I was fortunate enough to have been asked to try the new 7 Seas Blends by Mac Baren. I was sworn to secrecy… No not really, just asked not to tell anyone. Provided with a pouch of each blend; Regular, Gold, and Royal, I dove right in. The pouches are not available in the U.S., they were just samples. The following is what I submitted.

Mac Baren, 7 Seas, Regular Blend: The White Pouch

Before I opened the pouch, I carefully looked it over, first thing I noticed was the excellent depiction of a very tall sailing ship’s mast with the impression of a great-long and majestic unfurled pennant making the numeral 7 and three fully trade-wind filled sails under which is the word Seas written in long-hand; a most impressive logo. Inside is a gray scale map reference compass, on the whole very impressive tasteful packaging.

Mac Baren’s description of the contents on the white pouch is very descriptive of my first impression of the blend upon opening the pouch. The pouch note is very sweet and pungent, seems like I smell plum… very pleasant, but not overpowering. It seems to smell like RLP-6, but not as spicy. The tobacco is rather course cut and moist. It is comprised of very dark and very light tobaccos.

I decided to pack my MM cob churchwarden straight from the pouch without any preparation (in hindsight probably not the best choice). Being moist it packed very easily.

The char light was very pleasing as was the true light. The flavor was very nice, quite smooth and rich. I have never been one to discern individual and ethereal flavors, but I seem to taste a little vanilla and plum. Its flavor, to me, is reminiscent of Captain Black Royal only smoother. Somewhere I picked up the impression that this was supposed to be Mac Baren’s answer to Captain Black White, maybe because of the pouch I had been given to try. You know what they say about assumptions…..

It is somewhat difficult to keep lit because of the high moisture content, or because I chose the cob-warden. It may not be so with a bit of drying.

I asked my wife about the room note. She said: “It’s strong… smells like Captain Black. Not bad.” It burned completely and the bowl was dry, but it did gurgle about half way through, and probably my fault for being so anxious to try this exciting new tobacco blend.

I liked it, so I packed a second bowl in my Cavicchi Volcano after about an hour. The second lit well and I had no trouble keeping it lit. The flavor was just as good as it was the first bowl. No bite, didn’t burn in my nose, rich and sweet.

It is a blend that I will buy in the future; it has earned a permanent place in my stash.

Mac Baren; 7 Seas Royal Blend: Dark Aqua package

The pouch note reminds me of RLP-6 as well, only milder, not too sweet, and very moist.

The Char light immediately tasted a little peppery and smoky in a way that is unlike Latakia, and not very sweet. Following the true light; the flavor hasn’t changed much from the char, it still tastes smoky and there are some pleasant flavors that seem to be making their way into the overall flavor. It is very mild. While it is a good blend, it doesn’t seem very sophisticated (for me that is a good thing). I mean that it doesn’t seem to have too many things (flavor wise) going on, and I like that.

I’m smoking it in my handmade Ascorti “New Line”, made by the dearly departed master pipe carver Roberto Ascorti. It is on par with my 5C Cavicchi as far as overall quality of craftsmanship, grain, and ineffable smoking qualities. In other words; I have chosen to smoke this blend in the best pipe I have save one. And that one isn’t superior to this one, but equal.

The 7 Seas Royal Blend is burning well, maybe a little on the hot side, but not unpleasantly so, it is also burning at a fairly slow rate and has no bite. As the smoke continues it begins to hint at an un-sweet 1Q, but not quite as satisfying (possibly due to lower nicotine content than 1Q). It is smoking dry, there has been no gurgle. As I near the end of the bowl, some 40 minutes into the smoke, I find myself looking forward to the end. It has lasted far longer than I had anticipated, and that isn’t a bad thing either.

I asked the wife what she thought about the room note: “It’s OK”. My wife isn’t very loquacious sometimes.

While I don’t dislike the Mac Baren 7 Seas Royal Blend; it is not something that I would purchase with any frequency. But, I may keep it in my stash. However; it does seem to have a place there.

I think that this would be a good choice for the novice pipe smoker. It has qualities that would lend itself to the inexperienced pipe smoker’s enjoyment of his pipe, for the following reasons:

First; it smells good in the pouch without being flashy not Royal, but Nouveau riche, (using a 17^th Century cultural definition.)

Second; it packs well and easily.

Third; it lights well and burns evenly without the need to continually tamp, and stays lit with little effort.

Fourth; while it does burn a little warm, it doesn’t bite.

Fifth; as aromatics go, has a mild smoky flavor, it isn’t overly sweet, and doesn’t taste like a bowl of fruit but pleasant none-the-less, not too rich, and not too much nicotine.

Lastly; it has a decent room note, so it won’t annoy those around the new piper, who by logical extension may be inexperienced with a pipe’s aroma, as well.

I would say this would be a good blend for a pipe smoking college student who is just starting out. The more I think about it, the more I like its attributes. Mac Baren, 7 Seas Royal Blend is a good blend for studying or just reading a good book. Yep… I will keep some in my stash.

Mac Baren: 7 Seas; Gold Blend, Gold Pouch

Pouch note: Quite pleasing, like a Cavendish, not sweet, just a good honest tobacco smell. The appearance is light gold to light brown ribbon cut not too coarse. Very similar in texture to Lane 1Q but not quite as thinly cut.

I smoked my first bowl of Mac Baren’s Gold Blend in my 5C Claudio Cavicchi Half Bent Volcano. After my first experience with Mac Baren’s 7 Seas Regular Blend; I decided to smoke it in my best pipe, on par with my Ascorti New Line.

Like the 7 Seas Regular and Royal blends; the Gold Blend packs very well, and like the others, is very moist.

Char Light: I found it a little difficult to get lit initially, indicating that it may need to dry a bit before lighting. That difficulty may disappear with subsequent openings of the pouch. The initial taste seems to be a Cavendish and I don’t taste of any flavor additives.

True Light: Once the char was successful, the True light wasn’t an issue. The Cavendish flavor comes through nicely. The smoke is not a thick smoke but quite flavorful.

I had to relight after about 10 minutes due to my own ineptitude. This is quite a good tobacco. It is not fancy just straight forward and smooth. There is no bite and is not burning hot. While I truly enjoyed the Regular, I think this is may be my favorite of the three. The flavor is very pleasant and bright. Not an “in your face” bright, but very tasty, and no gurgle.

As the bowl burns it hasn’t developed any bite. It is burning quite cool and hasn’t lost any flavor. It isn’t complex, a little nutty, and tastes to me a little like Half and Half, that’s just my opinion.

The description on the pouch is spot on. “A soft and exceptionally mellow smoke. Delightful aromatic taste. A true pleasure journey.” I can’t argue with that.

Room Note: I asked the ‘War Department’ what she thought of this blend. She said: “That smells good.” I asked: “Do you like it.” I got a smile and a bright “Ah- huh!” The Mother-in-law is up for the week, and she said it smelled good as well. She said: “That smells sweet.”

I’ve had to relight a few times, again that may be due to the moisture content. But, I have no complaints at all. This is definitely a blend that I will keep on hand. I look forward to this becoming available in my area.

