Pipes and Tobaccos 2

$7.
95US
Summer 2013
Pipemaker
Joe Skoda’s
innovations
COVER STORY
The Briary Nate King brings
rocks its annual Gear Punk to
pipe event pipemaking
Cassano Vida
Cassano Milano
NEW
HARDCASTLE’S 1908
NEW Made in England NEW
DESIGN BERLIN BARLING 1812
Midway Made in England
Pipe of the Year
Crescent
La Rocca Cognac
La Rocca Plum
extraordinary
tobaccos for the
discriminating
pipe smoker
PLANTA pipe tobaccos of the year

blended by hand
Each year, PLANTA Tabak-Manufaktur of Germany introduces a new limited-edition tobacco mixture for its tobacco of the year
series. Expertly formulated, hand blended and conscientiously tested, these blends represent the very best in their categories.
Only PLANTA’s reputation and influence allows it to find the supreme pinnacle of quality leaf from various crops to use in its
special-edition blends. Available at fine tobacco shops.
$VZHHWSHDUPL[WXUH 2012: An African Dream: Bright yellow Virginias ripened in the

Noble Black Cavendish, nutty Burley and Virginia flakes African sun blended with brown Burley and deep Black
rounded off with the natural sweetness of the Williams Cavendish produce harmonic appearance and exquisite
Christ pear. Extraordinary taste experience taste. Flavours of ripe fruits of the Marula tree determine
the character of this particular blend and provide complete
%ODFNDQGPHOORZDURPDWLFDQGVPRRWK smoking pleasure. Fruity/Medium.
Black Cavendish with the aroma of thoroughly matured bil-
berries. A delightful experience pleasing to the tongue 6DQV6RXFL)UXLW\ZLWKFDUDPHOVPRRWKDQGVZHHW
Bright and mellow mixture of high-quality Golden
$QH[RWLFPL[WXUH Virginias, Burley and Black Cavendish. Fascinating and full
Vivacious yellow Virginias and contrasting Black Cavendish of taste
and brown Burley with exotic fruit extracts. An exquisite
smoking experience 0LOG(QJOLVK([FOXVLYHDULVWRFUDWLFW\SLFDOO\(QJOLVK
High ratio of Latakia from Syria and Cyprus and broad cut
$IWHUGLQQHUPL[WXUH Virginia grades
Full of contrast but also harmonic, 2010 features honey-col-
ored Virginia grades and Black Cavendish with the gentle
aromas of chocolate and smoky Scottish whisky. Full bodied )XOO(QJOLVK7UDGLWLRQDOVPRN\DQGYHU\(QJOLVK
pleasure for relaxing moments Originally Syrian Latakia rounded off with various Virginia
grades and a touch of full bodied Java tobaccos
2011: The 2011 edition is called Caribbean Mixture and is
designed to take you on an island vacation with each puff.
Partially pressed red-brown Virginias and a trace of soft
black Cavendish are ready rubbed, topped with genuine
Jamaican rum and the flavor of ripe passion fruit. It is an
aromatic for the true connoisseur
jamesnormanltd@aol.com
CONTENTS *446&t70- /0
12 Racing ahead
Nate King uses lessons learned
from his career in racing to quickly
EFWFMPQBTBQJQFNBLFS
20 Alabama pipe celebration

Erik Stokkebye and Peder Jeppesen
are the featured pipemakers at this
year’s annual Spring pipe show at
5IF#SJBSZ
22 Cold Stones
The death of an ex-girlfriend causes
Jack Dupont to consider his role in
IFSMJGF
28 Following his heart

Peter Heding eschews a promising
medical research career to pursue
IJTUSVFDBMMJOH
36 Rising from the ashes

Joe Skoda found that a devastating
car accident that he suffered in 1977
28 DIBOHFEIJTMJGFGPSUIFCFUUFS
42 The briar trade

A starting point to cataloging
FBSMZ"NFSJDBO #SJUJTIBOE
'SFODIQJQFNBLFST
55 The return of
some classics
Three Nuns and Capstan are set
3&(6-"3'&"563&4 GPSBO"NFSJDBOSFUVSO
4 EDITOR’S DESK
6 1*1&-*/&4 $7.95US
34 PIPESTUFF
56 53*"-#:'*3& Summer 2013
62 &7&/54
0/5)&$07&3
62 "%7&35*4*/(*/%&9
/BUF,JOHNFMETSBDJOHXJUIQJQFNBLJOH
63 13*.&3&5"*-&34 (Photo by Nate King)
Pipemaker
Joe Skoda’s
64 PARTING SHOTS innovations
COVER STORY
The Briary Nate King brings
rocks its annual Gear Punk to
pipe event pipemaking
2 3LSHVDQG7REDFFRVVXPPHU
( ' , 7 2 5 · 6 ' ( 6 .
Saving hundreds from certain death

People often ask me, “Chuck, how can someone so gifted be so modest?” and I
always answer, “How dare you speak to me?” It’s difficult to believe that someone A quarterly magazine celebrating pipes of
as superior as I am could be so modest, but my humility is just a small part of all kinds and fine tobaccos
my impressiveness, because I’m also movie-star handsome. Women swoon in my
Editorial
presence and men leap from windows in desperate submission to their compara- Chuck Stanion Editor in chief
tive inadequacy. And intelligent? Experts in every field are reduced to incompe- Stephen A. Ross Associate editor
tent babbling by my intellectual magnitude. Stephanie Banfield Copy editor
T.S. Donahue Copy editor
But enough—I’m not here to talk about my looks or intelligence, for that could Advertising
be misconstrued as conceit. No, I’m here to talk about my inspiring heroism. Rich Perkins Sales manager
I almost hesitate to share this story (because of my modesty—see previous Greg Cole Sales representative
paragraph) but my diffidence must be suppressed for the good of mankind. I am Marrilyn Jackson Sales coordinator
too noble, too altruistic, for such feeble self-interest. Production

I was extreme hiking in the untamed wilds of North Carolina at the children’s Nicole Franker Production associate
park a few blocks from my house. It was cold on the trail, but, as an experienced Antoine Reid Production associate
Dan Kurtz Production associate
woodsman, I had my official P&T travel mug (a bargain at only $12.95, see our
website) filled with hot coffee to stave off hypothermia and dehydration. I was Marketing
prepared for any catastrophe—except the one that almost killed me. Kathryn Kyle Marketing manager
It was a bear; a gigantic bear at least eight feet tall. Its fangs gleamed in the sun
Circulation
and its razor-sharp claws dripped with the blood of its most recent kill. It was Heather Brittingham Customer service
a North Carolina grizzly bear at its worst.
North Carolina grizzly bear Administration
The ground shook as it lumbered onto
Phil Bowling Publisher/Editorial director
the trail and roared at me with carnivorous Dayton Matlick Chairman
purpose (one of the kids on the swingset a Noel Morris CEO/Sales director
few feet away said it was more of a chatter, Rhonda Combs Chief operating officer
Brandie Green Staff accountant
but I was closer, and I heard a murderous Beatriz Gutierrez Staff accountant
roar).
©iStockphoto/C5Photography
Irene Joiner HR administrator/Office manager

I hated to resort to violence, but I was
HEADQUARTERS:
about to be mauled and devoured, and I Pipes and tobaccos
was all that stood between this behemoth 3101 Poplarwood Court, Suite 115
and the children who would be destroyed Raleigh, NC 27604
Telephone: 919.872.5040
if it got past me. So I pitched my cof- Fax: 919.876.6531
fee mug at the great beast. It was an epic Email: chuck@pipesandtobaccosmagazine.com
Subscription email:
moment. Lesser men would have soiled subscribe@pipesandtobaccosmagazine.com
themselves and cowered on the ground. I did not cower. Website: www.pipesandtobaccosmagazine.com
The mug bounced on the grass near it. The bear rose up in rage, now even CIRCULATION:
more determined to disembowel me. All I had left was my pipe, but these were Customer Service
919.872.5040 ext. 238
extreme circumstances requiring a decisive sacrifice. I took aim and reared back or email
to propel the pipe in a lethal trajectory. If the pipe failed to kill, I was prepared to customerservice@pipesandtobaccosmagazine.com
leap onto the bear and dispatch it with only my teeth and fingernails. Pipes and tobaccos (USPS 015682) is published quarterly by
I let out the ancestral war cry of my people (some have described it as similar SpecComm International Inc., 3101 Poplarwood Court, Suite 115,
Raleigh, NC 27604. Subscriptions: $28 a year domestic; $48 a year
to the surprised squeal of a little girl walking into a spider web, but its menace is international. Periodicals Class postage paid at Raleigh, N.C., and
easily recognizable to adversaries and not to be underestimated) and let fly with at additional mailing offices. Copyright © 2013 by SpecComm
International Inc. Pipes and tobaccos magazine is a trademark of
all of my formidable strength. The pipe bounced onto the grass near the coffee SpecComm International Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use
in whole or in part of the contents of this magazine without prior writ-
mug, and the bear sniffed at it. Perhaps it was the blend I was smoking; perhaps ten permission is prohibited. Pipes and tobaccos makes every effort to
it was the intimidating power of my determination; but the bear bolted back into ensure the accuracy of content published. Neither the publisher nor the
advertisers will be held responsible for any errors found herein, and the
the forest. publisher accepts no liability for the accuracy of the statements made
I had saved the community-at-large from annihilation. You, too, as a pipe smoker, by advertisers in advertising and promotional materials. The opinions
expressed by contributing editors are not necessarily those of the
can do the same should a similar situation arise, and I hope you have learned from publisher. The information included and items promoted in this
magazine are intended for an adult audience. For subscription infor-
my example. We are all armed with what is necessary to defeat evil, so long as we mation: Write to address below or call 919.872.5040.
are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to be more like me.
Postmaster: Send Form 3579 with address changes to Pipes and
tobaccos, 3101 Poplarwood Court, Suite 115, Raleigh, NC 27604.
Printed in the USA.
4 3LSHVDQG7REDFFRVV800(5
Pipe lines
P&T Readers
RESPOND
Etymological observations
Mac Baren acquires Altadis tobaccos Having been around this hobby for
Mac Baren Tobacco Co. has acquired tobacco factory in Richmond, where it more than a half-century, I’ve pretty
Altadis U.S.A.’s pipe tobacco division, has been producing tobaccos since the much seen it all, heard it all and read
based in Richmond, Va. early 1950s. it all. Now, in my twilight tobacco
The newly acquired pipe tobacco “This is a perfect strategic fit for both years, a self-proclaimed crotchety
company will change its name to its Mac Baren and Sutliff,” he says. Sutliff and testy septuagenarian, an old cur-
original, Sutliff Tobacco Co. One of the Tobacco Co. will import and distrib- mudgeon, I’ve also become a recent
oldest pipe tobacco companies in the ute Mac Baren products in the Western critic of the very hobby that I have
United States, the company traces its start Hemisphere. “This acquisition will not enjoyed for so long—and with good
to San Francisco in 1849. only strengthen the pipe tobacco portfo- reason. Four expressions, in particu-
Paul Creasy, a fixture at pipe shows lio of Sutliff Tobacco, but also will bring lar, rankle me. I want to shout a plea
for years as general manager of the to the U.S. market Mac Baren Tobacco for plain speak, a request to return
Altadis pipe tobacco division, will lead Company’s significant knowledge and to a time when the language of this
Sutliff Tobacco Co. as its president. expertise, strength, commitment and hobby was plain and simple, clear and
The company will also retain its pipe leadership in pipe tobacco,” he said. concise, direct and straightforward. If
memory serves me correctly, exactly
Mastro Beraldi
Created by father and son in Rome, Italy, each Mastro Beraldi pipe is a unique, hand
made creation. Even the adornments and extensions are fabricated in their workshop,
Distributed by
R.D. Field
Importer of Fine Briar Pipes
Available at finer pipe shops
allowing them to produce singular compositions that are also modestly priced. www.rdfield.com
6 3LSHVDQG7REDFFRV6800(5
Over50 YEARS AGO,
WE BROUGHT AROMATIC TOBACCO
TO THESE SHORES.
Today, WE CONTINUE THAT TRADITION.
INTRODUCING
3 BOLD NEW BLENDS.
PIPE SMOKERS AROUND THE WORLD HAVE SAVORED BORKUM RIFF FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS.
NOW THE U.S. CAN FINALLY EXPERIENCE THREE INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLERS: VANILLA CAVENDISH,
HONEY & ORANGE AND SPECIAL MIXTURE N° 8. BE AMONG THE FIRST TO SAMPLE THESE UNIQUE BLENDS.
TO LEARN MORE, VISIT WWW.STGLANEPIPE.COM .
WARNING: THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS/PRODUCES CHEMICALS KNOWN TO THE STATE

OF CALIFORNIA TO CAUSE CANCER, AND BIRTH DEFECTS, OR OTHER REPRODUCTIVE HARM
30 years ago this spring, C. Bruce term that’s now quite vogue-ish: reference? Personally, I don’t believe
Spencer arrived on his white charger cellared tobaccos. Cellar: a place of any of these four are useful; to me, they
to organize us. Yes, that is precisely storage, generally underground or, in are snobbish, elitist and pedantic turns
what he said to me! Pipe Smoker mag- sports, the last or lowest position. Cel- of phrase. I say purge the highbrow,
azine was born. He also felt that pipe lared: where stuff is stored. Cellarage: rarified vocabulary and don’t invent any
people needed some type of unique a charge for storing goods in a cellar. more catchy words or artificial terms.
recognition, a label, their own argot or Who invented this arbitrary term, and They are superfluous, excessive and
lexicon, so he coined “kapnismolo- why has it taken on a life of its own? nonessential, they don’t enhance our
gist.” (History indicates that neither I am well aware that there is an active hobby, and they certainly don’t define
Sparta nor Athens had a pipe club or market in unopened, dated, tinned who we are. Let’s revert to the KISS
a pipe magazine.) Cigar and cigarette pipe tobaccos, but why “cellared?” principle: Keep it simple, smoker!
smokers manage quite nicely with- Must a cellared tobacco have proof
out any special group-identity label, that it’s from a basement or vault, Ben Rapaport
so why would this community need a and if so, is there an accompanying Cyberspace
foreign-language word to identify the certificate of origin, like with French
players? It caught on, but C. Bruce and wine, e.g., Appellation d’Origine Con- P&T: Your sentiment is understand-
Pipe Smoker magazine are no longer trolee or Mise en Bouteille? What if able, and we applaud those dedicated to
with us, and the word, like a bad penny, the pipe tobacco prior to its sale was clarity. Still, language is a complex sub-
seems to linger. Why can’t we give stored elsewhere? I know! Maybe an ject and some words, while synonyms,
kapnismologist a decent burial and go acronym is more appropriate, some- contain different nuances. “Butt,” “ass”
back to being called pipe smokers? thing like CAGLE, C(ellar) A(ttic) and “derriere” all refer to the same
I now go against mainstream think- G(arage) L(oft) E(ntryway)? That’ll anatomical geography, yet each is
ing (and speaking) to ask about estate cover all possible storage locations, appropriate in different contexts and is
pipes. Also about 30 years ago, the late won’t it? Better yet, how about just weighted with different subtleties.
Barry Levin, Mr. Mail-Order, Used- aged (or old) tinned pipe tobaccos? I personally like the word “cellared”
Pipe-Seller Extraordinaire, who may Would this collective term not suffice? for older, unopened tobaccos. It seems
have been the first to sell refurbished Now, another expression has crept appropriate because of the parallels
briar pipes by mail, never needed a spe- into our vocabulary: post-embargo between wines and tobaccos, and wine
cial term to describe his inventory, and Turkish meerschaum pipes. In the is, of course, cellared. Both tend to be
he did a gangbusters business. I looked 1960s, I used to buy an occasional enhanced by proper aging. The term
up the word in the dictionary (because meerschaum from Hayim Pinhas “cellared” in regard to tobacco pro-
I am a stickler for precise and exacting in Turkey, and he was not advertis- motes connotations not provided by the
clarity in English) and, depending on ing or selling pre-embargo meer- simple term “aged.” It brings to mind
one’s use, it can be (a) a piece of landed schaums. Turkey has been exporting the intentional storage of tobacco
property, (b) social standing or rank, finished meerschaum pipes since the under controlled conditions for the
(c) a condition of life, and other variant early 1950s without interruption. deliberate purpose of evolving and
meanings, so what’s with estate pipes? What’s been embargoed for around improving its smoking characteristics.
Are they not just used, secondhand, 40 years has been the raw material. If That said, we all know that not every
pre-owned, recycled, refurbished, anything is post-embargo meer- old tin of tobacco has been properly
reconditioned, rejuvenated, boot-, schaum, it’s a humongous clump of this stored at controlled temperatures. It
garage-, flea-market-sale briar pipes, mineral in a Hartmann 29-inch Spin- may have been left in the trunk of an
irrespective of their maker, grain, age ner suitcase belonging to someone abandoned car in a swamp for all we
or price? Is an estate pipe a subtle about to leave Eskişehir, hoping that know. But more and more people are
suggestion to the neophyte or new- it passes both security and customs storing tobacco expressly for aging
bie pipe smoker that it comes from an at the port of embarkation or debar- purposes, and the term “cellaring” is
estate? What if the original owner lived kation. Is this term adopted solely to elegant, provides nuance and implies a
in the inner city, on a farm, in a high- mimic our sister industry that has, for deliberate process. I would vote to keep
rise? We all know that estate pipes several years, been using the buzzword, the term, if I had a vote.
do not come from estates unless, of post-embargo Cuban cigars? The “Kapnismology” is not so ele-
course, they can be attributed to some term doesn’t clarify. It confuses and gant. Where “cellared” is a term that
well-known mogul’s manse or manor. it’s artificial! evolved naturally and was somewhat
You who trade in these pipes ought How about it, all you readers of repurposed to better describe tobaccos
to rethink this label by remembering this magazine, and all pipe sellers under specific circumstances, “kap-
an oft-used expression: call a spade and pipe tobacco manufacturers? nismology” was instead invented. We
a spade! Do we really need these fancy, new- rarely use the term in P&T because it
Then there’s this relatively recent fangled, faddy, fashionable terms of was trademarked by C. Bruce Spencer
and we don’t own the term, so we can’t will die natural and gradual deaths. If hobbyists to be on the weekend of
really utilize it. It currently belongs to people agree with your logic, they will stop Nov. 3–4, 2012. The event keeps
Bob Hamlin, who purchased the hold- using the terms and accelerate that process. getting better.
ings of PCI when it folded. (It would be We welcome opinions from our readers The day before always brings its
fun to own a word, but I’d choose a dif- on this subject. own special sense of excitement.
ferent one. I’ve always been partial to —Chuck Friday, Nov. 2 was no exception as
the word “custard”). Still, it too contains exhibitors and guests started checking
nuances not found in “pipe smoker.” Unger memories in at the hotel. By evening, pipe smok-
It connotes one who has studied and Thank you for your piece about Bill ers congregated at their favorite spots
is expert in the subject of pipe smok- [Unger] and thank Neill Roan for his throughout the Palace Station casino.
ing, and, as such, has its own unique photograph. To kick off the show, the Interna-
uses. I think we have yet to invent or Both fit well together. tional Charatan Collectors Society
evolve the right term to describe that Bill was one of my six closest met with a well-attended gathering
unusual obsession with all things related friends, and now death has cut me that included some extremely nice
to pipe smoking that so many of us down to five. Pamela [Bill’s wife] and a few very rare Charatans on
have acquired. sent me one of Bill’s favorite pipes— display. Since this was its second year
“Estate pipes” is a more elegant way a large, bent Charatan made in the at WCPS, we hope to see it as a regular
of saying “used pipes,” but provides little early to middle-seventies. I talk to it part of further pre-show events.
additional meaning. I don’t object to its every day and smoke it twice a month. Saturday morning exhibitors began
use, but agree that there is little need for The talk helps. setting up their displays starting at
it. As for “post-embargo” Turkish meer- 8 a.m. At 10 a.m. the show opened.
schaum,” I know little about it and defer Steven DaGama More than 100 tables offered up plenty
to your superior knowledge of the subject. Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio of “eye candy” to gladden the heart of
Inaccuracy is not something to promote. any pipe enthusiast.
Words that provide useful subtleties Vegas pipe extravaganza WCPS has always been a wonder-
of meaning will continue to flourish, and Returning to Las Vegas for its fourth ful place for showcasing American
those that are unnecessary will tend to year, the West Coast Pipe Show pipecraft, but Steve O’Neill man-
die out over time. Perhaps your examples (WCPS) was the right place for pipe aged to outdo himself compared to
Kjeld Sorensen A NEW

