New Pipe From Forum Maker shikano53

[CoffeeAndBourbon]

I was reading a thread on the forum and found shikano53 was a pipe maker and had his own website. I decided to check it out, I mean who doesn't like to look at pipes... even though I was not in the market for a new pipe (hahaha.)

Well... PAD kicks in hard. He had a nice bent dublin with a cumberland-esq. stem and the price was right! A week and a half later, I received the beauty.





Upon opening the box, I was impressed with the quality of the pipe not to mention the beauty of the lines. It's not top quality straight grain wood, but it wasn't priced like that either. I think the briar quality exceeds what I paid for pipe.

But the big question, it is a pipe after all - How does it smoke? Well, I only have two bowls through it so far. but. Let's just say I am planning a commissioned pipe in the next month or so!

My limited smoking with this pipe has been exceptional. It smokes very dry ad very easy - in fact it smokes as easy as my MM cobs but dryer. It's effortless and beuatiful to boot!

I anticipate many more years of great smoked with this pipe!

 

[mso489]

shikano has shared the evolution of his pipe carving with Forums members over several years or more. Even the early versions were good. That one is a classic.

 

[shikano53]

Thank you for the kind words David, and MSO.
I purchase all my briar from Premal Chadra of RawKrafted.com
He is an established and well known artisan and provides pipe making supplies as well. He sells briar from a number of suppliers at different price ranges and levels of quality.
I haven't reached the point yet where I am confident enough that I won't ruin an expensive piece of high quality briar, so I stay with the economical briar, so that if I ruin a block, it doesn't hurt as bad financially ( or make me pull out what little is left of my hair) as it would if it was a $50.00 of $60.00 block.
One day perhaps, but that's a long ways down the tunnel yet.

 

[CoffeeAndBourbon]

It really is my best smoking pipe so far!

 

[Casual]

I’m waiting impatiently for mine to come in the mail too. Glad to hear it’s exceeded your expectations!

 

[Mtlpiper]

It's a great looker - what is shikano53's website?

 

[CoffeeAndBourbon]

Here it is:
Christopher Pipes - https://www.christopherpipes.com/index.html

Looked like he was in the process of updating the page last time I was on.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Great work and fine website. I had to click on blank "picture" to get to the photos and well outlined specs. This one, though, does not show that: Problem with this one.

 

[shikano53]

Hi jp, thanks for the heads up. I just checked it and it works fine. I've checked with the tech support folks at Coffee Cup and they still can't see any problems with the pages or links.

Try this link:

Christopher Pipes

Hand carved briar tobacco pipes

www.christopherpipes.com

Hey mt piper - I've just updated my website again. I approached a B&M in Edmonton to see if they would be interested in taking some of my pipes on consignment and they said yes: provided the 'pipes' passed their smoking test. All of their employees (including the ladies) are avid pipe smokers and I've purchased several pipes from them over the years.
They bought two; one of their choice and one of my choice. They said they will have two of their employees 'test' smoke the pipes for two weeks and if the pipes pass muster; then we'll sit down and talk pipes, prices and commission.
I currently have three pipes on thee bench at the moment, two billiards and a straight Dublin with a bent stem. As soon as they are completed they will be posted on my website.

Now I better stop running my mouth or I'm going to get tagged by a moderator.

 

[STP]

Very nice! Enjoy?

 

[Casual]

Almost none of the pictures on any pipe of your site show up for me. I’m not sure what’s going on with the hosting, but it seems less than reliable.

 

[MarcosEZLN]

That's a very nice looking pipe. I usually go for leaner, but those proportions are great. Just the right amount of chubby.

 

[Mtlpiper]

Hi jp, thanks for the heads up. I just checked it and it works fine. I've checked with the tech support folks at Coffee Cup and they still can't see any problems with the pages or links.

Try this link:

Christopher Pipes

Hand carved briar tobacco pipes

www.christopherpipes.com

Hey mt piper - I've just updated my website again. I approached a B&M in Edmonton to see if they would be interested in taking some of my pipes on consignment and they said yes: provided the 'pipes' passed their smoking test. All of their employees (including the ladies) are avid pipe smokers and I've purchased several pipes from them over the years.
They bought two; one of their choice and one of my choice. They said they will have two of their employees 'test' smoke the pipes for two weeks and if the pipes pass muster; then we'll sit down and talk pipes, prices and commission.
I currently have three pipes on thee bench at the moment, two billiards and a straight Dublin with a bent stem. As soon as they are completed they will be posted on my website.

Now I better stop running my mouth or I'm going to get tagged by a moderator.

Ah, bookmarked - thanks (and thanks to CoffeeAndBourbon too, may it smoke well). All prices in CND, didn't realise you were up in the (not so) frozen north.

I'll definitely be in contact in the future. The OP's bent dublin and the billiards look lovely. Best of luck with the B&M.

 

[Akousticplyr]

Site is working for me!
Might be a VPN or adblocker etc browser issue for folks with problems seeing photos.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Specifically this one?

<Christopher Pipes - https://www.christopherpipes.com/rusticatedstackedbilliard.html>

The others open fine. I've cleared the cache and reloaded but still get a poor page.

 

[CoffeeAndBourbon]

Specifically this one?

<Christopher Pipes - https://www.christopherpipes.com/rusticatedstackedbilliard.html>

The others open fine. I've cleared the cache and reloaded but still get a poor page.

I can see all but the last pic using that link.

 

[bayareabriar]

Looks like a smoking workhorse! Reminds me of a few caminettos I had similar shape and they smoked great!

 

[bayareabriar]

Thank you for the kind words David, and MSO.
I purchase all my briar from Premal Chadra of RawKrafted.com
He is an established and well known artisan and provides pipe making supplies as well. He sells briar from a number of suppliers at different price ranges and levels of quality.
I haven't reached the point yet where I am confident enough that I won't ruin an expensive piece of high quality briar, so I stay with the economical briar, so that if I ruin a block, it doesn't hurt as bad financially ( or make me pull out what little is left of my hair) as it would if it was a $50.00 of $60.00 block.
One day perhaps, but that's a long ways down the tunnel yet.

Do you do stem polishing?

 

[Casual]

Do you do stem polishing?

I would think that what he does in his private time is none of our business.

 

[bayareabriar]

I would think that what he does in his private time is none of our business.

Ahahaha. Never ever leave your guard down here.