My palate isn’t as discerning as Bob’s or some others and I’m new to this “Tobacco Review” thing; I hope I have been able to convey just how much I really enjoyed trying “something new” (in both the literal and figurative senses). I was also pleased to have been asked to try these wonderful new blends and offer my humble opinion. Thanks… that was fun!

As many of you know, I tend to look upon History from a slightly different perspective than what is generally found in text books. And that I have heretofore touched on the differences between the “modern pipe smoker” and those “old school pipe smokers”. In this incarnation of my humble blog, I have collected some old forum posts and some new musings from varied sources. While it may seem disjointed in context and style, I think I will manage to convey my thoughts.

A question was posed by one of PipesMagazine.com’s newest members, Ernest. He started the string: Serious question: Has pipe smoking changed with time? I think that the “old school” has had at least 8 very different incarnations, but there is something at the heart of each, and I don’t mean nicotine.

As something of a History buff, I felt that if I posted to Ernest’s string, I would simply be responding with an anecdote and not truly answering his question. I feel that Rod’s screen name is both self-defining and a challenge to us to contemplate and expound, even though it is spelled differently than the word defined below. So, light your pipe, and read my attempt at allowing us to think beyond what we can see.

ear·nest ¹ (ûrnst)

adj.

1. Marked by or showing deep sincerity or seriousness: an earnest gesture of goodwill.

2. Of an important or weighty nature; grave. See Synonyms at serious.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/earnest

Bearing the above in mind, the following may seem somewhat disjointed, so bear with me.

1) Our European perspectives and ignorance have attached the moniker of “Peace Pipe” on that which is at the foundation of our shared passion… the conveyance of prayers to and the contemplation of, their venerated spirits, and the creator of all things through the burning of tobacco by the indigenous peoples of the Americas.

2) Upon the acquisition of tobacco from the New World, Sir Walter Raleigh brought it first to England, where it spread across Europe and the rest of the world. The earliest depiction of pipe smoking (I have seen) is of Sir Walter Raleigh smoking a long pipe and reading a parchment document at his desk. Being a poet, I can imagine him deep in the contemplation of his writings. This depiction of Raleigh’s relaxed demeanor demonstrates to me that deep thinking and relaxation are inherent to the nature of pipe smoking. I might add that the wood block print shows a servant or Paige about to douse Raleigh with a jug of water; because he thinks Raleigh is on fire. So, there was humor in the 16^th Century.

3) From: http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/archeologists-in-new-york-uncover-tobacco-pipes-dating-back-to-the-17th-century#post-8260

Yes, we are members of an old and venerable fraternity.
Thanks Bob,
I love the history that one cannot find in text books.
The day to day inconveniences, struggles, prejudices and wider realities of life in our progenitor’s past.
The implication that the “Colonies” were given ’seconds’ and flawed merchandise is illuminating. Makes one contemplate the world’s unconscious perceptions of our nations place in the larger world at that time.
OR, is that all they could afford?
It depends on the context of the find, the social status of the owners. The article said the fragments were found in trash. What type of trash? Was this the contents from a fireplace? If so, were they discarded from a public house (a pub or restaurant) or a home, or a place of business? How did their former owners make their living? Were they aristocrats, restaurateurs, carpenters, tinkers… thieves…… slaves? Romanticizing here: If from a pub; were these pipe smokers discussing taxation by the crown or Suzy Rotten Crotch’s ankles over on Wall Street over a pint of ale or porter? Were they Dutch, or English subjects? Did they smoke their pipes by candle light or oil lantern?
Damn… I love history.

4) After a fill from a draw-string tobacco pouch hung from his belt; I see the air cured Red Virginia tobacco being smoked in long clay churchwarden next to a stone hearth, by one of our Founding Fathers with his feet on the fender and a pint at his elbow on a cold winter’s night, engrossed by the fire, while blissfully unaware of the hubbub of the Public House going on around him in the monochromatic light from the flames and candles filtered through a smoky haze. (Private forum: Paraphrased from a description of an impression provided by a unique and excellent tobacco blend.)

5) In the Clint Eastwood movie “The Outlaw Jose Wales”, there is a scene with a character called Granny. While I could expound on the gritty reality depicted in the great movie, I will restrict my observations to the person of Granny in that one scene. Granny is “Up to the store”. She is earthy, hates the “Red Legs”, knows what Josey Wales represents to the Red Legs, finds humor in the boastings of the Captain of the Red Legs, is generous in providing aid to the Outlaw Josey Wales and the kid with a “you can pay me when ya see me Josey Wales”. She speaks her mind, afraid of no consequence for those words, and smokes a homemade corn cob pipe probably packed with home grown and cured tobacco. Granny see’s things for what they really are, and not what they seem to be. In short, she’s a thinker.

6) From: http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/memorable-pipe-smokers-from-your-past#post-3902

One of our newest members Patriotfirst got me to thinking back to my early days of pipe smoking and my curiosity about my new passion, way back when….
Woodlawn Hardware Store was a dusty relic of the old style Mom and Pop Hardware stores where you could find things that you couldn’t find anywhere else. (After a bit of rummaging of course.) (You know the type.) Even the hours were antiquated. 6 to 6 Mon. - Sat. except Wednesdays when we closed at noon because of an old blue-law. (So people could go to church.) Well there was an old WWI veteran that would come in to buy a couple of nails or screws or just to shoot the breeze. He smoked a pipe with a Rum Soaked Crook cigar in it. I always found this amusing, but practical. He told me he had been smoking that way since “Ma momma give me dis pipe fo my 6′d birt-day. Mah re-ward for bein’ a good boy-n stayin’ in school”.

7) During the 1950’s the epitome of the American Dream was realized. The War to End All Wars was over; Vietnam was a country somewhere on the kid’s globe. There was inexpensive housing with running water, showers in the bathrooms, the inevitable child of the Great Depression wife wearing an apron, spoiled children (of which many of us are included), she always had a fresh Permanent, and she would always have dinner waiting for her husband when he returned home. The husband… worked 9 to 5, had perfect hair, and easy chair, a shiny new car (with fins), an immaculate lawn that was mown every Saturday, three channels on the tube, a clenched Dr. Graybow stuffed with Prince Albert and a big smile on his face while reading, and thinking about the news of the day…. Life was good.

8 ) Over the last 40 years the world has changed. Maybe no more than in other times, our concerns have definitely changed. Baby Boomers now outnumber the young. We have 400 channels on the satellite, and instant information on the internet. Pipe smokers are more highly educated and sophisticated than at any point in history. We know what type of pipe we prefer, what tobacco goes with our morning coffee or that smooooooth nightcap. We wonder about what we tasted in that last bowl; was that raisins or apricots. Is Short Cut to Mushrooms an English mix or an aromatic with a touch of Latakia? Now when I light up my pipe, I read a book, post my musings on the internet, listen to music, or think about the musings and ideas of others.

So, from my own historical perceptions; I have to say, from the earliest incarnations the of stone, clay, and wooden pipes of the early Native Americans, to the latest in high tech carbon fiber pipes with stainless steel bowls manufactured in sophisticated factories, there is but one constant… It’s what we do while smoking those pipes that counts. While the subjects have varied greatly over time, and from person to person, the smoking of a pipe has always facilitated contemplation, and therefore hasn’t changed.

