The State of the Pipe Community as Reflected at Pipe Shows

Chris P. Bacon
In the fall of 2005, a post on the Pipe and Tobacco Collector’s Blog sounded an alarm about the “demise of the pipe show” which, in the context of a somewhat standard gripe session about the state of pipe shows as a whole, made a provocative and impressive claim that predicted a coming storm accurately. The post stated that pipe shows, in overemphasizing the retail aspect of their gatherings, had become mere marketplaces, and this transformation dissolved the important yet somewhat intangible communal aspect upon which, at least anecdotally, the entire pipe community was based. Aside from striking gold in the mid-2000’s with a substantial lucrative boom in high-end pipe sales brought about by an influx of artisan carvers earlier in the decade, the pipe shows had nothing to show for decades of development and were in danger of becoming unexciting flea-markets, its visitors disengaged from the fact that, beyond the buying and selling, there was something missing, something important and communal and real.

Kevin Godbee
Last month, Pipes Magazine broke the news of the change in distribution of the Peter Stokkebye Pipe Tobacco line. Now, we have breaking news on how Villiger-Stokkebye, (now Villiger Cigars North America) will fill the void in their pipe tobacco offerings. Villiger, today announced the introduction of the Newminster line of bulk pipe tobaccos. You often hear of new pipe tobacco blends as individual additions being added to existing product portfolios, but this is the first large-scale entire new range of boutique pipe tobaccos introduced in years.

In the works for 9-months, the Newminster blends were developed jointly between Villiger and The Mac Baren Tobacco Company. They will be produced at the Mac Baren factory, with U.S. retailers being serviced via Villiger’s North American operations in Charlotte, North Carolina. The current Villiger 1888 blends will remain available, and will continue to be produced at the STG (formerly Orlik) factory.

Kevin Godbee
It’s almost like a high-profile, celebrity-marriage break-up … or love-triangle kind of story … at least to pipe smokers. The immensely popular and historied Peter Stokkebye Pipe Tobacco line will ironically no longer be marketed by the US company sharing the same family name—Villiger-Stokkebye International. Starting April 1, 2012, Lane Limited of Tucker, GA will be the new U.S. distributor for Stokkebye tobaccos, as well as most of the other brands formerly distributed by Villiger-Stokkebye. These include: Orlik, W.Ø. Larsen, Stanwell, Erinmore, Escudo, Balkan Sasieni, Skandinavik, Sail Tobaccos, and Troost Tobaccos.

Kevin Godbee
As you may already know from previously reading in these pages, Lane Limited, the 122-year old tobacco company, (that may be best known for Captain Black Pipe Tobacco), was sold to Scandinavian Tobacco Group of Denmark, in January of 2011. Reynolds American Inc., finalized the deal to sell the company in March of the same year.

Typically, when pipe tobacco companies or brands take on new ownership, many pipers become skeptical that their favorite pipe tobacco blends will stay the same, or even remain available. There were some concerned reactions earlier this year when the sale was announced. However, it was soon realized that Lane Limited was in much better hands with STG. Scandinavian Tobacco Group was already the largest pipe tobacco company in the world, versus Reynolds American, which put a quite low priority on pipe tobacco. (Lane Limited also produces roll-your-own tobacco and small cigars, but for the purposes of our audience here, we will concentrate on pipe tobacco.)

By Kevin Godbee
Richmond Virginia is steeped in tobacco history and tradition, and that makes it a great location for an exposition dedicated to pipes and tobacco. The second weekend of October was the 27th year in a row that the C.O.R.P.S Exposition & Celebration was held. It’s quite impressive, and no small feat to have a show catering to pipe smokers with a 27-year history.

C.O.R.P.S. stands for Conclave of Richmond Pipe Smokers. They are one of the largest pipe clubs and have been based in Richmond since 1984. This year the show changed venues from the Holiday Inn to the more posh surroundings of the Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa. The hotel is in the Richmond area, but technically, the actual town is Short Pump, VA.

