Free Pipe Project

[carbonmated]

There is also another issue that I would like to emphasize; I was reading the whole thread and I realized that most of the members (not all of them) receiving pipes and tobacco are not actively participating in the forums. I know that everyone is busy, has his/her own things to do however it seems to be like receiving a pipe and running away. I don't blame anyone, please don't get me wrong. I think that Dave may feel a little bit ashamed because he is the one doing the job, that's why I wanted to jump in. Please join the party folks. Cheers.

Hence my reluctance to put my name in. On any community forum that is tight knit as this one, one never wants to be "That Guy". On a hammock forum that I am a regular visitor to I had "Gifted" a hammock rain fly to a guy in California that was down on his luck. It was an older rain fly that I had stopped using because I upgraded to another one, but it's value was still around $90. After shipping it and seeing through the tracking that it had been delivered and signed for I never heard from the guy, no thank you, no pictures of it in use, nothing. Then he was not seen on the forum again. So being "That Guy" is something I will not let happen.
I hope everyone receiving from this project really are in need and not just taking advantage of a good thing. IMO, this is a really good thing and see it as a shame if it were corrupted by greed. I look forward to seeing what others are getting from the project.
Regards,

Carbon

 

[jjm1]

I am curious Dave, what percent of those that receive stuff in this project would you speculate stay around for a year? And, how would that figure compare to the general public passing through that do not receive in the fpp?

 

[shaintiques]

Jim1 I really have no idea. I do on some occassions base who gets what on post count. Even though I started this to help out as many new pipe smokers as I could, I also did it to build commuity on this site. But not all pipes go out to people on this forum either as I have converted a lot of people to the pipe and others convert people and contact me for donations as well. On the whole it is a good system and if guys take the stuff and run it is too bad becasue they are missing out on a great commuity of fellows, one in which I have made some true lifelong friends.

 

[davet]

The project is certainly a wonderful idea and I'm sure makes many happy but keep in mind "no good deed goes unpunished" & "it's the thought that counts". Keep up the good work Dave :clap:

 

[jjm1]

For what it is worth, the seeming lack of further participation by one who receives might have less to do with 'exploiting'and more to do with feeling they have little to add or are more of outsiders.

 

[shaintiques]

Most of those who have received from this project are new smokers or new to the pipe, but we all started there at some point. When I first joined this forum I knew nothing about pipes, tobacco, cellaring, restoration, etc. But as I explored new tobaccos and pipes, read, listened, and asked questions, I changed from a no nothing to a contributor. That doesn't happen to everybody, some just read and don't post much and that is ok too. One of my goals here though is to not just send out pipes but send out a selection of tobaccos so as to expand the new smokers realm and smoking experience, but also a safe place to ask questions. I can't worry about people taking advantage, I do the best I can and ask that guys post up pics for our enjoyment but also accountability to show that I really am sending out pipes to people and not just selling them or keeping them all for myself. Pipe smokers are a great community of people and on the whole ready and willing to come alongside the new guy and help him master the art. Just this week at my B&M I explaned the art of the slow sip to someone. I hope as they practice it their smoking experience will only get better. I'm doing what I can to grow the hobby and it is a joy to send out goodies to new guys. I sent 2 boxes this week. One going to a guy in Equador, he is getting a Peterson and some tobaccos. The other just needed tobacco and lives in Azerbaijan. He has some friends and is very excited to get a selection so I sent him 5 tins.

 

[jvnshr]

It is very hard to find any pipe tobacco here except Captain Black and Erinmore. I ordered two times from P&C, a forwarding company in US received it and sent it to me. I had to pay for internal and international delivery. Recently my economic situation was a little bit tight so I asked for help from Dave. I have few pipes so I didn't need any pipes but tobacco only. Last Friday on my way from lunch to work I managed to pick up my package from Dave. I was in a hurry so I didn't open the package immediately however I was so excited that I was literally tearing apart the small carton box while waiting on the lights. I took a tin out of the box and I didn't believe it; it was a tin of Virginia Cream. I thought probably Dave put the best one on the top but I was very wrong, then came Frog Morton On The Town, then Samovar, then Sextant and then Master Penman. 5 unopened tins of tobacco.