I wrote this over a decade ago.  With the exception of those living in Delaware, most of our citizens have never heard of this man.  His actions and their impact on this country cannot be understated.  It’s a shame that this kind of history is no longer taught in this country.  Since we here in the United States are preparing to celebrate our independence, I believe  it is important that a little exposure to our history might be in order.

To our brothers in the United Kingdom; I am sure that you are familiar with our shared history concerning the American 4th of July Holiday, Independence Day.  The following could be considered historical minutia.  However, I believe that it is in the minutia that reality / real history is revealed and thus brought to life.  I am attempting to shed some light on to the motivations, and insight into the minds of those whom Americans consider heros of the America’s War for Independence.

I hope that this little essay, will allow us all to think about and understand the American Revolution and what it did mean and does mean to our respective countries.

* The word Prothonotary is pronounced:  Pro - tho - notary.

Caesar Rodney's Ride of Thunder and Rain

Who was Caesar Rodney?

In 1999, the United States Mint began producing a series of commemorative quarter dollars representing the fifty states which comprise the United States. Every six to eight weeks, a new quarter dollar representing a different state will be placed into circulation. This commemorative series will be completed in the year 2008. Hawaii, the fiftieth state to be admitted into the United States, will be the last state to be honored with this commemorative series.

The first commemorative quarter dollar in this series is quite unique. On the obverse side, there is a picture of a gentleman riding a horse at a full gallop - this mysterious gentleman is the subject of this paper. The figure is a man, wearing a three-cornered hat and typical colonial attire circa AD 1776. The figure of this gentleman is on the commemorative quarter dollar representing Delaware. Many people think this gentleman is Paul Revere, it is not. If these people study their history books, they will discover that Paul Revere was from Massachusetts. Close inspection of the Delaware commemorative quarter dollar will reveal the name of the rider. The rider’s name is Caesar Rodney. WHO WAS CAESAR RODNEY?

October 7, 1728:

Hung some tobacco, came in got dinner and killed some squirrels…about eleven o’clock at night, my wife awakened me for she was very bad. I got up and sent for ye midwife and women. But before any came, ye child was born and it was a SON. There was no soul with her but myself, being I believe just about midnight. (Pickett, Delaware’s 1)

Caesar Augustus Rodney was born on October 7, 1728, on the family farm in East Dover Hundred, Kent County, Delaware. Caesar Rodney, “Delaware’s Hero”(Pickett, Delaware’s1), is of English and Italian extraction. He was the oldest of eight children born to Caesar Rodney, Sr. and Elizabeth Crawford Rodney. Caesar Rodney’s grandfather, William Rodeney, immigrated to the New World in the 1680’s and settled in the Dover area of what is now Delaware during the 1690’s. Caesar Augustus Rodney’s mother was the daughter of the first Episcopalian missionary sent from England by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, Reverend Thomas Crawford.

No portrait of Caesar Rodney exists. His face was terribly disfigured by a painful and malignant facial cancer. He wore a green silk vale over half of his face so he could spare the ladies an unpleasant sight. Rodney is, however, immortalized in marble in Statuary Hall in Washington DC. The statue of Rodney resembles Thomas Jefferson. Caesar Augustus Rodney also suffered from athsma. John Adams described Rodney as “…the oddest looking man in the world; he is tall thin and slender as a reed, pale; his face is not bigger than a large apple, yet there is a sense and fire, spirit, wit and humor in this countenance.”(Independence, Caesar 1) Rodney’s sense of humor was droll. In a letter to his brother, Thomas Rodney, written on September 24, 1774, he writes “You may tell those whom it may concern that Miss Charlton who used to take Some of our Kent Ladies to Lodge, was buried the day before Yesterday from whence they will (no Doubt) readily Suppose She is dead- ” (Ryden, Letters 52)

Caesar Rodney worked on the family’s farm until the age of 14, when he was sent to Latin school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1745, Rodney lost his father and returned home to run the family farm. Rodney was 17 years of age. He had yet to reach the age of majority. Because Caesar Rodney was underage, Nicholas Ridgley of Dover was named as his legal guardian. Ridgley was Prothonotary and Clerk of the Peace for the Kent County Court. Being an officer of the Kent County Court, Ridgley had an extensive knowledge of both law and books. His influence on young Caesar Rodney cannot be understated. Under Ridgley’s tutelage, Caesar and his younger brother, Thomas, became very civic-minded young men. Caesar and his brother, Thomas, under their guardian, learned the law. In 1755, at the age of 27, Caesar Rodney became the High Sheriff of Kent County. Rodney would serve in some public appointment, office or trust for the next 29 years. After the office of the High Sheriff, he served in the following offices: the Registrar of Wills, Deputy Recorder of Deeds, and Recorder of Deeds in Kent County. He also acted as Clerk of the Peace (the same office held by his guardian, Ridgley), Justice of the Peace, and served periodically as Clerk of the Orphans Court. Caesar Rodney was a very civic-minded individual.

In 1756, Caesar Rodney enlisted in the military. He felt it was his duty to enlist and defend his colony during the French and Indian Wars. Rodney enlisted in the regiment of Colonel John Vining and Rodney was given the rank Captain of the Dover Hundred Company. His company, however, was never called into battle. In the same year, Rodney was elected to the Stamp Act Congress along with Thomas McKean. Even though the Stamp Act was repealed, other outrages were to follow: the Townshend Act of 1767, the Boston Port Bill of 1774, and other “injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object, the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states”. (Drummey, Their 2) These usurpations only fed Rodney’s already strong patriotic sentiment. In 1776, Rodney was appointed to the Supreme Court of Delaware and elected to the Delaware Assembly. (The Delaware Assembly was similar to a state legislature.) He was elected Speaker of the Delaware Assembly and, in 1769 he attempted but failed to pass a law “prohibiting the importation of slaves”. (Pickett, Delaware’s 2)

On May 15, 1776, Congress passed a resolution suggesting that all colonies set up independent governments. One month later, on June 15, 1776, Rodney was elected to serve as a delegate at the Second Continental Congress, along with Thomas McKean and George Read. (Rodney was also a delegate to the First Continental Congress). By this time he was a Brigadier General in the Delaware militia and Speaker of the Delaware Assembly. On the same day he was elected to the Second Continental Congress, Delaware declared her independence from the tyrannical British Crown and the Province of Pennsylvania.

June 15, 1776 was a monumental day in American History. Rodney, as Speaker, proposed a resolution to the House of Assembly at New Castle to hold a constitutional convention to frame a state government independent of Pennsylvania. Each county was to elect 10 delegates on August 19, 1776. The constitutional convention was to convene in New Castle on August 27, 1776, and “there to ordain and declare the future Form of Government for this State”. (Ryden, Letters 13) The resolution was passed without dissension.

