Chicago pipe - Chris Askwith

This isn't really a Chicago pipe. I didn't purchase it at the show. I received it in the mail a couple of days before heading north, but I did fire up my first bowl in it in Chicago.
It's really a lovely pipe. The briar bit is just as comfortable to smoke as ebonite. I asked Chris to make a regular black bit too, because I was afraid the briar would be too delicate, but so far it seems very hardy. Every time I get a new Askwith pipe, I think "this is my favorite", but I have enough now that it's getting harder and harder to pick a favorite. I love them all. -T

Chicago Pipe - Vollmer & Nilsson

Two of our favorite folks to see in Chicago are Martin Vollmer and Anders Nilsson. Even if they weren't great pipe makers and we didn't love their pipes we would still want to hang out with them. They are interesting and very funny. Unfortunately this year Anders was sick. Sick as a dog sick. So we didn't get to spend much time w/ him (and we hosed ourselves down w/ disinfectant as soon as we could run back to our rooms), but we did get to spend some time w/ Martin and he didn't disappoint.
Here's one of the 2 pipes I purchased from them. It's a beautiful smooth lovat. Excellent! - T

Another Pic from Chicago

Here's 2 more that I missed.

Mark and Pipe Maker Scott Thile

P&T Editor Chuck Stanion and Pipe Maker Martin Vollmer

Chicago Photos

Steve Liskey and Mark

Collector Dustin Babitzke and Mark

Friday Pre-show 

Gregor Lobnik and Matt Guss

Mark and Matt Guss

Mark and P&T Editor Chuck Stanion

Add caption

The Smoking Tent

Matt Guss, Gitta and Wolfgang Becker (Brad Pohlman in the hat)

Smokey Smoking Tent

Chicago Pipes - Chris Asteriou

I bought the rusticated cutty in Chicago but the prince was waiting for me when I got home. I now have 3 Asteriou Pipes and I'm really impressed with the quality of all 3. They are excellent smokers and I have never seen new pipes that capture the feel and look of English pipes from the 1930's like these do. Very nice! -T

Chicago Pipes - DanPipe

I have come to love the simple and elegant shapes of the old DanPipe catalog. I've gotten a couple of current young pipe makers to make their versions of some of the shapes. I was lucky enough to find these at Robert " Lawdog" Lawing's booth at the show, and Robert being the sweetheart he is, gave me a great deal for the pair. They are in excellent condition and are perfect examples of the DanPipe shapes I love. -T

Chicago Pipe - Wolfgang Becker

My friend Wolfgang made me a wonderful pipe this year. He really outdid himself and I truly appreciate it. I can't tell you how it smokes though. I haven't been able to bring myself to smoke it. It's too pretty. I often get the feeling w/ Wolfgang's pipes that someone else should own them. Someone more worthy. C'est la vie. Worthy or not I'm keeping them! -T

Wolfgang telling me about my pipe

Chicago Pipe - Pete Prevost

I got a few pipes at the Chicago Pipe Show. Here's the 1st one and my 1st Prevost pipe. I really like it. Great shape and blast. -T

Pipe maker Pete Prevost and my new pipe