Here's my pipe for tonight. It's a cheap little no name I got on ebay from a China seller. But it's actually a great little smoker; and it takes 9mm charcoal filters which I like. And to go with it; a nice hot cup of Jasmine Tea!
Well I like both of those! Those bowl walls look nice and thick, I bet they are pretty cool smokers and don't get hot easily.
In my early pipe days, I bought a pipe mostly by appearance and how it felt in my hand. Those are still important to me, but I've learned to go with thicker walls when possible, and to make sure the draft hole is right at the bottom. I lucked up on some of my early purchases, such as the old Charatan. A couple of early pipes had thin walls or poorly positioned draft hole.
Not a great picture in low light but once again by poolside on a business trip. This time it's a Neerup poker style with Brigham Acadian, a VaPer that is mild on the Perique. Just right to me, but a little pricy at my local B&M. I try to support local businesses all I can, but I'll have to get this elsewhere next time. This should be my last out of town trip before starting new job 6 miles from home! No more self employment tax, and benefits plus increase in earnings!
Thanks Chris. Neerup pipes aren't necessarily inexpensive, but offer good value. And I appreciate all the prayers and support from you and others on the employment situation. I was able to make some money doing contract work, but the drive was wearing me out, and it was far from ideal. Glad to be employed full time again.
They are pretty reasonably priced. http://www.ebay.com/itm/191318429058?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT http://www.ebay.com/itm/191318432746?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
I have never tried a Neerup. I was looking at a few Nordings the other day. So far I have mostly collected Italian and English made pipes, many under no label or house label. It might be time to get a few Danes. I have a Kriswill full bent Egg, and a 91 vintage Savinelli that I need to spend more time with, but both are 90-120 min burns...huge bowls. I think draft is the most important thing, followed by thicker walls. The more I smoke Virginia (and flake in general), the more I prefer straight saddle stem, and not too wide of a bowl.
Thanks for the links. I actually contacted Savinelli directly. I like the pics in the links though, they give a better overall view than the Savinelli site. Looks like that pipe has a pretty sizeable bowl. That's good. I like a longer smoke.
I might put draft first also, but only slightly. You know I kind of prefer a wider bowl. One of my Nordings in particular has a wider bowl, and I consider it one of my two best pipes. Perhaps that's a personal preference kind of thing.
To continue the thought on proper draft, if the pipe doesn't draw well, it's not going to smoke well, ever. You'll wind up huffing and puffing, with "leather" tongue from smoking too hot trying for a good draw. If the walls are thin, you can puff very slowly, sipping, to reduce heat. I have one friend that prefers to smoke his pipes on the verge of going out. I don't like to let it get quite that low.
There is a lot of technique to pipe smoking. First, there are the technical aspects of pipe selection, considering proper draft hole alignment, proper stem to shank fit, and bowl thickness. Then there's the aesthetic aspect, totally subjective. Straight versus quarter bend versus half bend versus deep bend versus sitter or not. Smooth versus rusticated. Vulcanite stem versus acrylic. Sometimes I like a very simple appearance, sometimes a little ornate but not too much, and it has to feel good in my hand. Then the tobacco has to be properly packed; then there is the charring light, and relight after tamping. And tamping has to be done correctly and just in time. The best time to tamp is just before you think you need it. And lastly there is proper pipe cleaning and rotation. If this last step isn't done, you can quickly sour a pipe. But I enjoy all that! I like the ritual and proper technique almost as much as I enjoy the smoke! And if you don't do all that, the chances of a poor or less than stellar experience multiply significantly.
A mid-day smoke for me too, McClelland Gray Haven, mild Virginia/Burley mixture with a very light topping in my one and only Meerschaum. I never could get the coloring to even out by holding by the stem and avoiding hand contact, so I forgot about that, just hold it and enjoy it!
Lane Crown Achievement, a pleasant Latakia blend that is very smooth and not in your face, smoked in a Stratford Copper Grain. This is an English pipe, a second, but I'm not sure who it was made by. Purchased around 1979 or 1980, and the only deep bend pipe I own.
I'm in the same boat. Although since I was on nights before I got laid off this morning I might just enjoy a bowl in the early hours!
Sorry to hear about your getting laid off. I was "retired" June 30, 2014, and laid off a couple of other times through the years, so I know what it's like. Is it permanent or a temporary lay-off with a chance of recall?
Sadly I work in the chemical plants as a contractor so lay offs happen way more than I'd like. It's fine though I'll eventually get out of this