Prior to June 15, 1776, the Three Lower Counties (known today as The State of Delaware) was a part of the Province of Pennsylvania, a colony of the British Crown. Caesar Rodney was the speaker of the last Delaware colonial assembly. The House of Assembly at New Castle had previously appointed Caesar Rodney, Thomas McKean, and George Read to write to Parliament and to the King to assure that the Three Lower Counties were grateful for the repeal of the Stamp Act and to express their loyalty to the Crown. These same three men (now delegates to the Second Continental Congress) were given instructions by the House Assembly at New Castle on June 15, 1776, to join the other colonies “in forming such farther compacts between the United Colonies, concluding such treaties with foreign Kingdoms and states, and in adopting such other measures as shall be judged necessary for promoting the liberty, safety, and the interests of America, reserving to the people of this Colony the sole and exclusive right of regulating the internal government and police of the same”. (Ryden, Letters 10) During his tenure Rodney, as the Speaker of the House of Assembly at New Castle, signed the instructions for the delegates to both the First and the Second Continental Congress. He also signed the resolution to disband the House of Assembly at New Castle. When the resolution was passed and the instructions were issued to the three delegates, The Three Lower Counties, to all intents and purposes, declared their independence from the British Crown. The Three Lower Counties were now to be called The Delaware State.

Not withstanding the accomplishments that have earned Caesar Rodney his place in the history books, his most important, and perhaps his greatest achievement had yet to be attempted. It was to be one of the most important independent acts of selfless determination in American History….

On July 1, 1776, Rodney was not in attendance at the Second Continental Congress due to the fact he was in Delaware investigating and subduing a Tory uprising. On July 1, 1776, Thomas McKean, also a delegate to the Second Continental Congress, sent an urgent message to Rodney requesting his immediate return to Philadelphia. The Congress had taken a vote on independence. Nine colonies voted for independence, with South Carolina and Pennsylvania dissenting, and New York abstaining. Delaware was deadlocked with McKean voting for independence and George Reed against. A unanimous vote was desperately needed for political and psychological reasons if independence were to succeed.

Upon returning home from the Tory uprising, Rodney received the message from McKean stating that the vote was scheduled for July 2, 1776. Physically weak from his cancer and asthma, and exhausted from the riots, Brigadier General Caesar Augustus Rodney embarked on an epic ride, as great as, or greater than the “famous” ride of Paul Revere. During a tremendous thunderstorm, complete with heavy rain and spectacular lightning, Rodney immediately left his home and headed for Philadelphia to cast the most important vote of his life. He rode the entire night and into the next day, which was oppressively hot. He had ridden eighty miles, stopping only to change horses. Rodney arrived at the meeting covered in baked-on mud and dust, just in time to cast his vote. He has been credited with saying, “As I believe the voice of my constituents and of all sensible and honest men is in favor of independence, my own judgement concurs with them. I vote for independence”. (Drummey, Their 3)

Once the voting was completed and unanimity achieved, Caesar Rodney’s sense of humor, during the ensuing debate, asserted itself when he deflated the self-important Virginian delegation. The Virginians had expressed reservations concerning Britain’s possible response to the vote for American independence. He was quoted as saying “Let Virginia be of good cheer, she has a friend in need; Delaware will take her under its protection and insure her safety”. (Independence, Caesar 1) Rodney’s sarcasm was not lost on the Virginian delegation because Virginia had the largest population, Delaware one of the smallest.

John Hancock signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. All the other delegates signed this important document on August 2, 1776, after several lengthy debates. When Caesar Rodney was signing his name on the Declaration of Independence, he knew he was signing his own death warrant. If he were not hung for treason against the British Crown, he would die from facial cancer. Rodney knew he would no longer be able to get the much-needed treatment for his cancer. Treatment was available — only in Britain.

After the final adjournment of the House of Assembly on July 28, 1776, Rodney was kept away from The Delaware State by the business of the fledgling United States. Rodney desired to be elected as a delegate to the constitutional convention of The Delaware State but met stiff opposition from the Tories and failed to be elected as a delegate. For the first time since 1755, Rodney was not a member of government. He was, however, still a brigadier general in The Delaware State’s militia. In 1777, only George Read was re-elected as a delegate to the Continental Congress. The Tories had managed to defeat both Caesar Rodney and Thomas McKean. It should be mentioned that George Read did not vote on July 4, 1776. Rather than vote, George Read stayed away from Congress after Rodney’s heroic and dramatic ride. On July 1, 1776, George Read voted against independence in direct violation of his instructions from the House Assembly.

Brigadier General Rodney was very active in the Revolutionary War. In November of 1776, he was appointed Chairmen of the Kent County Branch of the Council of Safety. While the British army was pursuing General George Washington, Brigadier General Rodney maintained a constant supply of new militia to General Washington. In January of 1777, after General Washington had crossed the Delaware and captured the Hessian mercenaries on December 26, 1776, Brigadier General Rodney was placed in command of the post at Trenton. It was Rodney’s duty to defend the vital river crossing at Trenton and forward new troops to General Washington.

September of 1777 witnessed the British Army capture the city of Wilmington in The Delaware State, and the capture of the first President of The Delaware State, Dr. John McKinley. Just prior to his capture, on September 26, 1777, Dr. McKinley promoted Brigadier General Rodney to Major General of The Delaware State. In December of 1777 Rodney was once again elected to the Continental Congress. Also, when it became apparent that President Dr. John McKinley would not be released, the Legislature of The Delaware State elected Rodney as President, where he served until November 6, 1781.

Caesar Rodney, dying from cancer and exhausted from a lifetime of service to the people, was no longer able to leave his home. He withdrew as governor on November 6, 1781. But in the fall of 1783, Rodney was elected by The Delaware State General Assembly as Speaker of the Upper House, a position equivalent to Lieutenant Governor today. Being very ill and unable to travel, the Assembly began meeting in Rodney’s home. The Upper House convened there until April 8, 1784.

There is no record with the exact date of Rodney’s death. However, it is known that Rodney was buried on his farm on June 28, 1784. His grave went unmarked for more than one hundred years. In 1885, Chief Justice Joseph P. Comegys had a small marker placed on Rodney’s grave. In 1889, Rodney’s body was moved to Christ’s Church in Dover. On October 30, 1889, a monument was dedicated at the site of his new grave. On July 4, 1923, a Bronze statue depicting Rodney’s ride of “Thunder and Rain” (Themal, At 1) was dedicated in Rodney Square in Wilmington, Delaware. In 1931, the Delaware State Legislature appropriated funds for a marble statue of Rodney. It now resides in Statuary Hall, Washington, DC. The statue of Rodney’s ride of “Thunder and Rain” (Themal, At 1) has now been copied on the Delaware commemorative quarter dollar.

How does one answer the question posed earlier: Who was Caesar Rodney? Caesar Rodney was “Delaware’s Hero”, (Pickett, Delaware’s 1) a fine soldier, judge, governor, farmer, patriot, and most importantly a real American hero. If it had not been for his ride of “Thunder and Rain” (Themal, At 1), we may not have the document that is so important to us all - the Declaration of Independence.

Glossary

Prothonotary: The principal clerk in some courts.

Works Cited

Drummy, James J. “Their Sacred Honor.” Hevanet nwo37 (1999110: 8pp. Online. Internet.

29 Sept. 1999.

Lossing, B.J. Biographical Sketches of the Signers of The Declaration of American

Independence: and a Sketch of the Leading Events Connected with the Adoption

of The Articles of Confederation. New York: George F. Colledge and Brother, 1848.