By Nikolaj Liberoth Nielsen

The Danish Pipe Shop is more of an institution in Copenhagen as being one of the oldest businesses on the famous pedestrian street in the center of the city. The late Steffen Nielsen ran the shop from 1969 until January this year. Now, in the hands of Steffen’s family, the shop still stands strong - mostly due to an ongoing love affair with the talent of Danish pipe makers.

Steffen Nielsen died on Monday the 31st of January this year on his way to work. He didn’t make it to the shop and took his last breath 50 meters away from the front door. This was not only a catastrophe for me personally as I lost my father and my best friend, but also because of the quick decisions we as a family had to take on behalf of the pipe shop. One choice was to close it and/or sell it. Another choice was to continue it in the spirit of Steffen. We made the last choice.

By Kevin Godbee
In Part II, and the conclusion of our Orlik Factory Video Tour, you will see some interesting contrasts in production. There is some highly impressive automated machinery, but the video opens showing the handwork that goes into making of Luxury Bull’s Eye Flake. Watch carefully as the intro photo slideshow goes right into the Luxury Bull’s Eye Flake production as the music continues. We kept the music going here as there was a lot of noise from the factory and all of the conversion was inaudible.

Next, you get to see the de-stemming machine, which is actually called a "threshing machine". The process of de-stemming tobacco is referred to as threshing. You get to see the casing machine in action, and much more. After the video we have a few photos of parts that weren’t shown.

By Kevin Godbee
The Orlik Tobacco Company in Assens Denmark is one of the largest pipe tobacco factories in the world. Even if you are not a pipe smoker, it is an impressive place to visit, and if you are a pipe smoker, it is truly amazing. I had the opportune pleasure to tour the factory with my friend, the owner of SmokingPipes.com, Sykes Wilford. In our video tour below, you can hear Sykes in some of the conversation, but you don’t get to see him as he volunteered to be the cameraman. Aside from the immensely impressive operation and huge campus, one of my favorite parts of this video is the discussion. You have three guys that love tobacco, talking about tobacco. If you’re a tobacco fan, (and what are you doing on this site if you are not?), then I think you’ll enjoy the dialogue too. You may learn some interesting things, not only about tobacco, but about the tobacco business as well.

By Kevin Godbee
The world’s largest luxury tobacco products trade show took place July 17 - 21, 2011 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center, Venetian Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas NV. After two years in a row in New Orleans, the show came back to Las Vegas for its 79th year with an increase in attendance from last year. The IPCPR Show is the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association’s annual trade show, where the industry showcases new products and retail tobacconists place orders. The show had over 250 exhibitors with more than 1200 booths. There were 40 new exhibitors this year as well.

Most people seemed to arrive in Las Vegas on Saturday, July 16, which makes sense. You get the benefit of the better airfare with a Saturday night stay, and hello!?!?! … Saturday night in Vegas! What more do we need to say? I love Vegas, and this was my 16th trip there in 9 years. I will be going back 2 more times this year, but you’ll hear about that when it happens. I stayed at The Palazzo, which is the mirror image twin of The Venetian with the two resorts connected, and really pretty much one in the same with the convention center right in the middle. Every room is a suite at the Venetian / Palazzo, and it is one of my favorites along with The Palms.

What does a Cirque du Soleil performer, gourmet chef, and a knife juggler all have in common with the Greater Kansas City Pipe Club?

They all make what they do look like it’s easy.

The 2011 Greater Kansas City Pipe & Tobacco Show was held on June 25 & 26 at the KCI Expo Center, adjacent to the Kansas City Airport Holiday Inn.

Pulling off a successful pipe show is a demanding task. Doing so while making it look easy takes even more work. The hospitality, vigor, and professionalism demonstrated by the club was over the top. I don’t think I stopped smiling all weekend. Every time I encountered a different club member I was thanked for attending, and told how happy they were that I was there. These guys really know how to make someone feel welcome, and it wasn’t just me. They made sure everyone had a great time.

As a matter of fact, the Kansas City club is so classy that they presented a framed calligraphic certificate of appreciation to every participant in the show. (Somebody in the club must have read Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends & Influence People”.)