Doing a second 1/2 bowl in the break-in process of my newly acquired Paronelli with some Sutliff Dulce de Leche. It's a good smoker, but notreal happy with the finish on this pipe. It's ok, but I"m thinking about a refinish job. If I do, I'll post before/after pics on the "Refinishing ..." discussion...
@jfreedy Ok, that is more the size I thought it was. Don’t take this in any particular way, but..... you must have large hands...or the picture of the Baskerville in your hand was deceiving🙂. I have a 302, it is a big pipe. Thanks for the comparison👍🏻
@KA9FFJ I really want to try to make a pipe with that type of stem inlay. I’m thinking that an offset stepped stem (top to bottom) and maybe angled or “arrowhead” shape in the steps would look cool. I can’t tell if that Balkovec has Buckeye Burl (most likely) or maybe bleached and contrast stained briar for the stem inlay? Whatever it is, it caught my eye🙂
Went for a CT scan of my neck and had a bowel of C&D Awakened Elder in a stanwell 15 on the way there and a bowl of C&D Miskatonic Mixture in the Peterson 303 for the ride home.
I had a bowl of Maltese Falcon in a MM. I just picked it up from my local b&m. This stuff is amazing. Rich smooth and complex, it reminds me of an old school Cuban cigar.
This afternoon had Captain Black Royal, just Recieved this from P&C, along with Vanilla Custard and Russ Snow Drift. Foolishly only ordered 1 ounce of CBR. Thought I was ordering a pouch but apparently not. My mistake.
Strange thing about this Meer, every so often I get a whiff of something “briney”. My guess is it comes from where Meerschaum is found. Which is believed to be from the remnants of ancient crushed shells and bones of tiny “sea creatures”. I don’t taste it in the smoke though...thankfully. I’m pretty sure I don’t want “seafood” flavored tobacco😖
Just popped open a tin of St. Bruno Flake from my IPSD order. This legendary British blend has been near the top of my pipe tobacco must try list for years, and I'm happy to report that it lived up to my expectations. I normally don't have the best palate, but the Virginia's really shine in this flake.
I like this explanation: <<Meerschaum is a hydrous magnesium silicate; its technical name is sepiolite. It is found in veins or naturally occuring lumps in Turkey and neighboring countries. It has been used extensively for pipe bowls and is highly prized because it carves easily, holds wonderful detail, and, when smoked over a long period of time, takes on a glass-like surface and deep plum-red colour.On the down side, it is very soft, chips and cracks easily, and is highly absorbent -- the oils and acids left by fingerprints can easily mar forever 40 years of careful smoking. Traditionally the stem, usually made of carved amber, is attatched to the bowl with a bone screw. It is quite usual to find an old pipe that will no longer 'screw up' as both the meerschuam and amber wear out by the repeated twisting. This does not generally affect value, provided the pipe and stem are otherwise in good condition.Some meerschaum pipes were designed for smoking cigars (especially made for same and generally 2" - 3" long) rather than a normal bowl of tobacco. They were often favoured by women. Pipes of this type are highly collected; clean, finely carved examples sell for sizable prices. The Victoria and Albert has a large collection with several carved by eminent Victorian sculptors. As with most things, it's the quality that counts.Because of the demand and the relative scarcity of high grade material, many pipe bowls were made from a composite of meerschaum chips & powder and thin glue. This was mixed to a slurry, cast into rough shapes, and dried. It was then carved out and sold as "Genuine Meerschaum" which, strictly speaking, it was. In many cases, with age and colouring, it is difficult to tell the difference, so it's generally the cut of the pipe that separates the ordinary from the outstanding.~ William Voss
First I’ve smoked in a week since catching a nasty case of the flu. Some Sunset Rum in my new Peterson. Perfect little smoker. Sunset Rum goes well with a little Irish coffee I found out.
Comments
Finished the day with a 50/50 blend of VG Vanilla and Lane BCA in an MM Cob... Not bad...
Ok, that is more the size I thought it was. Don’t take this in any particular way, but..... you must have large hands...or the picture of the Baskerville in your hand was deceiving🙂. I have a 302, it is a big pipe. Thanks for the comparison👍🏻
I really want to try to make a pipe with that type of stem inlay. I’m thinking that an offset stepped stem (top to bottom) and maybe angled or “arrowhead” shape in the steps would look cool. I can’t tell if that Balkovec has Buckeye Burl (most likely) or maybe bleached and contrast stained briar for the stem inlay? Whatever it is, it caught my eye🙂
Can't go wrong with that mixture.
I like this explanation:
<<Meerschaum is a hydrous magnesium silicate; its technical name is sepiolite. It is found in veins or naturally occuring lumps in Turkey and neighboring countries. It has been used extensively for pipe bowls and is highly prized because it carves easily, holds wonderful detail, and, when smoked over a long period of time, takes on a glass-like surface and deep plum-red colour.On the down side, it is very soft, chips and cracks easily, and is highly absorbent -- the oils and acids left by fingerprints can easily mar forever 40 years of careful smoking. Traditionally the stem, usually made of carved amber, is attatched to the bowl with a bone screw. It is quite usual to find an old pipe that will no longer 'screw up' as both the meerschuam and amber wear out by the repeated twisting. This does not generally affect value, provided the pipe and stem are otherwise in good condition.Some meerschaum pipes were designed for smoking cigars (especially made for same and generally 2" - 3" long) rather than a normal bowl of tobacco. They were often favoured by women. Pipes of this type are highly collected; clean, finely carved examples sell for sizable prices. The Victoria and Albert has a large collection with several carved by eminent Victorian sculptors. As with most things, it's the quality that counts.Because of the demand and the relative scarcity of high grade material, many pipe bowls were made from a composite of meerschaum chips & powder and thin glue. This was mixed to a slurry, cast into rough shapes, and dried. It was then carved out and sold as "Genuine Meerschaum" which, strictly speaking, it was. In many cases, with age and colouring, it is difficult to tell the difference, so it's generally the cut of the pipe that separates the ordinary from the outstanding.~ William Voss
First I’ve smoked in a week since catching a nasty case of the flu. Some Sunset Rum in my new Peterson. Perfect little smoker. Sunset Rum goes well with a little Irish coffee I found out.