Well the Columbus show has come and gone, except for the Smoker's haven post show events tomorrow. It was a good show this year. I had a blast hanging out and talking with so many Pipe makers such as Ryan Alden, Jason Cochey (briarbird), Thomas James, SE Thile, Joe Nelson, Nate King, Perry White, RC Sands, Tim West, Northern Briars, DSH, Royal Oak, Bob Gilbert, Bob Oakley, Solomon Pipes, Split Beard Pipes, Micah Redmond, J&J, Jerry Crawford, and probably others that I forgot. I also enjoyed talking to the vendors and looking through all their pipes.
Of those Makers many are doing amazing work. The ones that really stood out to me were Thomas James, Jason Cochey, SE Thile, Joe Nelson, Ryan Alden and Nate King. Jason Cochey aka Briar Bird has really upped his game and I was going to buy one from him but I waited too long and someone else grabbed it before I made it back to his table. If you haven't checked out his work lately you really need too. His pipes are really really nice and his stemwork has really improved over the last year.
Other then the Pipes, I got to reconnect with and meet some great people. Most notable was JJ aka BigVan from here on the forums. He has given me lots of advice on this forum and at the show today. He also let me look at some of his pipe collection, including his Joe Nelson Panel dog which is one of the most beautiful pipes I have ever seen. The pictures I have seen don't do it justice.
I only bought one pipe but it is beautiful and it called out to me through the whole show. It is my first SE Thile pipe and if you haven't met him at a show or bought one of his pipes then I highly recommend you do. His work is amazing and he is one heck of a nice guy. I haven't smoked it yet but if it smokes anywhere near as good as it looks then I have one amazing pipe. These pics don't do it justice at all, but here it is anyway.
Of those Makers many are doing amazing work. The ones that really stood out to me were Thomas James, Jason Cochey, SE Thile, Joe Nelson, Ryan Alden and Nate King. Jason Cochey aka Briar Bird has really upped his game and I was going to buy one from him but I waited too long and someone else grabbed it before I made it back to his table. If you haven't checked out his work lately you really need too. His pipes are really really nice and his stemwork has really improved over the last year.
Other then the Pipes, I got to reconnect with and meet some great people. Most notable was JJ aka BigVan from here on the forums. He has given me lots of advice on this forum and at the show today. He also let me look at some of his pipe collection, including his Joe Nelson Panel dog which is one of the most beautiful pipes I have ever seen. The pictures I have seen don't do it justice.
I only bought one pipe but it is beautiful and it called out to me through the whole show. It is my first SE Thile pipe and if you haven't met him at a show or bought one of his pipes then I highly recommend you do. His work is amazing and he is one heck of a nice guy. I haven't smoked it yet but if it smokes anywhere near as good as it looks then I have one amazing pipe. These pics don't do it justice at all, but here it is anyway.
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