I have to say that the Chicago Pipe Show really is as big as all of the hype, the sheer number of pipes is staggering and I looked at every single one, at least 10,000 pipes but I would guestimate more. The immensity of it could leave a person with a budget for one pipe daunted but I went with a few goals which helped me not become overwhelmed. I only looked at Tomatoes and Bent Eggs as possible purchasable pipes, at least in the new pipe category. Estates are a different animal. I was able to sell a Dunhill at the swap meet which gave me a little extra money to play with and as I already posted earlier, I bought a Ryan Alden Bent Egg which was at the top of my list of desires. After that purchase I had a little money left over and after looking at all of the pipes at the show decided on an Olive Wood Blast I had seen in the Tomato shape. The pipe is made by Duca Pipes and is a great little smoker. It also takes a pipe cleaner from button to bowl. Having used the bulk of my funds on these two new pipes I began to consider estates. I purchased 2 chimney estates from Cellini for $15 each, a steal. Then found an interesting pickaxe shaped chimney. Lastly I bid on multiple pipes at the silent auction and actually won one, a very cool Chacom Canadian estate that is 10 inches long. It needs deoxidized, but looks barely smoked. Also, and not pictured, I bought 20 other pipes for our local B&M, some estates, some new old stock, all nice looking pipes.
Here are some pics of the Olive Wood Duca.
One of the Chimneys, the pickaxe, and the Chacom Canadian.
And my Alden which you can read about here: http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/my-new-ryan-alden-aka-lonestar-pipe
Here are some pics of the Olive Wood Duca.
One of the Chimneys, the pickaxe, and the Chacom Canadian.
And my Alden which you can read about here: http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/my-new-ryan-alden-aka-lonestar-pipe