Lovat’s Labor’s Lost
-
Fred Brown - Feb 4, 2025
- 4 min read
Yes, some things are just too hard. Take, for example, trying not to bust the budget on a new, long-sought pipe from one of the master creators.
I faced this issue many years ago when I saw one of the gods of pipe creations resting coyly in a bricks-and-mortar glass display case. The creation was so alluring I could hardly keep myself from throwing my money down on the barrel head, and to hell with debt. Everybody carries some, so why not for a longed-for pipe from this emperor of the ebauchon?
More on that dilemma in a moment, but first let’s relax with thoughts of a new year, new adventures, new pipes, and new tobacco blends.
Joy reigns. Uh, yes, Pundit is a bit ga-ga over the possibility of new pipe toys. Just read about new pipes from BriarWorks at SmokingPipes.com. Oh, joy to behold!
As we flutter into new days, this missive can be thought of as views of the heart (ahem, of the briar) and the joys of our wonderful hobby.
The masterminds at Briar Works have birthed a beautiful calabash. Amazing and with a finish so fine it makes you want to dance.
I wrote a story long ago on Briar Works in Columbia, Tenn., south of Nashville. The shop was in its early beginnings. Now Pete Provost and his crew have a smoking lounge to enhance the fun.
This is the foundational meaning of a new year. Pipes and tobacco, especially from the masters, make our days go better from sunup to sundown.
But I don’t want you to think Pundit has forgotten his old friends. I was reminiscing not long ago about the senescent drugstore, drugstore soda fountain counters, and drugstore pipes and tobacco. Of course, those days are well behind us, but I still have one or two of those old pipes and tobacco tins as well as dear thoughts of fountain-made milkshakes and those squat and colorful music boxes sitting right on the counter in which you shoved nickles and dimes to hear the latest rock-n-roll hit.
And as I reminisced, I was struck by another reverie of an Elysian pipe I once absolutely drooled to own. Back those long years ago, I used to search many a brick and mortar pipe and tobacco shop, and even online. Nothing presented my pipe dream, until one day, there it was: A Former Lovat-billiard shape.
Having no idea who or what a Former was, you can only guess my surprise when I discovered Former’s given name is Hans “Former” Nielsen, a premiere Danish carver, from the land of legendary pipe carvers.
The “Former” nickname is from his younger days. Now 84-years-old, the famed Danish carver, who was trained by fabled Danish carvers and once worked for W.O. Larsen, continues to produce immaculate pipes of wondrous design.
https://www.smokingpipes.com/smokingpipesblog/single.cfm/post/legendary-hans-former-nielsen
Instant labor of Lovat love.
I had to have it, no matter the price. But it was well above my pay grade. And if I had to purchase that pipe today, I would have to sell my house.
Needless to say, I struggled to find a way to purchase the Lovat. I just could not in right mind figure a way to acquire the beauty and keep peace in the household. I passed on the purchase, walking downtrodden from the shop.
But as they say, just ’cause he ain’t talking don’t mean he ain’t still figuring. And ponder on it I did. Several days later I figured maybe I could work out a plan with the shop owner, whom I knew.
Why, yes, the shop owner said. With a hefty down payment, he could work out a plan over a few weeks. The deal was cut and I walked out the shop doors with my beautiful new goddess.
Some days later, the lady of the household found my unsmoked pipe where I had stored it in a socks drawer, not wanting to attract attention.
I was greeted with an evening conversation that began, “And, so, what did that pipe cost? Too much, like all the rest I see stored away?”
I explained it was not bad, and that I had figured a payment plan over the next months that was affordable.
“Oh,” said the lady of the house, “so it’s as much as a car payment!”
It did not get better after that first round.
After much interrogation, I caved.
I returned the Former Lovat to the bricks and mortar, got a refund, and again slunk downtrodden from the shop — heartbroken. I think of that beautiful Former Lovat today, my Lovat’s Labor’s Lost.
Now for Pipe Smokers of the Past.
