EDIT: Fixed Capitalization in Title (See Rule 9)
Well it seems this is the last corner of the internet where sanity maintains some semblance of grip, so I'm back!
And boy do I have stories to tell! Well, not really but whatever. We're all just sitting here smoking and shooting the breeze anyway. So here goes.
First off, I have to lament the sad state of Canadian tobacconists. Most don't seem to know what they're talking about and when they do - they're snobs!
Case in point. The other day I went in to buy a pipe from a well known shop in my city and was told that "basket pipes are just for show". The clerk then proceeded to show me a bunch of Lorenzetti pipes that had been passed over by the greater pipe smoking community of my fair city for what appeared to be several years, judging by the dust and large markup. I settled for a tin of Sammy Gaws Kendall Twist. "Have you ever tried a non-aromatic before son?" was the response. Talk about cheek! Anyway, won't be buying there again. Found another "tobacconist" which was really a cigar shop with a pitiful rack for us forlorn pipers. But they had a nice bent Dublin from Medico that I picked up, and the owner was very nice, if ill-informed. Apparently they have a pipe sale at the end of every year because, get this, a friendly pipe smoker told them that if briar sat in a display case too long - it could EXPLODE WHEN SMOKED!!!! I imagine that fellow shows up right around sale time, eh? My goodness! Another thing I discovered is that all those decent Amphora blends like Virginia, Burley and Kentucky Blend (all of which are a broken flake cut) are impossible to find here! We got a thing for changing names of things too, so heads up fellas, and gal ( I know we have at least one), if you're buying Sail in Canada, what you're actually getting is Captain Black. Which, unless you're buying it as Lane 1Q, is hot steamy garbage. Or so I'm told. That's a joke. Lane 1Q is Captain Black Royal. Which in Canada is called Sail Deluxe. You were warned! My final tobacconist of shame is the one that sold me a 50g tin of Old Dark Fired for - wait for it... $76.57! Can you believe it?!
It's enough to drive a man to smokingpipes.com for some relief! If only my southron cousins would stop burning things, maybe I could trust USPS to deliver my goods but I'm afraid my sweet sweet tobacco would just end up as incense for the next riot! Oi vey! Really we gotta get a FedEx or UPS option! But alas...
Now for the good news!
I got me a fancy new Dublin, albeit lacking a proper Dublin chamber. Funny thing, the snobby tobacconist wasn't even sure if he had any Dublin chamber pipes. Must be a shortage up here. Oh well. I refinished my lacklustre Brigham, pics to come. I got me some of that Peterson Signature Flake, which is discontinued apparently. I got me some Best Brown Flake and some real pricey ODF. The majority of it is all jarred up, though I did just finish a bowl of the Pete's. Damn fine stuff. Real grassy, like smoking a hayride in the winter. The Best Brown is good, damn good. Just a touch sweeter I think. The ODF is, well it's spicy and sweet and a good nic hit. Does it taste like seventy bucks? I'm not sure but I'll be sure to test every last crumb and let y'all know!
Final thoughts? Well dang. My Carlo Duca Lumberman is still the King of Flake. One MB sized flake folds up and stuffs perfectly into the proper Dublin style chamber, with just enough left over to give it a twist and a push to get that broken flake topping that helps the bowl get started. I am growing seriously fond of this pipe and this chamber! Whoever invented the Dublin chamber deserves a firm handshake and a stern look of approval. He might even deserve a flake or ten.
Also, avoid David's Blend tobacco at most costs. They have a Burley blend that's advertising as broken flake, but it's cross cut ribbon at best.
That's it, that's all. Happy piping!
Well it seems this is the last corner of the internet where sanity maintains some semblance of grip, so I'm back!
And boy do I have stories to tell! Well, not really but whatever. We're all just sitting here smoking and shooting the breeze anyway. So here goes.
First off, I have to lament the sad state of Canadian tobacconists. Most don't seem to know what they're talking about and when they do - they're snobs!
Case in point. The other day I went in to buy a pipe from a well known shop in my city and was told that "basket pipes are just for show". The clerk then proceeded to show me a bunch of Lorenzetti pipes that had been passed over by the greater pipe smoking community of my fair city for what appeared to be several years, judging by the dust and large markup. I settled for a tin of Sammy Gaws Kendall Twist. "Have you ever tried a non-aromatic before son?" was the response. Talk about cheek! Anyway, won't be buying there again. Found another "tobacconist" which was really a cigar shop with a pitiful rack for us forlorn pipers. But they had a nice bent Dublin from Medico that I picked up, and the owner was very nice, if ill-informed. Apparently they have a pipe sale at the end of every year because, get this, a friendly pipe smoker told them that if briar sat in a display case too long - it could EXPLODE WHEN SMOKED!!!! I imagine that fellow shows up right around sale time, eh? My goodness! Another thing I discovered is that all those decent Amphora blends like Virginia, Burley and Kentucky Blend (all of which are a broken flake cut) are impossible to find here! We got a thing for changing names of things too, so heads up fellas, and gal ( I know we have at least one), if you're buying Sail in Canada, what you're actually getting is Captain Black. Which, unless you're buying it as Lane 1Q, is hot steamy garbage. Or so I'm told. That's a joke. Lane 1Q is Captain Black Royal. Which in Canada is called Sail Deluxe. You were warned! My final tobacconist of shame is the one that sold me a 50g tin of Old Dark Fired for - wait for it... $76.57! Can you believe it?!
It's enough to drive a man to smokingpipes.com for some relief! If only my southron cousins would stop burning things, maybe I could trust USPS to deliver my goods but I'm afraid my sweet sweet tobacco would just end up as incense for the next riot! Oi vey! Really we gotta get a FedEx or UPS option! But alas...
Now for the good news!
I got me a fancy new Dublin, albeit lacking a proper Dublin chamber. Funny thing, the snobby tobacconist wasn't even sure if he had any Dublin chamber pipes. Must be a shortage up here. Oh well. I refinished my lacklustre Brigham, pics to come. I got me some of that Peterson Signature Flake, which is discontinued apparently. I got me some Best Brown Flake and some real pricey ODF. The majority of it is all jarred up, though I did just finish a bowl of the Pete's. Damn fine stuff. Real grassy, like smoking a hayride in the winter. The Best Brown is good, damn good. Just a touch sweeter I think. The ODF is, well it's spicy and sweet and a good nic hit. Does it taste like seventy bucks? I'm not sure but I'll be sure to test every last crumb and let y'all know!
Final thoughts? Well dang. My Carlo Duca Lumberman is still the King of Flake. One MB sized flake folds up and stuffs perfectly into the proper Dublin style chamber, with just enough left over to give it a twist and a push to get that broken flake topping that helps the bowl get started. I am growing seriously fond of this pipe and this chamber! Whoever invented the Dublin chamber deserves a firm handshake and a stern look of approval. He might even deserve a flake or ten.
Also, avoid David's Blend tobacco at most costs. They have a Burley blend that's advertising as broken flake, but it's cross cut ribbon at best.
That's it, that's all. Happy piping!
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