Pipe Smoking Tobacco

Mr. Bill Taylor of Ashton pipes is in the hospital, after a bad car crash, back in April. He is not home, yet, as he has to get to a better condition, before release. Please join me in wishing him all the best, and a speedy recovery.
Hats off to You, Bill, and Get Well Soon!
Sincerly, Eric Whitaker

Want to read about what the Federal Government wants to do with tobacco (that also means pipe tobacco and the whole industry)?
Are you informed yet on what legislation is pending that will affect great numbers of pipe smokers in the United States--it's call H.R.1256 "Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act". A good place to find about what's going on is:
http://pipesmokersintelligencer.org/journal

Suggestion: Please stock up on your favorites tobaccos--quickly--before the government screws up everything you enjoy about pipesmoking. I have.

Sorry for the bads news--We get enough of that everyday--but this is real!
--Eric

Balkan Tobaacos--A Treasure From The East
__________________________________________________________
GL Pease ---ABINGDON......A Real Treat.
If You've ever had the notion to compare Tobacco to things you love in life--I can tell you--with conviction, that if you like Balkan blends--the Abingdon mixture is superior. I can descibe this one as Dark, Rich, Cool, Spicy, Exotic and Sweet--if you EVER find a tobacco like this--hang on to it for life! Abingdon is a full Balkan style blend with a generous measure of Cyprian Latakia, seasoned with fine red and lemon yellow Virginia tobaccos,and enhanced with rich Oriental leaf. Abingdon is bold and assertive, while retaining a stylish finesse.
Come to think of it--those are the reasons I married my wife! I guess I'll Keep Her! (and the Abingdon!)

--Happy Smoking, Eric

Can't get a pipe cleaner to go in the pipe without it getting "hung-up"?
If your pipe is a Savinelli "convertible" pipe (it can be smoked with the 6mm balsa system filter--or sans filter--with the 6mm plastic filter adaptor--here's the solution: Using the adaptor--take a small sharp blade from a pocketknife, and gently chamfer cut a bevel in the inside diameter of the hole going thru the middle of it--on both ends--you will get a better airflow--and the pipe cleaner will slide right thru with ease.

Does your pipe have a loose tenon peg on the mouthpiece? Solution:
Remove mouthpiece from pipe and give it a good clean, inside and outside--including the tenon. Dry it--then brush on a little clear nail polish on the outside of the tenon. Let completely dry before re-assembling the pipe. The varnish will snug up the fit of the mouthpiece (sometimes all it's only 1/10000th of and inch!)

It Works for me..Best Wishes, Eric

At the little town of Borup, just a few miles from Copenhagen (Kobenhavn) the world's most efficient, modern and clean pipe factory stays busy producing about 300,000 pipes per year--with approximately 80 to 100 processes to finish each individual pipe--one by one, with quality controls and inspections including at each stage. Stanwell produces some of the best factory made pipes in the world--for a few reasons: Their pipes are crafted with style, beauty and technical innovations. Quite an accomplishment!
Some of the qualities I like about the Stanwell pipes are the fact that some of their shapes were commissioned from Mr. Sixten Ivarrsson, Mr. Tom Eltang and Mr. Jess Chonowitsch. Their works speak for themselves, as some of the world's finest. The technical innovations of Stanwell insure proper seasoning of the briar wood, a perfect fit of mouthpiece and shank of the pipe, and the use of a Delrin plastic tenon that can be replaced without being fitted--the connectors come in two standard sizes--that only the outside of the mouthpiece has to be fitted with minor work. The Delrin tenon is also engineered to be slightly flexible-not brittle, and makes it easier for removal of the stem for cleaning, without breakage. In 1942, Mr. Paul Nielsen started Stanwell pipes--out of neccessity for all pipe smokers in Denmark--because during WWII, the normal supply of fine briar pipe was cut off from England-the premier pipemakers of the world in those days. Stanwell even made functional pipes of beechwood, because he could not get briar during the war. Now, in modern times, pipesmokers all over the world benefit from Stanwell pipes because they are affordable, uniform, beautifully styled, and most of all they smoke great. Every Stanwell pipe that I have owned and smoked was and is an enjoyment, and a super value for every pipesmoker. If you happen upon an assortment of Stanwell pipes, and see or know the shape you like the most--what's fun is finding the uniform shape you like and suddenly discovering one with and exceptional, beautiful grained wood!
Stanwell pipes are on sale right now at www.OutwestTobacco.com
Here is an example of one of mine--it's a shape number 62 with a straight grain around the entire bowl, in the Stanwell Legend finish. When shopping for it, I looked through approximately 100 pipes before I found it! That was fun! What a VALUE!
Try a Stanwell pipe and let me know what your thoughts are! Best Wishes, Eric

