped English blend, should be right up my alley.
View attachment 337988

I just recently bought that reamer too. It's a bit chincy/flimsy.

P&C still hasn't delivered on the GH&Co dark flake scented. Wonder if it got discontinued.

 

[BrewinHooligan]

I just recently bought that reamer too. It's a bit chincy/flimsy.



P&C still hasn't delivered on the GH&Co dark flake scented. Wonder if it got discontinued.

I wasn't expecting much for the price. I figure if I keep up on the pipes I won't need to use it much. When I get an estate that has massive cake I take the dremel to it with a sanding wheel. Disclaimer, don't do that indoors as a cloud of black dust will come out of the bowl.

 

[Beersnob16]

Pretty stoked, the wife just told me she ordered me the man crate pipe carving kit for valentine's day, any advice from those of you that have carved your own pipes?

 

[Billy-Klubb]

Pretty stoked, the wife just told me she ordered me the man crate pipe carving kit for valentine's day, any advice from those of you that have carved your own pipes?

take your time and be patient. outline the block & stem on a sheet of paper, then draw the profile of the shape you'd like to cut.

 

[BrewinHooligan]

If you are into English blends you need to get some of this asap
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1455738639.521895.jpg

 

[BrewingTravisty]

If you are into English blends you need to get some of this asap
View attachment 338158

I'm gonna have to try that out! I'm really enjoying the English blends I've tried so far.

Also, just wanna let you know that your profile pic throws me off every time I see it lol that was my Twitter picture for awhile.

 

[TheCADJockey]

If you are into English blends you need to get some of this asap

Can you describe some of the qualities of an English blend? All I can imagine is sweet toffee flavors. I'm still trying to find something I love.

 

[BrewingTravisty]

Can you describe some of the qualities of an English blend? All I can imagine is sweet toffee flavors. I'm still trying to find something I love.

I haven't gotten really any sweet toffee out of the English blends I've tried. I've gotten along the lines of campfire, something that kinda reminds me of leather a bit, real earthy and woodsy. I'm sure more experienced smokers can get more out of it than that but that's about what I'm getting.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

I haven't gotten really any sweet toffee out of the English blends I've tried. I've gotten along the lines of campfire, something that kinda reminds me of leather a bit, real earthy and woodsy. I'm sure more experienced smokers can get more out of it than that but that's about what I'm getting.

I too was struggling to describe them, but then I am not a fan. But, I think your description is spot on. Leather, campfire, dried leaves. And powdery notes like talcum in the air.

 

[TheCADJockey]

I too was struggling to describe them, but then I am not a fan. But, I think your description is spot on. Leather, campfire, dried leaves. And powdery notes like talcum in the air.

Oo.. ok, that doesn't sound like what I'm looking for then. I'm definitely craving something that more closely resembles what I smell. The seville blend I have, I picked up because it smells heavenly when my friend smokes it. Taste? Not so much. I need to make it to the shop some night that the pipe guy is there. Every time I stop, the cigar is there and he just says to smell it and see if I like it lol.