Kilts & Pipe Smoking

[Iolaus]

There are some similar ones at www.smokingpipes.com, along with several other very nice pipes.

Nice site.

I worked a pipe store when I was younger. I've always had a soft spot for churchwardens; I found one at that site that quite appeals to me - a Bjarne Smooth Panel Churchwarden.

http://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/ne...oduct_ID=17596

[Nick]

Very nice churchwarden

I have a question for all pipe smokers in the UK, or people in the UK in general. I may be going to school somewhere in the UK, what is the attitude towards pipe smoking over there? When I was in Belgium there were smokers everywhere, and more pipe smokers than I've ever seen, along with many fine tobacconists. However, I've recently read some things that make me wonder if the UK is moving towards making the smoking of tobacco illegal. Is there any substance to this? Should I leave my pipes on this side of the pond? Or am I misreading the situation?

Nick

[JayFilomena]

That started me thinking, I wonder how many other people on this board also enjoy a good tobacco pipe every know and then? Personally I love my pipes both as collectibles and as sources of physical enjoyment.

I have been enjoying a pipe for about 10 years, but honestly, I only smoke it about once a month. Since I am not a frequent smoker, I just grab a little Capt Black. For a special treat or event, I may purchase something special from a local tobacco shop. I have a churchwarden that is a somewhat replica from a Lord of the Rings, and looks rather...gentlemanly (?) when I smoke it while wearing my kilt.

[GlassMan]

I love my churchwarden.

Also, I'm a sucker for intriguing deviations from traditional shapes. Not all-out freehands, but just an interesting take on a traditional shape. I'll have to take some pics to show what I mean.

[Nick]

Here's the churchwarden I've been wanting for months now, but every time it comes up on eBay, I end up losing.



I like it mainly because it resembles the pipes in the Lord of the Rings movies. If I had the money (a recurrent theme) there are a couple makers who make excellent, and functional, reproductions of the movie pipes, and I'd love one of those, too. As it is, I'm thinking I'll make my own.

[GlassMan]

I've seen several of the reproduction pipes. But remember that the only authorized repros are by Vauen of Germany and they are also the only ones who have substituted a briar bowl for the ash bowl used in the movies.

There was interesting article about the actual pipes used in the movie in Pipes & Tobacco magazine. Apparently the prop people had no knowledge about pipes whatsoever and they just carved things that looked nice out of the wood on hand. So they made the pipes out of ash and used standard stains.

Apparently the actual movie pipes smoked hot as a nuclear reactor and smelled to high heaven as the stains were heated by the bowls. Plus, they had to make tons of each pipe because they kept burning out.

I've known one person to buy an unauthorized repro that was made out of ash and he says it looks great on the mantle piece but it is absolutely unsmokeable.

Let's be honest, no wood on earth can handle the heat of a smoking pipe like good quality briar can.

[GlassMan]

This is really off-topic but I thought I'd throw this out. I'm getting over a cold right now, and for some reason no amount of over-the-counter medication does anything to clear me up. But I start a pipe and my nostrils open up, my throat feels soothed, and I stop coughing.

I don't know what that's about but I like that remedy. But please take into consideration that I'm the same man who cures a sour stomach by drinking hard liquor.

[Nick]

The Vauen ones are one of the better ones for certain. Macqueen also makes good ones, they offer an ash pipe but also in other woods.

I like those remedies, maybe I'll try them out next time I'm feeling under the weather ;)

[GlassMan]

I received a gorgeous new L'Anatra pipe for Christmas. My spouse got it for me off eBay.








And it smokes like a dream. :mrgreen:

[Nick]

Gorgeous? My good sir, you do not do it justice!

What is the little gold doodad on the stem? It looks like a snail. Sort of.

eBay is a wonder for pipes. I've usually got three or four on watch, but to date I've only actually bought one.