A warm afternoon in Houston. This Tinsky is my only smooth briar, most are sandblasted or rusticated.
Escudo Navy De Luxe in the Stanwell 403 Army Mount. Nice end to the short but productive work portion of my day. Like you @Eric Redd, most of mine are rusticated. The exceptions are all Estate pipes.
Ser Jacapo straight apple loaded with Gawith Navy Flake! First time smoking the Navy Flake but really enjoying it (I keep smoking it hot and getting some bite, but that is because I have to improve my technique). Anyone got any hints??
Good looking pipe. As to bite, it's the alkaloids in the tobacco, and puffing too hard and fast. Get a cool glass of something acidic, like a Coca-Cola, put you feet up, and relax. Tapatalk Via Kyocera
Pack Flake loose and smoke slow. Navy Flake is VA with a high sugar content. This means lots of fuel to burn hot if pushed too quickly. @RyX is right about acid balancing it out with a beverage.
I have always really appreciated the simple, almost stoic, designs that Stanwell makes. They are definitely great pipes for daily smokers, and the rustic finishes are some of the best in the biz.
@Preacher, I agree with this and @RyX. I really like a little Coca Cola with a pipe, but usually just sip on some water, coffee, or hot tea because I've really cut back on sodas. I would say smoking Virginias without getting tongue bite, or "leather tongue" (smoking too hot and/or fast without the PH reaction) takes a bit of practice and patience. They must be "sipped," smoked very slowly, and tamping before you think it's time to tamp, although that really applies to any pipe tobacco. If you clench a lot, take time to remove the pipe from your mouth and hold it for a few seconds before drawing again
Half and half mixture of H&H Virginia Spice and Esoterica Peacehaven in a Chacom stack billiard. I'm kind of discovering that mixing a blend that I'm kind of meh... about with another one that is either ok or meh... produces a hybrid that is..... meh....
Makes sense. (meh)+(meh)=2(meh). Not a Super Lather happening there. Both Virginia, one with a touch of Perique. I'm finding I like the full body of a Burley, the slighty fruitiness of a Cavendish, and the full on pepper and plum of Perique. Consider spicing it up a little?
Riding out to have supper with my folks, enjoyed a serving of Erinmore Flake in the Kaywoodie Magnum. It's a Virginia/Burley blend with a pineapple tin note. While out and about today my everyday PS Toasted Burley with a pinch of Natural Dutch Cavendish in the Chacom. Between the two a pleasant sweetness with an occasional campfire roasted marshmallow. Not a Latakia. Not yet.
I picked it up from a local thrift store. The stinger is intact! For being stamped "Magnum" it's not a large bowl, and the finish is odd. It's a weird mottled green brown color with an almost plastic gloss finish. The chamber tapers toward the bottom. I load it with straight Perique when I'm feeling the need of a dose of Vitamin N.
Sitter and nosewarmer. I see these being made now by several artisan pipemakers. It's a good size for carrying in ones coat pocket, but the large bowl can be stoked into too much heat if I'm not careful.
Nice pipes! My taste also goes toward Italian pipes. I have several Ser Jacapos and Savinellis including two Savinelli 320ks's.
