Missouri meerschaum Legend with Capstan Navy Cut ready rubbed. (Capstan blue) I’m sure every pipe smoker has tried this blend, said to be a favorite of J.R.R. Tolkien. A simple straight Virginia that manages to be one of my favorites as well. Smooth smoking, not too strong not too mild, a perfect all day sipper. Tin notes of grass/hay, fig, raisin, and a slight hint of citrus. Possibly, for me, a desert island choice.
Orlik golden sliced in a Rossi Rubino Antico 8404 (Zulu). Do you prefer fold and stuff, or rubbing out the flakes? I like the flavor better with fold and stuff, but it does make for more relights.
I sometimes fold and stuff, and agree with your comments on flavor and relights. I generally like to leave a little air pocket at the bottom, i.e. I don’t try to fill the bowl, and don’t push it down to the bottom. I probably do rub out more, but it’s a slight break up with my fingers, not rubbing out too finely like a ribbon cut. And like fold and stuff, I don’t pack it super tight. It’s a bit of a learning curve to get everything right in packing a bowl, and proper tamping, regardless of whether it’s a ribbon cut, cube cut, or flake. I generally prefer a flake over ribbon cut or cake.
I agree with you completely. Proper packing is definitely a learning curve, regardless of whatever cut you choose. I’ve learned that tamping very lightly is key, and when you nail the packing and tamping you are rewarded with a long and pleasant smoke. I’m beginning to understand the importance of cadence as well. At first I was prone to puffing away like a steam engine. Slowing down and sipping has made a world of difference.
Bent Falcon with smooth Dover bowl, and a repeat of the OGS as I’m working on perfecting my flake packing technique. Anybody else use a Falcon? Not exactly a classic look, but does what it purports to do by keeping the smoke cool and dry.
Sounds like you’ve had quite the Zippo collection! If you’re thinking about smoking a pipe more often, maybe keep a lighter or two handy. Seems like once you get into the habit, it’s easy to enjoy them regularly.
Sounds like you had a great smoke with that Luxury Twist Flake! I hear you on RAD and PAD—they can definitely get out of hand. If you’re trying to keep things under control, it’s probably best to enjoy your pipes and tobaccos in moderation.
Old Fogey day with SWR and a no name freebie pipe that came with a pipe pouch I ordered. I wasn’t expecting much from the pipe, but it turned out to be a really good smoker.
On a mild fall day, enjoying Erik Stokkebye 4th Generation 1989 flake, in a Briarworks Author/Rhodesian style pipe. This is a decent Virginia flake, but there are ones I prefer. Pictured with my WWII Zippo lighter, and tamp made by Peder Jeppenson.
While everyone was distracted by the doings of the high and mighty or out voting, I, being a wise fellow who voted early, browsed through my watch list on eBay, seeing if anything interesting was ending on election day. I also tend to do this on Black Friday, Christmas, and Superbowl Sunday, much to the annoyance of my wife. Ah, this one was ending in four minutes, and the bidding was only up to $22? Over the next minute or two, the bidding continued, incrementally. Curious... With a snort and a chuckle, I put in my absurdly low bid in the closing seconds, and actually won, leaving me flabbergasted. I should say, "us" flabbergasted. The seller contacted me a few minutes after the auction ended, wondering if pipes had suddenly tanked in value? I told him I thought it looked interesting and bid on it. I thought it might be a pipe from this thing: ...and flush fit Nording stems are unusual. What it actually is, is a commemorative pipe celebrating his entry into the Guinness book of world records. There were three finishes if I recall correctly, with 50 pipes per finish, the sandblasted being the cheapest of the three. Another fellow I talked to thought it was three shapes, not finishes. He believed that these particular pipes were hand made by Erik Nørding himself sometime around 1989-1990. Save for the Nørding 'N' on the stem, the pipe is completely without stampings or other markings. These are very rare and very high quality pipes, made from the finest and oldest briar. Unsmoked, this would likely be a $500+ pipe. Lightly smoked as it is, it should have sold for $100-200+. Thanks to the world holding it's breath and being hyper focused on the American presidential election, I got it for the princely sum of $26. Shipping from Denmark adds another $29 to the total. I will be reaching out to Nørding for more accurate information on this pipe, such as number made, year produced, MSRP, etc. I'm just thankful it's been smoked. I'm not sure I could bring myself to smoke it if it wasn't. This is the equivalent of finding a cased bottom dial Fatboy at a yard sale for $5.