Pickett, Russ. “Delaware’s Hero for all Times.” State of Delaware rodnbio (21 June 1999)

4pp. Online. Internet. 29 Sept. 1999.

Ryden, George Herbert, ed. Letters to and from Caesar Rodney. Philadelphia: U of

Pennsylvania, 1933

Themal, Harry. “At Long Last, See Caesar Rodney’s Historic Words.” Delaware Online.com

Opinion 0912099 (20 Sept. 1999): 2pp. Online. Internet. 29 Sept. 1999.

“Caesar Rodney.” Independence Hall Association rodney (Mar. 1999): 2pp. Online. Internet.

29 Sept. 1999.

“Delaware the First State.” Jordan Marketing 1pp. Online. Internet. 29 Sept. 1999.

“The 50 States Commemorative Quarters.” The US Mint de/de (22 June 1999): 2pp. Online.

Internet. 29 Sept. 1999.

“The 50 States Commemorative Quarters Program.” The US Mint de/de_winner (22 June

1999): 2pp. Online. Internet. 29 Sept. 1999.

“Who was Caesar Rodney.” Chicago Public Library 008subject/005genref (Apr. 1999):

1pp. Online. Internet. 29Sept. 1999.

“The American Heritage Talking Dictionary Third Edition” Cambridge: Softkey International,

Inc., 1994.

Since this is Memorial Day Weekend, I thought in my humble way to honor those who have given their lives in defense of our Freedom.

This photo is of four great Americans, and worthy of honor.

Ira H. Hayes. John H. Bradley. John Wayne. Rene A. Gagnon

They are from left to right:

Ira H. Hayes, John H. Bradley, John Wayne, Rene A. Gagnon

While John Wayne didn’t actually serve in the military, he repeatedly tried to enlist. His familial circumstances and his age kept him out of service during WWII. Never-the-less when speaking about the part of “Sergeant John Stryker” he said that he wasn’t playing John Wayne… he was Stryker. He accepted the role in the film “Sands of Iwo Jima” even though he didn’t want the part at first. He was personally asked to play the part by the “Commandant of the Marine Corps”. When he learned the reason the movie had been written John Wayne accepted. In doing so the Hollywood Hero saved the Marine Corps from being disbanded by Congress for being unnecessary.

Three of the six that were depicted in Joe Rosenthal’s famous photo and immortalized in the bronze of the Iwo Jima Memorial; Mike Strank (Pennsylvania), Harlon Block (Texas), Franklin Sousley (Kentucky) died in combat.

The three that returned home are pictured with Sergeant Stryker above, and can be seen in “Sands of Iwo Jima” along with the actual flag raised on Mt. Suribachi.

Ira Hayes, a Pima Indian, upon hearing of the air-raid on Pearl Harbor joined the Marine Corps because he felt it was his duty to defend his country. After basic training he was accepted into parachute training and was nicknamed “Chief Falling Cloud” by his buddies. He was one of forty Marines assigned to summit Mt. Suribachi and one of the six to stake Old Glory atop that dearly purchased hill. Ira Hayes detested being exploited to raise money for War Bonds. He drowned in a ditch destitute and drunk. He was 32. (http://phoenix.about.com/cs/famous/a/irahayes01.htm)

John Bradley (Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class) served as the Navy Corpsman assigned to E Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division. To all Marines, Navy Corpsmen are the most respected members of the Navy. The father of eight children refused to talk about his experiences during WWII, and when he was called a hero he would say that “the real heroes were the men who didn’t come back”. (http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=6009 )

Rene A. Gagnon like Bradley and Hayes had his demons as well. He once said that: “Being a hero was a blessing and a curse.” Ironically he was fired from one job on Memorial Day, he had been drinking.

Today Doctors might say these American Combat Veterans suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, and they probably did. Some wounds will just never heal and remain with them throughout their lives. Just because a Veteran of combat wasn’t killed in action while defending our country doesn’t mean he hasn’t given his life. One might say the lucky ones never came home.

I for one will celebrate Memorial Day. I will probably Bar-B-Que and have a couple of beers, just like millions of other Americans. And, I will remember why I can Bar-B-Que, and have that beer. And, I will remember why I can write things like this, and those that gave their lives so I could.

In his comment to my last posting; Cortezattic asked me: “Have the good habits become a permanent part of your smoking practices; or do you lapse into carelessness when not concentrating on duration?” Good question.

I have been thinking about the implications of Mr. Attic’s question, more so than its literal meaning. First I should answer the question directly. Yes, I have made a concerted effort to apply some of the technical aspects of the slow smoke to my pleasure smokes. And, yes I have lapsed into carelessness during those same smokes. And, I think I know why. I’ve been in hurry to relax. The following doesn’t apply to that every day utilitarian pipe, but rather to that evening pleasure pipe.

Specifically; what are those practices that I have tried to add to my pipe smoking? Good tobacco preparation, careful packing, a good two match light, slow shallow pulls, careful tamping and concentration are all on that list. However, when one is anticipating that after dinner pipe and one or two good single malts to wash away the day, it’s just so easy to pick up the usual pipe then plop, stuff, and puff.

Keep the above in mind while you consider the following. Some questions have arisen lately about excess dottle, and pipes that go out too easily. I think that these common issues are directly attributable to skipping the preparation of one’s tobacco, then stuffing any handy pipe in a rush to get the relaxation started. I submit that it is possible to curtail this practice simply by taking a little time to choose what tobacco will best suit your mood and intentions, the same with your choice of pipe. Do I want something sweet? Or, do I want something light? Do I want piss off the War Department and smoke Latakia in the den? Now, which pipe will my choice of tobacco smoke best in? Do I want to clench so I can read? Or, do I want that calabash to fondle while I listen to Vivaldi? Do I want smoke my Caviichi Apple or my Stubby Cob out on the back porch in solitude and silence? I think that if one takes the time to choose his tobacco and his pipe carefully, then the desire to prepare the tobacco carefully (attending to every detail) and packing the bowl just as carefully will build the an-ti-ci………pation. Now you can give that little bit of heaven a seductive two match light, and take that first luxurious draw. The rest will come naturally, enhancing the whole experience. So, just slow down.

Well today was the day. I was a participant in a pipe smoking contest, for the first time. Granted the field consisted of a couple of relative new comers to the art of pipe smoking. One had been smoking a pipe only a month or so another contestant for eight months (a reformed cigarette smoker). There was a cherry wood smoker, Raymond, a couple others and myself. To break the suspense early I came in third, with a time of 46 minutes 02 seconds. Far from what I had aimed for but, I think respectable for my first contest.

Granted the contest wasn’t a “formal” contest in-as-much as it was for the sport. Skip Elliot the proprietor of The Briary in Homewood Alabama was the proctor. And, it was a “run what you brung” contest. It was however; conducted in the spirit of a “sanctioned” contest.

We seven contestants were provided with three grams of tobacco, were allowed five minutes to prepare the tobacco and pack our pipes, provided with two matches, and given one minute in which to light our pipes….. and we were off.

The general expression of gratification/surprise from Skip was that the first two to fall from contention fell at just over the 22 minute mark. Skip was pleased because, apparently in last year’s competition the first went out (pardon the pun) in under one minute. Today the fifth and fourth places fell by the wayside at around the thirty minute mark. That left three contestants. It was pointed out, that the twenty minute mark is about average for a “sanctioned” slow smoking contest; intimating that we were all above average.

