I just wanted to share about some of the gifts I got this year. First, ordered by me from Santa, is a nice little Hilson sled pipe(nice grain), second was three tins of Seattle Pipe club blends(first time trying). The pipe and tobaccos where specials by Pipes and Cigars that I couldn't pass up. The Hilson was $49.
Then I received my first gift pipe from a non pipe smoker. My in-laws really impressed me. First they gave me some "Cubans", they picked up while on a cruise. The stoggies are not that impressive or Cuban, but it's the thought that counts. They also gave me a Leonessa bent billiard, with a receipt from a local b&m. The grain is not great, but I decided to keep it for the sentimental worth. I've never heard of Leonessa, but so far it's a good smoker. It has a vulcanite stem which has been refreshing, it seems most of my pipes are acrylic stemmed.
Both pipes were under $60 each, but good smokers.
My very first pipe was a Christmas present about 25 years ago. My friend and I decided to buy each other pipes. I usually only smoked it at Christmas time, but not even every Christmas. It was Christmas time when I went to see the first Hobbit movie and decided I needed to smoke my pipe more often. I'm a 5-7 time a week pipe enthusiast now. My pipe journey along with the influence of Bing Crosby, makes Christmas and pipes forever joined in my memory. So I'm very pleased with my in-laws gifts.
I liked this episode's interview and would like to here more from non-profit participants. As a non pipe making pipe smoker it's nice to just hear from people who enjoy the hobby. It's nice to hear their pipe journey and how pipes came into it.
From a few episodes ago: ashtrays. The ashtray I use inside is one of those wooden pipe stans with the glass ashtray in the middle. I think I picked it up from a thrift store. I refinished it and bought a new glass ashtray and stuck a cork pipe knocker in it. It looks nice and is functional. For the patio and garage I bought pottery plates that go under plant pots, and epoxy glued cork knockers and cheap plastic pipe stands. Not the folding kind but the clear sorta spoon shaped ones. I've had them a few years and the epoxy holds up to the weather. If I happen to break one, no big deal.