Great score! I’ve got a couple of Nording pipes I thoroughly enjoy. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Erik Nording a couple of times at The Briary pipe shows. He is always glad to speak to his customers, and I’m sure he will be happy to give you more information about the Guiness World Record Pipe. You’ve inspired me to get out one of my Nording pipes tomorrow for a smoke.
Not in my experience, in fact quite the opposite. I’ll post a pic of my Nording pipes after I run some errands. One is very close in shape to yours, although it doesn’t have the collector appeal.
I was really looking forward to smoking this pipe and it was sold as lightly smoked. Instead I find myself bitterly disappointed. It's definitely unsmoked. Since there were between 3 and 10(ish) made, and they sold for $6-700 new in 1990-1993 (at least that's what I've been told by the one person I've found that recalls these pipes), and this is one of the early ones that weren't numbered, I cannot, in good conscience, smoke it and immediately halve it's current value, whatever that number might be. It's a lovely paperweight at the moment, and I'll figure out something to do with it. Maybe I'll even smoke it one day. ...and here I was so glibly saying a few days ago, "pipes are meant to be smoked." And now I'm like "pipes are meant to be smoked, except for those pipes that really ought to belong in an international pipe museum." I reached out to Erik Nørding about this pipe and he and/or his family really were not able to tell me any more... "Thank you for your interest in our company and products. The Guinness pipe was made in 1988-89 and for many years exhibited in Copenhagen International Airport. The pipe is app 2 meters high (incl. Stand) and weigh 58kg. In the following years Erik Nording made some “smaller” versions of the pipe in both smooth and sandblasted like yours. These pipes was produced in limited quantities but unfortunately Erik do not remember price or how many was produced but for sure not that many. Today the Guinness pipe is used at trade shows. All the best, Nording" Edit: Apologies for the grimy nails, just got off work and haven't done anything other than wash my hands.
i used my NOS #44 thin handled flat bottom tech set a while back...peeled the cellophane from the handle and head,,,gave it a wash and flew at it..bang,worth half of value..to others...to me i got to savour the moment of being one of a lone few who tried a brand new 1948 british razor in this century..i liked it so much ,i did it again with another NOS set..they are just tools after all..
Skip Elliott, proprietor of The Briary, could probably tell you something about that pipe, and its value unsmoked or smoked. Contact info is on their website https://thebriary.com/ I’d be highly surprised if he wasn’t knowledgeable of this pipe. Whatever you see on the site is a fraction of what he actually has. He also has his own Virginia blend, called Ephemeris. A truly great straight Virginia.
Here’s my Nording collection. From the top, a line called Compass, a brandy shape, freehand (Erik Nording’s signature is laser etched on the side, but he put the date on the bottom with a sharpie), and what I would call sort of a pot/brandy style. At the moment, on a pleasant rainy day in Alabama, I’m smoking Orlik Mellow Mixture in the Nording freehand. I’m really happy with Mellow Mixture, a blend I have never tried because I’m generally not an aromatic fan. But this is a solid semi-aromatic; Virginia, a little cavendish, with subtle cocoa/caramel flavoring. It isn’t cotton candy sweet like a lot of aromatics. I purchased this tin probably 5 or 6 years ago, which the aging no doubt enhanced the Virginia component.
Chatting with Erik Nording in a back room of The Briary a few years ago. He is a really nice person, always happy to talk with customers.
