Thanks

So much to be thankful for on this day- family, friends, health, good food - an abundance that I don't have the skill or grace to properly relate, so I'll go small and express my thanks for this 10 year old McClelland Navy Cavendish I opened last night. This is a tobacco I have loved for many years and it just gets better w/ age. A really nice mellow smoke for this day of thanks. -T

The Contraption

The Contraption is what my wife calls this. I was thinking "Smoking Stand" or "Chairside Companion", but she may be right. It has a sort of Berlin 1957 office look to it. Mark and I have talked about a smoking stand for 4 or 5 years, but we never came up with the perfect design. I thought I had it. I sketched a cool Craftsman-looking piece of furniture and started to build it ... then I quickly saw that what I drew would not work in a 3 dimensional world. On the fly I made changes and then more changes until The Contraption appeared. Not something I will attempt to sell. Instead I believe I'll keep it for myself and continue thinking about the Perfect Smoking Stand. -T

In Time for the Holidays!

Another batch of pipe racks heading to Smokingpipes.com  -T


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Worth the Wait

Great transition from blast to smooth! Deer antler and ebonite stem.

A few days before the Chicago Show last spring, Gregor Lobnik sent me an email apologizing for selling his whole production to a dealer. He would not have a single pipe for the Chicago Show. I was disappointed (I almost said devastated, but I'm saving that for whatever the politicians and the power elite throw at us next). I had been seeing photos of Gregor's pipes for months and they looked good- real good. I had set aside money for one ... maybe two ... but now my dreams were dashed away. Fortunately the Chicago Show was as much fun as ever and I had a great time in spite of the Lobnik pipe void, but I still felt slightly disappointed... until now. Gregor sent photos a few days ago of pipes he had been working on and they were available ... for the moment. I acted quickly and am happy to report that I now have a wonderful new pipe from Gregor. It is really charming. It has the potential to be one of those go-to pipes that seem to make their way into your pocket and always be ready for for a walk in the woods or a run up to the grocery store. For me this is the ultimate test for a pipe - how does it fit in my pocket? Will it be a good companion and travel well where ever we go? I'm pretty sure my new pipe will be right there with me where ever I go!-T

International Cousins

Today's work will be heading for Sweden and Germany! Should be ready to travel in a couple of days. -T