GREAT DANE
With 20 years of pipe-making
experience, including an
apprenticeship with Tom Eltang,
Kjeld Sorensen integrates his
knowledge of the Japanese aesthetic
with his mastery of the home-grown
Danish style, creating a fresh and
lively look and feel to his high
quality hand crafted Red Hat briars.
Distributed by
R.D. Field
Importer of Fine Briar Pipes
Available at finer pipe shops
www.rdfield.com
3LSHVDQG7REDFFRV6800(5 9
Pipe lines
the attractions of previous years. Ye Olde Pipe & Tobacco Shoppe. category included Steve O’Neill with
There were 16 American makers Whenever I see his massive display, double duty as WCPS organizer and
who’ve been to the show at least twice; I wonder if he empties out his shop expert pipe restorer, SWPCL mem-
14 American carvers attended their in Arizona to come out every year. ber and restorer/eBay guru Chance
debut WCPS. I couldn’t help notic- Then there’s Fresno pipe collector Whittamore, Gary Schrier of Briar
ing how many pipemakers there are
in the Southwest. I’m also floored by P&T Readers
Tim Dowell, who may hold the world
record for most pipes crammed onto
Books Press, followed by SWPCL
member and noted pipe author Rick
the sheer number of people plying a single tabletop. Our long-standing Newcombe. To complete the roster,
their unique trade right here in the
U.S. Can there be any doubt about the
fact that we’re enjoying a golden age of
RESPOND
loyal member and good friend of the
Southwest Pipe and Cigar League
(SWPCL), Lowell Ellis has been com-
a small but nice cigar presence was
rounded out by F&K Cigar Co., and
Marlo Ramaz of Lovo Cigars.
Body text goes
artisan-grade here. pipes?
American ing to the show since 2009. A great At 5 p.m. the show was over,
The contingent of “homegrown” guy, and he always does right by although tapering off the activity was
carvers joined the fun with two of the people who come to him when a challenge as hotel security had to
their opposite numbers in the United they’re choosing from his wonderfully clear the ballroom. While the cater-
Kingdom. Ian Walker of Northern eclectic assortment of estate pieces. ing staff set up the awards dinner, a
Briars returned for his third year, and Seventeen other estate sellers and good number of people took up the
we were pleased to make our acquain- collectors had tables at the show. invitation for cocktails in the hospi-
tance with Jim Craig of Ashton Pipes. tality room. Then at 7 p.m. the dinner
When Bill Ashton-Taylor passed away guests attended another sumptuous
in 2009, it was a sad day for pipe Italian buffet. Our meals included
smokers everywhere. Jim has followed wine compliments of O’Neill and
the legacy of Bill’s work, so how nice Pulvers, and after the food came
it is to see the Ashton name continue dessert and the choice of coffee or
through his pipemaking excellence. tea. Lovo provided complimentary
There was also a strong European cigars and Altadis International once
presence at the show through import- again donated an amazingly gener-
ers Gerard Ezvan (representing Vauen ous assortment of tinned tobaccos for
Pipes of Germany) and David Field the dinner.
of R.D. Field, as well as Kevin Brack- Steve Fallon was the guest speaker.
ett of Tobacco Pipe Exports (with People who are into pro football
a good selection of tobaccos and would probably know him through his
cigars thrown in), distributor Steve Leonard Wortzel represented Lane sportscasting career and/or activities
Monjure of Monjure International, Limited. with a tobacco bar that with the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.
retailers Sally Gottliebson of The Pipe included very tasty blends being dis- But those of us who love pipes and
Tart, Joel Shurtleff of TheBriarPipe, tributed under the Peter Stokkebye pipe smoking know him as “Pipestud.”
Pipe Makers Emporium, Maxim Engel name. Master blender Russ Ouellette Steve’s sportscasting talent clearly
of Pipes2Smoke, and general man- offered samples of his excellent and showed with a blend of humor, wit and
ager Brian Levine of SmokingPipes. rather extensive line of tobaccos. I’d dedication to the pipe smoker’s way of
com. It was great to welcome back personally like to recommend Anni- life that made his talk the most enter-
some of our other WCPS “veterans,” versary Kake, which debuted at the taining we’ve seen in a very long time.
including Mike Glukler of Briar Blues, 2012 show—wonderfully smooth An important part of his comments
Robert Lawing of Lawdog’s Pipes (also with a unique, incredible flavor that included special recognition of exhib-
going under The Pipe and Pint), and blew me away. Although Russ was itors at the dinner who mean so much
Donald Seatter of James Island a very busy man at his display, he both to WCPS and the hobby in gen-
Piper (new and estate pipes). Tobac- wasn’t too busy to take out a couple eral. For me, a real highlight of the talk
conist Doug McCoy manned the of hours for his tobacco seminar was to have Steve come up and stand
Carmel Pipe Shop table. Meerschaum Saturday afternoon. He’s been so gen- with seven artisans who are emblem-
lovers at the show were treated to a erous about sharing his knowledge atic of the best in American pipecraft:
gorgeous display by Deniz Ural, sell- and expertise at the WCPS events. Victor Rimkus, Tonni Nielsen, Colin
ing the work of Turkish master carvers Manufacturer Mark Ryan of D&R Rigsby, Bob Swanson, Robbie Cipolla,
direct to the customer under the Best Tobacco was also on hand, and like Joe Skoda and Bob Kiess. After Steve’s
Meerschaums name. Russ, he wasn’t shy about sharing his talk, O’Neill presented awards to Russ
For vintage briar, the star of the knowledge with the show’s guests. Ouellette for Master Blender and
show had to be Richard Hopkins of Exhibitors under the “miscellaneous” Achievement in the Art of Tobacco
Blending, Frank Burla for Lifetime as the “prime mover” and Marty in an
Achievement and Dedication to the advisory role, it’s no exaggeration to From “Pipefuls” columnist
Pipe Community, and Rad Davis for state that they’re creating pipe show William Serad:
Excellence in Pipe Making. With that, magic. With that said, there’s actually The next “Pipefuls” column will focus
the dinner was over, but the night was another key member of the organiza- on my own list of great blends no
still young enough for lively conversation we should never forget. Steve puts longer available, and perhaps some
tions, which continued in the hospi- this best when it comes to how much blends that are just not the same as
tality room. Carl Staudenmeyer of the Linda has been doing to make the they were, even though they are still
Greater Kansas City Pipe Club lit up event such a success; “There literally on the market. So, write in to me
the after-dinner gathering with more would not be a West Coast Pipe Show with your nominations for member-
than just his pipe. This was my first without her,” he says of his wife. Special ship in the Dead Tobacco Society, or
time meeting him face-to-face, and thanks to Steve and Rick Newcombe at least the Not-As-They-Once-Were
his animated style of interchange with for generously donating the 7-day pipe Tobacco Society, but please share
Russ and Tonni added another high- set from the collection of the late Jim your thoughts and experiences. Write
light to end my evening. Benjamin that was raffled at the show. a letter c/o P&T or email: wserad@
We saw more people last year than Next, we’d like to thank the WCPS vol- pipesandtobaccosmagazine.com.
we did in 2011, though. Hurricane unteers on the floor for their help in
Sandy made it impossible for some of running the show as things get hectic that’ll go down in pipe show history.
our attendees living in the Northeast over those crazy Vegas weekends. Then It’s truly remarkable to see this year
to make the show. There were no lulls there’s the Palace Station Hotel staff, after year. Mark your calendar for the
over the day, and the floor saw non- which has continued to treat us so weekend of Nov. 2–3 now, make the
stop energy until the show closed at wonderfully well. We can’t thank them arrangements you need as soon as pos-
5 p.m. On Sunday, more exhibitors enough for all their capable work with sible, and visit the WCPS website for
were staying all the way through to the organizers to keep us coming back. the latest information.
3 p.m., and so were more guests. Steve And finally a huge “thank you” goes
O’Neill and Marty Pulvers have been out to all the exhibitors who brought Steve Johnson
a winning combination, so with Steve it together for another spectacular year Cyberspace
3LSHVDQG7REDFFRV6800(5
%<67(3+(1$5266
Racing ahead
Nate King’s background in racing provides the patience, persistence and
pursuit of perfection needed to become a top-level pipemaker
On the surface, there couldn’t be two smoker settles in for an hour of quiet situation when it comes to creating a
subjects more vastly different than contemplation over a good book and pipe that is going to allow the tobacco
IndyCar racing and pipe smoking. perhaps a fine beverage. to burn properly, prevent the buildup
One consists of specialized open- Yet, for those who pursue racing of excess moisture in the chamber and
wheel, open-cockpit cars powered by and for those who take up pipemak- stem, and to make sure that each smoke
fire-breathing 900-plus horsepower ing, there’s more in common than lives up to the expectations of its user.
engines roaring around a track. At its initially apparent. To achieve success at Commitment is also something
most famous venue, the Indianapolis the top levels of both the sport and the both professions share. Countless
Motor Speedway, the official single lap craft requires momentous quantities of hours go into building the “perfect
record stands at nearly 237.5 mph— patience, persistence and the pursuit beast” for performance on the race
that’s 2.5 miles in less than 38 seconds— of perfection. Design is everything circuit. Both the design team and the
talk about adrenaline! The other often when it comes to building a car that drivers work endlessly to make sure
consists of a simple spark and a tamp, hugs the track while speeding through everything is perfect on race day. Simi-
giving the chosen pipe tobacco time to a turn at more than 200 mph, while larly, pipemakers devote much time to
slowly warm and release the charac- allowing a driver to maximize its capa- creating something that is a piece of
teristics of the tobacco, while the pipe bilities. Design also is a make-or-break art on the outside while crafting the
inner workings to perform perfectly
for the smoker, who also devotes time
to developing an art to the perfect
smoking experience.
When done right, success in both
pursuits looks easy.
At 33 years of age, Nate King is rela-
tively new to pipemaking. But with
12 years of experience working in rac-
ing and being raised in the sport, he’s
already familiar with the dedication
it takes to pursue success on the race-
track and in the workshop.
As a gearbox and transmission spe-
cialist, King was basically responsible
for the entire rear end of the car—
how the engine, drive train and trans-
mission provide the power to the
rear-wheel drive cars to make them
With his head down, Nate King helps his driver exit the pits at the Lexmark Indy 300 in go fast. It wasn’t enough to order
2007 at Surfer's Paradise, Australia. (Photo from the personal collection of Nate King.) a new gearbox and transmission and
All pipe photos by Nate King
just plug it into the car. No, when
a new piece of equipment arrived,
King tore it apart to examine each
piece and perform the necessary
adjustments to get the most out of the
new transmission.
“You get a new transmission and you
completely tear it down to the bare cas-
ing,” says King, wearing a blue jacket
with a red logo reading “Emco,” one of
his racing employers. “You check out
the casing and get rid of everything
you can to save weight, but still allow
the gearbox to work. Make sure there’s
nothing that will bite you later. You
clean up all the bearings. Sometimes
you get a case that has shavings inside
of it that could cause you big trouble
at the racetrack. You go through and
electrosonically clean the bearings.
All that work makes the transmission
much more bulletproof. Gearbox guys
are very focused, and they systemati-
cally get the job done. A lot of gear-
box guys are fabricators, too. You sit
on a surface grinder for hours kick-
ing a half-a-thousandth of an inch off
the surface at a time. People think it’s
always fame and fortune, but no, it is
anguishing. So I learned all kinds of
stuff from the world’s best fabricators.
I still have a lot to learn, but I have a
good base. It was a matter of life or
death in racing, and you want to make
sure everything is perfect, and the
competition is so intense that it causes
you to think of doing everything you
can think of doing to the nth degree.
Everything was done to shave that
thousandth of a second off your time
to beat the competition. The care you
had to take with those parts translates
wonderfully into pipes.”
With Emco Gears, King helped
develop a new gearbox for NASCAR.
The Indianapolis native spent a
month in North Carolina, where most
of the NASCAR teams are based,
helping the teams make the necessary
changes to their cars.
At the same time, he was a fully
contracted transmission specialist
for IndyCar teams that did not want
to build their own transmissions. For
a fee, his company would build the
transmissions at the shop and give
them to the teams who hired him. He
would also travel to the racetracks to
change gearboxes.
“I don’t have any rings to show for
it, but my transmissions have been
part of Indy 500-winning cars,” he
says. “Our gearboxes won the 500
with Buddy Rice in 2004 and with
Eddie Cheever in 1998.”
King also worked directly for sev-
eral teams. There were stints with
Champ Car’s Minardi Team U.S.A.
and Morris Nunn Racing, where, in
addition to his normal transmission
duties, he experienced the thrill and
the danger of being an over-the-wall
pit crewman, operating the airjack to
lift the car and assist the right-rear
tire changer. With so much cut-throat
competition on and off the race-
track, and in the midst of a terrible
12-year civil war within Indy-style
racing between the Indy Racing
League and Champ Car that confused
the general public, dried up sponsor-
ship dollars and subsequently meant
fewer jobs, King found working
in racing increasingly difficult. He
also tired of the travel demands and
the long hours. At 26 and with a
lifetime in the sport, he was burnt
out and left racing altogether to get
into aviation maintenance.
“I went from one job that required
attention to detail to an even bigger res-
ponsibility in aviation maintenance,”
King comments.
It was while he made the transition
from racing to aviation that King first face. “I saved up for a Savinelli Bing’s With his background of work-
took up pipe smoking. A friend from Favorite. The thought of spending ing in race shops and aircraft hang-
church was to be married, and for close to $100 for a pipe was painful ers, it wasn’t long before King took
the bachelor party, King and several at first. I went after only smooths up the challenge of making his first
friends went to Randy’s Tobacco Shop and Dublins—sandblasts and rusti- pipe. He bought a pipemaking kit
on Indianapolis’ west side. They got cated pipes were beneath me at the from Pipe Puffer Smoke Shop in
cigars, and King bought a pipe. time. Now that I’ve become a pipe- Greenwood, Ind. Pipemaker Wayne
“I thought pipe smoking was a gen- maker, I see the beauty in all of it. Teipen, who King had met at Pipe
tlemanly thing to do,” King explains. Then there was a 1964 Dunhill pot Puffer and through the online forum
“I kind of look back at simpler times that I wanted that cost $150.” Christianpipesmokers.net, invited
in life, and pipe smoking seemed, to That was when the aircraft mech- him to drive up to Teipen’s home in
me, to be one of those simpler things.” anic discovered eBay. Cloverdale, Ind., to check out his col-
Working at the airport, King “I’d see one pipe I liked in a lot of lection and discuss pipemaking.
smoked his pipe during breaks three or more that I didn’t want, but “Wayne and I talked about design
from his job. There were few people I’d buy them all, clean them up and and the dos and don’ts,” King ex-
around, it was a big hanger, and Indi- then sell the pipes I didn’t want on plains. “I had a little disc and belt
ana had yet to pass an indoor smok- eBay again. I bought, cleaned and sander at the aviation center, and
ing ban. He enjoyed pipe smoking sold about 1,200 pipes in four years. I would go in during the break and
immensely and saved money to buy It was great training because I got to work on the pipe 15 minutes at a time.
pipes that caught his eye—he found see so many pipes and study them to We had a sandblaster, too. I came
himself particularly drawn to the style see what worked and examine what across a few sandpits in that block so
of pipes that Bing Crosby smoked. didn’t. That’s how I got into under- I masked it off and did a little sand-
“I got the bug,” he says while a standing what went into making an blasting as well. It had a little racing
huge grin crosses his heavily bearded artisan pipe.” stripe and a grill on it. It was about a
quarter-bent-or-so poker. It was was my first Gear Punk.” airway straight out and then a vertical
atrocious, and no one will ever see A design that’s inspired by King’s airway. People have told me that they
it again.” time as a transmission specialist, are some of the best smokers they
While the result may not have been Gear Punk is a pipe concept that have ever had, which surprises me
to King’s liking, he really enjoyed the is completely unique. Part briar because of all the angles involved. The
process of pipemaking. He bought and ebonite—the more traditional principles I’ve learned from Wayne
some briar from Teipen and set about pipemaking materials—Gear Punk and other pipemakers have paid off.
making pipes in his spare time. also features metal adornments, such If you take the time to do all the steps
“It was a hobby for me at the time,” as titanium or aluminum. A one-of- right, it’s going to work.”
King says. “I thought if I could do it a-kind idea, each Gear Punk is dis- The most complex pipe that
someday as a profession it would be tinctive in its own right. King spends King makes, Gear Punk is also the
great. I just wanted to be a good pipe- hours on each block, sanding away most expensive, currently priced at
maker. Wayne was a good teacher. His at what will be the Gear Punk’s front between $450 and $650, with one
engineering was systematic. He could face, creating the impression of the selling for $850.
have been a racecar guy. He taught me cogs on a gear. Basing his concept on “Gear Punks can take as much as a
the baseline.” the second gear of a Champ Car gear- week to make just because there is so
And like many teacher/student box, King imprints some racing heri- much involved and there are so many
relationships, the pupil could teach tage into each Gear Punk he makes. little trinkets. There’s a lot of lathe work
the mentor a thing or two. “I developed Gear Punk after mak- and hand work. All the gears are cut
“Even in my first designs, I pushed ing only two pipes,” King explains. by saw, hand-filed and hand-sanded.
Wayne in his ideas about shaping,” “Just to get familiar with pipes, I There are some things I have milled.”
King explains. “We would be making made sketches of them. Being a gear King’s Steam Punks are a little more
pipes, and I would go over to him and head, I wondered if I could create a traditional than his Gear Punks, but
ask what he thought about what I was gear-inspired pipe. I drew a random they still feature King’s experimen-
doing. He’d say it wouldn’t work. ‘It’s gear and figured out how to make it tal use of combining unusual metals
your pipe, you can do what you want work except for the stem. The stem with briar. The Steam Punk typically
with it, but it might look horrible.’ baffled me. When I did the first Gear features a tall, chimney-like bowl
Then I’d finish it up, and he’d really Punk, the shape resembled a smoke- ensconced within a metal frame, mak-
like it. Like most team situations, you stack with the stem. It sort of played ing the pipe’s bowl look like it might
push each other to be better. I got into the Gear Punk theme as a natu- have broken one of its vertebra and
awarded Pipemaker of the Year on the ral industrial extension. I designed it’s now been immobilized to facili-
German pipemaking website (www. the airhole and stem idea from Roger tate healing. Or as Neill Archer Roan
daskunstportal.at/pipemaker/index. Wallenstein who has done three-hole has suggested, it represents a combi-
php) in 2011. He got second place. It drilling where there is a chamber, an nation, or struggle, between the wood
and the metal—the old versus new.
Admittedly, such avant-garde pipe
designs appeal to a select group of
pipe smokers. While King has gained
attention with his unique designs,
they shouldn’t define him as a pipe-
maker. A full-time pipemaker since
being laid-off from his aviation job in
early 2012, King spends three days a
week working at Pipe Puffer and most
of the rest of the time inside his pipe
studio in the Fountain Square neigh-
borhood of Indianapolis, just a few
blocks southeast of downtown, mak-
ing Gear Punks, Steam Punks and
other, more classically inspired pipes.
He speaks frequently with pipe-
making friends such as Teipen, John
Crosby, Premal Chheda, Bill Shalosky,
Tyler Beard and Trever Talbert. And
he appreciates the additional input
he’s received from other pipemak-
ers, such as Todd Johnson, Bruce
Weaver, Ernie Markle, Rad Davis and
Jack Howell. And then there’s look-
ing at the pipes in his own collection
or those he sees online, figuring out
how they’re made and then trying to
do it himself.
“I study so many pipemakers’
work,” King explains. “I love a lot of
the Danish freehands, especially the
later ones. I try to glean what I can
from each person—see what they
do really well and ask myself how
I can apply that to my pipemaking.
That’s just from going to the shows
and looking at other pipes on web-
sites. There was a Tyler Lane ukulele
I got in Chicago last year, and then I
made my own that was sort of a cross
between Tom Eltang’s ukulele and
Tyler’s in terms of shaping. A lot of guys
liked it. Adam Davidson has helped
me a bunch with proportion and
curves and lines. As long as the shank
diameter, length and the bowl
diameter and height are related some-
how, the pipe will always come out.
The Golden Ratio applies so much.” bounds. He discerns improvement a lot of learning. I’m getting better
[In mathematics and the arts, the Gol- with every pipe, and there are still the with eggs and Dublins. As you keep
den Ratio is achieved when the ratio of occasional eureka moments when he doing it, you get better and get more
the sum of the quantities to the larger finds a way to solve a problem that efficient. It just happens. I’m getting
quantity equals the ratio of the larger had been bothering him for weeks. decently good at making shapes. I
quantity to the smaller one.] “Every time I do something, it haven’t tried anything like a squashed
Having completed less than 100 becomes that much easier,” he com- tomato. I’d like to make a blowfish
pipes in his brief career, King’s prog- ments. “It’s about using your time with someone before I tackle one
ress as a talented but up-and-coming more wisely. Muscle memory. That myself. I have fooled around with a
pipemaker still comes in leaps and helps quality as well. There is still few blocks experimenting with some
and is experimenting with buffalo
horn. King drills the stem’s airhole to
a diameter of 4 mm, which seems to
be the gospel size among most pipe-
makers, however, King explains in a
unique way why he believes it is the
right size for his pipes.
“When I make a pipe, I want the
smoker to determine how it smokes
through packing and smoking pace,
not because the airway is so small
that they have to suck really hard to
get the smoke,” he says. “I tend to
make a very open airway so that it
feels free and the smoker can pack the
tobacco a little tighter. It gives them
some peace of mind and freedom just
to smoke the pipe. Learning to pack
is the most difficult thing. I’m eight
years into pipe smoking, and I still
don’t have it down. There are so many
other things to worry about that I
don’t want them to worry about the
pipe. It’s like racing. You go through
a checklist. You solve one problem,
and then you do it the same way from
then on. It becomes a baseline from
which you move forward. I want my
pipes to be a baseline for the smoker
where he can vary tobaccos, but the
pipe is consistent. I think 4 mm is
small enough to be able to make some
exotic shapes, but also large enough
to have free-flowing air.”
While he reserves titanium and
other metals mostly for Gear Punk
and Steam Punk pipes, King uses a
variety of other materials with which
to adorn his other pipes. Antler,
mammoth ivory and pre-ban ele-
aspects of a blowfish. I want to get comfortable and enjoyable smoke it phant ivory sit on shelves alongside
to the point where I can use the time can. From his days of fiddling with exotic woods, such as marble wood,
on steps other than the shaping— racing transmissions, King under- zebra wood, king wood, red heart and
get it right naturally and then spend stands the importance of being exact. black palm.
the time saved thinking about what “Every attention to detail is key, “I really love working with black
I can tweak better. Being from a rac- just like in racing,” he explains. “Every palm, but it’s a real pain,” he explains.
ing background, I’m always think- little millimeter matters. If you’re just “It likes to chip apart when you’re
ing about what I can do better. I’m a little bit off in one area, it screws working with it, but some of the other
always striving to do better, no matter up the car’s handling completely, pipemakers have given me some tips
what I do. Each particular detail pres- and the same is true with pipes. That that have really helped out. You name
ents a challenge. Is there something has benefited me as a pipemaker— it, and I use it. Water buffalo. I’d like
new that someone hasn’t thought understanding how a little bit can to get some ox horn for some shank
of before?” have a big impact on the pipe.” extensions. I’d also like to use some
While King’s shaping is evolv- From almost his first pipe, King more exotic stuff, such as dinosaur
ing, one area where his pipes have has hand cut and shaped his own fossils or narwhal tusks, but just an
garnered universal acknowledgement mouthpieces, mostly using regular inch of narwhal tusk costs $150, so
is the engineering. From Gear Punk black ebonite, Cumberland and some it’ll be awhile before I do it.”
to billiard, each Nate King pipe is different colored Cumberland. He has In just a few short years, King has
engineered to provide the best, most also used clear acrylic mouthpieces gone from cringing at the thought
of spending $150 on a 1964 Dunhill always be a pipemaker. As one of my
pipe to thinking about spending the friends has said, I create beauty. I take Nate King pipes are available at
same amount of money on a piece of something that’s natural and beauti- Smokingpipes.com, the Pipe Puffer at
narwhal bone to adorn a pipe he will ful on its own, and then I inspect it 317.881.2957 and Smokers’ Haven
make in the future. Talk about mak- and think about it and breathe into it at 614.299.2442.
ing the transition from pipe smoker a new creation.” P&T
to pipemaker—King has done it so
fast he might have set a new track
record. And now being able to concen-
trate on pipemaking almost full-time,
the former racer-turned-pipemaker’s
talent should gather even more speed.
Still, he doesn’t want to push him-
self too far, too fast. On the racetrack,
speed is gained in small increments,
not in huge leaps; otherwise you’re
liable to crash. The same is true
in pipemaking.
“My goal is to get into the 100-to-
150 pipe range a year,” he explains.
“Obviously, my main thing is quality
over anything else. I want to be known
for making a good pipe. This is truly a
passion I’ve found. It’s my goal to do
this full time for the rest of my life. I
might not reach that goal, but I will
Alabama pipe celebration
You might not expect that a center This place is The Briary, run by worldwide reputations: Erik Stokkebye
of pipe smoking in the U.S. would be tobacconist and pipemaker Skip Elliott, and Peder Jeppesen.
located in a 150-year-old farmhouse in who, next year, will be celebrating Danish pipemaker Jeppesen is
Homewood, Ala. This is a place with 40 years as a tobacconist. Few pipe best known for his Neerup line of
actual gravestones still in the yard, aficionados are as knowledgeable or pipes. He learned his craft from
along with an outhouse (though it has enthusiastic as Elliott, and his expe- Karl Erik Ottendahl, then from Erik
indoor plumbing now, too). It’s not a rience is evidenced in his shop. It’s a Nørding, and has been making pipes
farm anymore—buildings have grown pipe-smoking Mecca. A huge selection for more than 25 years. Neerup pipes
up around it and streets have become of pipes, from inexpensive to prepos- are known for their Danish stylings,
busy, but the house has changed only to terously high-grade, fill the cabinets tasteful, decorative fitments and
accommodate lovers of fine tobaccos. in the multiple rooms of The Briary. modest prices. He had several dozen
One entire wall is dedicated to tins of pipes spread out and was doing a
Peder Jeppesen tobacco, and bulk tobacco fills jar after booming business.
jar along the perimeter of the counter. Stokkebye was there to introduce
Display cases of antique pipes are his new lines of 4th Generation pipes
everywhere. And for the pipe smoker and 4th Generation pipe tobaccos, all
who grows overwhelmed with all the of which are labeled to correspond
visual and olfactory stimuli, there is a with the birth years of Erik Stokkebye
lounge so comfortable that it takes an (1957), his father, Peter (1931), his
act of ultimate willpower to leave. High grandfather, Erik Paul (1897) and
ceilinged and abundantly furnished in great-grandfather, Erik Peter (1855).
leather couches and chairs, scattered Both pipes and tobaccos were popular,
with ashtrays, decorated with books and attendees enjoyed the opportu-
and shelves and antique smoking signs, nity to speak with Stokkebye about
it is a place perfect for contemplation the products and converse with a
or conversation. renowned expert in the field.
In February this year, was The Every town should have a shop like
Briary’s annual pipe event, which The Briary, but unfortunately, pipe
has grown enormously popular. It is establishments of its caliber are rare. If
unknown how many pipe smokers can you can get to Alabama for this event
fit into one shop, but they all appeared next year, it’s well worth the visit.
to be there. It was a shoulder-to- Check the website (www.thebriary.
shoulder crowd and every face had com) for information on next year’s
a pipe protruding from it. Not only 40th anniversary event, or give them
was the majority of the stock on sale, a call at 877.327.4279. It should be
but there was a smoking contest with even more fun than this year was, but
terrific prizes and two guests with that’s difficult to imagine. P&T
Skip Elliott (center)
Erik Stokkebye
%<0$5&08152(',21
Cold
Stones
When the poor and working class
people of Mill River, Mass., speak
English (and at least two-thirds of
them can speak English) it is with
an accent that does not sound like
Boston, which is 50 miles north. Nor
does it sound like the stereotypical
“ayup,” accent one associates with Yan-
kee apple famers living outside perpet-
ually snow-blanketed Vermont towns.
Mill Riverites say “youze” as
the plural of “you.” They not only
drop their “r’s,” as do many New
Englanders, but they have trouble
with the “th” sound.
“If youze guys is goin’, den I will
too,” the Mill Riverite says.
The use of “bloody” as an all-
purpose intensifier, the Mill River
denizen owes to the English weavers
who came to work the cotton mills
in the 1820s. Some say the Mill
River native got “youze” from the
Irish who arrived in 1848, and
natives who say, “no?” at the end of
inquisitorial sentences are said to
have gotten that habit from the
French-Canadian immigrants who
arrived beginning in the 1880s.
“It’s a nice ring, no?” said John
“Gottaguy” Gomes, sitting com-
fortably at the bar of the St. James
Irish Pub, a basement bar in Mill
River. Outside, sleet blew side-
ways onto the city, which wore its
S
familiar winter cloak of gray.

