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- 2010-08-21 14:32:12
Businesses Threatened by Smoking Ban … Again
From: - 2010-08-19 15:27:50
New Proposed Flavored Tobacco Ban Includes Pipe Tobacco in Utah
From: - 2010-08-09 09:15:34
Introducing Pipe Pictures Magazine
From: - 2010-08-07 09:29:22
Dan Tobacco Re-Introduces Old CAO Blends
From: - 2010-07-30 16:07:02
Carnival Cruise Lines to Ban Smoking in Smoking Lounges
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- 2010-08-21 14:32:12
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Dust in the Wind - A Primer on Tobacco Moisture
September 2nd, 2010By G. L. Pease
It’s happened to most of us at least once, and if it hasn’t, it will. We dive into our collection for some tobacco we’re looking forward to smoking, open the container, whether tin, jar or plastic pouch, and find that the contents have been entombed just long enough and at just the right conditions to have been rendered as dry as mummy dust, and just about as appealing. As we fight back our dismay, and attempt to delicately extract the contents, hoping to somehow rescue a decent smoke from the rubble of our disappointment, the desiccated stuff just crumbles between our careful fingers, and we’re left with powder where we wanted ribbons.
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The Second Annual West Coast Pipe Show
August 25th, 2010By Rick Newcombe
If you like pipes as much as I do, then make plans now to be in Las Vegas Nov. 6-7 for the second annual West Coast Pipe Show.
By traveling west of the Mississippi, you get a whole different group of collectors from nearly every other pipe show. That means many different pipes for buying and trading - pipes you are not likely to see at other shows. It also means making new friends and meeting up with many veterans of our hobby.
This is a SMOKING SHOW in every sense of the word. There will be pipe smoking in the exhibit hall, in the dining room, at the casinos and in the bars and restaurants.
This is only our second show. Last year was a phenomenal success for a first West Coast Pipe Show, with more than a hundred tables filled with pipes and pipe-related things and some of the best pipe makers in the world, including Paolo Becker, Luigi Viprati, J.T. Cooke, Jeff Gracik, Todd Johnson, Brad Pohlmann, Bob Swanson, Bruce Weaver, Bob Kiess, Adam Davidson, Will Purdy, Michael Lindner, Paul Perri, Jon Rinaldi, Charles Cole, Michael Parks, Joe Skoda, Chris Brunton, Steve Morisette, Ryan Quagliata and Ron Fairchild, among others.
The Meerschaum Pipe Experience
August 25th, 2010By Fred Bass
Meerschaum provides a cool and dry smoking experience because of the properties of Sepiolite, known as Meerschaum (sea froth), a non-swelling, lightweight, porous clay. Unlike other clays, the individual particles of Sepiolite have a needle-like morphology. It doesn’t burn, so if the pipe is clean it provides a clarity of the smoking experience not found with other materials. It has become my first choice, save for occasional smokes in Morta or a Cob. The first Meerschaum I bought was back in ‘69, for the princely sum of $12. I still have it and smoke it. As time went by, I became able to add Meerschaums to my collection, according to the limitations of my budget. Over the years, things have gotten out of control, as I have such poor discipline in these matters and even now, I continue to acquire more of these pipes. It’s a fine madness. By writing this article, it is my hope that some will discover and revel in the passion for these pipes that have become so special to me over the years.
What is a Balkan Blend?
July 30th, 2010By G. L. Pease
In the on-line pipe communities, there is often passionate conversation about the classification of blend types, and in these discussions, the most impenetrable clouds of mystery seem to swirl around those blends containing Latakia. What is an "English" mixture, and how can one be distinguished from a "Balkan" style blend? The problem is that both of these terms, despite broad usage, are somewhat ambiguous, at best, and, worse, the commonly held notions of what they mean is just plain backwards. And, yes, I’ll admit up front to being one of the early champions of this wrong-headedness. What? Read on.
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Tobacco Blending Processes
July 30th, 2010By Russ Ouellette
Most pipe smokers are familiar with the various types of tobaccos that are used to make up the blends on the tobacconist’s shelves, but the tobacco itself is only part of the story. The manufacturing methods and processes are very influential in the end product, so, in no particular order, let’s look at what can be done to tobacco to change the flavor, aroma and burning characteristics.
Flavoring- Today, flavoring (sometimes referred to as “scenting” or “infusing”) is probably the most common process applied to pipe tobacco. The most common flavors are food-based or liquor-based, with liquor, fruit and confectionery flavors being used most frequently.
Tobacco Cellaring - There’s an App for That
July 14th, 2010iPhone "Pipe Tool" Review by Tom Treweek
“Pipe Tool not perfect, but still a must buy for pipe smokers” - When you choose a hobby for its traditional nature, for the way it harkens back to a time before technology became king, then you do not expect to find it represented on your electronic devices. Online pipe forums were a welcomed surprise for those enjoying a pastime that encourages meditative solitude more frequently than face-to-face interactions. But it may be even more shocking to find that, when it comes to the leaf and briar, there’s an app for that.
The Basics of Tobacco Blending
July 14th, 2010by Russ Ouellette
A lot of people have contacted me over the years about learning how to blend tobaccos, and, in fact, we have been considering doing some two day seminars for those who have the interest. The truth of the matter is that tobacco blending is both simpler and more difficult than it seems. What I’m going to attempt to do is give a guide to making your own mixtures, or, at the very least, give you an idea of how to alter or “tweak” a blend you already enjoy. But let me start by clarifying what I mean by the simplicity and complexity of blending.
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Re-Charge with Your Pipe
June 25th, 2010by Chelsea Morning
You can tell a lot about a woman by what she carries in her purse: lipstick, cell phone, gum and hairbrush; everything but the kitchen sink (unless we can fit that too). I’m going to give you a rare peek inside mine. Move past all the typical items and you’ll find a smaller purse. You may be thinking that I’m a girl in need of a purse intervention, but this is where I keep the good stuff. Inside my mini-purse is my pipe, some tobacco, a tamper, and my matches. Now I don’t sound so ridiculous. Now I sound like a girl who doesn’t want to leave home without her pipe. If you’ll excuse me a moment, I’m going to get my Churchwarden. I always work better when I’m more relaxed. I hope you’ll join me.
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Common Misconceptions About Pipe Tobacco
June 20th, 2010by Russ Ouellette
As with just about any subject, there are a lot of common fallacies about pipe tobaccos and how they’re made. It’s a shame, really, as, through the years there have been many good books and magazine articles that have addressed these inaccuracies, but most pipe smokers have never read them. So I will try to dispel some of the falsehoods about the noble weed.
1) Latakia is made by hanging tobacco in a barn over a fire made with camel dung.
The Lady Smokes a Pipe
May 25th, 2010by Chelsea Morning
I can’t tear my eyes away from the flame. I’ve never seen it more gentle or graceful than when it places hot kisses on the tobacco. I close my eyes and relax into the embrace of vanilla custard as smoke fills the room.
Pack, tamp and the less enjoyed tongue-bite are words that have now become part of my vocabulary. Cake: a birthday staple or the layer of carbon that protects the inside of the bowl? It no longer matters. I’m hooked. You may be wondering how I got into pipe smoking in the first place. I’m a 25-year-old female from the Midwest, not the first image that comes to mind when you think of a pipe smoker. That’s ok. I forgive you.