John Steinbeck, the 1962 Nobel Prize in Literature winner, was born Feb. 27, 1902, in Salinas, Calif., and died Dec. 20, 1968, in New York.
“You know how advice is. You only want it if it agrees with what you wanted to do anyway.”—John Steinbeck
For a wonderful biographical and character study of Steinbeck, check out Zachary Podl’s Sept. 15, 2023 Pipe Line piece. https://www.smokingpipes.com/smokingpipesblog/single.cfm/post/john-steinbeck-writer-and-pipe-smoker
Written by Fred Brown
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Yes, some things are just too hard. Take, for example, trying not to bust the budget on a new, long-sought pipe from one of the master creators. I faced this issue many years ago when I saw one of the gods of pipe creations resting coyly in a bricks-and-mortar glass display case. The creation was so alluring I could hardly keep myself from throwing my money down on the barrel head, and to hell with debt. Everybody carries some, so why not for a longed-for pipe from this emperor of the ebauchon? More on that dilemma in a moment, but first let’s relax with thoughts of a new year, new adventures, new pipes, and new tobacco blends. Joy reigns. Uh, yes, Pundit is a bit ga-ga over the possibility of new pipe toys. Just read about new pipes from BriarWorks at SmokingPipes.com. Oh, joy to behold! As we flutter into new days, this missive can be thought of as views of the heart (ahem, of the briar) and the joys of our wonderful hobby. The masterminds at Briar Works have birthed a beautiful calabash. Amazing and with a finish so fine it makes you want to dance. I wrote a story long ago on Briar Works in Columbia, Tenn., south of Nashville. The shop was in its early beginnings. Now Pete Provost and his crew have a smoking lounge to enhance the fun. This is the foundational meaning of a new year. Pipes and tobacco, especially from the masters, make our days go better from sunup to sundown. But I don’t want you to think Pundit has forgotten his old friends. I was reminiscing not long ago about the senescent drugstore, drugstore soda fountain counters, and drugstore pipes and tobacco. Of course, those days are well behind us, but I still have one or two of those old pipes and tobacco tins as well as dear thoughts of fountain-made milkshakes and those squat and colorful music boxes sitting right on the counter in which you shoved nickles and dimes to hear the latest rock-n-roll hit. And as I reminisced, I was struck by another reverie of an Elysian pipe I once absolutely drooled to own. Back those long years ago, I used to search many a brick and mortar pipe and tobacco shop, and even online. Nothing presented my pipe dream, until one day, there it was: A Former Lovat-billiard shape. Having no idea who or what a Former was, you can only guess my surprise when I discovered Former’s given name is Hans “Former” Nielsen, a premiere Danish carver, from the land of legendary pipe carvers. The “Former” nickname is from his younger days. Now 84-years-old, the famed Danish carver, who was trained by fabled Danish carvers and once worked for W.O. Larsen, continues to produce immaculate pipes of wondrous design. https://www.smokingpipes.com/smokingpipesblog/single.cfm/post/legendary-hans-former-nielsen Instant labor of Lovat love. I had to have it, no matter the price. But it was well above my pay grade. And if I had to purchase that pipe today, I would have to sell my house. Needless to say, I struggled to find a way to purchase the Lovat. I just could not in right mind figure a way to acquire the beauty and keep peace in the household. I passed on the purchase, walking downtrodden from the shop. But as they say, just ’cause he ain’t talking don’t mean he ain’t still figuring. And ponder on it I did. Several days later I figured maybe I could work out a plan with the shop owner, whom I knew. Why, yes, the shop owner said. With a hefty down payment, he could work out a plan over a few weeks. The deal was cut and I walked out the shop doors with my