Unfortunately, I broke one of my own philosophical rules of competition… I got involved with the conversation, and that lapse of concentration cost me at least fifteen minutes and I allowed my pipe to develop an unrecoverable ember, and it went out. Granted when I knocked out my pipe, the unburned tobacco remaining was only another fifteen or twenty minutes worth. That, if I had managed a proper slow smoke would have put my time around the one hour mark, well short of my average of around one hour twenty minutes. Even my best time would have been a bit short of what would have been required to even “place”. Second place succumbed at around the ninety minute mark. Raymond smoked on.

I fully realize my errors. First, while I got a good light and was controlling the ember as described in my earlier postings, I was (seemingly) in a hurry. While I wanted to go long, and I wanted to keep the ember under control, I was leery or apprehensive of the prospect of allowing my ember to get too low and loose the minimum/optimum (another oxymoron) combustion temperature. So, I burned it too fast and as a matter of course could only manage the forty six minutes and two seconds, for third place. I was the show horse. And, Raymond smoked on.

I did suffer a small handicap however; I was unable to load the whole three grams of tobacco into my pipe. Apparently my Bjarne Free Form will hold only about one and half grams, assuming that the provided tobacco was three grams. Still, I should have gone for an hour and fifteen or a little more, considering my average is about one and twenty. “It is a poor workman that blames his tools.” And Raymond smoked on.

Believe it or not there was an air of tension in the smoking lounge of The Briary. Just how long could Raymond keep his pipe lit? Well, his time was just over one hour forty six minutes. His was an admirable performance. First prize was a handsome flame grained pipe with a little rustication, not a budget buster but one with nice grain and pleasing shape. Second place was awarded a nice pipe stand with tobacco container, and third… well nothing specified. But, Skip did some lobbying with one of the vendors that was sponsoring the show and contest and I received two tins of tobacco. A tin of Escudo Navy De Luxe, (a pleasant blend of Virginia and Perique)[very mild], and a tin of Sasieni “Original Formula Balkan” (a blend of Macedonia and Latakia with Virginia)[rather robust… yummy!].

After the conclusion of the contest and many congratulations, a few of us asked a few questions of Raymond concerning his technique and philosophy for/of slow smoking. He mentioned a couple of things that I hadn’t considered in my exploration of discovery. First, was his tamping technique; after the light, instead of immediately utilizing his tamper to control the ember, he smoked for about fifteen minutes before he began chasing the ember. He also didn’t try to dictate to the tobacco where the small ember was to be located. He just “did the char”, and his true light was small, and he allowed it to form where it would.

The second technique that I gleaned from our discussion was the removal of ash from the bowl. While pouring the ash from the bowl is permissible (according to the rules), he observed that those with truly prodigious times utilized their tamper/dowels to remove the ash from the bowl. The ash will cling to the tamper and thus can be removed in small amounts throughout the process. Raymond’s observation was that the structure of the burning ember, if allowed to remain intact would burn slower and cooler than an ember that was being encumbered by excesses of spent tobacco and excessive tamping. One cannot, according to the “rules” return unburned tobacco to the bowl if one pours it out while removing the ash. But, there is no rule against removing the ash with the tamper. He marked the paper he used to prepare his tobacco with the tamper, thus removing the “removed” ash from the tamper.

Raymond also explained his packing technique. He said that he holds his pipe in his mouth when packing/tamping down the tobacco. He does this for two reasons: First; he receives real-time feedback on the “pull” of the pipe and secondly he can judge the “tightness” of the packed bowl. Neither can be assessed when holding the pipe in one’s hand while packing. He said: “I breathe through the pipe when I’m packing the bowl.”

A few days ago, someone commented on one of my earlier blogs, that blowing into the pipe may earn one disqualification from competition. Upon reflection, the semantics of this may be in question. It is against the “official” rules to blow directly into the top of the bowl of your pipe, not into the stem. If blowing into the stem were a disqualifying offense, then anyone smoking would automatically be disqualified. The simple act of a mild slow draw and the blowing out of that draw from ones mouth will cause a minimal reverse pressure in the pipe and cause smoke to rise from the bowl. This is simply a matter of physics and cannot be avoided without closing off the air hole with one’s tongue with every puff. Even then smoke will rise from the bowl.

Well, I just wanted to share some of my experience with this afternoon’s smoking contest at The Briary. It was a hoot, and I made some new friends in the process. And, I suppose that is the best prize of all.

Once again I want to extend my congratulations to Raymond for his victory today. His performance was admirable. As a side note: Raymond will be competing in the upcoming National Pipe Smoking Contest in Chicago. I wish you success Raymond. if you win, then I can say I was bested by the best. Good luck!

Just wait‘ll next year!

Last week I posted a couple of photos of my oldest pipe in “The Piano” string started by Furandfeather. It’s smokin’ but isn’t for smoking. It is a flute manufactured here in what is now the United States of America. Its maker’s mark doesn’t appear in any reference I can find nor does it appear in The New Langwill Index: a Dictionary of Musical Wind-Instrument Makers and Inventors. The mark is an incorrect Roman numeral, “ IIIV ”. I am unsure of the wood used in it manufacture (probably maple) and it has 5 keys. Not many flutes were made with that particular key configuration. This dates the manufacture to sometime between 1770 and 1775. During my research and in discussions about this flute with various experts and collectors around the globe, I have determined that there are 5 examples of this craftsman’s work in existence. Mine is the only one that still works and can be played.

I promised to relate how it came into my possession, so here goes. I used to work at St. Vincent’s Hospital here in Birmingham, Alabama. I had decided to earn a degree in music. I was attending one of the local junior colleges to brush up on my academics when I was awarded the “Dean Honor Scholarship” and the “President’s Scholarship” at the University of Montevallo.

One of the nurses at St. Vincent’s was a friend of mine she knew that I was about to leave to study music. Her father was an avid Garage Sale fiend. Over the years he had collected a basement full of junk. Her father (at that time) had just recently passed away. Both she and her mother were clearing out their basement one weekend when they came across what appeared to be a musical instrument; it had a paper price tag tied to it reading 50¢.

She brought it to me at work the following Monday, and said that I might like to have it and as a music student be able to appreciate it. She knew it was an instrument, but didn’t know what it was. I accepted it kindly. (I have to admit that I thought it was just a piece of junk but couldn’t refuse it. She meant well.) It was completely covered in caked on hard and dry “chirt” type clay. I thought it might be an old clarinet that was missing a mouthpiece and bell that had been in someone’s barn and wasn’t worth the effort it would take to clean it much less repairing it. I thanked her and took it home.

About a week later I decided that I would at least clean it up to see what it was. I washed most of the mud off and managed to take it apart in sections. During the cleaning process I found three cocoons and a piece of cork inside. There was also a single hand carved piece of wood, 2 inches long, which had peg like structure on one end, a screw, a washer like structure then a wood-screw like structure on the other end that transfixed the piece of cork. That’s when I realized that what I had wasn’t a clarinet but a “very” old flute. The piece of carved wood was the tuning mechanism. I spent several days conditioning the wood with lemon oil, which I believe to be Maple, but I can’t be sure.