Left photo: ©iStockphoto.com/Roydee
Right photo: ©iStockphoto.com/zelfit
“Gottaguy” was a professional crimi- couple days, sells her car. Toilet stops women as he wandered away, back to
nal who purchased, at a steep discount, working but him and his junkie buddies the newspaper office and the bars and
items stolen by Mill River junkies who use it anyway. When it’s full, they start the five-room apartment he shared with
committed suburban housebreaks. crapping in the bathtub. his 82-year-old mother.
Gomes’ nickname came from the fact “He sells me her engagement ring for Dupont held the ring in his long, thin
that, if asked where one could buy $1,000,” Gottaguy said. “Gotta be at least fingers and moved it until the round,
heroin, guns, vinyl siding, tools, auto- $4,000 worth of diamond in there. Too multi-faceted stone caught the light
mobile parts, liquor or the services of bad he didn’t sell me the crossbow. He’d from a red neon sign that said “RED
a prostitute, Gomes would think for a be eatin’ dinner at McDonald’s tonight. SOX NATION.”
second, click his thick thumbnail “I’ll take $2,000 for it because I know “I’ll bring you the money tomorrow,”
against his upper front teeth and say, “I you a long time.” he told Gottaguy, handing the ring back.
gotta guy …” Dupont knocked out his pipe in the “Keep it,” Gottaguy said. “You don’t
The “guy” Gomes knew always deliv- much-too-small glass ashtray on the bar gotta bring me the money tomorrow.
ered, though it was best not to ask how and, even though the bowl still sizzled, End of the week’ll be fine. You ain’t
the guy could afford to sell at such a he began to stuff it with his own mix of goin’ nowhere.”
low price. Five Brothers, Latakia and black Louisi- “And you know where I work,”
“I don’t know about giving Sim- ana Perique. Dupont laughed.
one a hot ring,” said Jack Dupont, Dupont pointed his index finger at “If you tried to rob me, I wouldn’t be
taking a short black pipe from his mouth Gottaguy’s longneck bottle of Miller the one came lookin’ for you,” Gottaguy
and blowing a cloud of smoke into the said, “I gotta guy …”
close, overheated air of the St. James. In Gottaguy removed a flip-top box
summer, the bar was a refrigerator. In As a gesture of of Marlboro cigarettes from the inside
winter, it was a pizza oven. pocket of his black leather sport coat.
“Customers like I got, they work out-
side,” owner Ron “Captain Ron” Mello
concern, her two He took the last cigarette from the pack
and tucked it into the corner of his nar-
often said. “In the summer, they’re up
a ladder, shingling somebody’s roof. In friends dumped row, ugly mouth.
He dropped the ring into the empty
the winter, they’re unloading trucks out cigarette pack, closed the flip-top and
on a loading dock, six below outside.
Whatever the weather is outside, I keep
her body on the handed the pack to Dupont.
“It comes with a box,” he said. “Take
it the opposite in here.”
“The ring ain’t hot,” Gottaguy said. sidewalk in front it to a jeweler and get the date shaved off
the inside.”
“Show it to one of your cop friends. Tell As Gottaguy said, Dupont wasn’t
him the address of the house it came of the emergency going anywhere. He was 50 years old
out of. There’s no burglary report on and, other than four years of college in
that house.”
“Tell me the story,” said Dupont.
room at St. Boston and three years working on a
big Midwestern daily, he had lived his
Gottaguy sighed.
“Junkie named Ryan Burke,” Gotta- Anne’s Hospital. whole life in Mill River.
A city of 88,000, Mill River had
guy said. “He’s in the can now; tried to beaten Detroit to the punch. Detroit
kill his girlfriend with a crossbow. Hit Lite, then at his own shot glass and, started losing the auto industry in the
her in the arm. Be out in about three. lastly, at his nearly empty pint of 1980s. Mill River’s cotton mills went
“His mother lived in Swansett,” Guinness Stout. under in the 1930s. The mills were
Gottaguy said, naming a Mill River sub- “’Round the horn, Tommy,” Dupont replaced by garment shops, all of which
urb whose 10 percent unemployment said to the bartender. the locals called “sweatshops,” and with
rate encouraged its residents to put on Like his girlfriend Simone LaC- good reason. The sweatshops started
airs when comparing themselves to roix, Dupont worked for the Mill River closing in the 1970s, when a magazine
Mill River, where the unemployment Standard Times. He was the paper’s for owners in the garment trade began
rate had hit 18 percent that January. columnist. She was its best reporter, carrying an advertisement for Mexican
“His mother was no trouble to any- a 5-foot-2-inch blond woman with a manufacturers who would sew clothes
body. His father died of leukemia when Manhattan sense of style and a Mill for American labels. The ad showed
he was eight. River attitude that ranged from dis- a lovely, yet docile-looking Mexican
“A year before he goes away, Ryan missive to confrontational. Dupont, woman seated at a sewing machine.
Burke’s mother dies. Car accident. to whom love was a sentence from a “Meet Rosa,” the ad said. “She sews
Drunk driver hit her head on. She corrupt judge, was thinking of asking for 10 cents an hour.”
leaves Ryan everything, him being her for her small, blond hand in marriage. She did, too. And Mill River slumped
only kid. Dupont’s pre-Simone love affairs had back into welfare, part-time work, use-
“He moves into the house, sells the always possessed the quality of brev- less “job training programs” and heroin.
furniture, passes out on the lawn every ity. He did not so much break up with Dupont had enough of a sense of
humor to leave the ring in its cigarette lined “The curse of heroin addiction.” Simone was working her story hard,
box when he stashed it in the drawer of “She was pretty,” Jack Dupont talking to Gigi’s neighbors in the proj-
his dresser. He had enough of a sense of muttered. ect, talking her way into the confidence
self-preservation to give Gottaguy the “Gigi Gargotta?” Simone said. “You of Gigi’s mother, a mountainous woman
money by the end of the week. cover one of her trials for possession or with no front teeth, whose green sweat-
A 36-year-old welfare mother of something?” pants were held together at the crotch
two named Gigi Gargotta had very “I dated her,” Dupont said. by a safety pin.
little sense of self-preservation left, but If you considered stories about bur- “The story was supposed to be
she licked the end of the needle before glaries, murders, gangs, underperform- 10 inches,” she told the editor. “Maybe
working the sharp tip into a vein behind ing schools, the city’s eroding tax base, 325 words. It’s gonna be 1,000 words
her right knee. Junkies believe licking its abandoned downtown and the flight when I’m done.”
the tip of the needle keeps the shot from of working-class people to the suburbs, “Eight years ago, I was Gigi Gargotta’s
burning the skin. almost every story the Standard Times ‘deal,’” Dupont wrote in his Tuesday col-
It was heroin Gargotta had paid for wrote was about heroin. umn. “Everybody in the projects has a
but it was Fentanyl she’d been sold. Fen- Simone had been lifelong-bachelor ‘deal,’ whether it’s work, welfare, disabil-
tanyl is a synthetic drug, stronger than Dupont’s girlfriend for five years. She ity, child support or drug dealing.
heroin, and it turned her lips blue, con- was aware that his pre-Simone girl- “Women do nails and hair in their
vulsed her skinny body and stopped her friend choices included at least one apartments for other women who pay
heart. Gargotta’d been shooting up with stripper and several women who had cash. There are men who do brake jobs
two other addicts in a 13-year-old green more tattoos than they had spent years for $20 and the cost of the parts.
Toyota Corolla. As a gesture of concern, in school. Three months into their “Gigi only had one child then,
her two friends dumped her body on relationship, she had forced a squirm- and she sent him to her sister’s every
the sidewalk in front of the emergency ing, eyes-downcast Dupont to go get an Wednesday night,” Dupont wrote. “I
room at St. Anne’s Hospital. AIDS test, which he had passed. parked my truck four blocks from the
“They parked down by the river, “I talked to a counselor up at the project and walked in with a pepperoni
got high,” Simone LaCroix said in the addiction center,” Simone said “He told pizza and a bottle of $4.99 red wine.
office of the Mill River Standard Times. me the junkies are already trying to buy “Every Saturday, Gigi sent her kid to
“Junkies love scenery. the same stuff killed Gigi Gargotta,” a friend’s house and I took her to a res-
“Ten-inch story,” Simone said. “Twelve- Simone said. “He said they figure if it taurant and then to a bar. I don’t think I
inch sidebar that I’m sure will be head- killed her, it’s gotta be great dope.” ever spoke to her son. No one bothered
TM
Call 1-800-251-3016 to ﬁnd a White Spot retailer near you.
Exclusive U.S. Distributor
me in the project because no one in the cigarette butts and trash. Big flakes of clouds that meant more snow.
project does anything to kill anyone snow fell around them and Dupont Twelve-year-old girls take up more
else’s ‘deal’,” Dupont wrote. hunched his shoulders deeper into his room in a coffin than did Gigi Gargotta,
It was a column packed with real- gray tweed jacket. Simone stood ramrod her heroin-hollowed face bright pink
ity and self-loathing, a column about straight, her small feet in crimson high and dead white under makeup that was
what Dupont called “a disposable girl.” heels that matched her nail polish, her so unsubtle it might have been applied
It took Dupont a full eight-hour shift to lipstick and the red turtleneck she wore with a housepainter’s brush.
write, chewing on the stem of an unlit under a black waist-length jacket with a She wore black pants and a white
corncob pipe, speaking to no one in the fake fur collar, also black. blouse, her hair was combed back
office, frowning and running his fingers “You didn’t have to not write what from her face, and the tattoo on her
through his close-cropped brown hair. you wrote, and you didn’t have to write neck that read “LOVINITY” could be
Eight feet from Dupont, Simone it differently, but you had to tell me clearly read.
wrote Gigi Gargotta’s story from the before it ran in the paper,” Simone said. And none of her male relatives was
news angle but with a personal street- “I’m not Gigi. I don’t have a kid with in a suit, though one wore a creased cor-
level touch that only a Mill River native everybody who buys me a beer, and I’m duroy sport coat. Dupont and Simone
could have brought to the story, a sort not Wednesdays and Saturdays.” worked their way down the line of her
of prideful, side-of-the-mouth despair. Dupont took the long-stemmed pipe relatives, shaking hands and murmuring,
“She smoked a little weed when I out of his mouth and considered its silver “Sorry for your trouble.”
knew her,” Dupont wrote. “I didn’t care. band, which he began to polish with the But both of them saw the small, fake
Why would I? She was Wednesdays and fat end of his red-and-yellow-striped tie. emerald in the hollow of Gigi Gargotta’s
Saturdays to me for six months, eight “And stop fooling around with your throat and the thin gold chain running
years ago. pipe,” Simone said. “It’s what you do up over the “LOVINITY” tattoo and
“She worked back then,” he wrote. when you’re trying to take yourself out of around to the back of her neck, where it
“Twenty hours a week behind the a conversation.” lost itself in tender hair, soft as a baby’s.
counter at a corner store three blocks Dupont put the pipe back in his Coming out of the funeral home into a
from the project, $5 an hour, cash, off mouth and puffed. still, lowering dusk, Dupont and Simone
the books. “I bought,” he began to say, planning stood on the sidewalk and looked across
“I left her as I found her,” Dupont to wind up with, “you an engagement the street at a brick-fronted bar with a
wrote. “And I thought I did her no harm. ring,” but took another puff on his pipe. blue neon sign in the window that read
“But people just don’t end up the way “You bought what?” Simone said. “Pabst.” Next to the bar, a short, fat man
Gigi did,” Dupont wrote. “Someone has “I bought Gigi a necklace once,” was rolling a corrugated metal door down
to give them a push, to remind them that he said. over the windows of a music store called
they are nothing in the world. “What kind?” Simone said. “Mi Communidad.”
“I gave her a little push,” Dupont “An emerald on a gold chain,” Dupont thought of an engagement
wrote. “And when she died, in a little Dupont said. ring in a flip-top cigarette pack, kept in
puddle of her own puke, on a stone-cold “Was it a real emerald?” Simone the same drawer with six sets of cuff-
sidewalk, just outside an emergency asked, lighting a long menthol ciga- links, two lighters that no longer worked
room, I was not there. rette and twisting her left foot inward, and a money clip he got as a present
“Do I think I could have saved her?” standing a little less straight. for being his friend Jeff ’s best man. He
Dupont wrote. “No. But I didn’t have to “No,” Dupont said. “But I told decided to keep his mouth shut.
give her a push.” her it wasn’t. It was what they call Dupont scuffled in the inside pocket
“It’s painful and way too confessional, ‘lab created’.” of his suit coat, came out with a big,
and we probably shouldn’t print it, but “What’d it cost you?” Simone asked. bent Peterson pipe in his hand, took
it’s brave and well-written. You’re going “I paid $159 at Sears,” Dupont said. a red plaid tobacco pouch from his
to win an award for it,” Standard Times “I’m not going to forgive you,” Sim- right rear pants pocket, stuffed strong
editor Cassie Wolfson told Dupont. one said. “Because even if you say you’re tobacco into the pipe and lit it with a
“You really think you’re freakin’ sorry, you weren’t too sorry to do it.” kitchen match he struck on the white
heroic, and you think life’s freakin’ “It was just a column,” Dupont said. vinyl siding of the funeral home.
heroic, and you think the project is “I’m not talking about the column,” “You know that was the necklace I
freakin’ tragic, and you think it’s OK Simone said. “I’m talking about what you gave her?” Dupont said.
for me to walk around the city with did to Gigi. “Yes,” Simone said. “I know that. How
everybody looking at me like I’m Gigi “Today’s Wednesday,” Simone said. many $159 fake emerald necklaces could
Gargotta’s replacement,” Simone said to “Come by my house after work. Don’t one junkie have?”
Dupont the day the column ran. bring a pizza. “And it wasn’t like she wasn’t ever
As always when they fought, Dup- “We’re going to Gigi’s wake,” Simone going to sell it,” Dupont said. “She just
ont and Simone fought outside, at the said. hadn’t sold it yet.”
eastern corner of the Standard Times’ Which they did, on a slushy day “That’s the hell of being a junkie,” Sim-
140-year-old red brick building, next to in December when the Mill River one said. “There’s always something left
a white PVC bucket overflowing with sky was gray and full of fat-bellied to sell.” P&T
PREMIUM TOBACCOS AND PIPES
Imported and Distributed By Arango Cigar Co. – Northbrook, IL 60062
)or a 5etaiOer Near <ou, CaOO 002222 arangoFigar#aoO.Fom
BY STEPHEN A. ROSS
Following his heart