Good airflow is the secret to a great smoking pipe! Too many times I have seen some beautiful pipes (artistically beautiful), and discovered that I could not get hardly any airflow through it--to smoke the pipe. Rather than toss away a potentially great pipe--that someone took some time and trouble to make--I learned some things: namely, following some great advice given by a man by the name of Mr. Rick Newcombe, in his book "IN SEARCH OF PIPE DREAMS".
Here's how to do it:
First, examine your pipe to make sure it is clean on the inside. This is the most common problem of reduced airflow--a dirty pipe. Take the necessary step to clean it.
Next, determine if there are any obstructions in the airway from bowl to the lip of the bit. If you have a filter--throw that away. If the pipe still draws hard (and it shouldn't) determine if the problem is with the mouthpiece or the shank of the pipe. Most likely it is both.
Now for the fun part!
Obtain some wood drill bits (size 11/64",3/16",9/64",1/8",5/64") and a Variable speed 3/8 drive electric drill.
Begin by slowly redrilling the shank of the pipe until the bit just enters the bottom of the inside of the bowl. Stop. Don't do anything else to the wooden shank of the pipe. Now--for the mouthpiece. Take a sharp pocketknife, and chamfer the hole on the inside of the tenon peg. Remember--always drill slowly--and pull out waste material often, when drilling hard rubber, vulcanite or lucite plastic. Go slow--because the plastic will melt of you have too much friction. Picture in your mind the length of the mouthpiece, and use the 9/64" bit one third of the length, then the 1/8" bit another third and lastly the 5/64" through the lip. Run a fluffy pipe cleaner through the whole pipe to make sure all the trimmings are gone. Now smoke your pipe and enjoy how easy it is to puff. Caution: because the pipe now is way easier to draw--don't smoke to fast, because you don't have to smoke fast anymore--the pipe will stay lit, longer. It worked for me!
Best Wishes and happy smoking! Eric Whitaker

McClelland #2020 Matured Cake

How Does one find his or her favorite tobacco? We are talking about one of the ultimate goals of enjoyment in pipesmoking--simply because there is in fact, so many choices of tobaccos--and way too many confusing issues related to your quest for the perfect smoke. I have discovered that throughout my 32 years of experience in the trade--(I'm still discovering and learning and studying new things about pipe tobaccos and the people who enjoy them), we have to sit down and think objectively and honestly about what's available, agreeable, affordable and accurate, within the world of pipe tobaccos.
1.) Available--If I like it, can I get a steady supply, easily?
2.) Agreeable--I know what I like, can I find it, duplicate it, or modify an existing blend or mixture to GET what I like. Or, as a lot of pipesmokers have done, I'm not too sure WHAT I like, I'll try different ones until I find something I like.
3.) Affordable--Can I really afford what I like, or to look for what I like?
4.) Accurate--Consistency in the tobacco that you enjoy, is the most important quality you can enjoy. If the tobacco is not consistent in quality, taste, proportions of various leaf, and how it's made--you won't be smoking the same tobacco today, as you enjoyed yesterday.

