Walking On the Wild Side--My First Nording

Time to show off again, but with a story and inquiries: I first came across this amazing (I think) pipe about a month ago. But my pipe tastes are rather conservative; classic British style billiards for the most part. The Peterson Dracula pipes were probably the most radical styles I own. Then a member suggested that I look at Nording's work. Well, of course I was amazed, but couldn't see myself with these unusual pipes. Then later, I came across this pipe and struck instantly by PAD. I don't know why--it was unlike anything I had owned before in style, finish, and certainly shape. But I'm not an impulse buyer, so despite a very reasonable price, I held off. When I went back to SP a day later, it was gone, sold!

Fast forward a month: while asking questions about another pipe, I casually mentioned the Nording that slipped by me. The memory of the pipe had hung on, even though, as a freehand, I couldn't expect to see this pipe again. Well, the excellent gentleman at SP asked me questions, details about what I remembered, and he said, Wait a minute; I think we have something in back inventory. He sent me the link: sure enough, it was the black pipe with the ribbon-like white streak wrapped around the stem. It was like being thunderstruck: I immediately purchased the pipe you see before you. Despite its radical nature, the memory of this pipe hung on, and incredibly I was given a second chance to buy it. These days, I'm not sure I really believe in coincidences anymore, and for this pipe that had cast a spell over me to reappear was just too much to ignore. So I purchased it, it's in my hands now, and I'm an extremely happy man today.

It's a giant of a pipe, something like 2 1/2 ounces, with a gorgeous finish (I think the black finish with that white ribbon on the stem was one of the things that gripped me), but here's the link with the specs: http://www.smokingpipes.com/sneakpeek.cfm?product_ID=130629

To anyone who knows about freehands, or can offer information about this kind of pipe and Nording in particular, please feel free to share your information, bearing in mind that I don't know anything about freehands, or how this pipe fits into pipeology. Thanks for reading all this, I greatly appreciate it.

Thank you. I'm treating this pipe as a special event: I'm waiting until midnight, when everything is dark and quiet. Then I will load up my pipe with a new tobacco I just tried today (thanks, Roth), Dunhill's Elizabethan Mixture, and have the first of what I'm sure will be the first of many long smokes with my black Nording.

Metal, I'm sure that special Nording will come to you. It will be like a thunderbolt, believe me, when you encounter it.

I had my first real smoke with my new black Nording this morning, the massive bowl loaded with EMP. It smoked like the proverbial dream. It was the experience of consuming a work of art, meditating on the art of the pipe itself while enjoying the smoke. I think this is what is special about our hobby; having a work of art in your hand and being able to partake of its essence by smoking. I'm going to treat this pipe special: after break in, only one bowl a day or so, giving adequate time to rest, lighting it with matches so I don't damage the rim. I consider myself lucky to be able to own such a pipe, and it will hold a special niche in my modest pipe collection for many years to come.

You know, I don't think you are far wrong. As for smoking, I only smoke it once at night, lit with a single match--that's all it needs--and smoke in bliss for the next half-hour. That's how long it takes to get through a bowl of this giant. It is an awesome smoke (I used the word in the original way), huge and nearly transcendental, almost a religious experience. This pipe and I will be spending many, many, evenings together.

LOL!
:rofl:

No, all quiet on the Western front...

Thank you. This Nording giant is a great smoker; when I smoke it, I almost feel like I'm going into battle, the pipe is so awesome in shape and size, and the smoke is unbeatable. Every pipe has its own personality, and this is no less so with the Nording. And there is so much to consider when smoking this pipe: its ebony finish, the ribbon of white wrapped around the tip (actually rings of white, the illusion of a ribbon), the flowered paneling, and a bonus: if you look up the original pic at PS--http://www.smokingpipes.com/sneakpeek.cfm?product_ID=130629 --you'll see what seems like cracks in the forward rim, not entirely finished, as if the pipe were carved out of broken rock, suggesting great age. It makes me think of some castle turret struck by a catapult projectile at the top of some medieval structure. And the stem itself reminds me of chess, and the game of war it represents. No wonder smoking this pipe is like a battle.

Anthony suggested looking at the Nording Royal Flush series, and sure enough, I'm hypnotized by the Jack pipe with its heavy rustification. Will this PAD never end?

Thank you for the consolation, Anthony.