After years pursuing a career in medical research, Peter Heding finds his true calling
If science never finds a cure for Type I passionate about and make that your where both parents and a brother
diabetes, then perhaps Tom Eltang career, but how many people actu- worked in the scientific and research
is to blame. After all, it was Eltang ally do it, especially after they have fields. However, Heding didn’t have a
who mentored Peter Heding, a young spent years of hard work and tens of clear idea of what he wanted to do. He
molecular biologist specializing in thousands of dollars in education to liked being outdoors and working with
diabetes treatment research, in his ear- gain a coveted position in a highly tools, but he couldn’t imagine how
liest pipemaking days. selective field? he could mold those interests into a
Or perhaps it would be more accurate Heding is one of those brave few. career, especially living in a house with
to say that if it weren’t for Eltang, Hed- He wanted to become a pipemaker so family members who were profession-
ing wouldn’t have had the courage to badly that he walked away from a als working in offices and laboratories.
follow what his heart told him was his lucrative medical researcher position to At 16, still unclear of what he would
best path to happiness—exchanging pursue a newly formed dream of earn- like to do with his life but forced
the sterile medical research lab for the ing a living as a pipemaker. However, to make a decision because he had
dusty pipemaking studio. like all big, life-changing decisions, reached the age when university starts
Heding has the guts to go along Heding’s choice didn’t come overnight. in Denmark, Heding entered a three-
with his pipemaking ability. People say Born in 1971 in Copenhagen, Den- year business school and worked as an
that you should find something you’re mark, Heding grew up in a family intern inside an office. He continued
that education with a one-year constr-
uction course before following his
parents and brother into the sciences.
When he was 25, he began studying
biology at the University of Copen-
hagen. As his education progressed,
Heding found himself drawn into
molecular biology and genetics.
Fascinated by the potential of
discovering breakthroughs in medi-
cine, Heding continued his scien-
tific education with a scholarship at a
hospital, where he joined a research
group studying diabetes—finding out
how Type I diabetes developed and
seeking a cure for the disease. With
this group, Heding earned a Ph.D. and
stayed for another two years in a post-
doctoral program.
For someone who started his
university studies without an idea of
what he wanted to do, Heding had
achieved much. He had gone from shift-
less teenager to a respected scientist who
has been published in important scien-
tific reviews and spoken at international
research conferences. Heding proved
that once he put his mind to some-
thing, he could achieve it—and then
some. He might have stayed in medical
research his entire life and been part of
the team that finds the cure for Type I
diabetes, but one night sitting on the sofa
and flipping through channels on the
television changed it all.
Heding had first smoked a pipe when
he was just 14 because it offered the
least expensive smoking experience. He
became a devoted pipe smoker in his
early 20s and noticed the workman-
ship that went into making the pipes he
enjoyed. But seeing an interview with
Anne Julie on Danish television in 2003
caught his attention.
“I saw her pipes and I thought, ‘Wow,
a pipe can be like this,’” the Dane, who
will be 42 in July, exclaims. “I’ve always
liked the creative part of working with
my hands, and I had already worked
with wood, silver and gold making small
jewelry items. That interview was the
first time I saw a high-grade pipe. Sud-
denly, I started searching the Internet
for Anne Julie, and then I discovered
other pipemakers such as Tom Eltang. It
opened a whole new world to me.”
Heding carved some pipes using any
bit of wood he could easily find, but then and knows everybody, and he hides no visitor to Eltang’s shop during his lunch
he discovered that Eltang’s workshop secrets about pipemaking.” breaks. Heding’s work schedule stipu-
was just a few minutes’ bicycle ride away Displaying the same tenacity that had lated that he would have to reserve the
from his office. During a lunch break, he earned him a Ph.D., Heding took those majority of his pipemaking time to those
rode over and introduced himself. After blocks home and worked with them in evening kitchen-floor sessions. It took a
Heding expressed his interest in mak- the evenings. He sat with his legs crossed long time for him to make pipes with files
ing pipes, Eltang gave him two blocks of on the kitchen floor of the flat that he and sandpaper and bending stems over
briar and invited him to come back to shared with his wife, Dorthe, hand carv- a burner on the gas stove. Eltang freely
the workshop to show Eltang what he ing one of those blocks. After about a shared whatever information Heding
could carve from them. week, Heding returned to Eltang to see requested. Eventually, Heding finished
“I really didn’t know how big Tom is what he thought. six pipes, and Eltang made a suggestion.
in the international pipe scene,” Heding “It was the first time I worked with “He told me that I should go to the
explains. “I found a page about Dan- briar, and it was awesome,” Heding says Chicago Pipe Show with them,” Heding
ish pipemakers. I saw his pipes were a enthusiastically. “It was my very first explains. “I couldn’t go personally, but
little bit more like regular pipes. He was pipe. I showed it to Tom, and he looked Tom and his wife, Pia, took my pipes to
close-by and I was fortunate. I think it at it closely under the lamp. He told me Chicago in 2004 and 2005. I got some
was very important for my development it wasn’t bad and that I had something interest from retailers and collectors
as a pipemaker to find Tom. He is so going on here. He told me to drill from the United States and Germany.
open and generous. Other pipemakers the holes and fix it up. I had to make a That’s how it started.”
may have told me to stick to biology. It stem for it as well, and he invited me Heding’s desire to make pipes
was destiny, kind of. He is unique among to come back.” intensified after his successes at those
Danish pipemakers because he talks Heding became a more frequent shows. Yet, he was still uneasy about
3LSHVDQG7REDFFRVVXPPHU
making more pipes. What would hap- Having one parent working at home a workshop and all the tools I needed. He
pen if his colleagues, most of whom could alleviate child care costs. In 2006— was such a mentor. It would have taken
were strident and vocal opponents of three years after seeing that interview me months to get started by myself and
smoking, found out? Heding was liv- with Anne Julie and meeting Tom he really involved himself in this project.”
ing something of a double life. When Eltang—Heding decided to follow his Returning to the office, Heding told
he looked at pipe photos on his work heart and make his living as a pipemaker. his supervisor that he was resigning.
computer during breaks, it was almost “I calculated it in a way to make it fea- Assuming that he would continue in the
as if he were looking at pornography. sible,” he explains. “It’s not possible for scientific field and interested in Heding’s
Whenever someone approached his me to demand $5,000 for a pipe. Overall, future career, the supervisor asked the
work station, he scrambled to make I wasn’t concerned about how this would soon-to-be-former molecular biologist
those photos disappear from his moni- go because I just knew that I could do what his next job would be.
tor. One day, it was too late. pipes well and that I could make a living “Making pipes,” Heding told him.
“They didn’t know what I was doing,” out of this by selling them at a reason- “I think he was so surprised that he
he explains. “I had one close friend at able price. I never thought that I could didn’t know how to react,” Heding recalls
work who found out by accident because not succeed, though there were quite a while trying to suppress something of a
I had a bunch of pictures open on my few sleepless nights.” grin. “He was speechless. And that’s been
work’s computer screen. I tried to shut Heding requested a meeting with his how most people have reacted. They
them all down, but there were too many. supervisor. Before the meeting, he rode think that this is a big step backward for
My friend saw the photos, and I had to to Eltang’s studio to tell him his decision. me. I worked so hard—10 to 15 years to
tell him that I had been making pipes for “A year after I had met Tom, he told earn my Ph.D. I had scientific publica-
the last two years. My boss and all the me, ‘Your job may be a scientist, but you tions, and all of a sudden I wanted to
other people didn’t know because they are a pipemaker,’” Heding comments. trade all that in for a dusty workshop to
wouldn’t understand. I think they would “He could see in my eyes and the way work with wood—they thought I was
have thought that it might be a conflict that I loved this that someday I would crazy. But they don’t know, although I
of interest with my daily work.” make the shift. I remember the day that have explained it to them, what pipe-
Clandestinely moonlighting as a I quit my job. I went to Tom during my making gives to me. They don’t realize
pipe carver, Heding received more lunch break. He had some visitors from the peace of mind and satisfaction I get
interest in his work and picked up more Sweden, and I told him that today was the from seeing the results of my creativity.
customers. Becoming a full-time pipe- day. He didn’t know that my plans were Science is also a creative job, but it takes
maker became more feasible. And there so final. He just pulled up a chair and forever to get from A to B. From the idea
was now a young child in the family. talked to me for 15 minutes about finding to the final success can take as much as
10 years. I wanted something that was
more instant in the result.”
And seven years after making that big
decision, Heding’s family and friends are
seeing that it was the right decision.
“The first years I didn’t make that
much money, and now it’s better, but
it still will never be near what I earned
in research,” he says. “No pension, and
there were a lot of other things that I left.
I have to take care of myself now. There
are so many plusses though—not only is
it creative, but then I get to work from
home. My wife is a doctor in Copenha-
gen. It would be impossible for her to do
that considering the commute and for us
to take care of the kids. It’s been a good
adjustment, and now a lot of our friends
who have young children are wondering
how they can work from home.”
Home for the Heding family is
in the town of Englerup, Denmark,
approximately 50 miles southwest of
Copenhagen. Heding’s workshop is an
old hen house that, at approximately
150 square feet, was just the right size
to convert into a pipe studio, and stands
near the house the couple built a few
years ago. With windows overlooking
the house and the backyard, Heding can
easily watch his boys, Oskar, Viktor and
a new nerve in a simple way. It’s very diffi-
cult to make a completely new shape that
has never seen the world before. I want to
try to keep it simple in the S. Bang way—
making a pipe that appears to be simple
with that extra-small thing that makes
it beautiful.”
Making that beautiful pipe without
beautiful briar is virtually impossible.
Heding’s exclusive briar supplier is based
in southern Italy. The supplier sets aside
plateau blocks according to specifications
Heding has stipulated, and when 150
blocks are accumulated, they are shipped
to him. Once they arrive—an occasion
he compares to Christmas morning—
Heding stores them for at least 12 months
before considering them for use.
In an average year, Heding cuts into
300 briar blocks. About one-third of
them turn out to be useless, except for
firewood. Heding estimates that he
is able to coax smooth finishes out of
85 percent of the remaining briar. The rest
he rusticates or takes to Eltang’s workshop
for sandblasting.
“I wish I had a blasting facility here
because it’s so much easier to take the
decision about a smooth finish over a blast
Rasmus, when they are home from and whales, Heding also made interpre- when you can just go six feet and do the
school. The white-washed interior walls tations of tomatoes, volcanoes, blowfish blast,” he jokes. “Instead, I work hard to try
provide ample natural light and seem to and Ramses. His interest in biology in- to remove any flaws that appear and spend
make the space inside larger than it really spired interpretations of those shapes a lot of time sanding. Sometimes there’s
is, though there is enough room for some and creations of his own, such as a fish, no briar left, and I’ve wasted my time. It’s
yard tools, all of Heding’s pipemaking nut and lion. hard to find the space for the sand-blasting
equipment and some of Rasmus’ toys. “I get inspired by all the other pipe- equipment in my workshop, and it’s good
Heding has built his reputation makers,” Heding comments. “But Tom not to have it where I do the polish because
mainly on making freehand pipes. From also told me that it was important to you can have fine sand that will end up
his first days as a pipemaker, Heding find my own niche or style; even though on the polishing disk, and it will ruin the
made copies of pipes he admired, such a horn is a horn, small differences can pipe completely.”
as Teddy Knudsen’s elephant’s foots or create a different look. In the beginning, Heding works in bunches of about
whales—big pipes carved to stunningly I just printed out pictures of pipes and a dozen pipes at a time. He begins by
exhibit grain and bird’s eye. Heding was tried to copy them. I don’t have a picture selecting 12 blocks, carving the basic bowl
fascinated by the sculptures crafted by of a pipe in my workshop anymore. I just and performing a rough sanding. Then
some of the world’s best pipemakers, do it from my head. It’s like I have left he lets them sit for a month, turning his
such as Knudsen, Bo Nordh and Kent school and I am trying to be my own attention to pipes that are further along in
Rasmussen, but it was Eltang who taught pipemaker. I find inspiration mostly the process.
him the fundamentals he needed to mas- in nature. I like to be outside. Like the “When you first cut into the wood, it
ter before making his own masterpieces. lion or blowfish—they all have names opens the pores,” he explains. “Letting the
“Tom is old school,” Heding com- of animals or flowers. I see a pipe on the wood sit for a month with the pores open
ments. “I had never used a lathe before Internet, and I see a part of it that’s been allows the wood to relax and breathe,
I worked with him. He said I should carved in a way I haven’t seen before, and which makes the briar more stable.”
stand by the lathe and make 20 copies of then I take those details to do a pipe of Like almost every other artisan pipe-
classic pipes such as Rhodesians or pots my own style using what I have seen. It’s maker, Heding loves the challenge of re-
before even thinking about making an about trying to make a fusion between vealing the best shape that a briar block can
elephant’s foot or a whale. He wanted me someone else’s work and my own. offer. He meticulously grinds wood away
to get the basics first, but he could tell “What drives me the most is try- at the sanding disc before settling into a
that I was more attuned to freehands.” ing to make new designs without being chair and performing smaller adjustments,
In addition to those elephant’s foots completely crazy,” he continues. “Try to hit sanding by hand using files and sandpaper.
“I do a lot of manual work because prefers to give them a fairly rounded measurements to make sure that I’m
that is how I learned,” he explains. “It is a bottom. The draft hole must be at the cen- OK with the size of the mouthpiece. If I
much more intimate way to work with the ter of the tobacco chamber’s bottom. don’t do those measurements, occasion-
wood. Sanding by hand allows me to gain “Pipemaking is all about a compro- ally the mouthpieces are too thick.”
a deeper knowledge of the wood. I know mise between the shape and the draw,” Now a decade into making pipes,
it very well after I have cleaned up a piece Heding states. “Drilling by hand makes it Heding’s pipemaking talent evolves at
of briar. What does a briar leave me as far difficult to make the tobacco chamber and a slower pace. Early on, he could mark
as carving responsibilities? I can see bet- draft hole meet perfectly, but it’s the key his improvement on an almost daily
ter how to turn the wood and follow the to a satisfying smoke. If the hole isn’t cen- basis. Now those improvements are less
grain, but it’s hard work.” tered, then the tobacco inside the tobacco noticeable and they’re harder earned.
Producing smooth pipes most of the chamber won’t burn evenly. I want all the “I would like to improve further,
time, Heding has certainly locked into tobacco to smoke the same from the top of though I cannot tell exactly where,”
the right combination of briar supply and the bowl to the bottom. You won’t be able Heding says. “I am still developing my
carving method. But a beautiful pipe is not to tell until you get to the bottom half of style. If I just stop at 10 models, it will
necessarily a good smoking implement. the bowl, and then there will be tobacco seem like I am back in the laboratory again
“Tom always told me that even if that will be wet and will not burn. It should doing the same thing every day. I am curi-
you make the nicest freehand pipe with always be centered.” ous. It’s nice to do a shape that I have done
the most beautiful grain, that does not As a beginning pipemaker, Heding before because I know I can do it superfast.
determine how the pipe smokes,” Heding thought that he could simply buy mouth- Perhaps I can make it even a little bit more
says. “It’s really important that the pipe is a pieces to fit to pipes. While that’s true, he distinctive with an extra twist here and
really good smoker, and that should never quickly learned that to make the types of there. I have energy to put into the design
be compromised, even though you have a pipes he aspired to, he needed to learn and make it tighter and evolve the shape a
shape that will need special drilling.” how to cut his own mouthpieces. little bit. I don’t know where my career as a
Heding holds each block in his “One of the things that immediately pipemaker will go, but I hope it continues
hands when he drills. He sketches impressed me about Tom’s pipes was to improve and evolve, especially in terms
the basic lines of where he expects how he integrated the mouthpiece and of design and finish.”
the draft hole and the tobacco cham- the wood to create a unified sculpture,” And does he ever regret choosing pipe-
ber to meet onto the pipe’s surface so Heding explains. “I knew I would have making over science?
he has a rough guide on how deep to to learn how to make my own mouth- “It was a very big decision, but a lot
drill the holes. Everything else is done pieces, and it was one of the more dif- more people should try to follow their
by feel and strength, holding the pipe ficult processes to master because it passion,” he concludes.
in place as the force of the spinning requires precision work on the lathe. I While the world may have lost a prom-
lathe tries to throw the wood across started making them too big and un- ising scientist, it gained a gifted artist,
the room. comfortable, and one of the areas I am as well as an example of how it’s never
Heding typically makes the tobacco improving as a pipemaker is making the too late to follow your heart and pursue
chamber’s diameter at least 20 mm and stems smaller. I still need to do some your dreams. P&T
PIPE stuff
Wessex pipes
Wessex pipes are handcrafted at the Lorenzetti factory,
founded in 1934 by master pipe carver Otello Lorenzetti. The
factory remains headquartered in the family’s original house
in Macerata, Italy. Only the finest Italian briar is used for all
Wessex pipes.
The new Wessex Bristol pipes are available in
either smooth or black sandblast finishes and are made in
three shapes—apple, billiard and Dublin. Each Wessex
Bristol pipe features a black Lucite stem.
Wessex Standard pipes are also available in smooth or
black sandblast finishes and with tapered or saddle black
vulcanite mouthpieces.
There are three shapes in the Wessex Brigade pipe line.
Each Brigade pipe features a brown sandblast finish and has
a black Lucite military bit.
Wessex pipes are available at premium tobacco retailers.
Locate your nearest Wessex dealer by contacting Arango
Cigar Co. at 3170 Commercial Ave., Northbrook, IL 60062;
phone: 800.222.4427; fax: 847.480.1221; email: arangocigar@
aol.com.
The Pipe Smoker’s Poker Deck

The Briar Portrait Gallery (BPG) has launched “The Pipe Smoker’s
Poker Deck”—a beautiful 54-card deck that features full-color
portraits of pipes from more than 50 of the world’s most beloved
pipe carvers.
The initial run of the deck is packaged in a limited edition “Nostalgia”
tin. Limited to 500 decks, they have a suggested retail price of $16.99. BPG
is donating 10 percent of its proceeds from the sale of the deck to a United Pipe Club of America-registered pipe club
of the buyer’s choice.
This is just the start for “The Pipe Smoker’s Poker Deck” series. Pipe shape specific decks, country of origin specific
decks and custom decks for dealers and pipemakers, featuring their logos and pipes, are already in the works. Decks
will be distributed through BriarPortraitGallery.com.
Mastro de Paja Rossini Collection

