Thanks for the compliments! I think this one’s a keeper. Didn’t mention earlier that it’s a vulcanite stem. I’m ok with acrylic but not my preference.Absolutely gorgeous, and unique, pipe. Love the contrast and the rich, dark brown color. Great choice!
***What Are You Smoking, August 2025?***
- Thread starter JimInks
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John Dengler Black Maria in a Stanwell 203 Zebrano. This is a handsome pipe to be sure and while not my favorite, it is unique enough that I can't bring myself to sell it.
Last Flake of MB Virginia in a Radice Rind.
Telegraph Hill in the Bones Poker with morning coffee. Big weekend of family birthdays and local events ahead. Whooppeeee! 
Happy August to everyone!
It is much cooler today and overcast. Many got storms when the cool front came through, but it missed us. We could have used the rain, but I'll take the cooler temps and be happy.
Trying some new things with a new month.
Thanks to the influence of many (especially @MortarMessiah ) I picked up some C&D Low Country, Pee Dee. When I opened it, the tin note was heavy with a rich chocolate aroma, but I only found the first smoke to have a fraction of chocolate. I did get some molasses and a bit of sweetness from the Virginias but the burleys brought some nutty, bread flavors. Of course, the perique did provide some spicy nips.
It was moist when I first opened it and the first third of the bowl started a little bit of gurgling, but by the halfway point that was gone. Very nice smoke.
I brought out my new Roush Poker to try this in and lit it up with my Zippo and used my .45-70 shell tamper.
Had a Diet Coke to drink.
The horses are grazing and enjoying the cooler temps and the dogs are working on their morning "chews."
A nice way to start the month of August.....
It is much cooler today and overcast. Many got storms when the cool front came through, but it missed us. We could have used the rain, but I'll take the cooler temps and be happy.
Trying some new things with a new month.
Thanks to the influence of many (especially @MortarMessiah ) I picked up some C&D Low Country, Pee Dee. When I opened it, the tin note was heavy with a rich chocolate aroma, but I only found the first smoke to have a fraction of chocolate. I did get some molasses and a bit of sweetness from the Virginias but the burleys brought some nutty, bread flavors. Of course, the perique did provide some spicy nips.
It was moist when I first opened it and the first third of the bowl started a little bit of gurgling, but by the halfway point that was gone. Very nice smoke.
I brought out my new Roush Poker to try this in and lit it up with my Zippo and used my .45-70 shell tamper.
Had a Diet Coke to drink.
The horses are grazing and enjoying the cooler temps and the dogs are working on their morning "chews."
A nice way to start the month of August.....
This is a wonderful pipe, and I've used it as a "model" for my second to last purchase, and will talk about this when it comes and I post it.
Even though it seems I've been on a buying rampage, in a sense I haven't because I've simply replaced a pipe I've given away to an aspiring friend or student with knowledge of Vitamin N, with something I prefer - so the number of pipes I have remains constant. All my students are of university age now (leave the beginners to others, merci bokoops) thus avoiding the hassle of parental authority. Interesting to note the amount of these parents who, when presented with researched scientific data on our cherished vitamin fixation, join the fold as well.
I'm not really a collector per se, but a user with a definite rotation. It's like building a football team. I'm extremely happy with the replacements, and have only one more pipe to purchase, a Rusticated Savinelli Bing, at the urging of friend Paul. He's right on with this one, because my Savinelli Avorio is a magnificent smoking machine, and the Bing will fill in the gap of a solo Sav. The Bing is a premium pipe (for me) so I have to save a bit more cash before I push the button. A lot of you pensioners out there will know the drill.
The pipe coming is not an expensive job but is very similar in shape and outline to the pipe in your post - but made of olivewood. It will hopefully survive the cut. And it is a real pleasure to give away pipes to those interested, as many here know.
I've learned a lot by studying the pipes posted, and have developed definite preferences. Certain designs just smoke well, but in all fairness other designs will do so too, but may take a little more effort. But once in a while, it might be necessary to cater to a fantastic corner linebacker who is also a flake . . .
it has been my observation that if most guys in the thread keep reposting a certain pipe, I figure there is a very good reason for that, no matter how large their personal collection is. There is an axiom in the teaching world - good teachers are almost always good students.
Once the rotation is finalized, and it's pretty much there, I'll be concentrating on refining my tobacco store, and keeping the rotation in some semblance of sanity, given the restrictions given to us by those who are unfortunately in authority.
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12 year old HH ODF (ribbon cut bulk) in Big Ben Presidential.
C&D Cavendish Cut Burley Morgan Bones Porch Buddy (larger) with a cup of black coffee.
Passing the half way mark of this bowl of year 2024 Edward G. Robinson's Pipe Blend in a 2014 Basil Meadows smooth slight bend squashed tomato with an aluminum band and a black pearl acrylic stem in the military mount style. Fed my cats, Daisy the Feral Princess and Harry the Hairy. Dunno where Tomato the Brave is. The sky is full of clouds and thunderstorms are expected. That's when Tomato hides wherever he hides, and it's not always here. Watching the Braves-Reds game. Ice water and bergs is my drink.
Oriental Dusk in a Tim West "Old West Briar" NOS: 50+yr old Algerian briar billiard.
Ruins of Windsor from The Squire in a Grabow
San Cristobal Supremo and reading on a cool afternoon. Cleaned out the fire ring, going to have a cookout this evening. 
Quiet Nights in a Pete SH Professor. 
WCC ACPM in a Falcon shelieghleigh 
Peterson Deluxe Navy Rolls in a Cavicchi Dublin And Diet Coke on the side.
Did a set of walking reps, and am close to finishing this bowl of year 2016 D&R Three Sails in a slight bent black pattern etched 1977 Lorenzo Lorsan Sigma level top billiard with a gray swirl acrylic saddle stem. Tomato the Brave came out of the sewer when I started walking, and when I finished, he followed me inside and ate.
F&T Blackjack in a Dunhill Tanshell 3203 billiard, black french roast on the side.
Unexpectedly home today after finding our main water line from the meter had broken sometime yesterday. Should be fully repaired this afternoon.
Unexpectedly home today after finding our main water line from the meter had broken sometime yesterday. Should be fully repaired this afternoon.
Hey there, Jim. For those of us who love Edward G. R. but do not have any cellared up, have you found anything out there, in your "blend" travels, that is darn close to the characteristics of EGR??
I'd love to find a fall back blend that can fill the niche. thanks. Mark
MacBaren's Old Dark Flake in a half bent Futiura rusticated Dublin, holidaying ion North Wales. Those are the Moelwyn mountains in the background.
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