I keep digging this thread up to ogle the Bannard at the top, it's the most perfect pipe I've laid eyes on.
Well, then, here's a few more, Marm, enjoy:
I have probably owned over a 100 pipes (of all shapes, sizes and qualities), but this really is the pipe that beats them all, in terms of overall design, shaping, engineering, and, most of all, its smoking qualities. Even better than that, this is, by far, the most comfortable pipe to clench that I've ever owned. I don't normally clench because my jaw gets fatiqued pretty quickly--not so with this pipe (which I can clench for a whole bowl, or longer, without my jaw getting sore). The stem is shaped perfectly, so it just sits--no, "hangs,"--in your mouth so comfortably, that I kind of forget it's even there. It's
really well balanced and despite its good looks, I don't ever feel like I have to baby it. In fact, I often smoke it while I'm working (I make leather items and occasionally, furniture--which can be very physical). It's the perfect pipe for working because I just kind of put it in my mouth and forget about it. I've also experienced fewer re-lights (with all kinds of different tobacco) in this pipe than with most of my other pipes. I could go on an on...but suffice it to say, Todd makes some of the best smoking pipes out there, period, and I really think his work will become the stuff of legend.
The last pic is my pipe, fresh off the workbench, in the hands of the maker. As evidenced by that photo (the simple flash photography, the stained hands and calloused fingers) Todd is a humble, generous, hard working guy who, you can tell, puts a lot of love (in addition to blood, sweat and tears) into his work, and into the pipe community and it really shows. Again, I could go on and on, but, let me put it to you this way...
There are three things every man should have (or at least, experience, at least one time in their life):
1. A good sense of purpose.
2. A good woman.
and
3. A good tobacco pipe.
Again, do yourself a favor, check out his website (or drop the man a line--he doesn't bite [even though his nickname is "Sasquatch"]), think about a pipe you want made (and oh, how fun that is!), beg, borrow or steal (or just save up--although you might not have to do any of those as his prices are super reasonable--too reasonable, but, I don't think that will last long as more people realize what a great pipemaker Todd is), have Todd make you a pipe, and, you'll be on your way to having the most important of the three things listed above (because one and two pass on with time, but a good tobacco pipe lasts forever...or at least till you die).
