Also, let me note because of some criticism of MM (this does not challenge the complaints some have had: I'm not a hard core cobbler, but the Cobbits, especially the Shire, were irresistible) something that speaks to MM's ethic: When I ordered a MM freehand, they accidentally sent me, along with the large freehand, a lovely display plaque. But I don't hang pipes on the wall, and so had no use for it anyway. So I called them to tell them what I accidentally received, because first, it wasn't mine, and second, because I didn't want some poor lad or lass losing their job for inadvertently sending me the plaque, as I did as a youth when I processed books at a bookstore and forgot to keep credit card forms I made out for such book sales. (Not a single person who received these free books by my error ever returned them, btw.) I consequently lost my job, understandably. But I didn't want someone at MM to lose their job for the same reason, so I immediately called MM, told them of the error, and asked what to do, and please not to chastise the person who processed my order. They said not to worry, and keep the plaque, and the person who processed the order was safe and OK, these things happen. I thought that was pretty cool. Aftermath: since I didn't need or want the plaque, I sent it to the first person who wanted it to PM me from the sale forum.
The other issue: I think MM will make these Cobbits for years. Tolkien is one of the few authors who will survive this new century and beyond, so the Cobbits will always remain popular for pipe smokers, even people like me who previously only smoked cobs to help my rotation.
I am quickly growing hair on my feet waiting for my Shires.