I will send another photo while enjoying it with friends. I cannot thank you enough Dave. I just hope I will be on the other side of the project as donor one day.

 

[hextor]

Wow, that is very nice hope you enjoy your tobacco,Virginia cream looks like a good smoke!!!

 

[shikano53]

Thanks for sharing that life experience with us Nate. It happens sometimes. Don't let one experience taint the joy of giving. It's good for the heart.

 

[eriksmokes85]

This thread os super awesome! I love reading the stories from the guys that get a package from shantiques. Keep it up!

 

[mayfair70]

I'm doing OK pipe-wise, (see list to follow) but wouldn't mind an extra Dr. Grabow or whatever you folks think I could use/appreciate (maybe a "The Pipe" and an extra stem or two). I'm really looking to expand my tobacco experience. The only Aromatic I like seems to be Paladin Cherry. The only non Tinder Box brands I've tried have been Nightcap and Old Dark Fired and they were VERY good to me. If you have something to spare, feel free to throw ANYTHING my way except Captain Black and Borkum Riff. Looking forward to re-paying the generosity in the future.
All the pipes I own, I acquired this year:

Left to Right

1. MM Corncob

2. Wilke straight Pot

3. No Name carved Cat behind tree/Volcano Sitter

4. BBB Own Make Thorneycroft

5. Kaywoodie Flame Grain w/Ruby(glass?)medium billiard

6. No Name carved Stag w/Windcap, Algerian Briar, Bowl only (back)

7. No Name carved Dragon (Tsuge?), Bowl only (front)

8. Custombilt/Mayfair, Algerian Briar, straight Bulldog

9. Dr. Grabow, Golden Duke, a workhorse needs attention/rest

10. MM Corncob
Thanks for your time and I'm looking forward to donating to this cause in the future.

 

[charliejeffy]

Yeah, hey. Been smoking a pipe for about 2 weeks on the 25th. I currently have a basket Darvill briar pipe and I just finished my Gawith Hoggarth kendal no. 7 shag. I've decided to delve into English/Balkan blends so I ordered myself some Erinmore balkan mixture. It should be here in a few days.
I have no idea what the requirements for this project are but another pipe wouldn't be bad, I guess. Thanks a bunch, guys.

 

[shaintiques]

Hey guys, let me post a few reminders about the project as I'm starting to see a theme. The project is all volunteer and all pipes and tobacco are donated by fellows from our generous hobby. I do the restoration if need be and send the goodies out to new or needy pipe smokers. If you are interested, post on here what you do have and what you have tried, liked or disliked, and also contact me. I will put your name on a list and get to you when I can. As this is volunteer it sometimes takes awhile and I end up sending out a bunch of packages at a time. You guys only have 2 requirements, you pay shipping and you must post pics of what you received. You will get nice pipes and a good selection of tobacco which is a fair trade for the shipping cost. The pictures are important for two reasons; it makes reading much more interesting and we all like seeing pics, but also holds me accountable to do with these items what I said I would. Post count is not a must but it does help. I started this project to give back to a community that has so very blessed me but also as a thanks to Kevin for running such a great site, so please participate in the community here, discuss, ask questions, leave reviews, your opinion counts!

 

[randelli]

#mayfair70 what do you use the turmeric for?

 

[randelli]

Wow! I received a care package from shaintiques and it blew my socks off! I had no idea how generous this free pipe project was. I have quite a lot to get through so I better get busy...

It took quite a while to catalog and jar the bagged tobacco so I left the tins unopened. Here is what I got:
Elizabethan Mixture

Braken Flake

1792 Flake

Potlatch

Morningside Golden 527

H&H Capitol Stairs

Villager 1888

Colonial (Edwards)

Boswell's Aro

LL1-Q

Smokers Haven Select Mixture

Sundown

Sutliff April Dawn

Sutliff St. George's Blend

Mac Baren Modern Virginia

Peter Stokkebye Alsbo Gold

Erik Stokkebye 1855 Erik Peter's Blend

Robert McConnell Mature - Special London Rough
A special thank you to shaintiques and everyone that contributes to the free pipe program!

