Ken Byron Ventures’ Post About Loss Of Sutliff

[Bassman65]

I find it ceaselessly amusing how some think that pipe smokers are a friendly lot. I remember old men smoking pipes when I was a small child as being some of the grouchiest, most disagreeable folks I can remember encountering.

lol. I’m proof!

 

[Zamora]

KBV was always a passion project and not a source of needed income. The owner expressed that to me many years ago. His other businesses did quite well for him. It’s not some sudden lame excuse, it’s a long time reality.
So just consider that he offered some great blends to smokers for the pleasure of doing it, and did so in a unique way which for him is no longer feasible.
More gratitude less attitude.

Yeah with anything whether it be a hobby or major source of income you gotta weigh the options and cut the losses when it becomes clear it's now a money pit. Plus KBV's whole thing was providing some unique stuff that more commercial blenders couldn't, now he can't anymore

I find it ceaselessly amusing how some think that pipe smokers are a friendly lot. I remember old men smoking pipes when I was a small child as being some of the grouchiest, most disagreeable folks I can remember encountering.

My grandpa smoked a pipe and he was a raging narcissist. My grandma (they divorced long before I was born) and mom both think he only smoked one as part of deliberate intellectual persona like Stalin.

 

[krizzose]

Hopefully KBV will find a way forward, but if not I’m grateful for the weird, always changing stable of blends they put out, and I’m happy that I have more than a few Mylar pouches stashed away. The chaotic nature of releases and the knowledge that some may never return always made it a little different than experimenting with better known, more volume oriented blends from the bigger concerns. I’m also very impressed that they found a way to make their blending hobby profitable for a while. KBV doesn’t owe anyone anything.

 

[lupy1234]

As he has some more blends coming out, I do not think he is closing shop. Also, I am speculating here, but he did take a trip to India and as India is 2nd largest producer of tobacco...

 

[Chasing Embers]

My grandpa smoked a pipe and he was a raging narcissist. My grandma (they divorced long before I was born) and mom both think he only smoked one as part of deliberate intellectual persona like Stalin.

Sounds about right. As a child I knew better than to bother someone with a pipe in their mouth.

 

[mingc]

As he has some more blends coming out, I do not think he is closing shop. Also, I am speculating here, but he did take a trip to India and as India is 2nd largest producer of tobacco...

He has a tobacco import license?

 

[woodsroad]

McBaren/Sutliff bought it’s tobacco from brokers. Those brokers are going to be looking to make up for the loss of the McBaren/Sutliff sales. The tobacco will find it’s way to market.

 

[lupy1234]

He has a tobacco import license?

I have no clue that is why I said speculating.

 

[Hutch Piper]

That’s fine, but on the other end they also did things like stove an existing blend and sell it as a product and I’m sure everything inbetween.

My only point is it’s a loser attitude to pack it all up because a supplier closed down and to doom and gloom post about it. Pull your boots up and go do something about it. Or I guess you can just close up, poo poo everything and fall back on “oh this was just for funzies anyway”.

He blends as a hobby - not so much for an income. So he can do what he wants.

 

[larryspencer]

Recently enjoying ,Kings Stride, while unique and tasty, I could live without it. There are many options, and I'm sure most of the favorites will remain.

 

[Chasing Embers]

this was all for fun anyway

Isn't that the best reason to do anything? Even though many enjoyed the fruits of his labor, he wasn't obligated to do any of it nor announce that it was coming to an end.

 

[fireground_piper]

He blends as a hobby - not so much for an income. So he can do what he wants.

100%

 

[andrew]

That’s fine, but on the other end they also did things like stove an existing blend and sell it as a product and I’m sure everything inbetween.

My only point is it’s a loser attitude to pack it all up because a supplier closed down and to doom and gloom post about it. Pull your boots up and go do something about it. Or I guess you can just close up, poo poo everything and fall back on “oh this was just for funzies anyway”.

Ken Byron was always upfront that he did it for fun, I remember when he was simply named fuzzy. The guy made blends in his spare time as a hobby. So it's not like he's making up an excuse it was just for funnies anyways. Because it always was. You can buy whole leaf and process it. I think that's a bit to time consuming for most hobby blenders. Be grateful the guy shared his blends with everyone. It was never a huge operation. It was a one man show

 

[driftedshank1]

I think the proprietor of Ken Byron Ventures is a very bright fellow. If the market shakes out in a way whereby new sources of quality blending tobaccos become available , my sense is that KBV and other serious boutique blenders will ferret them out and re-surface. Yes,there may be a hiatus and a long one to boot, but remember : "It ain't over till it's over".

 

[MisterDearly]

Cornell and Diehl already sells blending tobaccos in small amounts. It's possible they'll start selling in quantities that brick and mortars can use! That's even more growth for a growing company--and a good one to boot.

I think between C and D, the houses of Gawith, Kohlhaus and Kopp, HU, Dan, Germain (when one can find it haha) etc., there should hopefully be some good tobacco to go around! I am bummed about the Seattle Pipe Club blends (especially Plum Pudding), but I've heard a rumor that C and D might take those over anyway. I'd be fine with that if they use good leaf!

 

[anotherbob]

I find it ceaselessly amusing how some think that pipe smokers are a friendly lot. I remember old men smoking pipes when I was a small child as being some of the grouchiest, most disagreeable folks I can remember encountering.

in my mind that's only because you stole their pipes right out of their hands. I know you'll say you didn't but you can't change my mind once it's found something to be amused by.

 

[Mike N]

I just placed my first (and hopefully not last) KBV order. All have a perique component. I look forward to smoking them.

Product​	Quantity​	Price​
Sleepy Dragon​	2​	​
Mr. Christian's Raven Eye Flake​	2​	​
Mr. Christian's Acadian Flek​	2​

 

[Mike N]

My order arrived in vacuum packed bags with two labels for each to put on the jars. Can’t wait to smoke them. Beautifully done in broken flake and bull’s-eye.

 

[Buffalo]

My order arrived in vacuum packed bags with two labels for each to put on the jars. Can’t wait to smoke them. Beautifully done in broken flake and bull’s-eye.

I've been enjoying KBV blends for several years now. Acadian Flek is by far my favorite blend he's made. It's great fresh and can only imagine what it will be like with some age.

 

[coming to_falling too]

I've been enjoying KBV blends for several years now. Acadian Flek is by far my favorite blend he's made. It's great fresh and can only imagine what it will be like with some age.

Acadian Flek is a good one.

Red Line is a good one too. If I'm being honest, he has many I'm fond of.