Thanks Cigar.
So far so great.
I was trying to be all sneaky. But Phil immediately guessed (he cheated though). It's crafted by Tim George, our very own RafterTRG.
Just great work. Delrin tenon, a delrin sleeve, and great drilling. A falcon extra thin pipe cleaner practically falls through the airway.
Not only a well carved and finished pipe but it's guts are done right.
I'm going to spend some time getting to know it and then post or blog about the whole experience from initial discussions, the concept, the collaboration, Tim's service and personal touch etc.
It's far and away the best pipe I own. Of course its competition is some old cobs, a couple Pete's and my own cherry cobblers. But I suspect I won't find a pipe that smokes better. I did my level best to make it gurgle. Refused to clean it during a long smoke with wet tobacco. Over-smoked it (Don't worry Tim I didn't heat it way up)and not one hint of a gurgle. The damned thing must be defective. Because I thought a pipe was supposed to gurgle.
And as an added benefit I can use it to ward of muggers, anti-smokers, and other vermin. It's a good sized and heavy built pipe. Not too heavy. It's comfortable. But it has the feel that you could easily drive nails with it and it would stand up just fine.