 

[mayfair70]

@randelli
I use turmeric like snuff. JUST kidding. I use it a lot in cooking. This bottle held my last two sticks of Old Dark Fired after a thorough cleaning to rid it of the spicy smell. Since my tobacco stash has not been voluminous, and I have my smaller mason jars somewhere in storage, I use old spice jars for tobacco once it has dried to my satisfaction.

 

[randelli]

Yeah, turmeric snuff would be a bad idea

 

[gunny]

I am at a loss for words as to what say about this project, I read all 8 pages this evening. Job well done to all who have donated and to Dave Shain for taking the time to restore, package, send out, etc. all of the goodies to those who are in need or new!
I do not need anything and hopefully once I gain employment I can donate to the project. I love to give when and where I can and like others, not for recognition, but because I can.
Great job everyone! I hope this project continues on. I've enjoyed my experience in pipe smoking thus far. This forum is loaded with great people.
Dave Shain - you have also gained another follower on Instagram and a like on Facebook.

 

[drumbumb83]

I would hate to think of myself as a "needy" pipe smoker but an inexperienced one. I'm just trying to find my way without any physical mentor. Not a lot of pipe smokers in my neck of the woods and certainly not in my profession. But thanks to this website and others like it I feel I'm getting through it with some trial and error. So what I got is a bent briar basket pipe, A Dr. Grabo from the grocery store and one of my grandfathers old pipes. His is probably nothing special to most as it isn't rare or some prestigious brand. What his pipe was to him was a tool to consume tobacco. I've tried a few aromatics and non aromatics, even the cigar shops own blend and haven't found one I didn't like yet. I started smoking cigars fifteen years ago but never considered taking up the pipe. Stereotypes of young hipsters, rednecks and old sea captains. A few months ago after sharing a pipe with one of my brothers instantly took me back to another time and place. So as I start in this as a hobby I want to do it right, but time and budget constraints are an obstacle. Reading all the posts have already been so helpful. Thank you all, and I'm looking forward to many more great stories. -Cheers

 

[janosh]

Hi all!

I know that I ought to write this post so much earlier, but sometimes the life is very complicated and difficult.

I'm relatively newbie in this amazing forum community, but I always wondering about the generosity of the members.

Some of you know (I had a post on that) that shit happened to me while we moved to another town in the last summer. All of my pipes was stolen (or simply lost? don't know the truth). I shared my anger with you in that post.

But who cares? - I said after the birth of our beautiful little lady

A few days after that post shaintiques messaged me that he want to send me something and asked for my address. I was really surprised.

The package arrived at my birthday - August 28 :D that was the best gift which I got on this day. I was at work but my wife (who doesn't love the smell of tobacco) called me and asked if I know what is in the box because it smells so good. I said no, because I knew that sending tobacco internationally (to Europe) is illegal :D Maybe shaintiques didn't know that but I'm really happy because of that!!

I got two briars, a meer and two cobs along with a lot of tobacco samples!

Here are the list of the tobacco and the pics:

Cornell&Diehl Billy Budd

Stokkebye Luxury Navy Flake

Bulls Eye Flake

Luxury Twist Flake

52 Proper English Blend

Borkum Riff

Dunhill Nightcap

Shortcut to mushrooms (Middle Earth Pipeweed!)

Lane Limited RLP6

Five Brothers Pipe tobacco

Sparrow 2013

Ten Russians

Mclelland Vanilla Black Cavendish

Lane Limited 1Q

Squadron Leader perique

Squadron Leader
Hard to believe, that most of these tobaccos are not available in Europe!

The pipes are:

Savinelli Baronet 611

Savinelli DeLuxe 812

a meerschaum

And two MM
In the meantime I spent a few weeks in hospital with heart problems, and had to quite smoking for a few months. We also had to move again (I held the pipes in my laptop case, just for sure)

But now I'm back. And want to say thank you all who donated the pipes and the tobacco, and a big thank to Dave who sent me all this stuff!

Also want to say thanks to Spencer who sent me three amazing briars (a Comoy's Patina, a Genod and a Butz Hoquin Sitter) and to aledacker who sent me a couple of cobs!
I have a great rotation again, just have to find time to smoke them (sometimes is really hard with two little children and a new work...) But never mind. I used to say my wife, that pipe smoking is the way of thinking for me - and thinking is a part of being a human. And this community is also a part of this!