I wrapped it in an old towel and took it to my piano teacher at the Jefferson State Junior College, he kept it a couple of days, (he re-corked it and put leather pads on the keys) and the next time I saw him he told me that it would put me through college. The Antiques Road Show came to town the very next week… so I took it to see if it really did have any value. The instrument expert told me that he had never seen one and he guessed that it was from the late 18^th century, and might be worth, five or six hundred dollars. He gave me a couple of names and phone numbers and I had it appraised. In 1982 it was valued by two different experts for “insurance purposes” at 35 to 45 thousand dollars. I took the flute back to Tracy. I explained to her the above and that I couldn’t keep it. She wouldn’t take it back. She told me to keep it, she told me that she knew that I would care for it and put it to good use.

It wasn’t long until I began to receive correspondence from collectors and museums around the world wanting me to “lend” or “donate” the flute to their collections. There were no offers of monetary compensation offered. The only museum to offer anything in return was the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. They said they would display it and I could come twice a year to clean and care for it, all tax deductible.

As many of you know I lecture history once in a while at the local universities. I love to pass it around the classes while I make my presentations, then explain at the end what it was they were handling. I feel sharing the flute with the students in this manner permits them the opportunity to not only handle a 230 year old flute, but to connect directly with pre-revolutionary America, besides the look upon their faces is priceless.

American Flute w/case

American Flute Assembled

I make no excuses for my political views, and I don’t expect anyone else to either. I, like many of our brothers here on Pipesmagazine.com were disappointed by the recent actions of the U.S. Congress. Be that as it may, my intent with what I wrote in the “RANT!” string wasn’t a recrimination of anyone’s political leanings but rather an attempt to demonstrate how Americans think to one of our foreign brothers.

After I had finished writing it and posting it, I remembered a concept that I was exposed to in one of my History classes. The idea that freedom of choice equals freedom of speech equals the right to pursuit of happiness equals freedom of religion etc., is what my posting was all about. Oft times, to convey a complex idea to others, one has to speak literally-metaphorically as I did in my post. (Please, pardon the oxymoron.)

The usurpation of the right of Americans to choose their health care coverage constitutes a fundamental loss of rights. American citizens are now compelled to purchase health care from their states. (This may change, but that isn’t pertinent to this discussion.) The restriction of my freedom to choose will make me subject to the regulations imposed by the government. Will this legislation impose medical treatments on me or members of my family even if we decide not to extend our lives artificially with machines, or the opposite, will the government discontinue medical treatment because it isn’t in the budget? Isn’t that an imposition on my right to the pursuit of happiness, life or liberty, and - by extension, my freedom of expression? I would no longer be allowed to say that I want or don’t want treatment and therefore my freedom of speech has been restricted or even denied.

I could continue, but I believe you get my “drift. So here is my post without the moniker of - to whom it was addressed. I have also removed the paragraph on George Bush and Barney Frank. I don’t believe they are pertinent to the subject of this blog.

There is one point that I touched on below, but failed to expand on adequately. By exercising his freedom of expression Michael Moore is also exercising his right to life and his right to the pursuit of happiness by earning his living as he sees fit.

You don’t really believe that Michael Moore actually knows what he talking about do you? He’s an idiot, and he has the right to demonstrate that by whatever means he wants to, save by overt acts of violence against the government or citizenry of the United States of America.

The issues that we Americans are, and have been so upset about is the wresting of our individual liberty, perpetrated on us by wholly unethical means. Also, the socialization of our current health system by a Congress that has defied the will of its citizenry. It is the fundamental right to freedom of choice that this Congress has wrested from us, for the present.

There are at least two different unconstitutional aspects of this power grab by the Democratic Congress that will never stand Judicial nor Constitutional scrutiny. Also, there is the mandate that each state set up its own health care system or have one foisted on them by the Federal Government, also wholly unconstitutional.

This is an attack on our nation as a whole and its Constitution by an overzealous democratically controlled Congress. It believes it can do whatever it wants with impunity. There will be serious repercussions, in the Judicial System and at the polls in November.

…

I could continue but that would not convince you. It is not my intent to do so, only to expose you to some of the fundamental ideas and ideals that those outside the United States never seem to understand about the U.S. The United States of America is not a Democracy as many believe, but a Representative Republic. And, when a Congress acts against the wishes of its citizenry, it is an attack on the very principals that our great nation was founded upon.

So, please do not use the incoherent ramblings of a historical revisionist like Michael Moore as the foundation for any argument. I believe it is beneath your dignity to do so. He is merely trying to make a living, and does so quite well through sensationalism, and innuendo. As to whether he believes what he puts into film… who can say. He certainly doesn’t understand economics, and his slant on history is… well, let me say unique. Wrong, but unique.

However, I defend, will defend, and have defended Michael Moore’s right to say anything he believes, or worship any way he wishes or not, and earn his living as he sees fit, regardless of his beliefs, be they right or wrong. Because; those are his fundamental and inalienable rights as a human being and a citizen of the United States of America.

As you know I have been attempting to explore the secrets of the “slow smoke”, and I believe that most of what I have thus far conveyed has been valid. However, with a lot of searching I have discovered a couple of things that had never occurred to me prior to finding them. I have to admit that I was somewhat crestfallen. But, tearing down misconceptions is what this entire exercise has been all about. So, here goes.

There is an organization called the United Pipe Clubs of America. http://www.unitedpipeclubs.org/Default.aspx?pageId=505690 This organization has established a set of guidelines designed to level the playing field, as it were. Just follow the link to “Leaning Center”, then to “Smoking Contest Preparation” to get to the basic outline of the UPCA’s procedures and standards for a member club’s Pipe Smoking Contests. The 2010 U.S. National Slow Smoke Championship will be held on May 02, 2010. Here is the web address for the details, and there is a link for registration on this page as well. http://www.unitedpipeclubs.org/Default.aspx?pageId=505660

Prior to writing this and discovering the above, I was ignorant of these standards. I knew about the tampers and the amount of tobacco (3 grams), but that was about it. Since finding the above information I have been attempting to set a new benchmark for myself while adhering to the UPCA’s standards, to the best of my ability. I have only one pipe that fits the general prescribed parameters. It is a classic “apple shape” Cavicchi. Since swapping over to the Cavicchi from my free form Bjarne, and using only my largest diameter dowel style tamper, my times have not been as good. My new bench mark is one hour and twelve minuets. My average time is down from the Bjarne, but I am steadily improving on it and will set a new benchmark soon.

A thorough cleaning of your practice pipe is in order before each new attempt to better your benchmark. Considering that a new pipe is to be used in a UPCA smoking competition, a very clean pipe is essential to a good practice session. Special attention should be paid to the cake in the bowl. Make it as smooth and thin as is possible without damaging your pipe (of course). The airway should be as clean as possible, and the draft hole unobstructed. Your pipe must be absolutely dry. The measurements of your practice pipe should approximate the dimensions listed on the 2010 Smoking Contest Details page, as closely as possible.