The Mastro de Paja Rossini Collection is a limited edition
that features a prestigious design and an elegant finish. These
briar works of art feature a gold or sterling silver ring, making
them valuable, unique and inimitable. Learn more by visiting
Mastro de Paja’s website at www.mastrodepaja.it.
Stokkebye 4th Generation pipes
As with the Stokkebye 4th Generation pipe tobaccos, the four shapes that com-
prise the Stokkebye 4th Generation pipes are named after the birth years of
Erik Stokkebye; his father, Peter; grandfather, Erik Paul; and great-grandfather,
Erik Peter—1957, 1931, 1897 and 1855.
The Danish-made pipes are crafted from aged Italian briar and acrylic mouth-
pieces. The pipes are available in three finishes—black rusticated, smooth with
a reddish-brown stain and smooth with a golden, natural finish. Each pipe is
stamped with the birth year and features an attractive bronze band engraved
with the 4th Generation logo. Two Cousins pipe racks
Available nationwide; information regarding the closest 4th Generation line The men behind Two Cousins
of pipes and pipe tobaccos dealer may be obtained by contacting Phillips & King pipe racks—Mark Hendren and
International at 800.532.4427. Tim Crowder—are dedicated
craftsmen who share a love for
tobacciana and unique imagina-
tions. They strive to craft pipe
racks that are handsome, unique,
practical and beautiful—qualities
that remind people of another era
when creativity and handcrafting
was appreciated.
Like pipes that follow basic
shapes, each pipe rack is unique.
People often mistake a brand-new
Two Cousins pipe rack for a valu-
Erik Nørding pipes able family heirloom, which it is
Erik Nørding’s Royal Flush collection is composed of five shapes—each one sure to become.
named for a card in poker. Visit www.twocousinspiperacks.
The entry-level Jack and the Queen pipes are hand-rusticated. The King, com to view the catalog, check out
Ace and Joker have progressively finer selections of briar. The Joker is crafted the blog or contact Hendren and
with a lighter-colored wood to draw attention to the beauty of the grain. Crowder about crafting your ideal
Nørding has designed the pipes with a unique feature—interchangeable pipe rack.
mouthpieces that the smoker can easily detach and fit to all Royal Flush models.
The bits are handsome and made of durable Lucite, and come in several shapes
and colors. Extra mouthpieces to change the look and feel of the pipe are avail- Still Searching
able as well. for Pipe Dreams
Erik Nørding pipes are sold at fine tobacco retailers. Locate your closest Still Searching for Pipe Dreams
Erik Nørding dealer by contacting Arango Cigar Co. at 3170 Commer- is Rick Newcombe’s second
cial Ave., Northbrook, IL 60062; phone: 800.222.4427; fax: 847.480.1221; book containing essays regard-
email: arangocigar@aol.com. ing the well-known pipe collec-
tor’s thoughts about the hobby
The Pipeman’s Daily Fare he so avidly participates in.
The Pipeman’s Daily Fare, Poetic Verse for the endangered and underfed. 52 Poems to Originally released in paper-
Inspire the Pipe-Smoking Man by Assaad G. Bachaalani is the latest publication released by back, the book is now available
Briar Books Press. With this hardcover edition, Bachaalani has penned a contemporary in audio.
work of original poetry for the pipeman in all his moods and eccentricities. A worthy To order the audio book
new companion when inner peace is your objective. version of Still Searching for
This illustrated volume may be ordered online at www.briarbooks.com or by Pipe Dreams, visit Amazon.com,
sending $30 plus $5 shipping and handling (U.S. orders only) to Briar Books Press, Barnesandnoble.com, iTunes
14229 Bethel-Burley Road SE, Port Orchard, WA 98367. and Android.
%<&+8&.67$1,21
Rising from the ashes Sometimes drastic events lead to great changes
He’d finally conquered his slice. Joe swerved onto a guardrail, sliding along “I got the ignition turned off,” says
Skoda’s golf game, while at a near pro- the top of it until gravity took over and Skoda. It seemed like the thing to do
fessional level, had suffered from his he flipped several times, end-over-end, to avoid being burned to the fine, gray
tendency to slice, but after intense pro- down an embankment. “I know I flipped ashes of a former golfer. He also man-
fessional coaching, he’d figured it out. In at least three times,” says Skoda. “I had aged, with impossible effort, to extract
1977, his game was better than ever and an eight-track recorder and it kept going himself from the car. But he couldn’t get
he was considering a professional golf past my head—it bounced off the dash- very far from it. “It was obvious I’d suf-
career. He was thinking about giving the board, drifted by my face, smashed into fered some sort of spinal damage.”
U.S. Open a try. He was 23 years old and the steering wheel, flew in front of my He makes this statement in a surpris-
ready to get serious. eyes, bounced off the seat and went by ingly unemotional tone, smoking a pipe
So serious, in fact, that he couldn’t again.” When the spinning and crashing in his workshop in Philmont, N.Y. He’s
even consider renting or borrowing stopped, Skoda was upside down with a thin man with prominent facial fea-
clubs when an unexpected golf date his legs pinned under the steering col- tures and a resonant voice that would
arose with friends, so, he found himself umn. Trees and underbrush surrounded make most newscasters jealous. The
driving home from the Catskills, where the car. He felt an odd buzzing sensation shop is nothing short of beautiful, well
he’d been visiting, at 4:30 a.m. to fetch in his legs and feet. Even more worri- laid out for efficient pipemaking in a
his own clubs before his tee time. He some at that moment was a more immi- small building separated by a pathway of
was driving 45 mph in his MG Midget nent danger: the overpowering smell a couple dozen steps from his home. He
when a deer ran across the road and he of gasoline. rebuilt the shop from a former garage—
or maybe it was a carriage house; that’s
how old the place is—but you could
hardly recognize it as such. It’s more
like a beachside cottage with abundant
natural light and the multi-generational
feel of family and home. When Skoda
moves around the shop, it’s with a slow
and balanced concentration, as though
each step holds the possibility of disas-
ter, though strangely, he also exhibits an
almost slow-motion grace, navigating
the gravity that seeks to push us all to the
ground. He seems to have come to some
sort of agreement with gravity. As long
as he respects it, it is not the problem it
was 36 years ago when it threw him and
his car to the bottom of a ravine.
There was no one around to see the
accident. He lay on the ground, drifting
in and out of consciousness for about
four hours. At last he heard the unmis- head; I was the guy in the wheelchair. I pain isn’t bad. My doctors still think I
takable sound of someone hoeing a had that vision three times before the shouldn’t even be able to walk. The last
garden in the distance and he called out accident and knew it was the car that X-ray I saw of my spine, it looked like a
for help. When the hoeing stopped, he would get me, because it happened train wreck. I have feeling but no motor
called again. It started up again. When when I touched the car door.” And four control below my knees. It doesn’t make
there was quiet, he hollered some more. months later, there he was seeing his sense that I can walk, but that was an
After a few repetitions of that pattern, he vision again, but in reality. “It was clear issue between the Almighty and I. It was
got a response and was found. to me that God had a different plan for quite a spiritual experience that came
Skoda spent four months in the my life than I did.” He’d paid a great price out of all that, and I’m much better off
hospital, six weeks of which was in a for it, but he achieved a spiritual reawak- than I was before the accident.”
Stryker frame (you’ve probably seen one ening, and, to this day, he is thankful for The long hospitalization gave him
on TV doctor shows: it’s a complicated all that made it possible. plenty of time to think. “In the daytime,
framework of metal tubing into which There are pivot points in every life, you go through a routine, going to rehab
an injured patient is strapped; it can moments when one’s future diverges and whatnot. But at night, when they
be turned upside down or at any angle into unexpected directions. For Skoda, shut out those lights, you just lie there
without moving individual parts of the that defining moment was as his MG, and wonder if it’s a nightmare you’ll
patient’s body). perfectly balanced, slid impossibly along somehow wake up from. I had a year to
Soon after graduating to a wheelchair, the top of a guardrail at 45 mph, teeter- try to figure out what the hell to do next.”
he found himself at the nurse’s station ing between the road he’d been on and Skoda refocused and got to work. He
near his hospital room. It was eerily a deep ravine with only the unknown decided to get his pilot’s license, which
familiar—much more than mere déjà vu. at the bottom. That unlikely circum- led to his managing a flight school at the
“I’d experienced that scene before, stance was beyond his control, but that Poughkeepsie Airport for a few years.
every minute detail, and easily recog- didn’t mean his only choice was to watch When that job eventually ended, the real
nized it,” he says. “I’d first seen it three and accept whatever happened. Skoda estate boom was underway and he got his
weeks before the accident.” He’d touched emerged from that ravine understanding real estate license, which kept him busy
his car door one day and been engulfed his new circumstances, but was deter- until the market dried up. Always good
in a bizarre vision: two nurses in their mined to make them the best possible. with his hands, Skoda started doing cus-
pantsuit uniforms walking down a He was told he’d never walk again, but tom woodworking and gained a reputa-
hospital hallway; a nurse’s station; the was soon navigating on crutches. Within tion for that. He married his wife, Anna,
black-and-white tiled floor of a hospital a year, he was walking with the help of in 1988, and they bought an apartment
hallway; a wheelchair and the back of the only a cane, which he still uses today. building, which has been keeping him
S
head of the man sitting in it. “It was my “It’s a mobility issue,” he says. “The busy ever since.
Pipes became a part of his life early,
but they didn’t last long at first. “I didn’t
know what I was doing. I tamped too
tight and smoked wet tobacco. The
tongue bite was awful, and I just didn’t
enjoy the experience at all, so I gave up.
Tried again a couple of years later, but
it was the same thing. So, for 25 years,
I didn’t smoke anything—cigarettes,
pipes, cigars, nothing.” Then, for some
reason, he started having a cigar in the
summertime while sitting outside, and
that appealed to him. “I thought, ‘This is
real nice; it kinda makes me feel manly
to sip on a beer and puff on a cigar.’ Then
I thought I’d buy one of those cheap
corncobs up at the grocery store and a
pack of Carter Hall and give the pipe
another try.”
In late 1996, he stumbled onto an
issue of P&T. “I read it three times,
cover to cover. It was great—I’d had no
idea anything like that was out there.
And the Hudson Valley pipe club was
listed in it, not even an hour away. We’d
just bought our first computer, and my
first human contact on the World Wide
Web was Rob Denholtz with the Hudson
Valley club. He handed me off to Hal
Silverstein, who was a pipemaker. And
Pimo’s book was also in the magazine,
so I ordered the book. I told Hal I read
the Pimo book and I wanted to try mak-
ing pipes. He said he knew Al and Ginny
Baier of Pimo real well; they were only a
little more than an hour away. We went
up there and dug around in their bins of
briar, and I picked up a few blocks and
some stems. Of course Ginny offered
some pre-drilled kits, but I told her I had
quite a bit of woodworking experience
and wanted to try it from scratch.”
Skoda made four pipes over the next
couple of months and was pretty happy
with them. “I took them to the next club
meeting, and the guys were flipping out
over them. It was a great response. They
wanted to know how I learned to do it. I
told them I’d done years of woodworking
and some ship modeling, and could drill
a hole straight. I made a brandy bull-
dog, a squat calabash, a big Dublin and
a horn. Rob had his pipe business, Fine
Olde Briars, going at the time and said,
‘Why don’t you put them on my table at
the New York pipe show?’ And that little
horn was the first pipe I sold. But I ended
up getting involved in a big project, mov-
ing two bedrooms into the basement and
This calabash highlights Skoda’s
dedication to precision work
and his ability to problem-solve
unfamiliar challenges. He made
the case himself, a process
reflecting a steep learning curve
in very particular skills.
moving all the plumbing—it took a year share some techniques. Now, you have should be with designs. Five years ago,
and a half. Then I rehabbed this out- all the pipe forums and there’s all kinds I ran into some medical problems, start-
building and put the shop together and of information available. But when I ing with a gallstone and moving to an
only made a few pipes, off and on.” started out, I couldn’t even find a source inflamed pancreas and liver, to the point
It wasn’t long before Skoda’s work for rod stock. Every time you asked a I could barely breathe. I was in and out
gained more attention and he started to pipemaker, you’d get a contact for a few of the hospital, a new surgery every year
get requests for commissions. His first pieces, but it took a while to find a real with long, long recovery times followed
was for a brandy bulldog with a hand- source. Trever Talbert helped a lot with by new complications. I wasn’t sure I
cut stem. “I’d never cut a stem before. It that. But it took quite a while to get set was going to make it. But I’m doing well
came out pretty good, and without all up because everyone was tight-lipped now, and the pipemaking has really been
the tools I have now. I used a Dremel to about it.” taking off. I’ve been more focused and
buff the first dozen pipes I made before Skoda’s workshop is relatively small— working on more intricate designs with
making a real buffing wheel.” too small for a sandblasting cabinet. an artisan approach.”
Information regarding pipemaking Sandblasting also entails a large invest- The small details seem to be where he
wasn’t as easy to find back then as it is ment and a willingness of neighbors to especially excels. He uses a large variety
today. New pipemakers now have online endure some pretty loud noise, so it’s not of different materials for decorative fit-
resources, including the Pipemakers’ ideal for his location. Because he doesn’t ments, including box elder burl, Masur
Forum(www.pipemakersforum.com), blast pipes, he has experimented with a birch, bone, horn, ivory, lignum briar,
and because so much pipemaking infor- variety of rustications. One particularly ebony, olivewood, lace wood and many
mation had to be learned slowly and impressive treatment is his cracked-shell different colors and patterns of acrylic.
meticulously and individually, pipe- finish, which looks like cracked glass. “For a lot of the intricate extras on a
makers were less free with sharing their Innovations in design have been coming pipe that I like to do, you need uninter-
techniques. “When I started getting into more regularly now, too, and he’s been rupted quiet, which is hard for me to
making more pipes,” says Skoda, “you receiving more attention from the col- find. I like to put on an extra bead that
couldn’t find a pipemaker who would lecting community. At the Kansas City follows the bowl, and guys really appre-
utter a word about techniques, and pipe show last year, Skoda won awards ciate those little extras. Of course, a lot
the Internet was just starting to come for the Best Pipe in Show and Best of pipemakers look at it and kind of sigh
around, so there wasn’t any real infor- Carver in Show. In Richmond last Octo- because they know what’s involved in
mation. And I understand that thinking. ber, he won the Best Display award. doing that. But those features are becom-
They had to figure it out for themselves, Still, he doesn’t think his designs are ing a distinguishing mark of my pipes.”
and it was fair that I go through the same where they should be, and he’s working Of course, proper engineering is
process. I’ve shown a few guys how to hard to push the envelope. “I’m about essential, and Skoda meticulously
do a hand-cut stem, and sometimes I’ll four or five years behind in where I adheres to proper drilling and the ability
Skoda’s Alpha stamp is for his highest
grade pipes. It is a combination of the
symbols for alpha and omega.
of any of his pipes to accept a pipe cleaner,

even those with very bent shanks. “The
engineering is the foundation of any
pipe,” he says. Part of his ability to follow
that philosophy is the use of proper
tools, many of which Skoda makes him-
self, including dozens of different spade
bits that he shapes and grinds himself.
He also tapers different buffing wheels,
cutting the edges in particular ways so
that buffing tight areas, where a highly
bent pipe’s shank meets the bowl, for
example, can be properly finished.
But pipemaking isn’t a full-time job
for Skoda—not yet, anyway. He consid-
ers it a good year when he can exceed
30 pipes. “There’s always something to
do with the apartments. Put up a new
ceiling, redo plumbing, sheetrock, tiling,
shingles—anything you can do to a
building, I do it. I’d make a lot more
pipes if I didn’t have to take care of all the
maintenance for the apartments. You’re
on your knees a lot for that, though,
and as I get older, it’s getting harder to
get up off the floor.” That’s gravity at
work again. Maybe gravity will one day
convince him to give up the apartment
maintenance so he can dedicate more
time to making fine pipes. P&T
Skoda pipes may be purchased

by visiting www.skodapipes.com
or calling 518.821.0698
I N T RO D U C I N G
L AYA W AY
CHOOSE NOW, PAY GRADUALLY
Castello
2000
Offer available on 2011 and earlier editions
Ardor Peterson Eltang/Former L’Anatra Tinsky Savinelli Jody Davis

2001 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2009
SHOP LAYAWAY
pipesandtobaccosmagazine.com/store
Order: 800-346-7469
See FAQ for terms.
%<%(15$3$3257
The briar trade Makers, manufacturers and brands that time forgot
From its inception in the late 1850s, the Foreign Commerce Weekly, U.S. increased six- to eight-fold.) Another
the briar industry has seen growth and Department of Commerce, Vol- report is wholly off-mark regarding
expansion that would be best described umes 16–17 (1944), the “[t]otal St. Claude: “Pipe production takes off,
as evolutionary, starting with that cot- number of pipes imported by the and so does population which rises
tage epicenter, St. Claude—with small- United States in 1940 came to a lit- from 5,000 in 1839 to 12,000 in 1911.
and medium-sized workshops—that tle more than 1,000,000,” and by the By that time, Saint-Claude is produc-
evolved in the next hundred years into early 1950s, “The whole U.S. briar ing twenty-eight million briar pipes
today’s global market comprised, prin- pipe industry employs only about a year and shipping them all over the
cipally, of industrial-strength manu- 1,600 people ...” (Life, March 2, world. In 1920, one-third of the popu-
facturers known by their longstanding 1953, 33). lation (four thousand workers) was
company name or their trademark, Given the genesis of the briar, there’s turning out over forty-three millions
e.g., “White Dot,” “WDC” in an much to note about France. St. Claude pipes” (Eugen Weber, “Between Cen-
inverted triangle or the oval escutch- was the bristling hub of briar pipemak- ter and Periphery,” in Peter Hans Reill
eon “GBD.” By comparison, in the last ing activity, described as “Nowhere in and Balázs A. Szelényi, [eds.], Cores,
50 years, what’s been happening in the the world has a so little place gath- Peripheries, and Globalization, 2011,
trade is considered revolutionary! This ered so many briar pipe workshops 94). It seems that those who report on
sector of the industry, consisting of and factories” (http://goo.gl/sT1k3). It St. Claude pipe production can’t agree
independent, skilled craftspeople, has employed almost the entire population on the numbers. According to the 1995
been growing exponentially, and it is of the canton making briars: inde- EURAIL Guide to World Train Travel,
giving the old establishments a run for pendent ateliers, one- and two-man “The 15 manufacturers of smoking
their money. This is not the era of your workshops, and several much larger pipes who are located here have made
father’s—or your grandfather’s—briar! operations. It had, pretty much, a this ‘the pipe capital of France.’ They
worldwide monopoly in briar pipes in produce 1,600,000 briar pipes annu-
Looking back: an imprecise overview the late 19th century. “By 1914, there ally.” Hardly an accurate figure for
First, a quick review of a few uncor- were 1,300 workers making five million 1995! A more accurate claim is: “Mass
roborated claims about the three coun- pipes a year, most for export” (Automo- production since 1945 has removed St.
tries with the longest manufacturing bile Association Developments, Illus- Claude from its place as the maker of
track record: the U.S., France and Eng- trated Guide to France, 2003, 97). But 90 percent of the world’s briar pipes”
land. From what is cited later in this “Saint-Claude has been making brier- (Illustrated Guide to France, 2003,
essay, one can conclude that the U.S. root pipes for half a century. Between 97). However, rather than cite annual
briar pipe business was booming for thirty and forty millions of them are production rates, John A. Linkletter
a number of years. Then things began manufactured annually” (Bernard St. reported on another, more plausible
to change, but it’s not clear precisely Lawrence, “Where Briers Are Made statistic: “In all, some 1,600 different
when; the how and why are prob- for the ‘Tommies’ and the ‘Poilus’,” The pipe styles come out of Saint-Claude ...”
ably the result of aggressive market- Wide World Magazine, February 1919, (“The Art of Making Briar Pipes,”
ing, merchandising and acceptability 316). (I find it hard to believe that in Popular Mechanics, February 1977,
of European imports. According to five years, the St. Claude output had 38H). Images of a few early 20th
Today, buying a pipe is no longer a simple decision
because there’s literally a crowding sea of briar ...
a full menu of options, so to speak, for any pipe
smoker with an appetite.
century briars from St. Claude that, Isles in pre-war years—more than half world, with 35–40 factories located
stylistically, preceded the conven- the finished briar pipes imported by mainly in Lombardy, many of which
tional shapes we know today are found the United States having come from worked as subcontractors for distribu-
at http://goo.gl/yeEwX. that country” (Foreign Commerce tors, often British, who then would put
It has been frequently reported Weekly, U.S. Department of Com- their trade mark (the ‘punzone’) on
that from Leghorn, Italy, “The rough merce, Volumes 16–17, 1944). That’s a the finished product” (Anna Grandori,
blocks are packed in sacks containing helluva lot of pre-World War II briar, Organization and Economic Behavior,
40 to 100 dozen each, and sent abroad, or is this quantity a bit exaggerated? 1995, 321).
principally to France (St. Cloud) [sic], In contrast to the aforementioned
where they are finished into the famous 1,600 pipe models released from Present-day dynamics
G.B.D., or ‘Pipes de Bruyere,’ known to St. Claude, Pipedia reports: “At the end Today, buying a pipe is no longer a
smokers in England under the name of the 19th century GBD offered 1,500 simple decision because there’s literally
of ‘brier wood pipes’” (“Brier Root models.” Noteworthy, is this takeaway a crowding sea of briar ... a full menu
Pipes,” Scientific American, Sept. 27, about mid-20th century British-made of options, so to speak, for any pipe
1884, 195). “It is said that a large pro- briars, a stringent British Pipe Trade smoker with an appetite. With a cor-
portion of the so-called ‘English’ pipes Association (BPTA) “bye-law” that nucopia of briar choices, a pipe smoker
are entirely manufactured at St. Claude drew my attention: just might experience list-thinking, a
and are exported ready for sale. This symptom of our short attention span;
statement also applies to most of the “3. On or after 1st January, listing subconsciously creates patterns,
French ‘manufacturers,’ who place their 1939, it shall not be permitted groups and piles of information that
orders for pipes, ready branded in their for a member to sell briar pipes seem to come together on their own.
name, with St. Claude factories” (U.S. marked, stamped or described as Some might already have a written
Department of Commerce, Bureau “British Made”, “English Made”, inventory of their briars, or gener-
of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, “London Made” and “Made in ated a roster of favorite pipemakers
Daily Consular and Trade Reports, London”, or with other word or assembled a bucket list of specific
Nos. 1-75, Volume I, January, Febru- or words of a similar character, pipemaker styles to eventually own.
ary and March 1914, 222). And a bit unless the following conditions Such lists are personalized, developed
of humorous supporting evidence, St. are complied with:— to the list maker’s taste and need. To
Claude pipes were “sold in large quan- (a) Either the bowl or the mouth- these list makers, I ask: What about
tities in London with English trade- piece is of entirely British Manu- the utility and benefit to us all of an
marks, and therefore eagerly bought facture and industry mega-list, one that’s encyclo-
by those Frenchmen who visit London, (b) The pipe is fitted and finished pedic in content? Wouldn’t it be grand
as a souvenir from the other side of the in the United Kingdom. if there were a comprehensive archive
Channel ...” (Peter Kropotkin, Fields, “4. Members shall not, either on the Web that traces and tracks this
Factories and Workshops, 1993, 307). directly or indirectly, fit and/or once-upon-a-time cottage industry
Opinions then, as now, seem to vary finish for firms abroad.” that evolved into large-scale, mass-
as to who made the best pipe. “Eng- production manufacturers, and that
lish pipe makers are tops in the hearts And as a gratuitous comment, now includes a global community of
of many, but some believe briar is still whether true or not: “English manu- independent hand craftsmen? With all
best worked in France, or by a cult facturers keep the high-grade stum- this pipe hyperactivity, thousands of
of Italian carvers said to have access mels to be made into high-priced inquisitive smoker/collectors around
to a superior supply of the gnarled pipes, sending low-grade stummels to the world, a free and open Internet,
root” (Ilene Barth, The Smoking Life, their French factories” (Raymond Jos- and an extensive online commu-
1997, 117). lyn Hoyle and John R. Stillinger, Wood- nity of pipe aficionados, authorities,
From one snippet of evidence, it using Industries of New York, 1949, 91). connoisseurs, experts and mavens, isn’t
appears that the English were busier Italy needs mention as well, having it odd that there’s not been a recent
at the workbench than the French: played a rather significant role early in individual initiative or a collective
“Between 15,000,000 and 20,000,000 the briar trade. That country “became movement to develop a substantive,
pipes were sold annually in the British the largest producer of pipes in the and all-inclusive—ideally, global—list
3LSHVDQG7REDFFRVV800(5
of makers and manufacturers for this styles, models or brand names are not Prices (1936-1969); L.A. Rathburn, The
community’s reference and research, 7,685 manufacturers. A few years later, History of The Fort Wayne Falcon
one that adds flesh to the briar’s bones? José Manual Lopes authored Pipes. Featherweight 1945 (1995); W. Taylor,
Might I be wrong? Is there a public Artisans and Trademarks (2005); the The Pipe. Manufacturing and Mar-
archive or repository that includes all original Portuguese edition is Cachim- keting Pyrolitic Graphite Pipes from
the players not just of today, but also of bos (2004). His compendium contains Development to Demise (2000); W.E.
yesterday? Is someone secretly at work some 1,800 alphabetized names, more Unger, As Individual as a Thumbprint:
compiling this information and pre- or less, of pipemakers, past and pres- The Custom-Bilt Pipe Story (2000);
serving it for posterity? Does anybody ent—again, I didn’t count ’em—and and K.A. Worth, Back From the Ashes:
know? I’ve certainly looked, and I can’t Uncovering The Lost History of G.L.
find one that’s inclusive and accessible Hunt and the Falcon (2007).
to the public. And if one doesn’t exist,
is there an industry or an individual
... much less has And there’s quite a bit of information
online about more than a handful who
interest, need or demand for such a
list or, in today’s parlance, a database?
been written made briars in the near-distant past,
and those who make briars today, but
Maybe yes ... maybe no. If no, the bal- much less has been written about the
ance of this essay is wasted space in about the “who’s who” of yesterday’s community
this magazine! If yes, how does one of American or European makers.
go about cataloguing an entire indus-
try’s lengthy past, and is it doable? An
“who’s who” An Internet search yields a cameo
history on several standards, for exam-
obvious way to start is to mine what’s
available and build on this founda- of yesterday’s ple, Demuth, Dunhill, Grabow and
Kaywoodie. In my judgment, six Inter-
tion gradually and methodically. What net sites are striving to keep the pipe
follows is just a starting point, but
someone more knowledgeable than
community smoker and collector informed:
I will have to energize and expand