How do you know the tobacco you enjoy the most, is really the right blend or mixture in your choices of tobacco? Fact--most people enjoy several different blends or mixtures--instead of just one. People's taste change with their body chemistry, also. Variety is also a factor.
One of the biggest problems is the root of confusion of pipe tobaccos caused by the marketing departments of the pipe tobacco companies themselves--the marketing departments don't know anything about what goes into the blends--and some marketing "genius" (who is not a pipesmoker, ignorant of the various tobaccos used, and the basic characteristics of the different types of tobaccos)tries to convey to the smoker "A mild blend that smokes great..." or some other non-decript drivel or babble--to maximize sales of the tobacco, at the trouble, expense and confusion of the consumer of the tobacco. This false advertising infuriates me--because I have taken the time, the training, and obtained the experience, to help educate pipe smoking friends and customers to understand the world's best tobaccos and how best to enjoy them--if asked to do so. The are so many people these days, involved in the sales of retail products--and sadly, they don't know very much about what they try to sell.
Following, are a few items that will help you on your discoveries and enjoyment, in finding your own conclusions on your quest for your favorite pipe tobacco(s).
1.) Learn the differences of individual types of tobaccos, by smoking
samples of unblended or un-mixed tobacco. We refer to them as component tobaccos.
2.) Decide which ones appeal to you, by taste.
3.) Learn what affects different components have on a mixture or a blend.
4.) Learn what kind of blend or mixture you are trying to achieve, using a backgound knowledge of classic blends or mixtures-and their basic proportions.
This might be an overwhelming proposition to you--the best way is to use your own sense of taste--and find a tobacconist who is willing to work with you--because the knowledgeable tobacconist has the training, experience and resources to accomodate your individual taste and desire. Or, you can read up on the subject, and get a head start. I highly recommend a book authored by Mr. Carl Ehwa, THE PIPE, which covers quite a few aspects of pipe tobacco, pipes, and enjoying them, including historical information and excellent photographs. Mr. Ehwa has left us with his excellent legacies of information, and the McClelland Tobacco company, of Kansas City, Missouri, and their excellent products. The book is out of print, but copies can still by found. I had to have mine re-bound by a nice librarian, as I referenced it so much!
Overall, you know if you have found your favorite tobacco if you enjoy it so much, that you have tested it by the 4 "A's" noted above, and you think the tobacco is worth "cellaring" in quantity, to age and mellow, to ensure a ready supply, to guard your supply against government interference and rising taxes. Yes--there are people out there that just want to say--NO, YOU CAN'T HAVE ANY MORE FUN! I believe otherwise.
--You CAN have FUN on your quest--and always remember--no matter what
the anti-tobacco people say, The fact is, tobacco helped make the United States of America an independent country from the tyranny of oppression. America produces and enjoys the best tobaccos in the world.
The favorite tobacco you are looking for may well simply be made in the good old U.S.A.! I enjoy McClelland's #2020 Matured Cake the most.
The 4 "A's" are there, and it combines the great Virginia tobaccos grown in the USA with some refreshing Xanthi and spicy Latakia from the East.
I tried many others, but I always go back to the 2020.

-Best Wishes, and smoke the best that you can find! -Eric
A full selection of McClelland tobaccos is at
www.OutWesttobacco.com

www.Pipeshowonline.com may be helpful in locating a pipe event that could help you to further your enjoyment of pipes. I found it to be a very good resource. --Best Wishes, -Eric

When Selecting a meerschaum pipe, I try to follow a few criteria, to make the process easier. Selecting a meerschaum pipe can be overwhelming, because there are many choices of meerschaum pipes available.
To start with I divide the pipes into catagories:
1.) Utilitarian everyday smoking pipes.
2.) Pipes that are true works of art.
3.) Special pipes that are best smoked in leisure, that are finely detailed.
Upon a choice of catagory, I consider the quality of pipe versus the price. This is the part that requires a basic knowledge (which ANYONE can apply to their choices). Some 60 different qualities of meerschaum exist within the industry. The ones I mainly consider are:
1.) Purity of color.
2.) Weight
3.) Porosity
4.) Finish
5.) Detail of carving
6.) Reputation of the Artist who made the pipe, and the individual or company who imported the pipe.
7.) Where the meerschaum was mined from the Earth.
From my experience, I have found the best meerschaum comes from near Eskisehir, Turkey, where most of the talented carvers live. The location is actually a few miles from Eskisehir, where near the town of "Whitegold". There are so many meerschaum mine shafts dug into the Earth, there, they can be seen from satellite spacecraft cameras.
When you see a meerschaum pipe that is high in quality, you will naturally know the quality, as you examine it closely. Lower quality pipes look hastily crafted, have evident flaws, are a bit heavy and roughly finished. Lower quality pipes may be made from the compressed dust or shavings from real BLOCK meerschaum. Real block meerschaums smoke, color, feel differently, than inferior compressed meerschaum. It is not real block meerschaum unless it is stated as such, and you know the reputation of the person you are buying from. Also, before purchasing, consider a very close inpection of the pipe, to examine it for hairline cracks or fissures. Examine also, the connector for the shank and stem. Do not select a meerschaum that has been precolored with a darker beeswax or an artificial dye, because these finishes can conceal flaws, that can not be hidden by the bleached white beeswax.
Every quality meerschaum should have a custom fitted leather and wood case, lined with a soft material--this is why you can still find antique pipes that are in great condition--they are protected over the years in those cases. I have found that smoking meerschaum pipes is indeed a true luxury, and set your leisure time aside to smoke one, everyday! Here are some links to help you on your quest for a quality meerschaum, made by hand, unique in all the world and truly for your pleasure:
www.meerschaum.com
www.altinaypipe.com
http://altinokpipe.com
www.danishpipemakers.com
www.aznavur.com
www.koncakmeerschaum.com
www.ermecpipo.com
www.smokingpipes.com
http://bestmeerschaums.homestead.com

