And I have a couple pounds of it jarred. You'd think I'd know better. I blame it on age (and the 70's), lol.
Three Sails looks interesting. I got some Sam Gawith Medium Virginia Flake in my last order. It arrived a tad dry, so I've put a water pillow in the jar, going to let that percolate a while. I did try a couple bowls, and liked it. Probably not quite on a par with FVF, but close. It's bulk broken flake.
In all honesty, skip the Three Sails. I only got it because it was part of a package I ordered to get the Stanwell and the case super cheap. Three Sails is dominated by sweet hay-like flavor, bordering on European cigarette tobacco. There are too many other good ones out there. Off to select a flake and a briar...
Haven't had time to sit down amd enjoy a pipe lately, other than while cutting the grass, which really doesn't count! Plus, it's been just too hot around here lately. But this morning I got out early enough before it got so hot, and had a bowl of Lane Crown Achievement in my deep bend Coppertone pipe. Accompanied by some Irish breakfast tea, and reading an issue of The American Rifleman.
Been really busy lately and thus unable to get on and post. But tonight, I have made time dagnabbit! Got in an order from P&C today, so enjoying some Skandinavik Full Aroma in a small Italian churchwarden.
I wanted to get some Anniversary Kake in my last order, but bulk was on back order. I guess I could have got the tin, but I'll get some later. Another blend I wanted to get was the H&H blend with cigar leaf in it. It was also on back order. I have really enjoyed the 2 H&H blends I did get, A.J.'s VaPer and Louisana Red.
So, I went into this little antique / thrift store today actually looking for razors, when I spotted this cool looking pipe. It's a Wenholt, hand made in Denmark. When the dude told me I could have it for 25 bucks, I jumped on it. Soon to fill it with Orlik golden sliced and give it a go!
Good find, that's a nice looking pipe. It appears the stem and shank are relatively short, which is typical of Danish pipes, especially ones actually smoked by Danes.
Well, just about done with a bowl, actually 3/4 of a bowl due to break in and this is definitely a keeper. An hour for 3/4 of a bowl is a good smoke time for me (I like a smoke to last me an hour and a half or so). Best 25 bucks I ever spent, and a good reminder to break out my briar more and give the cobs a little break.
Hey guys! So, I had posted a while back that I was waiting for a package to arrive from a pipe company for testing and review. It's been a little while (customs is a pain), but it finally arrived!!! I'll have pics up soon as well as a few quick thoughts on the pipes; but just so ya'll don't have to wait, I recieved a Brand new Ranger churchwarden and a brand new "Mini" Seafarer churchwarden from Macqueen pipes! =D
[/ATTACH] Here are a few pics. I'll get more as I go, lol. I haven't smoked either of the yet, although the Ranger and some Skandinavik Full Aroma are on the agenda for my reading pipe tonight. I do have to say that I'm pleased with the quality though. There is in my opinion things to slighlty improve, but that may just be due to my own aesthetic. That being said, I really love the look and feel of them. These things aren't cheap! Well, they are price wise; but quality wise, these are well made pipes. I went with ashwood (you can choose Ash, Cherry or a Briar bowl) for several reasons: It doesn't absorb flavor like briar and cherry; which works for me as I like to smoke different tobaccos, it has a much more pronounced grain, and it was a tree revered by my ancestors. One thing I want to say in case anyone decides to look up info on Macqueen; they have a VERY BAD reputation. However, it is greatly undeserved in my opinion. Peoples complaints arise from having to wait up to a year to get the pipe they ordered (this was years ago). Now, that may seem a valid complaint, and I'd agree. But what you WON'T find people say, is the reason why. When they started, Macqueen was a pretty small setup; and they started during the release years of the famed Lord of the Rings movies. Due to that and the immense popularity of the movies, their already fair business grew by over 500%!!!! This was because everyone wanted to have a pipe like the one smoked by their favorite character from the movie. As you can imagine, the Macqueens were caught of guard by this and had to work VERY hard to try to meet orders, but regardless, it took time. Since then, they now have a bigger shop, and much lower waiting times. So in summation, I'd say don't believe the bad rap and try them for yourselves. There is nothing like smoking a pipe made entirely by wood and crafted by loving hands. And I guarantee they have something for everyone. I'm actually already planning on buying a Wizard and an Oakenshield. I'll have full reviews to come; hope ya'll enjoy them. Happy smoking my friends! =)
Those are some attractive pipes, even for someone like me who isn't a big fan of churchwardens. Can't wait to hear how they smoke!
It appears there is no stem, just the long wooden shank. So you're putting the end of the wooden shank in your mouth, right? I suppose this isn't a pipe you would clench in your teeth, so that would work. I do wonder how the end that goes in your mouth would hold up over time. However, there is precedent for this, I know at least for inexpensive pipes such as clays, and the original corn cob pipes used a simple piece of hollowed cane for shanks/stems. Clays were clenched, as evidenced by dental records from the civil war era. The original cobs could be clenched, I suppose, but I'm guessing they were primarily held in hand. Those are beautiful pipes, thanks for sharing. I've never particularly wanted a Churchwarden, but these could change my mind!