the effort.
of American (1)
(2)
http://goo.gl/thDNu
http://goo.gl/bwy9h
Who were the earliest pioneers, (3) http://goo.gl/kZhnv
how many companies were in opera- or European (4) http://goo.gl/WlFIV
tion, say, arbitrarily, between 1860 and (5) http://goo.gl/gEgpA
1950? Have all those old concerns been
relegated to the dustbin of the tobacco
makers. (6) http://goo.gl/lCJDo
industry, although their pipes may still None of these sites claims to be all-
be in circulation? A cursory review it’s the best global source book to inclusive, but using all these resources
of Paul Jung’s 19th Century Patents, date of who made and who is making in conjunction, would they paint a
Designs, and Trademarks for Tobacco what briars. Three less comprehensive fairly complete picture of the breadth
Pipes and Related Material Issued by books are Aldo Pellissone, Catalogo and expanse of the briar trade, today
the U.S. Patent Office 1858–1899 (1987) Bolaffi delle Pipe (1978); David Wright, and yesterday? It’s doubtful. Of these
indicates that hundreds of American A Pipe Companion (2000); and Rolf six sites, Pipedia is, perhaps, the best
and European ideas and design con- Joachim Rutzen, Pfeifen. Die Pfeifen- resource, because it’s an online global
cepts for briar pipes were submitted macher der Welt, Marken & Modelle database organized by region, coun-
for U.S. patents—I didn’t count them— (2000); although global in their scope, try, brand and maker, and it is a living
but there is no easy way to determine the three focus only on contemporary document, constantly being updated,
how many of these patents material- pipemakers. Two Italian best-sellers, whereas a book on this topic is likely to
ized into commercial pipes. Include all Bozzini e. Fincato, Le Più Belle Pipe be out of date once the ink is dry. Pipe-
the approved patents and designs for Italiane (1987) and Pellissone e. Eman- dia contributors have written a num-
briars in France, Germany and Great uel, Pipe, I Tabacchi, I Fiammiferi, ber of brief company accounts that
Britain, and that population would Le Tabacchiere (1985), concentrate on ought to be familiar to most briar pipe
probably increase at least four-fold. today’s Italian pipemakers, so both smokers. Not to be critical, but Pipe-
In 1997, H. Wilczak and T. Colwell are quite limited in their coverage. dia’s endeavor is not complete—and it
published Who Made That Pipe? A Scandinavian Pipemakers (2012) from doesn’t claim to be—because the vast
Directory of Briar Names, Their Mak- Jan Andersson is the newest entrant, majority of citations are vintage and
ers/Sellers, and Countries of Origin in but the title reveals its contempora- contemporary makers; there are few
the 19th & 20th Centuries (New York). neousness and its narrow geographic really old company names with rather
It’s a great compilation that includes orientation. cursory histories that have been posted
several thousand entries, precisely In print are a few specialized books: so far, but maybe it’s because the wiki
7,685 discrete pipe-style trade names, R.W. Stokes, Collector’s Guide to Kay- contributors are unfamiliar with ye
e.g., Astor Bantam, Astor Pipe and woodie Pipes. A Partial Chronology olden-day makers and brand names.
Golden Arrow (all from Comoy); 7,685 of Kaywoodie Grades, Shapes, and The pipephil.eu site does a great job of
Table 1.
A starter list of late 19th–early 20th century American briar pipe companies
(Those in italics may be the most familiar.)
Albee Smoking Pipe Corp., Anti-Nicotine Pipe Co., Aply-Tec Products Inc.,
Brooklyn, N.Y. Ottawa, Ill. Brooklyn, N.Y.
Arlington Briar Pipe Corp., Art-Craft Briar Pipe Co., J. Bachmann Co., Chicago
Brooklyn, N.Y. Brooklyn, N.Y.
Baltimore Briar Pipe Co., Barnaby Briars, Breezewood Pipe Co., New York
Baltimore, Md. Brooklyn, N.Y.
Briarcraft, Inc., Briar Hill Corp., Brunswick Briar Pipe Co., New York
Spring Valley, N.Y. Millersburg, Ohio
CPW (Colossal Pipe Works), N.Y. E.A. Carey Co., Century Briar Pipe Co., Brooklyn, N.Y.
Northbrook, Ill.
Continental Briar Pipe Co., Danco Pipes, New York William Demuth & Co. (WDC), New York
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Eastern Briar Pipe Co., Emperor Briar Pipe Co., Empire Briar Pipe Co. Inc., Brooklyn, N.Y.
Brooklyn, N.Y. Brooklyn, N.Y.
Flower City Briar Pipe Co., S.M. Frank & Co., New York Freeman Pipe Co., Kalamazoo, Mich.
Rochester, N.Y.
Ryerson D. Gates, General Briar Pipe Co. Inc., Hamilton Pipe Works, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Oak Park, Ill. New York
(Joseph) Harvey & (Edwin) Ford, Duncan Hill Ltd., Hartville, Ohio Hirschl & Bendheim, Washington, Mo.
New York
O.R. Jacques, Manchester, N.H. F.J. Kaldenberg/F.W. Kaldenberg, Kaufman Brothers & Bondy, New York and Union
(“The Hooker Pipe”) New York City, N.J., (operated the Colossus Pipe Factory
[C.P.F.])
B. F. Kirtland, “the Pipe Man,” Knickerbocker Smoking Pipe Co., Pipes by Lee (Stewart-Allen Co., Inc., New York
Chicago Brooklyn, N.Y.
Henry Leonard & Thomas Inc., M. Linkman & Co., Chicago Manhattan Briar Pipe Co. of Brooklyn, N.Y.;
Ozone Park, N.Y. (MLC and Dr. Grabow) Jersey City and Marion, N.J.
(successor of Brunswick Briar Pipe Co.)
Marxman Pipes Inc., New York Mastercraft Pipe Co., New York Meerbowl, Hicksville, N.Y.
National Pipe Works (NPW)/ New England Briar Pipe Co., Norwalk Pipe Co., Stanhope, N.J., and New York
National Briar Pipe Co., Penacook, N.H. (Yello-Bole)
Jersey City, N.J.
Pacific Briarwood Co., Percolator Pipe Co. Inc., New York Perry Pipe Co., Chicago
Los Gatos, Calif.
Premiere Pipe Co. of Union, N.J. (Ernest) Rejall & (Julius) Becker Sachs Pipes, Brooklyn, N.Y.
(RBC), New York.
Sepra-Bol Pipe Co., Atlanta R.H. Sherlock Co./Sherlock Holmes Siphon Tobacco Pipe Co., New York
Pipe Co., Chicago
Sport Briar Pipe Co., New York L.&H. Stern (LHS), Brooklyn, N.Y. Transylvania Pipe Co., Brevard, N.C.
W.H. Utter & Son, VanRoy Co., New York Viking Pipe, Greensboro, N.C.
Olean, N.Y.
T.J. Winston Briar Pipe
Manufacturing Co.,
Lindenhurst, N.Y.
3LSHVDQG7REDFFRVV800(5 45
illustrating logos, stamps and trade- Vogel and Bohn-Dri pipes made Table 2.
marks of many lesser-known pipe- specifically for the “wet smoker.” Summary of the Jung database
makers of the past. As well, there are
lots of websites, such as http://goo.gl/ These aforementioned pipe oddi- State No. of Mfrs
AVLtj and http://goo.gl/CQDNm..1, but ties and many other briar apparatuses, Arkansas 3
their purpose is to sell the output of contraptions, contrivances, novelty California 46
a vast assortment of new-world briar and Rube Goldberg-style utensils for Connecticut 15
pipe makers; such sites are essentially smoking tobacco have ceased produc- Delaware 2
laundry lists, not lowdowns on their tion and long ago been forgotten. District of Columbia 2
history. Now and then, a little light shines Georgia 1
through from unexpected sources. Illinois 58
Early American enterprises The Historical Record to The Close of Indiana 6
The early American pipe industry the Nineteenth Century of Rockland
Iowa 3
was rather sizable, and lots of small County, New York (Arthur S. Tomp-
Kansas 1
companies came and went without kins, ed., 1902), a curious, esoteric
having left their mark, their contri- resource for a pipe historian, revealed Kentucky 9
butions never recognized; in a word, two tidbits. William Heyenga (born in Maine 3
there is evidence they passed under Germany in 1827) came to New York Maryland 40
this industry’s archival radar. Most in 1860 and, partnering with a cer- Massachusetts 59
everyone recognizes that handful of tain Mr. Lesser, began manufacturing Michigan 19
conventional American manufactur- pipes. Whether true or not, the His- Minnesota 4
ers, Dr. Grabow, KB&B/Kaywoodie, torical Record states that he “was the
Missouri 62
Medico, WDC, Weber, Yello-Bole, etc. first manufacturer of pipes in Amer-
Nebraska 3
But how familiar is the reader with the ica.” Furthermore, it claimed that he
many less-than-popular manufactur- invented and patented the metal pipe New Hampshire 5
ers listed in Table 1? The majority were wind cover, and was the first to adopt New Jersey 34
concentrated in the New York–New the metal shank ferrule for briars. He New York 496
Jersey corridor; New York was then and Lesser eventually owned and oper- North Carolina 2
this nation’s leading state of briar pipe ated three large pipe factories in New
Ohio 41
companies. This table excludes all the York, engaging about 150 employees.
independents that worked from their He retired to Spring Valley, N.Y., in Oklahoma 1
homes, garages or workshops and 1880 and, in 1881, established another Pennsylvania 86
advertised in the classifieds. factory there; he eventually passed the Rhode Island 8
Thumb through any copy of Pipe business on to his son, Herman. As Tennessee 1
Lovers magazine (January 1946–April well, I.C. Lindemann, another native Texas 2
1950), The American Smoker (May of Germany, had learned the trade in Vermont 1
1950–January 1951) or Pipe Smokers his native land, then in New York, and
Review (May–August 1952); the ads eventually relocated to Spring Valley. Virginia 10
for many off-brand briars appear in It is more than coincidental that Bri- Washington 1
various issues. I mentioned a few briar arcraft Inc. (Table 1) was located in Wisconsin 4
pipe oddities in “From True Confes- that city, but I found little else in print
sions to True Confections” (Pipes and so far about either these individuals American tobacco pipe business, Table
tobaccos, Spring 2011): or the company. Sources for similar 2 is my summary of Paul’s database,
arcania can be mined online, in pub- by state, for the inclusive years 1860–
There were other pipe oddities lic and university libraries, museums 1930; his includes company names
that were for sale in our store: and directories. and cities.
the Century Briar Company’s Several years ago, S. Paul Jung, Paul identified more than 1,000
filter pipe with the underside, good friend and clay pipe collector, companies in 32 states, and he has
screw-in glass bottle; the Pavey began an investigative effort he titled yet to complete his research! The
Pipe Company briar with its “Tobacco Pipe Manufacturers and database is overwhelming, but
air-cooling chamber insert; the Distributors Found in U.S. Directo- the problems with it are that the
Spiral-Kool Company briar with ries in the Library of Congress.” What directory word descriptions are
a composition piston on the end he discovered was that the listings vague or generic—e.g., “mnfr pipes,”
of a plunger to scrape tars and in old directories—street, local and “smok art,” “mnfr br, meer,” “mnfr pat
juices from the metal stem; the regional business, state and regional— pipes,” “pipes” and other ambiguous
James King & Company briar as well as more modern directories, terms—so not only are the specific
with a tamper-spade mounted on are not always specific as to the type of product lines not known, neither
the pipe’s shank; and some of the pipe made or sold. For a sense of the are their years of operation. Direc-
oldest stock that never sold, a few expansive nature of what once was the tories classified a company, if it was
pipe-related, and some, as Paul indi- noted briar pipe maker Gilbert Guyot, C. J. Verguet Frères, Vidaillet & Gros,
cates by the title, were probably both now out of print: Le Piper de Paris Paul Viou, Emile Vuillard, Vuillermoz
importers, wholesalers and distribu- (1984) and Les Pipiers Français. His- & Goujon, Wolf and Mathiss, among
tors. There is also some redundancy toire et Tradition (1992). Both, inten- many others ... names far from the tip
in that more than one entry for a tionally, are broad treatises about the of the tongue to anyone tracing the
company appears in his database if it entire French pipe industry, with too nascent French briar industry. Many of
had either multiple, concurrent facili- little historic detail about specific com- these facilities are now long shuttered;
ties at different addresses in a city, panies. Several companies had shops their machinery, tools and stamping
or its facility relocated frequently, in Paris, among them LMB, Gan- dies—all in perfect working order—
according to each annual directory. neval, Bondier & Donninger (later, were purchased by the late Alberto
Not all were involved in the manufac- Bondier, Ulrich & Cie/Bine, Marechal Paronelli, along with the machines,
ture of briars, and it’s difficult to dis- & Cie./A. Marechal, Ruchon & Cie), tools and, perhaps, the company
cern who produced what, based on the Goltsche (Guyot) and Sommer Frères archives, of a few Italian briar pipe
minimal descriptors in these assorted (R. Faivret, Successeur). Among the manufactories, such as Rossi and Gall-
directories. Any attempt at sorting notable in the early days of St. Claude, arte. All this stuff is on display at his
or collation would certainly lead to to mention a handful, were E. Buffard– home at Via del Chiostro 5, Gavirate,
faulty conclusions. Bontemps & Fils, Henry Dalloz, Alix Italy, now converted into a museum.
Delacour, Ewa, L. Faton et ses Fils, How does one sort out St. Claude’s
Early French enterprises Gefapip, G. Vincent-Genod, Guich- extensive briar pipe industry? With
Now I add to the mix with some from ard & Cie., Jeantet, Louis Lamberthod, this industry jumble, one of the many
“over there” for comparison. First, Paul Lanier, Pierre Manzini, Lucien obvious difficulties in wrapping one’s
what’s in print on the French pipe Morand, Henri Nicod, Prost & Sev- arms around the early years of St.
industry? Two books are from the enier, St. Claude Briar Pipe Co., Ltd., Claude is how to catalog all these
Table 3.
A starter list of late 19th–early 20th century briar pipe makers of England and Ireland
(Those in italics may be the most familiar)
Allen & Wright Ashenfarb, Leon Barling, B. & Sons

Baron & Co. Billy Pipe Co. Block, Salamon
Blumfield, Louis (BBB) Brix Sons Bruderlin, Otto
Brumfit, John Bull, Samuel M. Carter’s Patent Pipe Co.
Civic Co. Ltd. Clement & Collcomb Comoy, H. & Co.
Coventry Patent Pipe Co. Ltd. Davies & Huybrecht Deguingand, Emile & Son Ltd.
(London Castle)
Delacour, A. Dunhill, A. Edwards, Friedrich & Co.
Flachfeld, J. & Co. Fraenkel Bros. Frankau, Adolph
Friedlander, L. (L.F.L.) Grappin-Dallox Guinzel & Rosenberger
Harwood Brothers Ltd. Hecht, S. Sons & Prag John Inderwick (I. & Co.)
Janovsky, Albert Jeantet, David Kapp & Peterson Ltd.
Kippax Bros. (K.B.A.) Kohn & Wiess Lewis & Hardcastle
Loewe, E.J. & Co. London Pipe Co. McLardy, Samuel (Simplex)
Maas, Charles & Co. (Crown/CM) Masta Patent Pipe Co. Nathan, Alfred Jerrold & Co. (Anchor)
Oppenheimer, A. & Co. Sina Oppenheimer, Perkins, Henry & Sons
Seckel & Co. Ltd.
Pierce, W.H. & Co. (The Cantilever) Posener, Adolph & Co. Randolph, Andrew & Co.
(The A.D. Pose)
Rougier & Co. Ltd. Salmon & Gluckstein Simon, Vuillard & Strauss
Stantien & Becker T. & H. Tobacco Pipes Trombone Pipe Co.
Vince’s Patent Pipes Wade, Ben Weingott, Samuel & Son
Woolf, M.A. & Co. (VDT) Yeomans, T.E. & Sons Ltd.
Thanks to the late Robert M. “Mike” Leverette for some of the company names in the above table.
Table 4.
A short list of late 19th–early 20th century briar pipe trade names of England and Ireland
A.G.E. Baronfil Biltor

Blowaway Burkard Pipe Dewy’s Patent Pipe
Dredger Free and Easy HOC
Imperial Pipe Kebles Patent Press Pipe King’s Cross
M.P. PDP Patent Dividing Pipe Prudential Pipe
Roll Call Saget’s Patent Colonial Sennett’s Patent Pipe
S.N. & Co. Pocket Pipe and Spiral Bore Tanner’s New Fibre Pipe Tindell’s Shilling Pipe
Tongard Turf Pipe V.V. pipe
Wise Pipe (also known as the Upside Down Pipe)
firms by country and inclusive years of within the category of “Tobacconists, In the Jan. 15, 1881, issue of Tobacco
operation. Who should claim domin- &c.” are two broad subcategories, “Pipe appeared “A Complete Directory of
ion? For example, Francois Comoy’s Makers and Importers” and “Tobacco The Tobacco Trade in the United King-
first factory was in St. Claude until Pipe Manufacturers” (James Salmon, dom.” This is the earliest, most reliable
Henri, one of his grandsons, moved it Ten Years’ Growth of the City of London, list I have encountered. The section
to London in 1879. Another example 1891, 127). What’s the discrete differ- titled “Tobacco Pipe Makers” included
is the Jobey, once an English original, ence; how does one differentiate one 92 names and addresses; unfortunately,
then an American standard, and now subcategory from another? The task similar to the problem with U.S. direc-
a St. Claude machined pipe. So it’s became more daunting poring through tories, there is no way to determine the
difficult to determine whether a par- a reference 30 years later, the (U.K.) product line of each company. And the
ticular maker should be considered Tobacco Year Book for 1921. Pages brand names in Table 4 are absent their
French, English or Franco-English. For 59 and 60 list “Additional Pipes and associated manufacturers and may be
a historic gem, a diagram of the mar- Pouches, etc.,” and pages 145–147 are in the product line of one or more of
riage (or merger) of early 20th century a “List of Pipe, Pouch, Fancy Goods, the manufacturers listed in Table 3.
French and British briar pipe makers etc., Brands.” Both sections contain The most well-documented English
is at www.pipephil.eu/logos/en/infos/ not only myriad company names and pipe is Dunhill. There’s Mary Dunhill,
connect-en.html. No one, to my knowl- a host of briar trade names, but space Our Family Business (1979); Michael
edge, has attempted to develop a similar forbids mentioning all; neither list, Balfour, Alfred Dunhill. One Hundred
wiring diagram depicting the com- however, clearly indicates whether a Years and More (1992); and a com-
bines, consolidations and takeovers of named company uniquely made briar, pany-sponsored pamphlet, The Story of
American briar pipe companies from clay, meerschaum, calabash or any Dunhill’s, 1907–1957, with an updated
the same period. other type of pipe. To wit, just three version, The Story of Dunhill’s, 1907–
randomly chosen, Breeno Pipes (Breen 1970. Gary Schrier (www.briarbooks.
Early English enterprises Brothers), Ambush (Unbay Pipe Man- com) brought to life a reproduction of
Consider, next, England. This is how ufacturing Co.) and the Patent Urn one of the company’s better catalogs,
the Brits report history: “During the Pipe Company, are pipe puzzlers to me, its 1928 About Smoke. An Encyclope-
late 1850s, however, a new kind of maybe less so to someone intimately dia of Smoking, a very complete picture
pipe, the briar, or brier, found its way familiar with the British tobacco of the company’s enduring forte and
to England from Corsica via France” pipe industry. fame. He’s reprinted two other Dunhill
(B.W.E. Alford, W.D. & H.O. Wills and Table 3 (pg. 47) is my best shot, catalogs, About Smoke. Gifts Edition,
the Development of the U.K. Tobacco nonetheless, and it’s far from complete. 1923 and Things The Soldiers Are Ask-
Industry, 1786-1965, 1973, 111). Eng- No doubt, the reader will recognize ing For, 1914. And he’s done a yeoman’s
land has a long and storied tradition of many, others not so much. Several of job with other reminders of those hal-
makers and manufacturers beyond the those in the table may have had manu- cyon days: the 1912 BBB catalogue,
iconic BBB, Barling, Bewlay, Charatan, facturing facilities in both England No. XX; BBB. 100 Years in the Service
Comoy, Dunhill, GBD, Loewe, Peter- and France. of Smokers, 1847–1947, and the Loewe
son, Sasieni and a few other standards. The trade names in Table 4, next, Pipe Packet (1910 and 1926 catalogs).
It’s not easy to find all the early Eng- were extracted from various 1890s Routinely, even lushly illustrated
lish companies in operation. Similar to issues of the weekly British trade mag- company catalogs did not include an
the aforementioned problem with U.S. azine Tobacco. No doubt, there may in-depth history.
directories, parsing English reports is be some duplication between Table 3 What also comes to mind are J.W.
just as challenging. In an 1891 census and Table 4 that only more rigorous, Cole, The GBD St. Claude Story (1976)
of trade, profession and employment, more granular research will reveal. and Leaves from a Tobaccoman’s Log
(1970) about Charatan, based on never maintained an archive. When
interviews of Herman G. Lane (who the U.K. smoking ban in the work-
adopted America) and written by place took effect in the early 1970s, the
American R.L. Schnitzer. The late John BPTA ceased to exist.
Loring had invested much time and More relevant to this discussion is
energy to assemble nomenclature data Britain’s National Pipe Archive (NPA),
about and publish four volumes on the a charitable organization founded in
Dunhill briar pipe. Several Americans 1993, chartered “to collect, conserve
are now writing feverishly in concert and maintain a national archive of the
with Tom Palmer, the Peterson ceo, tobacco pipe industry and related mat-
to ready The Peterson Pipe Chronicles, ters for the benefit of the public, both
to be released in 2015 in conjunction now and for future generations, and
with the company’s 150th anniver- to promote and encourage the general
sary celebration. Additionally, there’s education of the public in the study of
a lot written by Americans on English the tobacco pipe industry and related
briar companies that’s posted on the matters.” And the Museum of Lon-
Web. Why is that? What’s our fasci- don Archaeology, in concert with the
nation with, or attraction to, foreign City of London Archaeological Trust,
pipemakers, and not to our very own? has undertaken a major project “... to
Our briar industry is not that much create a physical and digital database
younger than our British (and French) of clay pipe makers’ marks from Lon-
counterparts, yet most recent evidence don excavations, including both pipes
suggests that American pipe smokers made in the capital and imported
seem less interested in documenting from further afield.” The International
our own historic past. Strange, indeed, Academy of the Pipe (IAP), founded
that about 100 years ago, at least one in 1985, has established several work-
American, although not remarking ing groups, one of which is the Briar
on English-made briars, touted our Working Group (http://www.pipe
workmanship: “French briar pipes are academy.org/working_groups.html). Its
justly celebrated, but the American accomplishments, to date, are noted on
pipes are better made” (W.A. Brennan, the IAP website: “Recent research has
Tobacco Leaves. Being A Book of Facts concentrated on the documentation of
for Smokers, 1915, 161). The published the factory produced briar industry in
evidence, to date, suggests that today’s England in the 20th century. A paper
American briar-pipe man does not on a briar pattern book of c1918 will
hold the same opinion. appear in Volume 2 of the Academy’s
journal. The first and second trade
Preservation and perpetuation lists of the Civic Company of London
Le Musée de la Pipe, du Diamant et issued, in 1921 and 1922, can be viewed
du Lapidaire, St. Claude, has a perma- via the links provided below.” Several
nent exhibit of myriad, artistic briars other U.K. and continental societies
from the late 19th century through the have recently taken a keen interest in
early 20th century. During its tenure, digging up the past and documenting
the aforementioned BPTA—not to be the lengthy history of clay pipes, but,
confused with the (U.K.) Pipe & Pipe so far, none of these organizations has
Tobacco Trade Association—chartered opted to recount the briar industry’s
“to encourage the development and past, writ large.
promote and protect the interests of Where are our advocates, our
the briar pipe industry and generally benefactors, our briar brain trust?
to watch over and protect the interests There is no American public or pri-
of manufacturers and wholesalers of vate museum dedicated to exhibiting,
briar pipes and smokers’ articles,” kept preserving or archiving information
a register of trademarks, conducted about the tobacco pipe, and I doubt
public relations campaigns, introduced there will ever be one. There is no
the “Pipeman of the Year” program, set American consortium, trust, syndicate
stringent standards and guidelines for or council of briar pipemakers, but if
member manufacturers, wholesalers, there were, its sole priority would be
suppliers and agents of finished pipes, to advertise and promote today’s pipe-
bowls and mouthpieces trade, but makers. The closest counterpart to the
BPTA is the International Premium data warehouse, because there are, and French) briar pipemakers and
Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association unquestionably, lots of blanks. Or, if manufacturers from industry startup
(previously the Retail Tobacco Deal- anyone is interested in expanding or would be a useful reference tool to
ers Association), but it is a trade asso- delving deeper into Jung’s research researchers, historians and smoker/
ciation “... representing and assisting endeavor independently or in collabo- collectors alike. After all, both the
premium retail tobacconists and their ration with him, that would be great significant trend and the trajectory
suppliers.” There is a tobacco-industry for our hobby. How many American in the current briar trade are truly
archive comparable to Britain’s NPA, pipe aficionados are energized enough apparent only when measured against
but it’s not available to the common to investigate and publish the lengthy the backdrop of yesterday. To some,
man ... a serious shortcoming, in history of Demuth, or KBB, or Weber, it may appear that I am writing from
my view. It’s the Tobacco Merchants or any other American brand? (I con- an academically pedantic perch, but
Association (TMA), Princeton, N.J., fess that at least two substantive arti- it is said: “if you don’t know your his-
founded in 1915, a worldwide infor- cles on Demuth have been published: tory, you have no future,” or you can’t
mation center for the U.S. tobacco “Profiles of Pioneers of the Pipe and understand today without knowing
industry that retains the most expan- Tobacco Industries: William Demuth yesterday. However revolutionary the
sive library of industry research (1835–1911),” a detailed account of the current trend and trajectory in
material, but its resources are acces- family and the business from tobacco pipemaking, both are understood and
sible only to a dues-paying member historian Jonathan Guss at http://www. interpreted not just by their contem-
of the tobacco business. (To be fair, apassionforpipes.com/vintages-project, porary context; their pasts have played
the TMA’s website states “Research is and my own, “A Legendary Company a very significant role. Everything has
available to non-members ...,” but after Gone, While Its Logo Lives On: The a past, the past is always present, and
several unanswered emails requesting Other Demuth,” in CIGAR Magazine, the past has applicability in the pres-
a visit as a nonmember, I got this reply Spring 2010, and there may yet be ent. The more we know about the
on Oct. 23, 2012: “We do have a lot more to recount about this extraordi- trade’s past, the better we comprehend
of books, periodicals, etc dating back nary pipe company.) today’s state of the art and what it
many decades” ... but, “The Cullman Jim Lilley, a Peterson pipe aficio- bodes for the future.
Library is not one that is used for visits nado, has a way with words: “The In the final analysis, whatever results
by members or non members.”) Sad, pipe connoisseur might be defined as from such an endeavor, there will
indeed, because its Howard S. Cullman a laconic pipe historian, and the pipe remain a historical omission. However
Library, as of a 1972 TMA brochure, historian as a loquacious connoisseur.” fact-filled this database might turn out
housed more than 8,000 titles— Is there anyone in our community of to be—if it is undertaken—it will never
books, pamphlets and trade magazine pipe smokers willing to assume the be truly complete, because a substan-
articles—253 feet of shelving and 95 mantle of carrying out this effort as tial segment of this cottage industry,
library-file drawers; since 1972, the either a laconic historian or a loqua- here and abroad, represents hundreds
library has, no doubt, acquired much cious connoisseur? Just as Pipedia of no-name master craftsmen, semi-
more material. Mining those files states on its main page: “Knowledge- skilled workers and apprentices who
just might be the pipe researcher’s able enthusiasts, collectors, pipe produced briars “to order” that bore
pot of gold, a briar history bonanza. makers, and tobacconists are wel- the incised stamp or trademark of
come and encouraged to contribute to various retail shops, or prepped the
A worthwhile endeavor? Pipedia,” I would offer that these same pipes for their finishing touches to
If a detailed and expansive history people could contribute to my pro- be executed at other pipe companies.
of our briar trade is a worthwhile posed endeavor, or expand Pipedia’s Those craftsmen went to their graves
endeavor, it is left to us, not the league noble efforts to serve any and all without an iota of recognition, names
of pipemakers, to undertake. It’s Pipe- who are interested in the lengthy never to be included in the annals of
dia’s wish: “It would be great to see an history of this colorful, but unscripted the briar trade. It’s a sad, sobering,
overview of the history of pipe mak- and uncelebrated, industry. Harking even sorrowful segment of the indus-
ing in each region.” And, I would add, back to my comment about an open try’s inattention and indifference,
not just those of the here and now, and free Internet, it has transformed unless or until something is done to
but also of yesterday. If such a data- the once impossible into the emi- fix it. The aforementioned notwith-
base is maintained by a reader of this nently doable. But be forewarned: It standing, as a parting salute to all those
magazine, he ought to share it, make is, without question, a herculean task. unknowns, paraphrasing Gen. Doug-
it public-domain information so that How does one undertake an elephan- las MacArthur’s address to Congress
those interested can access it, fill in tine project? One byte at a time, and on April 19, 1951, like old soldiers,
the blanks, make it more robust, more all who contribute will enjoy the bytes hundreds, perhaps thousands, of those
comprehensive by adding an abstract, along the way. who worked in the briar trade so many
a historically relevant snippet, a brief This is not so much a plea as an years ago simply faded away. And their
summary of a company’s productive acknowledgement that a meticulously good, borrowed from Shakespeare’s
life in a sort of Wikipedia (or Pipedia) developed audit trail of all Ameri- play, Julius Caesar, was buried “... with
way or, perhaps, as a cloud system or can (and, perhaps later, all English their bones.” P&T
PRIME5HWDLOHUV6KRSVZLWKH[HPSODU\FXVWRPHUVHUYLFHDQGLQYHQWRU\
Since 1960
Alabama’s Oldest Pipe

