Hello. My name is Stanley. A few weeks ago I was browsing the tables at a church rummage sale and saw this well worn leather pouch. I picked it up and discovered it was a pipe pouch complete with pipe, an old square nail, some old tobacco inside, and some pipe cleaners. I made a decision right there that was momentous and would plunge me into a whole new world. Outside of smoking a cigar with my son-in-law upon the occasion of the birth of his first child and my grandson, I had never smoked anything in my life. I plunked down the twenty five cents(yes, cents) and went home with my new find. I contacted a friend who has smoked pipes for a number of years and asked him for direction and advice. As a craftsman woodworker/turner I am very familiar with wood and restoration. I set about cleaning and bringing this pipe back to its original beauty. I had picked up a beautifully crafted Vauen briar with a Meerschawm lining. A truly incredible find! Let me rub it in once more - for twenty-five CENTS. My friend invited me over and he introduced me to some Shenandoah he had picked up in Georgetown just outside Washington DC. That was my first bowl and I have not looked back. I have also tried some Frog Morton and Mac Baren Plumcake. Life is too short and as I am crowding sixty I am glad I have taken this step. The internet abounds with great directions and the video reviews on Youtube are invaluable to the newboy. I find this site has some great articles and is very informative. It also opens me up to a whole new group of people who discovered long ago what I am just being introduced to.
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