The sitting part is why my main garage and camping pipes are a couple of stubby pokers. No need to have a pipe rest. As noted above, it’s a utilitarian design, but can also be quite attractive as shown by the pipes you all are posting.
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The sitting part is why my main garage and camping pipes are a couple of stubby pokers. No need to have a pipe rest. As noted above, it’s a utilitarian design, but can also be quite attractive as shown by the pipes you all are posting.
Many years ago(2005) or so I had the same idea about several shapes
One day on the original "Smokers Forums", I asked the seasoned guys why Sixten Ivarrson had the balls to sell a regular old Billiard shape for $600!!! I was appalled!!!
Then an old forum member who was well known for not minching words, Ed Anderson says, "have you ever smoked one of Sixtens pipes?"
I of course said "no".
Ed said, "then shut up".
At that point I did some research and and learned that Sixten Ivarsson was and still may be the most legendary and accomplished pipe maker in history.
The pipe in question was a pipe from many years ago, and had a replacement stem made by his son, Lars Ivarsson.....another legend.
Then I was told by several great carvers....Rad Davis, Jan de Toit, Tim West, Chris Askwith, Paul Huerbet....that the Billiard shape is the most difficult to get PERFECT.
And that Billiards made by Sixten were indeed perfection.
That one comment from Ed sent me on a journey to learn more about the pipe making craft. I tried my hand at making a few, but learned I was more of a smoker than a maker. I do have several pipes I made in my rotation, but I'm not gonna quit my day job.
I was also told by these craftsmen that there is a reason "freehand" pipes are so popular. The classic shapes are NOT easy.
One day on the original "Smokers Forums", I asked the seasoned guys why Sixten Ivarrson had the balls to sell a regular old Billiard shape for $600!!! I was appalled!!!
Then an old forum member who was well known for not minching words, Ed Anderson says, "have you ever smoked one of Sixtens pipes?"
I of course said "no".
Ed said, "then shut up".
At that point I did some research and and learned that Sixten Ivarsson was and still may be the most legendary and accomplished pipe maker in history.
The pipe in question was a pipe from many years ago, and had a replacement stem made by his son, Lars Ivarsson.....another legend.
Then I was told by several great carvers....Rad Davis, Jan de Toit, Tim West, Chris Askwith, Paul Huerbet....that the Billiard shape is the most difficult to get PERFECT.
And that Billiards made by Sixten were indeed perfection.
That one comment from Ed sent me on a journey to learn more about the pipe making craft. I tried my hand at making a few, but learned I was more of a smoker than a maker. I do have several pipes I made in my rotation, but I'm not gonna quit my day job.
I was also told by these craftsmen that there is a reason "freehand" pipes are so popular. The classic shapes are NOT easy.
Interesting how preferences change over time.
I've never had strong feelings one way or the other about pokers (or any other shape, really). I do think I would enjoy one, though. It seems like a comfortable shape to hold in the hand.
I've never had strong feelings one way or the other about pokers (or any other shape, really). I do think I would enjoy one, though. It seems like a comfortable shape to hold in the hand.
Great story, Sig.Many years ago(2005) or so I had the same idea about several shapes
One day on the original "Smokers Forums", I asked the seasoned guys why Sixten Ivarrson had the balls to sell a regular old Billiard shape for $600!!! I was appalled!!!
Then an old forum member who was well known for not minching words, Ed Anderson says, "have you ever smoked one of Sixtens pipes?"
I of course said "no".
Ed said, "then shut up".
At that point I did some research and and learned that Sixten Ivarsson was and still may be the most legendary and accomplished pipe maker in history.
The pipe in question was a pipe from many years ago, and had a replacement stem made by his son, Lars Ivarsson.....another legend.
Then I was told by several great carvers....Rad Davis, Jan de Toit, Tim West, Chris Askwith, Paul Huerbet....that the Billiard shape is the most difficult to get PERFECT.
And that Billiards made by Sixten were indeed perfection.
That one comment from Ed sent me on a journey to learn more about the pipe making craft. I tried my hand at making a few, but learned I was more of a smoker than a maker. I do have several pipes I made in my rotation, but I'm not gonna quit my day job.
I was also told by these craftsmen that there is a reason "freehand" pipes are so popular. The classic shapes are NOT easy.
I had a similar experience years ago when I commented on a particular saddle maker's product and price. A fella asked me off line if I'd ever ridden one of his saddles. I said no and he replied, "I didn't think so."
He schooled me privately and was a bit more subtle than Ed Anderson must have been with you but I got the message loud and clear.
Never question the price a maker places on their product. They know what extras they have built into it which make it head and shoulders ahead of some others.
It doesn’t take much to change one’s mind. If something catches your eye, you start thinking about that thing, then you start to see other qualities that all of a sudden become more intriguing…. The rabbit hole has no door.
Down the rabbit hole. I couldn’t pass on this Radice. I’m referring to it simply as the Tiki Tourch. A Mai Tai and a bowl of Virginia flake sounds right to me.
I'm going through a more or less dramatic change myself with pipes. Starting out I only wanted straight billiards. Now 12 years later I've started only buying bent pipes. I've heard people say bent pipes don't always smoke well for the inexperienced so maybe that has something to do with it.
But the good old straight billiards hurt my teeth these days. Full bent billiard is the way to go now. And this change has started this year.
But the good old straight billiards hurt my teeth these days. Full bent billiard is the way to go now. And this change has started this year.
Talk about hurting your teeth, @BingBong brought up this week not caring for the "P-lip" bit. Do you have problems with that type of mouthpiece, as well??
Cool looking pipe and aptly named.
I am gonna ask a dumb question here, but do you have to place your finger over the hole in the shank in order to draw, or is it just cosmetic??
Thats funny you say this, cause I only just started about a year ago and I favor straight billiards. Maybe in 12 years I'll be where your at lol
I don't really clench my pipe though, I more or less just hold it.
No actually. The only plip I have is very confortable. However it is on a full bent Pete. I'm assuming it's just straight vs bent thing nowadays.
Have you tried the "lazy dangle"? If I have to clench a pipe because I need both hands, that's how I hold any pipe, but I also don't have any that are more than 1/4 bend.
I hook the bit on my top teeth and hold the bottom of the stem with my lip (doesn't touch bottom teeth) and let the pipe dangle.
Yes that's the only way I can smoke straight pipes. Even that gets irritating on my upper teeth after long sessions. Everything has to hang effortlessly or it goes away lol.
Next thing we know you’ll be buying estates….
I’ve not been able to bring myself to try a poker. I like light straight clenchers, and they seem (operative with there) that they wouldn’t be such. I do like sitters, but so far have stuck with flat bottomed or bottom profiles like volcanoes have. I’d imagine the marvels of proper engineering and balance could overcome my concerns, but just haven’t been moved to try one yet.
Now if these pictures don't convince @Sobrbiker to buy a poker....... nothing will. Beauties....
I may be a victim of ignorance and semantics.
When I say “poker” I think of the thick walled cylinder bowls with an angled cut on bottom to offset a thick “shortish” stem.
I do have a Pete 701 and an old WDC Milano that I guess could fit the category, but their angle of dangle and length of stems don’t say “poker” to me.
Don't know about the personal style of @Sobrbiker but if those are the gold standard I wouldn't have bought one.