& Tobacco Shop
2502 Memorial Pkwy SW

Huntsville, AL 35801
Towson, MD Annapolis, MD
PH: 256-539-6431 25 W. Allegheny Ave. Annapolis Plaza
410-828-4555 150-F Jennifer Rd.
FAX: 256-533-5695 410-825-5798
0DU\ODQG
VOHDGLQJWREDFFRQLVWQRZLQRXUWK
\HDU RIIHULQJ SUHPLXP WREDFFR SURGXFWVILQH 877-289-7665
PHQ
VJLIWVDQGSHUVRQDOL]HGVHUYLFHVLQFH
humidorpipeshop@gmail.com OwingsMills, MD Catonsville, MD
Valley Village 40 West
Shopping Center Shopping Center
410-363-7799 410-744-9090
Find us on Facebook ZZZIDGHUVWREDFFRPIDGHUVWREDFFR#YHUL]RQQHW
The greatest
pipe tobacco
resource
Since 1972 ever compiled
tobaccoreviews.com
OVER 2000 Written entirely by pipe tobacco enthusiasts worldwide
PIPES IN STOCK We are growing daily:
101 W. Kirkwood 4,416 tobaccos reviewed by 12,446 reviewers
Bloomington, IN in 51,293 reviews
812.332.3300
Join in, add your own reviews, read what your fellow
Open Mon-Sat pipe smokers have to say about your favorites
10am-9pm www.tobaccoreviews.com
Missed an issue? We’ve got you covered.

$7.95US
$7.95US
Spring 2008
2006 Winter
Winter 2008
STORY
COVER ence
ish Influ
The Dan
Designs
in Tsuge
COVER STORY
Master Blaster
J.T. Cooke
New Zealand’s Finest:
Jan Zeman
s
five Year COVER
Twenty- Shows Tobacco Reviews: 150 Year STORY
ntry of Pipe Cornell & Diehl Pipemak s of Pipe
Low Cou er Claudio s
h Ground
Takes Hig Cavicch
i
Select back issues of Pipes and tobaccos

from 1996–2013 are available for purchase
Complete Your Collection
NQRZOHGJHDEOHVWDIIDQGDSURYHQHQWKXVLDVPIRUSLSHV PRIME
www.braleypipetool.com
Braley
Hand-Crafted
QRJJLQVFRPZDV
IRXQGHGDVD9HUPRQW
2XUYLVLRQRIVHUYLFHLV
WRSURYLGHWRSTXDOLW\
Pipe Smoking Sets
FRPSDQ\VSHFLDOL]LQJ SURGXFWVDWDIDLUSULFH
LQTXDOLW\SLSHWREDFFR ZLWKVXSHUEFXVWRPHU a Veteran Owned Business
DQGDFFHVVRULHV2XU VHUYLFH:HVWULYHIRU
WREDFFRLVIURPWKH FXVWRPHU Available in stainless steel or
ILQHVWEOHQGHUVDQG VDWLVIDFWLRQ
IULHQGVDW brass covered with a choice of fine
&RUQHOO 'LHKO FREE USPS quality leathers, Braley pipe tool
*/3HDVH PRIORITY MAIL sets are designed to fit perfectly in
0F&OHOODQG SHIPPING
%XWHUD3LSH ON ALL DOMESTIC vehicle drink holders for effort-
0RQMXUH,QWHUQDWLRQDO ORDERS OVER less one-hand accessibility to your
;<= $99.00
6DPXHO*DZLWK lighter, pipe tool and pipe cleaners.
*DZLWK+RJJDUWK
DQGRWKHUV Design your own or choose from
QRJJLQVFRP
0LGGOHEXU\97
a large variety of choices. Proudly
built in the U.S. and built to last.
QUALITY BRIAR
Specializing in Artisan Pipes
MAKERS:
Cornelius Mänz
Poul Ilsted
Adam Remington
Wolfgang Becker
Rad Davis
Love & Sara Geiger
Pipesandtobaccosmagazine.com’s e-newsletter Maigurs Knets pipe by
Michail Revyagin Cornelius Mänz
Will Purdy
Stay updated with our free email Alex Florov
newsletter, Charring Light. Kurt Balleby
Todd Johnson
To subscribe, go to Sergey Ailarov
pipesandtobaccosmagazine.com, Gregor Lobnik
then navigate to “Our Magazine”
and choose “Email Newsletter”
or type this URL into your browser: Personal service and
www.pipesandtobaccosmagazine.com/newsletter (508) 579-4772
outstanding selection Nick@qualitybriar.com
www.qualitybriar.com
PRIME5HWDLOHUV6KRSVZLWKH[HPSODU\FXVWRPHUVHUYLFHDQGLQYHQWRU\
ZZZ3XOYHUVEULDUFRP
0LJKWEHZRUWKDSHHN
HPDLO0SXOYHUV#DROFRP

0DUW\3XOYHUV3URSULHWRU
¤£¤¦¤®
tobaccos and pipes, including
¦¡£¢¤¨¦£¤
¦¦¡ª£¤န
¨¦£
¤¡¡ထ¡¨£¤¦£
person or on the Web. We can
¦Ŋ¤¦ဠ¨
always wanted and the tobacco
¤¤¤¡¡¤¤££¤န
The Briary
609 Oak Grove Road See our inventory at
Homewood, AL 35209
877-3BRIARY (877-327-4279) www.thebriary.com
I N T RO D U C I N G Are you a pipe and

L AYA W AY tobacco retailer?
CHOOSE NOW, PAY GRADUALLY Let us share with you how the
Prime and Retailer programs can give your customers

Offer exclusive to Pipe of the Year 2011 knowledge and confidence in their purchasing decisions.
and earlier editions
pipesandtobaccosmagazine.com/store For more information contact:
800.346.7469 Marrilyn Jackson, 919.872.5040
F I N E TO BAC C O S
The return of some classics

Too often we pipe enthusiasts find ramps up and demand is measured. tins of both Capstan and Three Nuns
ourselves reminiscing about and For the first three months the blends back in hand luggage from Denmark
mourning the loss of great pipe will be available exclusively through and Germany for my own consump-
tobaccos. So many tobaccos are no Smokingpipes.com, which has pur- tion over the years. To say that I’m
longer manufactured, or supply never chased the entire beginning produc- excited that these are coming back
meets demand, or importation has tion and will help test the popularity on the market would be a remark-
ceased, and we’re left smoking the of the re-releases in the U.S. Once able understatement. Smokingpipes.
other great tobaccos that are still demand is better measured, the com will be the launch customer
available. But even so, we always miss tobaccos will be available at tobacco- for these blends in the U.S. before
that iconic blend that our memories nists across the country. they’re more widely distributed.
insist was better than anything else “Capstan and Three Nuns are iconic,” As the head of Smokingpipes.com,
currently accessible. says F. Sykes Wilford, president of I’m really excited about that. But, as a
For once, though, we have some Smokingpipes.com. “They came off pipe smoker finally able to get these
great news about some tobaccos that of the U.S. market sometime right in the U.S., I’m positively giddy.”
have been unavailable in the U.S. for before I became involved in the tob- Pipe smoking is not a disappearing
several years: Capstan and Three Nuns. acco industry in the late 1990s, but pastime; tobacco sales to pipe smok-
By the time you read this, they’ll be they’re the sort of legendary tobaccos ers is rising, and we see more interest
available again. Manufactured now by that people just don’t forget. I’ve had in pipes every day in tobacco shops
Mac Baren Tobacco Co. and imported hundreds of conversations over the and at every pipe show. The return
by Sutliff Tobacco Co., you could be years about these celebrated blends. of these great blends is evidence that
smoking them in a matter of days. And I’ve carried more than a few manufacturers are confident. Despite
“We’re excited to have these brands all the continuing smoking regula-
back on the U.S. market after so many tions, there is still a great future for
years,” says Paul Creasy, president of those of us who enjoy pipes. And
Sutliff Tobacco. “It’s a great thing for that great future means we can now
American pipe smokers and for the also enjoy the past—we can again
pipe tobacco market in the U.S.” enjoy some tobaccos that have been
Production will be somewhat accessible only by memory for too
limited at first as manufacturing many years. P&T
3LSHVDQG7REDFFRVVXPPHU 55
F I N E TO BAC C O S
BY TAD GAGE AND JOE HARB
Trial by FIRE
Peterson tobaccos have gone through a few blending and production from Murray, bowls, I loaded up a cherished and
iterations in the past couple decades, but it because the current product is decidedly lightly smoked group 5 Kaywoodie
seems, for the most part, the company has superior. The understated, old-time tin Super Grain briar from the 1950s (with a
settled on blends developed by Kohlhase, labels, crimped or folded paper interiors stinger!). I wouldn’t dare fill it with a toba-
Kopp & Co., a highly respected manufac- (mostly, with a couple exceptions) made cco that might leave an aftertaste. Univer-
turer. It’s fair to say many, if not most, of the me feel like I was opening a vintage tin sity Flake delivered outstanding results even
Peterson tobaccos are robust—densely aged from the 1960s. I loved that aspect of the in this coddled “magic pipe.” Whatever
and caked and delivering plenty of nicotine. tobaccos. With the reformulated blends, we casing there may be—and the manufac-
Interestingly, the Peterson blends feature a discovered an eye-opening array of “new/ turer hints at a light plum-like topping—
predominance of familiar tobaccos, such as old” blends that are pretty exciting for what it is innocuous and shouldn’t chase away
Virginia and Burley, but are sourced from have been long been “old standards.” any lover of bold Virginia English flakes. I
locations like Brazil, India, Thailand and would say to smoke University Flake with
Africa. These tobaccos are very hearty University Flake aplomb in your favored briars. It works great
compared with their U.S. brethren and Gage: A bit moist out of the tin, but eas- in meerschaum and clay pipes, but some-
seem to reflect an assertive character ily dried after a couple days, this gorgeous how the woodsy character really calls for a
after careful aging. It’s pretty clear they pressed and thin-sliced flake is brindled briar. Buy as much as you can, and cellar it,
are selected for sweetness and high nico- with aged orange and brown Virginias because this blend will only get better with
tine content, accelerated by the sub- from Africa and the United States, a touch time. It is truly outstanding.
tropical climate in which they’re grown, of bright Virginia and tan Burley from
which is accentuated by pressing, caking India. There is also some dark-fired Ken- Harb: This is a traditional flake presenta-
and aging. tucky, which is one of my favorite tobaccos. tion, with the flakes cut thin so they are
Noted tobacco expert G.L. Pease Although uncased, the tin aroma lends up easily rubbed out. They also promote easy
explained it this way: “U.S. tobaccos are scents of coconut, bourbon and aged leaf. lighting and make the blend easy to keep
different from the same leaf types grown The slices are mottled, lovely and finely lit. Composed primarily of Burley and Vir-
elsewhere. If we assume that soil, climate, sliced with great precision. I ended up ginia tobaccos, the aroma is lightly sweet
farm management and curing techniques preferring this sliced flake lightly rubbed with a delicate berry-like topping. The first
are each just a little different, then even out, with plenty of flakes and strands to light suggests the flavor will be robust and,
identical seed stock grown here and in spare, in a slightly larger pipe. This blend once stoked, a deep flavor level emerged,
Africa, for instance, would produce results also works well when simply crumpled along with a more than moderate nicotine
that are similar, but certainly not identical and stuffed into your favorite pipe. A punch. I expected more sweetness from
to one another, and their divergence could rougher treatment allows the flavors to the Virginias, but the level of sweetness
be dramatic; amplified at each step in the develop. Upon lighting, there’s a compe- was more defined as a combination of the
process from seedling to finished leaf. The lling spicy, earthy bite that tastes of the Virginia and topping. Once the topping
two products would be genetically identi- forest—leaf mulch, warm dirt and mush- had burned off, the Burley became more
cal, but would have quite different taste and rooms. It is altogether compelling. prominent in the flavor and was a nice
aroma characteristics.” This is so woodsy and sweet it’s ridicu- complement to the Virginias. This blend
The tobaccos in the current Peterson lous. Pepper and cumin fill your sinuses. was easy to pack and burned evenly, cool
blends definitely reflect the intensity and The room aroma, based on my expert and produced a soft gray ash.
potency of familiar tobaccos grown in tropi- “smeller,” is perhaps closer to a fine
cal climates. It has been quite awhile since cigar than pipe tobacco. After multiple Irish Whiskey
I’ve smoked some of these blends, and in smokes in my tasting pipes, the taste Gage: Thai Burley, African Virginia and
the past I was, frankly, disappointed with was so magnificent, and the ghost- dark-fired Kentucky attempt to create a
many. Perhaps the fact Kohlhase took over ing so minimal, that after several test harmonious medley in this blend that
29th Annual
Pipe Smokers
Celebration & Exposition
The Ancient & Honorable Art
& Sport of Pipe Smoking Lives
In Richmond, Virginia!
October 11-13, 2013

The Greater Richmond Convention Center
+PJOGFMMPXQJQFTNPLFST DJHBSTNPLFST QJQFNBLFST UPCBDDPCMFOEFST
BOEGSJFOET'30."306/%5)&803-%
4BNQMFUPCBDDPOJTUTHSFBUCMFOET.BSWFMBUQJQFDSBęTNFOBOEBSUJTUTMBUFTUDSFBUJPOT
&YIJCJUZPVSPXODPMMFDUJPOPGQJQFTBOETNPLJOHSFMBUFEAUPCBDDJBOB PSKVTUDPNFBOEFOKPZUIFFYIJCJUT
FWFOUTBOEDBNBSBEFSJF
"--1*1&BOE$*("34.0,&348&-$0.&/FXQJQFTNPLFST–HFUBMMPGZPVSTNPLJOHRVFTUJPOT
BOTXFSFECZUIFGSJFOEMJFTUCVODIPGHVZTBSPVOE5BLFBEWBOUBHFPGSFBMCBSHBJOTBOEFOKPZPVS
4PVUIFSOIPTQJUBMJUZ"POFEBZ$0314NFNCFSTIJQQSPWJEFTDPNQMJNFOUBSZBDDFTTUPUIFTIPX
ć
FFYQPJTPQFO4BUVSEBZGSPNBNUPQNBOE4VOEBZGSPNBNUPQN
YES, WE CAN SMOKE IN THE EXPO!

