The Pipes Magazine Radio Show – Episode 122

Jan 13, 2015 at 7:59 PM

Kevin Godbee
Thank you for joining us for The Pipes Magazine Radio Show—the only radio talk show for pipe smokers and collectors. We broadcast weekly, every Tuesday at 8 pm eastern USA time and are available on nearly all podcast sites and apps. Listen on your computer, tablet, phone and even in the car! Our Featured Interview tonight is with Ben Rapaport. Ben is a renowned author of 8-books and about 200 articles about pipes and tobaccos, and he is still writing new articles. His latest book is Tobacco and Smoking Among the Blue and Gray. It is about the use of pipes and tobaccos in the American Civil War. In "Pipe Parts" we will talk about stingers-the little metal gizmos you find attached to the stem or tenon often found in older pipes. Sit back, relax with your pipe, and enjoy The Pipes Magazine Radio Show!

Tonight’s show is sponsored by Sutliff-Tobacco.com, CupOJoes.com, SmokingPipes.com, Missouri Meerschaum, 4noggins.com, MeerschaumStore.com, Cornell & Diehl, and Savinelli Pipes and Tobaccos. Please give them some consideration when making your next pipe or tobacco purchase.

We hope you enjoy our 1-hour show produced just for you—the pipe smoker and collector. The following link will launch a pop-up player. Alternatively, you can download the show in iTunes and other podcast sites and apps after the initial broadcast is complete here.

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Ben Rapaport, Renowned Author of Myriad Pipe and Tobacco Books and Articles

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Tobacco and Smoking Among the Blue and Gray – Read About or Buy Here

READ The Pipes Magazine Radio Show - Episode 218

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Kevin Godbee

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S
seilerjp
January 13, 2015

Hi Brian,
I can't say much about stingers as I have not had a pipe with one for many years. I use to just take them out.
I have followed Ben since the old days of "The Pipe Smokers Ephemeris" published by Tom Dunn. I was also next to Ben at a table during one of the old CAPS shows outside of Washington. I purchased one of my favorite figural briar pipes (a miner) from him at that show. He is a prominent pipe author in our hobby. His books on meerschaums are classics.
Southern Bound was a nice guitar piece. I wish I could play like that!
Rave - Sorry, can't get Green Fin here in PA as everything goes through the state Liquor Control Board.
Nice show, keep up the good work.

R
riffraff
January 14, 2015

I only have one pipe with a stinger and it is a Big Ben which I bought new. I can't say whether it lends to a better pipe smoking experience or not. It just seems to be a bit more difficult when it comes to cleaning.
I loved the interview with Ben. The history of our hobby is what I find most fascinating. I guess that is why I enjoy estate pipes more than new ones. Each one has a story. You may not know the story, but it is there.
I love Gina's music. She is a very accomplished guitar player. It is a joy to listen to her.
Red wine gives my wife headaches too. I will have to see if I can get Green Fin down in SC.
Another great show.

A
aleguy66
January 14, 2015

I really enjoyed the show. As a new pipe smoker (about 5 months) I'm learning more with each episode. I listen on my commute and have made it most of the way through the archive.

S
ssjones
January 14, 2015

I'm a fan of Kaywoodie stingers. I don't like a wide open draw, which is perhaps why I get along with those intact stingers.
If anyone is interested in stingers, Steve Laug did an an essay on them at his blog site:
http://rebornpipes.com/2013/05/17/behold-the-lowly-stinger/

D
dino
January 14, 2015

Hi Brian!
I got a second Peterson Dracula 999 for Christmas. It was the sandblast, to partner with the smooth one I bought last year. This is one of my favorite pipe shapes.
Quite a few of my first pipes had stingers, which I immediately removed, except one that had a screw-on stem. My pipe guru told me to get rid of the stingers. In his experience, and in my short try, they didn't deliver any of their touted benefits. Without the stingers, these "basket pipes" smoked fine, and still do, 50 years later.
I enjoyed the conversation with Ben very much. He continues to be the intellectually stimulating, historical voice of our community.
And, Gina's recording was wonderful.
There is a very good organic, sulfite-free wine called "Our Daily Red," available in many stores nationwide, for under $10. Sulfite rich wine gives my wife a headache. This stuff doesn't.
Happy Trails! Dino

L
larryosburn
January 15, 2015

Does anyone out there in this big cloud of pipe smoke,know where I can get another copy of Richard carlton hackers "the ultimate pipe video" my VCR ate mine and it was my favorite video to watch.

N
neilk
January 17, 2015

Another great interview. The guests really do round out the show. Their knowledge and experience not only contribute to the show but to my growing pipe experience.
I had a meerschaum with a stinger. I bought a few years ago as an estate. Only recently had I begun smoking it and trying to build a patina by rubbing bees wax on it as I smoked it. When I got it the stem did not line up properly so I used plumbers tape to correct it. The patina was turning nicely. I had the idea to cut off the stinger so that a pipe cleaner would pass through. I successfully cut off the ball at the end leaving the threads to screw back in to the threaded tenon. I over tightened though and broke off the threads. I have been bidding on ebay for pipes with similar looking stems but I usually don't want pay the going price in hopes of getting a stem that might work.
I had not planned on getting any pipe stuff for Christmas, other that maybe a tin or two at the pipe club Christmas exchange. We do a drawing type exchange where you get a number and pick a random present from the pile. We have a couple of pipe carvers in the club, Bob Gilbert and Colin Rigsby. I know that the money and work that goes into crafting a pipe is worthy of more than they are willing to give away so an artisan pipe is not expected. To my surprise, fate was on my side and I received a brand new Shurewood Briar pipe, a Colin Rigsby original. It is the best present of the year and currently my favorite pipe. Thanks Colin.I would have posted a picture but I couldn't figure out how, but here is a link to his website. www.shurewoodbriarpipes.com

D
dlgillen
January 19, 2015

Did I miss ben's email address for the reading list?
Thanks
Dan

K
Kevin
January 20, 2015

Dan - try this: ben70gray@gmail.com

D
dlgillen
January 24, 2015

Thanks Kevin!

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The Pipes Magazine Radio Show – Episode 122

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