Show me that workhorse pipe!

[MisterBadger]

This feller. A 'Makonde' straight Rhodesian, made of Tanzanian Amboseli Meerschaum by theKilimajaro Pipe Company Ltd. with a Vulcanite stem. It's a survivor - had some rough treatment in its 50 to 70 years, looks like it's been brutally reamed, clenched, carried in a pocket with loose change, car keys and whatnot, and smoked a very great deal. It was the most abused of a cheap job lot of estate pipes I won in an auction a while ago, unsaleable on its own but I couldn't bear to throw it away,so I smoothed away the chips and cuts as best I could, and beeswaxed it over a few times. Not a pretty sight but I've gotten quite attached to it, it smokes beautifully and is, in its way, irreplaceable.

 

[Wesley pipes]

This feller. A 'Makonde' straight Rhodesian, made of Tanzanian Amboseli Meerschaum by theKilimajaro Pipe Company Ltd. with a Vulcanite stem. It's a survivor - had some rough treatment in its 50 to 70 years, looks like it's been brutally reamed, clenched, carried in a pocket with loose change, car keys and whatnot, and smoked a very great deal. It was the most abused of a cheap job lot of estate pipes I won in an auction a while ago, unsaleable on its own but I couldn't bear to throw it away,so I smoothed away the chips and cuts as best I could, and beeswaxed it over a few times. Not a pretty sight but I've gotten quite attached to it, it smokes beautifully and is, in its way, irreplaceable.View attachment 435629

Very nice state of preservation! the Briar looks like a well worn piece of leather.

 

[Joe H]

If I'm doing something that's a risk of damage or loss while piping, one of these two get the nod. I made them both from dinner corn after it was eaten and bamboo garden stakes from around the house for free. They both smoke great and are in my small pipe rotation. I'd hate to lose either one, but it would be little trouble to make new ones if needed.

 

[tartanphantom]

This feller. A 'Makonde' straight Rhodesian, made of Tanzanian Amboseli Meerschaum by theKilimajaro Pipe Company Ltd. with a Vulcanite stem. It's a survivor - had some rough treatment in its 50 to 70 years, looks like it's been brutally reamed, clenched, carried in a pocket with loose change, car keys and whatnot, and smoked a very great deal. It was the most abused of a cheap job lot of estate pipes I won in an auction a while ago, unsaleable on its own but I couldn't bear to throw it away,so I smoothed away the chips and cuts as best I could, and beeswaxed it over a few times. Not a pretty sight but I've gotten quite attached to it, it smokes beautifully and is, in its way, irreplaceable.View attachment 435629

The best-looking dates are not necessarily the best dates.
Sometimes you prefer one with more life experience and less pretentiousness.

I'd put a pipe like that into "The DB's" category for life experience.

 

[Wesley pipes]

used to have a much smaller bowl. She got smoked to an extra large with thin walls

 

[MisterBadger]

Very nice state of preservation! the Briar looks like a well worn piece of leather.

It's a Meer, I promise you

 

[Wesley pipes]

It's a Meer, I promise you

Wait… really? I must have missed that the first read, that meerschaum looks like wood that looks like leather!
that must have had a ton of tobacco run through it.