CORPS t P.O. Box 2463 t Chesterfield, VA 23832
CORPS Hotline (804) 342-0761, leave a message
DPODMBWF!DPSQJQFTNPLFSTPSHtXXXDPSQJQFTNPLFSTPSHtXXXGBDFCPPLDPNUIFDPODMBWF
t063'3*&/%4t0631*1&4t06350#"$$04t4*/$&
presents a whiskey-dosed aromatic that Italy to add a depth to the flavor. The decent depth, it’s somewhat monochromat-
offers a tempting tin aroma of choco- topping gives the blend a pleasant aroma ic. Then again, one could call it balanced,
late, hazelnuts and a hint of whiskey. The and creamy flavor, and burns off by mid- with no particular flavors gaining promi-
appealing medium-fine ribbon cut and bowl so the underlying tobacco flavors nence. It’s a bit like a very mild, smooth,
generally deep chocolate tone were blossom. In a meerschaum pipe, the fla- high-quality version of what puffers, par-
intriguing, although the aromatic induced vors were somewhat richer compared to ticularly new smokers, might expect from
moisture was significant and the tobacco briar. Irish Whiskey is a very smooth and a generic bulk mixture but seldom get. The
was very slow to dry down to a palatable cool-burning blend that would be good positive differences are quality tobaccos
level. On first light, the blend bit hard. any time of the day. There is nothing else and careful aging. Bolder and more inter-
Unfortunately, there wasn’t much whiskey like Irish whiskey, so using that as a topping esting in the last third of the bowl, Irish
flavor, and the casing quickly contributed makes this blend a unique taste and aroma Oak finishes with more concentrated flavor
a chemical/rubbing alcohol taste. This, to creation. It is really worth a try, whether and a slightly elevated nicotine sweetness
me, lent an off-note to the base tobaccos, you’re Irish or not. toward the end of the bowl. It fails to make
and I couldn’t taste much beyond the cas- a statement, other than it would be a great
ing. The off-putting bitterness diminished Irish Oak all-day smoke for someone craving consis-
about 30 percent of the way down, every Gage: This is an intriguing fine ribbon- tency and a touch of boredom.
time, in both meerschaums and briars. cut mixture offering mostly English
After the bitterness of the casing dimin- character but with a hint of aromatic char- Harb: This light-to-medium-brown
ished, it was a more enjoyable aromatic acter, even though no flavoring agents blend features Orange Virginia and Bur-
smoke, but still generated off-putting fla- are advertised. This mix of Zimbabwean ley from Thailand sweetened with Caven-
vors. The dark-fired Kentucky delivers Orange Virginia, Thai Burley, and dish and seasoned with Louisiana Perique.
more nicotine and sweetness than you’ll Brazilian and African Virginia leaf (pur- The tin aroma has a sweet note from the
find in most aromatics, so if you’re a fan of portedly aged in sherry barrels) lends a Virginia, and tartness most likely from
nicotine and enjoy aromatics, this repre- very different type of flavor than the typical the Perique. Filling out the flavor profile
sents a hard-to-find combination. For me, U.S.-grown Virginia. A dash of light Cav- are rich tobacco undertones. Once lit and
however, it was a disappointing blend. endish and a splash of Perique add little to forming embers, a robust flavor and bold
the tin aroma or the smoke. body that is moderately aggressive on the
Harb: This blend features Burleys from It’s a smooth smoke, delivering a mod- palate and a tingle to the nose develops,
Africa, India and Brazil that give the blend est palate appeal and a whiskey-floral finish with Perique contributing a rich tart-
medium body, and dark-fired leaf from and aftertaste. Despite its smoothness and ness that lasts through the bowl. While
this blend was a pleasant smoke in a briar
pipe, it really blossomed for me in a meer-
schaum. Irish Oak is a winner for those
who like a blend rich in body, and with
some complexity.
Irish Flake
Gage: I have done battle with many a
stout, dark, chock-full-of-nicotine mix-
tures over the years, and have lost more
than a few rounds. Admittedly, many
pipe smokers greatly enjoy and can eas-
ily manage nicotine-laden flakes, mix-
tures and plugs. I have never been one
of them. It has been many years since
I have paid a visit to this dense, dark,
thinly sliced flake with a heady tin aroma
of chocolate and raisins. There was
no particular reason I can recall for
neglecting this classic flake, but once I lit
up, I immediately regretted how long it
had been.
I’ll also say that several years ago this
blend, created by a different manufacurer,
was all nicotine and, well, if there was
any flavor, it was masked by the “charms”
of Lady Nicotine. There is no doubt
this pressed and beautifully thin-sliced
Virginia and dark-fired Kentucky cake
still delivers a healthy dollop of nicotine, when fully rubbed out, but the flavors faint of heart, but recommended for those
particularly if you inhale, but even if you were more complex and appealing when I who want a big flavor.
don’t, there is a definite nicotine tingle on packed my bowl with lightly broken slices.
your tongue. However, I found this current Irish Flake tastes great in both meerschaum Hyde Park
iteration of Irish Flake delivered a perfect and cob, but seemed to develop a nuttier Gage: Bright and dark Virginias, rum
amount of nicotine, which definitely con- flavor in briars. No toppings are added, and maple sugars, and Indian Burley are
tributes a unique sweetness. What distin- and I detected no flavor ghosting. This combined in a coarse-cut ready-rubbed
guishes Irish Flake from some of the most would be a great addition to your tobacco mixture of subdued brown, tan and gold
potent Irish-style tobaccos? I believe it’s the cellar, giving this generously aged leaf some hues. The tin aroma and pre-light draw
calming influence of outstanding dark- additional time to marry and develop. offer a hint of maple and a bit of Virginia—
fired Kentucky leaf, which is dense and rich unassuming at best. Not the usual sharp-
but not as potent as heavily pressed and Harb: Described as a blend with ness you can find in alcohol-infused
aged Virginia. I smoked this tobacco start unspoiled tobacco taste, this flake is just tobaccos. On lighting, there was a slightly
to finish, time and again, with blissfully no that. The tin aroma was very inviting, with sweet but intensely reminiscent taste of
ill effects. Slow and careful puffing helps, a light sweetness and tartness. The thin- earth, bark and the sensory aroma of a hay
especially if you are sensitive to nicotine. cut flakes were easy to rub out, and with a barn. For a lightly cased aromatic blend,
Throughout the smoke, it delivered bit of drying, the blend was ready to load. Hyde Park presents a great deal of interest
on the tin aroma of chocolate, dried Expecting a depth from the dark-fired and character, and I highly recommend it
fruit and subtle, leathery flavors from leaf, I chose a small-to-medium bowl for for aromatic lovers seeking the top echelon
the dark-fired. The creamy character of the first tasting. At the match, Irish Flake of aromatic blends.
the smoke was a delight on the palate— produced a medium flavor level with body
both smooth and vibrant. There was defi- just south of moderate. The flue-cured leaf Harb: Described as a traditional English
nite spice, which intensified toward the gives the blend a sweet fruitiness, and the blend, Hyde Park, in my opinion, is more
final third of the bowl as the tar and dark-fired leaf gives it a welcome stoutness. an aromatic which features flavoring with
nicotine concentrated. While the tobacco The tobaccos burned smooth, and from rum and maple syrup. This gives the blend
smokes beautifully to a fine ash, if it bec- start to finish were pretty much the same a bit of moisture with a very pleasant
omes too intense toward the end, I would flavor profile, gaining strength and depth aroma. The cut is a partially broken flake
not shun this tobacco even if you need to down the bowl as the burning leaf flavored of pressed Virginia and Burley tobaccos.
leave the final few centimeters unsmoked. the unburned flakes. A larger bowl gave Once charred and burning smoothly, there
The tobacco delivers plenty of flavor more flavor, depth and body. Not for the was no indication of Latakia and Oriental
An
AMERICAN
There’s nothing quite like a
Genuine Missouri Meerschaum
corn cob pipe – the coolest,
smoothest pipe you’ll ever smoke!
LEGEND
CornCobPipe.com
8'SPOU4USFFUt10#PYt8BTIJOHUPO .0ttQJQFT!DPSODPCQJQFDPN
3LSHVDQG7REDFFRVVXPPHU 59
tobaccos that define the English blends. Harb: Virginias from Africa and Brazil Sweet Killarney
The flavor level was moderate, with a bit and Burley from Malawi were lightly Gage: I’m glad you’ve made it this far,
of body from the Burley. The dark-fired cased, then dried and pressed, and finally because I saved a real surprise for the
tobacco gave the blend a stoutness that heated. I have to say the plug which resulted end. This mixture features Virginia,
grew through the bowl. Hyde Park burned is one of the hardest I’ve ever encountered. Maryland, Burley and black Cavendish
very smoothly, cool, with no bite and left a I used a knife to shave fragments from the with caramel flavor. A “kitchen sink”
soft gray ash. plug, then broke them up and let them dry blend of many tobaccos, topped with
before loading into a pipe. At the charring caramel flavoring, is frequently disappoint-
3P (Peterson’s Perfect Plug) light, there were tangy flavors, and once ing. This is a beautifully presented fine-cut
Gage: After popping the vacuum seal of stoked, a fruity, sweet flavor emerged. I tobacco, with slabs of cake-aged leaf and
this charmingly old-fashioned tin, you think the heating of this 3P blend helped prominent larger chunks and slivers of
see African and Brazilian Virginia and to produce the deep and rich flavors that bright Virginia and Burley. A medley of
Malawi Burley crammed into two dark developed as I progressed down the bowl. yellows, tans, golds and browns is a feast
and brooding square cakes that stare up at Overall, this is a blend with a lot of tobacco for the eyes. The tin aroma presents an
you from their modest white paper wrap- flavor that should appeal to smokers who appetizing fruity scent, less like caramel
ping; snake eyes against a background of want good depth of richness with the addi- and more like raspberries.
white. “Smoke me at your own risk,” they tion of a complimentary flavoring. This has not been met with universal
growl, daring you to dissect them and set kudos on various review forums, but
them on fire. The tin aroma is negligible, Sherlock Holmes I believe it’s one of the finest aromatic
secretive, and the light flavoring advertised Gage: This topped Virginia and Burley tobaccos available on the market. For
is nowhere to be found. I believe the two- mixture sings “It’s A Small World After disbelievers, it requires another try,
plug presentation is a change for earlier All,” with its global tobacco chorus of Bra- because as aromatics go, this is an incr-
iterations with one plug, and while it may zilian Burley, African Virginia leaf and edibly interesting blend beneath a subtle,
appear to be a skimpy serving in relation to goodness knows what else. The tin aroma undetectable caramel casing. Perhaps
the tin, it’s a dense and full 50 grams. is fruity, filled with apricot and mango it’s better that it previously was. It has a
Plugs offer a variety of preparation and light hints of the Virginia leaf scent. fantastic room aroma. This a truly
options. I tried it cubed, sliced thin and It has an even, golden-brown color, with fine Virginia-based blend with a lot of
simply manhandled into small, chunky very fine strands and medium ribbon interest. The Cavendish adds a hint of
flakes. The many tightly packed layers that pack neatly and light easily. Despite sweetness, the Burley is only a back-
can be peeled away like mica. However the tin aroma, the mixture tastes only of ground note, and the Virginia really shines.
prepared, it performs best with a gener- tobacco without a hint of fruity casing. The tabs of flue-cured Virginia leaf add
ous charring light and a two-minute rest It has garnered rave reviews on www. a sparkle to the mixture. As with most
before relighting. The tobacco settled down tobaccoreviews.com, however, I detec- aromatics, I find myself searching for
nicely, with only a quiet growl. It’s defi- ted a slightly burned, off-putting sooty the advertised flavor without success. It
nitely a nicotine powerhouse, and I found element to the smoke. The Virginia isn’t really doesn’t matter. This first-class
one way to handle this was simply smoke particularly sweet, and it tastes much more Virginia mixture, aromatic or not, has exc-
for a short while, let the pipe rest and light like a Burley-forward blend than any- iting tobaccos and exquisite complexity.
up again. I tolerated this plug better than thing else. Despite what I found to be a
many that are simply too strong for me to woodsy-but-flat flavor profile, it certainly Harb: This blend is a mixed cut with
handle, and I think it’s because the Burley out-distances many aromatic mixtures. the Golden Virginia presented as shreds
brings down the nicotine level a touch. of varied sizes combined with hand-
Despite the Burley, which is pressed Harb: Sweet hay-like and fruity aromas rubbed Virginia flakes and thin ribbons
beyond recognition, there’s a significant were apparent as soon as the top was of darker tobaccos. The blend is topped
amount of Virginia sugar and a chocolaty, taken off the tin. The blend is composed with a creamy caramel flavor that adds
nutty charm. 3P does indeed have a softer of golden-to-medium-brown ribbons of a rich aroma that is delightful. Mod-
side. There is no ghosting, so it’s fine in a Burley and sweet orange and red Virginias erately moist, I let it air and dry until it
favorite briar, but perhaps best in a pipe and Burley. The blend was slightly moist was crisp. At first light, a delicately sweet,
dedicated to Virginia blends so there is no for my taste, so I let the tobaccos dry a bit creamy flavor and aroma emerges, and a
Latakia ghosting interference. before loading into a meerschaum pipe. prominent level of flavor develops once
Treating this scowling tobacco with The ribbons were easy to light, and the the blend is stoked to embers. Over-
respect, I didn’t have to sing a hiccupping, topping immediately came through all, the blend is smooth and rich, with
sweating rendition of “I Fought the Plug, as sweet, with a hint of caramel. After medium body and no bite. The cara-
and the Plug Won.” I found it to present the charring light, there was a medium mel flavor persisted through mid-bowl,
a complex and sugary flavor profile hid- aggression on the palate from the burley. but the rich undertones of the tobaccos
ing behind the glare of Lady Nicotine. You As I progressed down the bowl, a depth of came through nicely. Sweet Killarney
could buy a lot of this tobacco and simply flavor and complexity emerged, and this should please lovers of the aromatic style
keep it in its vacuum-sealed tins, or cram remained throughout the bowl. Overall, of blends, particularly if they want
a considerable amount into a pint Ball Sherlock Holmes burned cool and dry, an aroma that would be pleasant for
or Mason jar for long-term aging. with a pleasant taste throughout the bowl. those around the smoker. P&T
Want to avoid receiving the basic
socks and ties this Father’s Day?
15% off
Everything in the store.
From now until
Great gift ideas for those who are
June 30, 2013* hard to shop for. Or treat yourself.
* Excluding Pipe of
the Year pipes.
ts a kers
shir ts dbr
e
Ves
Polo Win
s
s Mug ags
al l cap Tote b
eb
Bas
ies
ce s sor k n ives
Pip e ac Po c ket
Online Store
Pipes, clothing, back issues and more
visit us online at
PIPE EVENTS
Doctor of Pipes
Chicagoland International Pipe & Tobacciana Show
Award recipients The Chicagoland International Pipe & Tobacciana Show will be held May 3–4, 2014,
Every year the previous Doctor of at the Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL 60174. Reservation
Pipes award winners select two indi- telephone numbers are 800.999.3319 or 630.584.6300. Mention the show and
viduals to join their ranks. All those receive a special room rate. For more information, contact Craig Cobine at
considered have graciously devoted porshcigar@aol.com or visit the show’s website at www.chicagopipeshow.com.
decades of their time and tremen-
dous expenditures of energy to the CORPS Pipe Show
advancement of pipe smoking and The 29th annual Conclave of Richmond Pipe Smokers Pipe & Cigar Smokers
the betterment of our community. To Exposition will be held Oct. 11–13, 2013, at the Greater Richmond Convention
be recognized as a Doctor of Pipes at Center, 403 N. Third St., Richmond, VA 23219. Show hours will be Saturday
the Chicagoland International Pipe from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit the CORPS web-
and Tobacciana Show is among the site at www.corpipesmokers.org or the CORPS Facebook page (search: Conclave)
most prestigious honors any pipe for more information and direct links to exhibitor table reservations, hotel room
enthusiast can achieve. reservations, member information and expo updates.
Pipes and tobaccos magazine joins
the entire pipe community in con- Greater Kansas City Pipe & Tobacco Show
gratulating the two newest recipi- The 2013 Greater Kansas City Pipe & Tobacco Show will be held June 21–23,
ents of the Doctor of Pipes Award, 2013, at the Doubletree Hotel, 10100 College Blvd., Overland Park, KS 66210.
announced at the Chicago Pipe Show Call the hotel at 913.451.6100 and ask for the Greater KC Pipe Club room block to
in May. This year’s awardees are pipe- receive a special room rate. The 2013 show will feature the fourth annual Carver’s
maker Lee Von Erck and collector Contest with contestants offering entries in the Dublin family of shapes. For more
Rex Poggenpohl. information, visit the Kansas City Pipe Club’s website at www.gkcpipeclub.com or
contact Quinton Wells at 816.223.9506; email: Quinton@gkcpipeclub.com.
Industry Hobby
NASPC Show
1998 Tom Dunn Frank Burla The annual North American Society of Pipe Collectors Show will be Saturday,
Aug. 24, 2013, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 600 Metro Place North, Dublin, OH
1999 Barry Levin Basil Sullivan 43017. Phone the hotel at 866.372.5566 and mention the NASPC Show to receive
a special room rate. For show information, contact Jeff Knoll, secretary, NASPC
2000 Chuck Levi Ed Lehman at P.O. Box 9642, Columbus, Ohio 43209; phone: 614.306.6239; email: naspc@
graphictouch.biz; or visit the website at www.naspc.org.
2001 Bob Hamlin Rich Esserman
West Coast Pipe Show
2002 Mary McNiel Chuck Rio The fifth annual West Coast Pipe Show will be held Nov. 2–3, 2013, at the Palace
Station Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. Smoking will be allowed in the entire show
2003 Peter Stokkebye Linwood Hines area, including the smoking lounge incorporated into the ballroom. For West Coast
Pipe Show room rates, contact the Palace Station Hotel & Casino at 800.634.3101;
2004 R. David Field Ben Rapaport
website: www.palacestation.com. Call early to reserve your smoking rooms. For table
reservations and other information, contact Steve O’Neill at P.O. Box 2258, Kapaa,
2005 Mike Butera Rick Newcombe
HI 96746; phone: 435.760.2411; email: steve@westcoastpipeshow.com; website www.
westcoastpipeshow.com.
2006 Marty Pulvers Mike Reschke
AD INDEX
2007 Tom McCranie Frederico Bayllaender 4noggins.com 53 Meerschaum Store 53
Arango Cigar Co. 27 Missouri Meerschaum Co. 59
2008 Alberto Bonfiglioli T. Gibb Robinson Bisgaard Pipes 52 Music City Marketing 25
Braley Pipe Tool Ltd. Co. 53 Park Lane 53
2009 William John Ashton-Taylor Fred Janusek Cigar & Tabac Ltd. 54 Payless Pipes 51
C.O.R.P.S. 57 Pulvers Briar 54
2010 Alan Schwartz Fred Hanna Cup O’Joes CVR4 Quality Briar 53
De La Concha 58 R.D. Field 6, 9
East-West Trading Co. 11 Savinelli 5
2011 Paul Creasy John Eells
Fader’s 52 Smokingpipes.com 3
Humidor Pipe Shop 52 SpecComm International Inc. 41, 61
2012 Mike McNiel Tad Gage James Norman Limited CV2-1 Stemco-Pimo 49
Just for Him 54 The Briar & The Burley 52
2013 Lee Von Erck Rex Poggenpohl Lane Limited CV3, 7 The Briary Pipe & Tobacco Co. 54
Pipes and tobaccos magazine PRIME Retailers
Please patronize these P&T PRIME retailers—shops that have dedicated
themselves to the service of discerning pipe smokers everywhere.
4noggins.com Fader’s (four locations) Park-Lane Tobacconist

www.4noggins.com www.faderstobac.com www.cigarsandpipes.com
40 Court St. 800.999.3233 15 Park Ave.
Middlebury, VT 05753 Clifton Park, NY 12065
802.382.1699 Store/Warehouse Location 518.371.6ASH (6274)
800.364.5126 25 Allegheny Ave.
Towson, MD 21204 Pulvers Briar
Bisgaard Pipes 410.828.4555 www.pulversbriar.com
www.bisgaard-pipes.com P.O. Box 61146
Jeppe Aakjers Vej 9 Annapolis Plaza Palo Alto, CA 94306
8400 Ebeltoft 150-F Jennifer Road 650.965.7403
Denmark Annapolis, MD 21401
+45.8634.1007 877.289.7665 Quality Briar
www.qualitybriar.com
Braley Pipe Tool Ltd. Co. Valley Village Shopping Center 1303 Grafton St.
www.braleypipetool.com 9173 Reisterstown Road Worcester, MA 01604
202 South Byrd St. Owings Mills, MD 21117 508.579.4772
Tishomingo, OK 73460 410.363.7799
855.860.9962 Smokingpipes.com
40 West Shopping Center www.smokingpipes.com
Cigar & Tabac Ltd. 728 North Rolling Road 2 East Hwy. 90
www.cigarandtabacltd.com Catonsville, MD 21228 Little River, SC 29566
6898 W. 105th St. 410.744.9090 843.281.9304
Overland Park, KS 66212
913.381.5597 Humidor Pipe Shop The Briar & The Burley
www.humidorpipeshop.com 101 West Kirkwood Ave.
Cup O’Joes 2502 Memorial Parkway SW Suite 100
www.cupojoes.com Huntsville, AL 35801 Bloomington, IN 47404
959 State Rte. 9 256.539.6431 812.332.3300
Suite T 812.327.9591
Queensbury, NY 12804 Just For Him
518.615.0107 www.justforhim.com The Briary Pipe & Tobacco Shop
888.689.6876 1334 East Battlefield www.thebriary.com
Springfield, MO 65804 609 Oak Grove Road
De La Concha 417.886.8380 Homewood, AL 35209
www.delaconcha.com 205.942.9001
1390 6th Ave. & 57th St. Meerschaum Store 877.327.4279
New York, NY 10019 www.meerschaumStore.com
212.757.3167 Ismet lnonu Cad. Baskurt
888.CIGAR.04 IsMerkezi No: 54
(888.244.2704) 26130 Eskisehir / Turkey
Pipes and tobaccos magazine PRIME Retailers.

Visit us today!
PA R T I N G S H O T S
1JQFCZ(SBOU#BUTPOt1IPUPCZ%VTUJO#BCJU[LF
DÉJÀ BLEND
Announcing the return
of 5 legendary Lane blends.
F
Five iconic Lane bulk blends, back by popular demand. Be among the ﬁrst to
re-experience these exquisite tobaccos. To learn more, visit WWW.STGLANEPIPE.COM.
WARNING: THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS/PRODUCES CHEMICALS KNOWN TO THE STATE

OF CALIFORNIA TO CAUSE CANCER, AND BIRTH DEFECTS, OR OTHER REPRODUCTIVE HARM

Pipes and Tobaccos 2

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Pipes and Tobaccos 2

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

$7.

PLANTA pipe tobaccos of the year

$VZHHWSHDUPL[WXUH 2012: An African Dream: Bright yellow Virginias ripened in the

20 Alabama pipe celebration

28 Following his heart

36 Rising from the ashes

42 The briar trade

64 PARTING SHOTS innovations

Saving hundreds from certain death

too noble, too altruistic, for such feeble self-interest. Production

Irene Joiner HR administrator/Office manager

WARNING: THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS/PRODUCES CHEMICALS KNOWN TO THE STATE

Kjeld Sorensen A NEW

familiar winter cloak of gray.

Call 1-800-251-3016 to ﬁnd a White Spot retailer near you.

Exclusive U.S. Distributor

Following his heart

The Pipe Smoker’s Poker Deck

Mastro de Paja Rossini Collection

of any of his pipes to accept a pipe cleaner,

Skoda pipes may be purchased

Offer available on 2011 and earlier editions

Ardor Peterson Eltang/Former L’Anatra Tinsky Savinelli Jody Davis

I will have to energize and expand

Allen & Wright Ashenfarb, Leon Barling, B. & Sons

A.G.E. Baronfil Biltor

Alabama’s Oldest Pipe

2502 Memorial Pkwy SW

Missed an issue? We’ve got you covered.

Select back issues of Pipes and tobaccos

I N T RO D U C I N G Are you a pipe and

Prime and Retailer programs can give your customers

The return of some classics

BY TAD GAGE AND JOE HARB

October 11-13, 2013

YES, WE CAN SMOKE IN THE EXPO!

4noggins.com Fader’s (four locations) Park-Lane Tobacconist

Pipes and tobaccos magazine PRIME Retailers.

WARNING: THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS/PRODUCES CHEMICALS KNOWN TO THE STATE

You might also like

$VZHHWSHDUPL[WXUH 2012: An African Dream: Bright yellow Virginias ripened in the