beautiful new goddess. Some days later, the lady of the household found my unsmoked pipe where I had stored it in a socks drawer, not wanting to attract attention. I was greeted with an evening conversation that began, “And, so, what did that pipe cost? Too much, like all the rest I see stored away?” I explained it was not bad, and that I had figured a payment plan over the next months that was affordable. “Oh,” said the lady of the house, “so it’s as much as a car payment!” It did not get better after that first round. After much interrogation, I caved. I returned the Former Lovat to the bricks and mortar, got a refund, and again slunk downtrodden from the shop — heartbroken. I think of that beautiful Former Lovat today, my Lovat’s Labor’s Lost. Now for Pipe Smokers of the Past. John Steinbeck, the 1962 Nobel Prize in Literature winner, was born Feb. 27, 1902, in Salinas, Calif., and died Dec. 20, 1968, in New York. “You know how advice is. You only want it if it agrees with what you wanted to do anyway.”—John Steinbeck For a wonderful biographical and character study of Steinbeck, check out Zachary Podl’s Sept. 15, 2023 Pipe Line piece. https://www.smokingpipes.com/smokingpipesblog/single.cfm/post/john-steinbeck-writer-and-pipe-smoker
Welcome to The Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 646. Our featured interview tonight is with Canadian pipe smoker and book author Fraser Moss. His first book, “The Unknown Canadian Pipe Smoker” discusses five companies that have shaped the Canadian pipe-smoking landscape. The book also guides readers new to the hobby on what to look for when buying their first pipe, and much more. It will soon be in stock at SmokingPipes.com. Fraser has been smoking a pipe for 25-years. He lives in rural Manitoba with his wife and their Samoyed, Luna. You can check out his YouTube channel at Prairie Piper. At the top of the show, Brian will chat about three special pipes that are a permanent part of his collection.
Welcome to The Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 645. Our featured interview tonight is with Pete Prevost. Pete is a pipe maker and the President of the BriarWorks pipe factory in Columbia Tennessee. BriarWorks is a a pipe maker co-op with several other pipe makers, including Todd Johnson, who co-founded it with Pete. Brian and Pete will be talking about what’s new at BriarWorks, and about their upcoming Muletown Pipe Show. At the top of the show, we will get caught up on a backlog of listener comments and correspondence. We will still have the regular mailbag segment near the end of the show as well.
Welcome to The Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 644. Our featured interview tonight is with Jay Furman. Jay is the co-host of the Pipe and Tamper podcast. He is a long-time member of the pipe community. He started smoking pipes in the 1980s, and owns hundreds of pipes and hundreds of pounds of pipe tobacco. His first pipe shopping experience was at Wally Frank, a famous New York chain of shops, also nationally known for their large mail order catalog business. Jay loves artisan pipes as well as health and fitness. Brian and Jay will have an extended conversation that will preempt the Pipe Parts segment. We will still have music, mailbag, and rant.
Welcome to The Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 643. Our featured guest tonight is Dr. Fred Hanna. Fred is a well-known pipe collector, author, and speaker at pipe shows. He has a PhD. in psychology and teaches the same at the Chicago Campus at Adler University. He has also done extensive research on nicotine, and that will be the focus of the discussion tonight. Nicotine has often been cast as a villain, but it is not really harmful. It naturally occurs in the nightshade family of plants, which includes tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants. At the top of the show, Brian will talk more about the Sutliff/McBaren/STG situation that has the serious pipe smoker segment of the market furious.
