This is my first pipe, a Tinder Box "Verona". My girlfriend bought it for me after our high school graduation in 1973. A lot of Captain Black was burned in that pipe! It still smokes fine.
Show Us Your First Pipe
- Thread starter Duke of Erinmore
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First one? This Country Gent. It now has a vulcanite stem, as seen in the picture, but is otherwise unremarkable other than it smokes really well. And is stained/colored from sweaty, dirty hands. I know it’s just a cob, and is just like all the other Country Gentleman pipes that come out of the factory, but it is one of my favorite pipes, and frequently smoked.
It is now relegated to cigar leaf blends. Mostly Billy Budd, Habana Daydream, and the occasional bowl of Key Largo.
It is now relegated to cigar leaf blends. Mostly Billy Budd, Habana Daydream, and the occasional bowl of Key Largo.
Managed to break one of my 2 'smoked' clay pipes when I tripped over a tree root or something last night.
Has it ever happened to you when you smoked clays?
I think everyone that smokes clay pipes regularly has broken at least one but I've broken a few in the 2 years since I took up the clay.
You're right Simon, I should be more careful!
Mum & Dad are looking after my other pipes for now; should I sell the ones that have unglazed tips or just use them at living history re-enactments?
Once again, I would be interested in your Pollock pipes when you return to the UK - and I don't want to break any more!
I've finished another packet of Condor Ready Rubbed but feel I'd like to cut down on both the beer and the 'pipe weed'!
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First regularly smoked pipe, primitive homemade, lilac stem, crabapple bowl.
First briar, a no name Italian made basket pipe with a rock hard plastic stem. Instant gurgle within two puffs until I took a needle file set and a drill bit to the end of the tenon and airway. It's a great smoker now, perfect clenching shape and balance but the hard stem hurts my teeth.
First briar, a no name Italian made basket pipe with a rock hard plastic stem. Instant gurgle within two puffs until I took a needle file set and a drill bit to the end of the tenon and airway. It's a great smoker now, perfect clenching shape and balance but the hard stem hurts my teeth.
@halfdan : I used to buy a box of 50/100 all sorted clays every month from Gordon Pollock since that was the number I would run through and break. My late Mothers back garden still looks like an archeologists wet dream from all the clay pipe fragments. This figure was not unusual as I have been informed that a heavy smoker in Victorian England would easily go through 25/40 clays a week. The unglazed pipes can be rendered safer if you paint the tips with harden nail polish. Measure from the tip inwards by 1 inch and then wrap some tape around the stem leaving the tip exposed. Borrow some red or hard nail varnish from your girlfriend and paint the stem. Let it set over night and then remove the tape. Hey presto you have a glazed tip that will not stick to your lips. Smoking an entire pack of Condor is a fairly unique achievement in one sitting. Slow done a little. You tongue and your wallet will thank you for the experience. I have not forgotten and when I get back to the U.K I'll send you some Pollock pipes. I had not forgotten. I never do!
Kaywoodie Fine Line, bought at Navy Gedunk by nurse for me while I was in hospital. Smoked it in janitors closet late at night!
I don't have my first pipe but the first pipe I smoked was Falcon.
Thanks Simon, I didn't smoke all my pipe baccy in one go, it was a full day out and don't smoke it very day!
It was when I celebrated the end of lockdown by going for a few pints of real ale - and a few pipefuls of baccy!
I've uploaded a few more videos to my 'pipe videos' YouTube channel; see them here:
I've also learned about 'breath smoking' from YouTube videos (breath in through your nose and blow back out through the pipe) as I'm told this delivers a much cooler smoke and my baccy lasts me longer.
I've only got one clay pipe at home now following my accident; accidents will happen!
Thanks for the advice on pipe smoking and coating the mouthpiece of my clay pipes.
Is there any particular nail varnish I should use to paint the mouthpiece?
I've only broken one clay pipe this year - so far!
Thanks, Dan.
What type of stem is that - I have a stem that looks about the same and I am trying to identify the material
Beautiful Pipe Btw - your gf must have been a gem
It's an acrylic stem.
Yes, my girlfriend was a gem! That's why I married her two years later =) It's been 43 years now.
I forgot to add the picture of my first pipe inn my previous post so here it is. A Savinelli Linea Piu 5 Apple with a Silver Ring,
@condorlover1 I thought you might like this vintage film of Pollock pipes factory in Manchester - I wouldn't have minded a smoke with these guys:
I knew Gordon Pollock well and visited his factory on Stott Street on several occasions in the late 1980s. I used to ride my motorcycle from Essex to his place on Stott Street in Manchester. He used to use his own clay pipes and cut up his own plug. He only died a few years ago and was a truly interesting man. although he retired from the business in 1992 I think.
Bent Dublin basket pipe, stamped ITALY from John B Hayes Tobacconist Fair Oakes Mall Fairfax VA in 2001
About the same... it's been 33ish years. It was a rusticated straight Billiard basket pipe. I only smoked off and on a year (or few) in the late 80's to help stay awake in the patrol car on nights. Newer 1st pipe is this from Edwards B&M shop in Tampa...
I cannot show my first pipe. It was a corn cob that I purchased in Lexington Kentucky on September 13, 2011.
I knew absolutely nothing about smoking a pipe and between eagerness, ignorance and too much bourbon, I literally burned it, my tongue, a finger and my face up.
I actually burned the shank off and the rim was burned. Not scorched from lighting wet tobacco.
But here I am. Still puffing and enjoying my pipes.
I knew absolutely nothing about smoking a pipe and between eagerness, ignorance and too much bourbon, I literally burned it, my tongue, a finger and my face up.
I actually burned the shank off and the rim was burned. Not scorched from lighting wet tobacco.
But here I am. Still puffing and enjoying my pipes.