My Favorite Unmarked Pipe

[Ryan]

About twenty years ago, I tried pipe smoking. I bought a couple of Peterson and Butz-Choquin pipes and went at it for a couple of months and then lost interest. I never really learned to smoke correctly and didn’t fully enjoy those pipes.

Fast forward to a few months ago, and I am trying it again. This time it seems to be working, I enjoy those old pipes and bought some new and estate pipes. I bought one from smokingpipes that was an unmarked French estate pipe. It hasn’t been used much at all based on appearances, and it was fairly cheap ($35).

I tried a couple of English blends in the unmarked pipe and it seemed to smoke ok, I really didn’t think about it much. Then something happened, I tried some PS Luxury Navy Flake in the pipe. It was my first time with a flake and my first time with a Virginia blend. It was like the two were made for each other. The pipe has become one of my favorites, and it turns out I love Virginia based flakes.

How often does this kind of pairing happen? I smoke those flakes in other pipes, but it just seems better out of my unmarked French estate pipe. I wish there was a quick way to find the best pipe in my collection for each blend, I think this might take a long time if I actually try several tobaccos out of each pipe. If there is a shortcut, please let me know. I am glad I found that combo early! That unmarked pipe is one of my favorites.

 

[Grangerous]

Before I joined this forum and before my local tobacconist passed away in 2017 — I’d never owned a single name brand pipe! Grabow’s aside. I’d always obtained his no-name, hand selected (by me) baskets, usually marked with “Imported Briar” — two of these remain among my all time favorites, even now that I have over two dozen quality factory pipes from Dunhill, Peterson, Parker, Savinelli and Stanwell, Kaywoodie, etc. etc.

He had a huge selection of pipes. Glass cabinets lined his walls and isles. But I’d sift through his basket selections and be happy as can be with $40 or less. I’d disassemble them, check out the various stingers, pass my pipe cleaner test and make a fine selection based on what appealed to me. Many of the baskets were richly colored on one side and faded on the other from years in his sunlit displays. I miss those days.

Here’s one of them. Love the Birdseye. It’s a sitter. Rounded rim. Only marking “Imported Briar”.

 

[keith929]

I smoke a variety of tobaccos in my collection of pipes except aromatics( those are restricted to my cobs or meers).
Once I identify that special pipe and blend combination that smokes like nirvana I make a note in my notebook(yeah I'm old school).
I believe that pipe,tobacco,humidity,time of day,and mood all play a part in the enjoyment of our shared hobby.

 

[That Guy]

That's how I go about pipe smoking. Trying to match the right pipe with the right tobacco type. I even have certain pipes that are dedicated to one blend only. Helps with the consistency of smoking and enjoying in my opinion.