As for tobacco preparation and packing your pipe, I think technique is a matter of preference, and practice. As for me, I start by raiding the printer paper stock, here at the house, for one piece of paper. For us old-school guys that’s a piece of typing paper. I also concur with the creasing it down the middle. For me, the most important aspect of the packing process is insuring that the tobacco is in consistently sized pieces. Not so small that they are instantly consumed by the ember or match, nor so big that they won’t easily light either. The UPCA says to rub the tobacco in your “dry” palms, this is a good practice. But I would tear any significantly large pieces individually to avoid creating too much dust, and you won’t waste any significant time by trying to rub the large pieces of tobacco to consistency. Bringing your tobacco to your preferred size and consistency takes practice as well.

Then pack the bowl in a 3 stage manner. I extend that to 5 or 6 stages. Remember you only have 5 minutes according to the UPCA rules. The UPCA recommends that you use the fine “leftovers” as tinder. This isn’t a bad idea, just remember to localize where this is in the bowl so you don’t light the entire surface of the bowl. This can be facilitated by creating a small indentation in the surface of the tobacco with the tip of your little finger, and filling it with the dust. I’m still lighting only about a quarter of the surface area, and feeding from the top. This is difficult considering the tamper restrictions.

Preparing the tamper provided is crucial, and not for the reason that the UPCA states. If you can round the edges sufficiently to effect a real reduction in the diameter of the tamper’s end, then managing the mini-bowl becomes much easier. Under the UPCA’s restrictions; feeding from the top can be problematic, but worth your while. Employing the mini-bowl methodology as your strategy can enhance your performance toward the win. It just takes some practice.

I have really enjoyed conveying my exploration. I have learned a lot. Someday I may take a shot at the “Championship”. But until that time; there will always be the occasional local competitions, on International Pipe Smoking Day, or Father’s Day, you know the ones, where the rules aren’t governed by a “higher authority”. The one’s where a tin of good tobacco is up for grabs or something of even greater value “bragging rights”, like back in my college days where you “run what you brung”.

Pleasant smoking everyone.

In the first two postings of my blog, I have attempted to convey the thoughts I have had about competition pipe smoking, or rather some concepts that I have considered and experimented with and may aide in extending one’s personal slow smoking time. I’m no expert. I am however, enjoying the mental exercise as-well-as analyzing the results of my experimentation. In other words; I’m playing with my toys, but with purpose. Just like a kid who takes apart his toys to see how they work. I am learning from my experiments and making some headway. I am rethinking what I thought or believed to be true about slow smoking. I, like many of you; have smoked a pipe for years, and love the whole pipe smoking experience in general.

While experimenting last night; I had an epiphany! I said to myself: YOU IDIOT! Don’t chase the ember FEED IT! My revelation will become apparent further on. I have followed my own advice thus far, with some gratifying success I might add. Since I’m already off topic in this paragraph… My latest benchmark went from 50 minutes to 1 hour 26 minutes. I’m smoking Half and Half for consistency in my experiments.

We all know how to properly light a pipe, right? (I think so.) Whether you prefer, a Zippo, or butane lighter is irrelevant because you are allowed only two matches in competition. You have the pre-light, sometimes called charring, then the tamping of the ash to create a good surface for/and then the true light at which point they start the clock.

I take no issue with the above consensus about a proper light. As it so happens; there is only one thing I believe needs to be adjusted when lighting one’s pipe for competition. You must limit the area (that is lit) to as small a surface area as is possible, with a match, rather than lighting the entire surface of your bowl.

I have been practicing the lighting of only one quarter of the surface area, using the “Char-Tamp-Relight” method. (This doesn’t require smoking the whole bowl in competition mode after all you’re just learning the fingering for a difficult phrase in that new piece of music.) I have since had a great deal of success in lighting smaller and smaller areas. I don’t yet know if I have reached the size limit but, in a one inch diameter bowl I have been lighting an area a half again larger than the diameter of a standard pencil eraser. Bear this in mind. This is a risky method and you could lose immediately if you fail to get your pipe lit. So, I suggest that you practice this with purpose.

Using two kitchen matches I light my pipe in the following manner for slow smoking:

1) Strike the first match. Hold it at an upward angle so that the flame is kept to about ½ inch height. Uncontrolled moving air is your enemy, so shield the flame.

2) This is the hard part; while keeping the match flame small draw very gently, very slowly and very shallow. The trick is to quickly char only enough tobacco to produce some ash, and then allow it to go out. Remember char less than ¼ of the surface area. Don’t tamp.

3) I have shown you three of my own tampers (in my first post). I use my smallest diameter tamper. Twist the tamper back and forth gently over the char. Don’t compress this area. By twisting the tamper you are effectively sanding the ashes off of the char and creating a good surface for the re-light. Don’t allow any fresh tobacco into the charred area

4) Strike the second match. Hold it at an upward angle so that the flame is kept to ½ inch height. Same as above.

5) Again, pulling very gently, very slowly, and as shallow as you can relight the smallest area possible and create a small ember, ignoring at least three quarters of the bowl’s surface of fresh tobacco. If you are not careful it could go out at this point.

You want the ember to maintain a steady and unaggressive glow. You must pay close attention to what is happening with the ember.

The next several of minutes are critical…remember: you don’t want to pull to much air too fast. This has the effect of either blowing the ember out, or burning too much tobacco to fast. A very slow and gentle movement of air across the ember is enough to keep it lit. Tamp lightly, only as necessary, and twist when you tamp.

If you can maintain that little ember glowing and not growing in size, for the first several minutes than you are well on your way to lighting your pipe. As the ember burns down into the bowl allow it to have just enough air to continue to do so. I have been allowing it burn down to a place a little more than half the way down. (It takes about 15 minutes to get to that point.)

This is point where I had my epiphany! Carefully (using the non-tamping end of a pipe nail, the Brebbia) I now rake a particle or two of tobacco into the mini-bowl that has been created inside the bowl of my pipe. Tamp it down only enough to engage the ember. NO FARTHER! The whole idea at this point is to feed the ember from the top. I think you could say, at this point, that you have successfully lit your pipe. By now a goodly portion of your competition has already fallen by the wayside. (Insert hunch-shouldered-hand-wringing and a low evil laugh.)

Now I must back track just a little: To light the fresh tobacco reverse the air flow (blow into the stem), just as gently and slowly as you have been drawing on the pipe to this point. Allow it to char before you tamp it down, ever so gently. Continue feeding the ember from the top for as long as you can, drawing in and blowing out as necessary. Here after the ash will compress on its own with some gentle assistance. You can maintain its relative position in the mini-bowl for quite some time.

Stay focused on the ember, maintain your mind-set. You are in the zone.

After all of the tobacco from the upper portion of the bowl had been consumed; I still managed to stretch the time almost another 10 minutes. This is where I was forced to chase the ember. It was becoming more and more difficult to maintain a consistent temperature. It was tamper intensive, and the ember increased in size and temperature because of the ember’s increase in surface area and its access to air. I’ll try increasing the size of the tamper, next time, to see if that helps with restricting the air flow.

If done correctly all the way to the draft hole; you should be able to turn your pipe upside-down and nothing but completely spent ash will fall out, the bottom will be dry, and the bowl only a little warmer than room temperature. You may not even have to knock your pipe.