www.imppipes.com
www.paylesspipes.com
www.pipesandcigars.com

www.smspipes.com
www.meerschaumstore.com
www.paktaspipe.com
www.fumeursdepipe.net/pipiersBbargiel.htm
www.smokershaven.com
www.whitepipe.com
www.AAAmeerschaum.com
http://www.smoke.co.uk/

www.brairpatch.com
www.OutWesttobacco.com

Some notable meerschaum pipe carving artists and importers are:

Mr. Samil Sermet of smspipes
Mr. Ahmet Buyak Copur
Mr. Sinan Altinok
Mr. Arne Urup
Mr. Burhan Yucel
Mr. Medat Kara
Mr. Imdat Kara
Mr. Erdogan Ege
Mr. Salim Sener
Mr. Eyup Sabri
Mr. Fikri Baki
Mr. Mesut Gezer
Mr. Sevket Gezer
Mr. Sadik Yanik
Mr. Yunus Ege
Mr. Ismail Baglan
Mr. Ismail Ozel
Mr. Ismat Bekler
Mr. Cano Ozgener
Mr. Kadir Baysal
Mr. M.Bassal
Mr. Salim Sener
Mr. Munir Andogu
Mr. Nick Merdenyan
Mr. Nurhan Cevahir
Mr. O.Sabri
Mr. Hasan Aydogu
Mr. Philippe Bargiel
Mr. Ramazan Karaca
Mr. Saban Onalici

--Happy Meerschaum Pipe Hunting, and don't forget to attend the Chicago Pipe Show the first week of May 2008 (Mr. Samil Sermet of SMSpipes will be there with many meerscuam treasures!) --Eric

Topkapi calabash

Meerschaum Carver

On Wednesday evening, 27 February, My Friend, Bjarne Nielsen, died of a heart attack. I last enjoyed a visit from him on November 2, 2007 at my nephew's tobacco shop, in Santa Maria, California. I remember he was always energetic, very kind and intelligent--and I always learned things from just talking with him. Everytime he visited us out here--it was just like Christmas morning when you get to open presents with the whole family! There was always a little twinkle and laughter in his eye, when he smiled at you! I bought a few pipes from him--for my nephew's store, I always insist on the selection of freehand pipes personally, and Bjarne's pipes always met my criteria and standards of quality and creativity and price. Bjarne was always very patient and polite during all business transactions. He trusted people with their word and a handshake. He was a tobacconist and pipemaker from "Old World School" of tobacconists, as I am myself. Bjarne will always be remembered as an Ambassador To The Entire World of Pipesmokers. I am happy to have called him my friend--and I'm happy to have given him my first freehand pipe I carved myself--when I placed it in his hands and told him that it was his--you should of seen him smile! After all--he told me in so many words--"Any pipe he makes--the reason is to make somebody happy". I think that is why we were blessed with Bjarne Nielsen. I will always remember him and all his kind deeds. We will never forget Bjarne!
--Eric Whitaker