There is a transitory nature to this enjoyment of pipes and tobacco, making it an easy metaphor for the nature of time and our place within its flow, and, hopefully, enhancing our appreciation to lend focus to moments which we allow our perceptions to linger within. It is ephemeral, like all things we hold dear; so, too, the holiday season aims to serve as reminder to enjoy and cling to those moments—with family, loved ones, and spirit of good cheer. As another holiday season winds down and confronts us with the promise of renewal in the year ahead, let’s keep that in mind as we examine some of the sunset offerings from the Sutliff Tobacco Company. Pipe Force Episode III Stoved and Red Virginia give a naturally sweet, tangy, woody foundation. The hearty Rustica leaf has been hot-pressed and stoved for the first time. The process slightly tempers the bold tobacco and imparts a floral note, but still, the robust character is not lost, bringing body to the smoke. A portion of Dark-fired Kentucky then offers a mesquite spice to the mixture. The last of the Pipe Force Project releases, Episode III keeps with the Star Wars aspect in much the same way as Revenge of the Sith did. Lieutenant General Marshall is the portrait of the Cthulian officer gracing the tin and the lucky challenge coin within, intoning a portent of the unknown and, possibly, the unfathomable—in this case, the first time stoved Rustica leaf has been included in a commercial blend. Inside the tin are a few stout, thick flakes that release a bouquet of campfire coals, almost a Scottish blend experience even absent Latakia or Orientals. Crumbling for preparation is easy, with the nearly quarter-inch flakes parting easily and at a good moisture for packing straight from the tin, or with a minimum of air drying to preference. On the light there is not as much of a bass note as the aroma would suggest, nor are there an abundance of high and bright notes either; it plants itself firmly in the middle of the range. A decidedly woody dimension continues from the aroma through the light and all the way to the heel; it is definitely the defining character of the blend’s flavour palette. Between the dark-fired and the stoved Rustica leaf, little room for expression remains. Perhaps this is something that some time in the tin will alter, allowing the red Virginia to pronounce some sweetness and depth eventually. On the technical side it burns strikingly well, requiring only a single light to find the heel—outdoors in a light breeze, mind you—and leaves the aftertaste of a flat IPA with hints of barbecue on the tongue, mercifully absent of bite. Overall the blend feels a bit flattened out and perhaps a bit too fresh to exhibit depth, with too much compression in the mix to feel the highs and lows, though at moments one can taste the umami that floats as a potential in the background. Not to say that it was a disappointment by any means—the smoke is agreeably as stout as the flakes, on the hearty and dry side, and with a good amount of nicotine delivered in the process. Cringle Flake Holiday Edition 2024 Aged Red Virginias from 2010 are pressed and sliced to showcase the dark side of the flue cured leaf. The mature Virginias offer bread, dark fruit and spice in this special smoking mixture. This year’s holiday special edition, the last from the marque, is built around a legacy bundle of leaf from the storied McClelland holdings. Cringle Flake 2024 is nearly a companion smoke to Pipe Force III in the woody flavour spectrum, owing to the particular complexion of the flue-cured red Virginia leaf. The tin art is seasonably festive, either in the Cringle Flake version or the alternate Krampusnacht packaging exclusive to TobaccoPipes.com, though both are the exact same blend; my personal preference is for the wilder Krampusnacht image, as it calls to mind the art of Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, but it makes no difference to the flavor—or does it…? (No, it doesn’t.-ed.) As noted, the flakes are a blend of two vintages of red Virginia, a 2000 US crop and a 2010 Canadian from an earlier acquisition of McClelland stock. Nosing the tin there is detectably a hint of that old vinegary aroma, so fond memories of Christmases past are certainly contained therein. Overall it has its own read, though; to me, it’s a woody, oiled mahogany aroma, not unlike the smell of a new acoustic guitar (yes, I spent an inordinate amount of time smelling my Christmas gifts). There is a bit of tang, high and sour, though it lacks clear sweetness up front, both in the aroma and smoke—the notes of dark fruit and spice are slight at best. It seems apparent that the intention is that this is a Virginia blend destined for at least a little bit of tin-ageing. The woody tilt continues through the top to middle of the bowl, leaning into that aspect of the leaf and its curing. Though it took a few bowls to dial in, there was a richness to be found with some deepening of the bass notes—think brown bread and extra-sharp cheddar—and highlights of a clover honey character on the palate and retrohale. The blend benefits greatly from a sharp black coffee or strong tea, particularly for repeated servings, as well as some delayed gratification technique—I found that taking an initial light and burning until it needed tending, then allowing it some room to breathe, suitably amplified the flavour profile. Despite some astringency in the overtones, after finding the proper pace it proved a very repeatable and enjoyable smoke. The holidays are a celebration not of what we acquire, but of what we can share. Stashing away a tin or three of these stocking stuffers will make for savoury moments to enjoy, hopefully with good company. In closing, with a repeat of last […]
