Back from the Pipe Show

Mark and I made it back home after a great time at the Chicago pipe Show. It's always a pleasure to catch up with old friends and spend a weekend immersed  in the world of pipes. We added a couple of days to the trip this year and that made the event much more enjoyable. We weren't totally worn out the whole time.
I didn't take many photos this year but here's a couple to prove we really went. -T

On the way

The slow smoke contest

Cleaning Pipes

Getting ready for the trip to Chicago.

KiltedPiper

I saw a post on Facebook by Fumeurs de Pipe today about Martin Hansen (KiltedPiper). He lives in Germany and makes some unique pipes. I am so tempted by this one, but I don't know... -T

New David Enrique Pipe On the Way!

David sent photos of the new pipe he has made for me and I'm pretty sure I'm going to love it. I asked him to take a Pipe Dan shape and make his version. I think he did a great super cool job. I can wait to get it. -T

Nice ring blast

Burning Scrap

We end up with mounds of scrap wood and fortunately this is a good time of the year to enjoy a fire. -T

Wow! Just One Month!

Until The Chicago Pipe Show! This event is always a highlight in my year. So many friends I only see once a year not to mention all the pipes! Mark and I will be there with bells on or at least beards. Hope to see you. -T

This is Better!

My favorite. -T

Blended Whiskey

Yes- they're empty

St Paddy's Day seems like an appropriate time to talk about whiskey so I'll have at it.
I recently watched a British tv series about a cop in Scotland- Rebus. In one scene Rebus is in a bar ( a familiar place for him ) and someone offers him a single malt. He declines saying something to the effect " only Americans and fools drink single malt. I drink blended whiskey." Well this got me thinking. I am an American and probably a fool too and I've been drinking only single malt for some years, but maybe I should try some blended whiskeys again. I did a brief search on the internet and saw someone's top 10 list and headed to the local liquor store. I bought 3 to try. I still prefer single malt. No matter which single malt you try, it has a character of it's own. The blended whiskeys were all fine but they lack any depth. They were just bland. But what can I say- I'm an American fool. -T

The Gentleman's Companion

This one's ready to go.

Whiskey, pipe and tobacco not included.

Osric w/ Horn by David Enrique

Still thinking of Pipe Dan and Holbek and fortunately there is at least one pipe maker that responds to these designs like I do. David Enrique recently put this pipe up on his website. Unfortunately I was too slow and it had sold before I saw it! It's a wonderful example of a creative pipe maker taking a classic design and making it new and something different and totally cool. I love this pipe/ -T

Osric w/ Horn - Tanshell by David Enrique

Too Cold!

Our northern factory here in Memphis was humming along pretty well for the past few weeks. The turn around time on orders was down to a reasonable 2-3 weeks but the cold has moved in bringing ice w/ it. Looks like it will be a few days before I can get things cranked up again. It's just too cold out there for an old man. -T

The Outdoor Pipe Rack Factory

Pipe Dan Dan Pipe

I love these designs that Holbek and others did for Pipe Dan ...or is it Dan Pipe? Whichever- I like them a lot and I'm surprised that more folks in the pipe community don't seem to care for them. They are so elegant, clean and modern but also seem to have something working class about them. Maybe I'm romanticizing. -T

Hey! I'm Back.

Here's a couple of recent variations made for customers. I like the way they turned out. -T

The San Fran '35 w/ extra storage

The McCarty Farm in grey