What’s Happening To Me?

[cosmicfolklore]

I'm not a fan of pokers either. I've seen some beautiful pokers, but just don't want one. Volcanos and blowfish also. There are lots of beautiful pipes out there, that I admire, but just wouldn't want. But, I am glad someone does show these pipes some love.

 

[Choatecav]

Don't know about the personal style of @Sobrbiker but if those are the gold standard I wouldn't have bought one.

Awww shucks, CE..... everyone can't have a collection like you have......

I love the look of a well-used and smoked pipe. Of course, that may stem from my cleaning and buffing shortfalls...

 

[Choatecav]

I'm not a fan of pokers either. I've seen some beautiful pokers, but just don't want one. Volcanos and blowfish also. There are lots of beautiful pipes out there, that I admire, but just wouldn't want. But, I am glad someone does show these pipes some love.

Not sure why, but I have always loved the basic, utilitarian aspect of a poker. Short stem, a sitter, squared off lines. Just looks like a good, functional pipe that can take some knocks.

 

[SSGT.]

I was gifted a cheap Joyoldelf poker, and though I liked the convince of it being a sitter and the simplicity of the shape. I really don't care for the way it smokes. But I'm guessing that has more to do with the quality than the shape.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

The poker is certainly a specimen of form following function, Your Holiness. It's utilitarian in origin as it's simply what cherrywoods and cobs look like when you do as little work as possible (and, I expect that it's simpler to turn out in briar, as well). If you just want a chamber to smoke tobacco in, well there you go. But in most human endeavors, we cultivate art on and in our useful artifacts.

Francis might smoke a poker. Pius XII never would have.

In all seriousness, if you like it, enjoy! I can sort of see appreciating it as rustic.

Your post got me thinking. I’ve never cared for the Poker shape when made from Briar or Meerschaum; the only time I purchased a briar version was a Nording Compass as a gift for our friend, John, so that he could have both a traditional length pipe and a Churchwarden with the swap of a stem. But, I didn’t get one for myself. The odd thing is (which is why your post got me thinking) is I do buy Ropp Cherrywood and Cob pipes for myself, the obvious irony being that they’re essentially Pokers—thinking this through, part of the appeal of these pipes is the organic simplicity appeals to me on some level. Tree branch with a hole; attach a stick with a hole. Piece of food with a hole; attach a stick with a hole. As you, said, utilitarian.

Mulling this over, I think the difference for me when it come to pipes made with Briar or Meerschaum is I have a prejudice and desire for the material to be crafted and carved more artfully—I have an expectation of an artist/pipemaker finding greater beauty and grace and shaping the material into something that goes beyond utilitarian, i.e., the Poker/Cherrywood/Cob shape. That’s not to say a Poker can’t be artfully made (some nice ones have been shared in this thread), but I better understand why I don’t gravitate towards Pokers because of your post—it forced me to think about why Cherrywoods and Cobs are acceptable to me, but Pokers generally aren’t. Thank you.

 

[quantumboy]

I like pokers. They're pretty cool, and I really do like the ability to set it down flat if I need to. However, also having made a few pipes, the biggest attraction for me is the draw. A poker is easy - the draft hole is perpendicular to the chamber, and it's tough to get it wrong. On a bent pipe it gets weird, and therefore I think I may experience a bit more gurgle on bents or other shapes because of the angle of the draft hole where it enters the chamber. My main criteria is smokability, so I have several favorites in several shapes.

 

[BingBong]

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??

HARRIS WAS RIGHT!!