My First Time Smoking a New Briar Pipe

[newbroom]

I've been smoking pipes now for about or almost 8 yrs. Until this week I hadn't ever smoked an unsmoked briar. (well, not since when I was about 50 yrs younger and had no idea)
Fellow forum member and a pipe maker in his own right since joining us here, Chris Besse, has gifted me yet another pipe.
He first sent me an "O" grade Savinelli freehand smooth straight grain that instantly became the most valuable pipe on my racks.
Then he sent me a hand made billiard made of Canadian Maple that smokes wonderfully and looks fantastic.
So...last week Chris sent me an email to keep an eye on the postal box because he's 'sent me something'. He said he'd meant to get it to me for Christmas but that all the stuff we're all having to go through with global virus rampant and businesses suffering labor shortages etc. caused delay.
So, he sent me a beautiful smooth cross grained billiard with a really nice Lucite stem that has a black/grey/blue hue to it with iridescent striations.
It's 5 inches long, perfectly shaped, sized and finished with contrast staining.
I've smoked it repeatedly since it arrived, and can't get enough of how smoothly it smokes, right to the bottom, and how surprised I am that a new briar hasn't been distasteful!
Here's me and the pipe just before heading out a day or so ago to burn some tobacco.

 

[seanv]

Very cool story. Enjoy your pipe

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

First thought was that pipe is elegant - don't know why that word popped into my head - I'm in the living room watching European Tour golf on TV, listening to my wife snore (and of course it's music from the gods, yes it is sweetie, neither of the dogs even comes close to snoring as nice as you), enjoying a pourover while keeping up on all the latest with Secret Santa.

So that must be the word, and I'll say it again.

That pipe is elegant!

 

[Merton]

Very nice story and a lovely pipe. Nice to read a story about kindness and generosity.

 

[Grangerous]

My favorite shape. There’s just something about the simplicity of a classic billiard. Hope you thoroughly enjoy it, newbroom. What are you smoking in it?

 

[tklee]

Very nice pipe! Enjoy!

 

[scloyd]

That's awesome. I love threads like this. We have some very generous members here. Well done Chris Besse ?. Nice looking pipe

 

[newbroom]

What are you smoking in it?

I just got it two days ago and I broke its maiden with a 3//4 full bowl of Sutliff J-4 Burley. Since then, I can't stop smoking it and I have smoked some of my own mix, some HH Burley Flake, and some Sutliff red Virginia ribbon.
I've smoked at least 7 bowls already in it, and it almost smokes itself.
When Chris and I first became acquainted, it was through this forum. He wasn't making pipes then. He was just beginning to immerse himself in the hobby.
I think I sparked his interest in production more than it had been, with some thread back when I was dreaming of making my own pipes,
I remember several exchanges during his learning process and was always impressed with his willingness and perseverance.
Making a hand made pipe from a piece of briar is not all that easy or simple. Heck, just finding a good piece to start with is a challenge.
This one is perfect for my smoking style. It's only 5 inches long, but has a nicely balanced full sized and perfectly shaped billiard bowl. I smoke outside, often walking along the neighborhood roadways. I can clench this pipe with ease. It has no fills in its finish! The smooth contrast staining is somewhat of a matte finish as it isn't highly waxed, if at all. It feels smooth, but with just a tiny touch of natural feel through the finish. Hard to express. I love it.
Here's a website of some of Chris's available work. Christopher Pipes - https://christopherpipes.coffeecup.com/index.html

 

[Andriko]

It's 5 inches long, perfectly shaped, sized and finished with contrast staining.

This is a Tinder Profile waiting to happen.

It's a lovely looking pipe. Like Grangerous says, there is something about classic simplicity. I also find that my most straight forward pipes smoke the best.

 

[LotusEater]

I've smoked it repeatedly since it arrived, and can't get enough of how smoothly it smokes, right to the bottom

Your new pipe is a beaut! I’m glad you are enjoying it.
I have two pipes Chris made for me and both of them smoke excellently.

I also want to say that Chris is really conscientious and went out of his way to make sure I was happy with my pipes.

 

[CoffeeAndBourbon]

I have one he made as well and it is my best smoking pipe I own!

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

This is a Tinder Profile waiting to happen.

It's a lovely looking pipe. Like Grangerous says, there is something about classic simplicity. I also find that my most straight forward pipes smoke the best.

It really is all about the aesthetics!

 

[AroEnglish]

Hadn't heard of Chris Besse until now but that billiard makes me want to get a pipe made by him.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Gorgeous pipe, and I hope it squeezes every last drop of flavor from the tobacco for you.

 

[anotherbob]

I've been smoking pipes now for about or almost 8 yrs. Until this week I hadn't ever smoked an unsmoked briar. (well, not since when I was about 50 yrs younger and had no idea)
Fellow forum member and a pipe maker in his own right since joining us here, Chris Besse, has gifted me yet another pipe.
He first sent me an "O" grade Savinelli freehand smooth straight grain that instantly became the most valuable pipe on my racks.
Then he sent me a hand made billiard made of Canadian Maple that smokes wonderfully and looks fantastic.
So...last week Chris sent me an email to keep an eye on the postal box because he's 'sent me something'. He said he'd meant to get it to me for Christmas but that all the stuff we're all having to go through with global virus rampant and businesses suffering labor shortages etc. caused delay.
So, he sent me a beautiful smooth cross grained billiard with a really nice Lucite stem that has a black/grey/blue hue to it with iridescent striations.
It's 5 inches long, perfectly shaped, sized and finished with contrast staining.
I've smoked it repeatedly since it arrived, and can't get enough of how smoothly it smokes, right to the bottom, and how surprised I am that a new briar hasn't been distasteful!
Here's me and the pipe just before heading out a day or so ago to burn some tobacco.View attachment 124460

the pipe is nice, but that child like look of glee is priceless. Funny thing that a hunk of root and rubber or plastic could illicit such a response. (guess it's more then the sum of it's parts.)

 

[anotherbob]

My favorite shape. There’s just something about the simplicity of a classic billiard. Hope you thoroughly enjoy it, newbroom. What are you smoking in it?

it's weird pipes are one of the sparse things where I am pretty stuck in being a traditionalist. Even when I find a lot of other pipes neat that's about it. But minimally dolled up (spigot or a band) classic shapes are to me where it is at.

 

[kcghost]

A nice looking pipe, indeed.

 

[STP]

Very nice! Enjoy?

 

[PipeIT]

Congrats ??? and enjoy!

I guess better later to the party than never! LOL ?

 

[AlanH]

Kind gesture and a very nice pipe I love a billiard!