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  1. lraisch

    Tube Radio Restoration

    I remember testing for tubes that were "microphonic". Tap, Tap, smash/tinkle, "That one was weak"!
  2. lraisch

    So You Can't Talk About Eating Crickets or The 2nd Amendment?

    I smoke a pipe in my Prius.
  3. lraisch

    Interesting Way to Save Your Hair During Chemo.

    Wishing all the luck in the world to your daughter! And she does have beautiful hair!
  4. lraisch

    Latakia Blends

    My suggestion is to order a couple of ounces of Stokkebye English Oriental Supreme and the same amount of their Proper English. The first is a mild but flavorful blend with a definite contribution of Latakia. The second is a very similar blend, but with the Latakia amped up. I think that will...
  5. lraisch

    Resto Question: Do You Prefer a Minimal or "Full" Pipe Restoration?

    For the most part, I would prefer to stay with a minimalist approach of cleaning and polishing. That would generally include reaming the bowl and removing bite marks or re-stemming. Only in dire circumstances would I want a pipe re-stained and I would avoid topping a bowl. I did ask Mike Myers...
  6. lraisch

    Newcomer Seeks Advice from the "Pipe Elders"

    I have had a number of Missouri Meerschaums and other cobs in the 50+ years I've been a pipe smoker. Whether I try Burley, Virginia, aromatic or English/Balkan, cobs just don't appeal to me. Real meerschaums are fine, but cobs or various system pipes I've tried do not approach the quality of...
  7. lraisch

    Newcomer Seeks Advice from the "Pipe Elders"

    I won't contradict those who advise you to start with a cob, all I can say is that they don't work for me. I will point out that most of the better quality pipes are briars and that's always my suggestion. Avoid cheap "wooden" pipes and maybe find a decent Savinelli or Northern Briars to...
  8. lraisch

    Any Idea On This Pipe And Lighter

    The pipe stem maybe made of amberoid and in fact, may be a cigarette holder. The lighter appears to show a French "75" and possibly a French flag. The woman appears to be pouring a drink for a Poilu. Perhaps a patriotic theme after World War 1?
  9. lraisch

    Virginia and cigarette taste?

    I generally find a cigarette-like quality in Virginias with a few exceptions. Samuel Gawith's Best Brown Flake or the old, wider cut McConnel's Special London Mature are among the few that don't offend my taste buds that way.
  10. lraisch

    Are GBD Pipes Good Currently Or Historically?

    After they have been smoked awhile, the Perspex stems look lie an ad from the tobacco Nazis.
  11. lraisch

    Are GBD Pipes Good Currently Or Historically?

    I have not seen many current GBDs recently, but in my opinion the quality went down substantially in the 80s. Pipes with the original brass GBD logo on the stem are probably a good bet. I have quite a number purchased in the 70s and the Virgins, Granitans, Pebble Grains, etc. are all excellent...
  12. lraisch

    Will Cigar Bugs be in some Pipe Tobacco?

    I have found tobacco beetles in a bulk blend, but never in a tin.
  13. lraisch

    Gas Prices: What Are You Paying? Does it Change Your Driving Habits?

    Right out of high school I worked on the NJ Turnpike doing road service. We only carried premium with us for those out of gas calls and I recall people being angry because I had to charge them for that higher priced gas. It was $.32 cents per gallon. I suspect people will always feel gas...
  14. lraisch

    What is the Difference between Aged Tobacco and New Tobacco?

    I'll make a comparison with wine. Some wines are meant to be drunk young, and some will not improve with aging anyway. Then again there are wines that will benefit from years in the bottle. Similarly, there are pipe tobaccos that will not benefit from and may even deteriorate with age. Then...
  15. lraisch

    English blends

    My primary recommendation would be for Stokkebye's English Oriental Supreme. It is an excellent value for the quality of leaf it contains and a good introduction to an English blend. John Bull is also a bargain though harder to find and not in bulk as far as I know. Many others, such as...
  16. lraisch

    Mouthpiece Types? Pros and Cons

    Dental stems were supposedly for denture wearers who had difficulty clenching. There are also "Bite proof" stems that use two smaller draft holes for greater strength, sometimes also marketed as less prone to causing tongue bite. Of course there are also different materials used, most commonly...
  17. lraisch

    Not a Hobby!?

    The comparison with coffee drinking has resonated for me as I have to have my morning cup! I don't have an addiction to coffee, as that is usually the only time I drink it. I have a favorite blend that I grind fresh and do a "pour over". Does that make me a hobbyist? To me, it is just part of...
  18. lraisch

    Caminetto Ascorti Radice Sand Grain Billiard

    Beautiful pipe, very distinct from their carved "Business" finish.
  19. lraisch

    Samuel Gawith

    Squadron Leader is the paragon of English blends.
  20. lraisch

    James Upshall - Am I Missing Something?

    I'm surprised at the comments about Upshall stems. Mine are from the 80s and I have had no particular problems with oxidation. In fact, one of mine has probably the most comfortable stem of any of my pipes. Now some of my Savinellis from the 70s or 80s have stems with a high sulfur content that...
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