Recent content by billypm

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  1. B

    I fixed the draw on my two Brighams Chinook and Mountaineer

    Looks like a weird problem, but a good fix. Well done.
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    have I been ripped off ?

    If you think your white pipe is briar and its yellow stem is stone-- well you've got a little reading and learning to do to get your head straight on the basics. But that being said, it looks to me like you've got yourself a perfectly serviceable meerschaum pipe. I say smoke it!
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    Decicated pipes?

    I believe that Virginia, VaPer, VaBur, and Burley blends can all be smoked in the same pipes without significant ghosting and carry over of flavors. Latakia blends need their own pipes, as do the scented "soapy" British Lakaland blends. Aromatics are trickier, in that the flavoring you like with...
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    Lakeland Questions

    I have two bowls for my Falcon (my Lakeland delivery device of choice). One is dedicated to Condor to keep that sublime flavor pure-- and the other gets all the G&H Lakelands put through it. I find that the floral soapy stuff is strong enough that I never seem to worry that my Coniston Cut Plug...
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    Erinmore Flake

    I know there are those who smoke pipe tobacco fresh from the tin because they believe the manufacturer intended that moisture level for smoking. But I prefer my tobacco dried out a good bit. Same with flakes. I couldn't care less what the manufacturer intended. I cube cut most of mine and rub...
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    Flake Tobacco: Preparing and Drying

    I prep (cube cut) all my flakes before drying, and I do an entire tin at a time. I believe the tobacco tastes better after drying and airing out a good bit and then sitting in a closed tin for a couple of weeks. YMMV but it always works for me.
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    Merchant Service Bing

    AWESOME pipe! You did a wonderful job on it.
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    Problem with new Peterson

    If you can't get a cleaner through the airway to the bowl with the stem off, but still can get some air drawn through the pipe, then likely the hole is obstructed in some way but not totally closed. I'd take xrundog's excellent advice and poke around with a toothpick til you find the airway and...
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    Price of Vintage Tins Peterson Irish Whiskey Tobacco

    Pipestud once informed me that the older white-labeled stuff was a stouter, darker tasting blend than the version we get now. I like Irish Whiskey a lot and would be happy to smoke either iteration. Aytbody tried Rattray's Sir William?
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    Dedicated Virgina Pipes

    My set-up is Va/Burley in briars Lakelands in the Falcon Latakia in meerschaums I have a few pipes dedicated to certain blends but I have no evidence that it makes any difference in flavor or not. It's just that when I get a transcendent smoke of a baccy in a pipe I tend to keep pairing them...
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    My First Peterson Spigot

    If I didn't already love Petes that pipe would make me start. Truly lovely. VERY well done!
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    How you keep your hands busy, and your mind at peace

    When I smoke a pipe that is literally all I do.
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    What is the BEST American Virginia blend?

    So who exactly ARE the non-McClelland US producers of straight Va blends? Don't say Butera, cuz those are McClelland, too. If Wessex is a stateside firm I'll gladly give them a huge vote.
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    Half Virginia, Half Burley Blends?

    I made up a blend of equal parts 5100 and P&W Nut Brown Burley. It's my warm weather go-to blend. Tastes like cinnamon and chestnuts.