Smoking some Rango Cigar Co. 4th Generation Small Batch Peaty Kentucky in a Musico Foundation Sandblast Billiard “Floodlight”. This is some tasty tobak, I wish I could afford more....oh well.
@KA9FFJ Well, a nice sandblast still has to have the grain. There are a few with nice ring-grain, let’s just say, I’ve come around some. I still prefer that they have a contrast stain, but some still just “speak to me”, like this one, and one other black Musico I have, along with two Peterson SPD’s. The best looking are the two Radice’s I have, both with awesome ring-grain and contrast stain. Both Musico’s and both Peterson’s smoke better than either of the Radice’s however.
I never understood sand blasting, other than to cover defects in the grain, but sometimes they can look pretty cool, and the texture is something different in the hand.
@mfresa I thought about the defects being disguised as well (which they are), but after you look at enough smooth finished pipes and begin to see the “ring-grain” popping out along with the contrast stained “normal” grain the patterns emerge. I then think to myself, “What would this pipe look like sandblasted?” (If it “had” to be). It’s interesting to me that the “ring-grain” runs perpendicular to the “normal” grain that is easier to see. Having worked with all kinds of woods, I had never seen any “ring-grain” before. I’m not sure if other types of wood have it? I would surmise so, but I don’t recall ever seeing it in other types.
Tried Lane Very Cherry for the hell of it. It’s not bad ( if you dig Cherry Blend), Tried a couple of bowls straight, no tongue bite, but promptly mixed it with RLP-6. I probably won’t buy anymore of the Cherry blend, but it really wasn’t bad.
@RockyMountainBriar, agreed. I'm working on a smooth pipe right now that has ring grain in it. Not sure what it will look like when finished, it just went into stain yesterday. In line with this thread, I'm smoking Luxury Navy Flake in my @Corey562 bent egg.
@motie2 Yeah, just something a little different this morning. On the subject of H and H Egg Nog which as you know I recommended highly, I have another new "kind of favorite", Sutliff "Black Cordial". A VERY nice subtle cherry influenced blend. I have been smoking the crap out of that for a week or so.
Not really, just trying to replicate my "normal" life here as best I can. My pipe and cigar smoking is a somewhat flawed attempt to return to some level of normalcy.
Smoking some aged, 5+ years, Peterson’s “Irish Flake” in the Musico Dublin “Floodlight”. I was getting a slight sweetness from the ghost of CB Cherry (fine with me) in the top half of the bowl. It has since subsided and just a tinge of sweetness leftover from the CB is coming through.I’m glad I only loaded 1/2 of a flake, this stuff has a bit of a kick. It’s not making me woozy, but I can feel it sneaking up on me. What a lightweight I am.
Smoking some C&D “Espresso” in the little Musico Dublin this evening after a dinner of sauerkraut and sausage, with some broiled parmesan bread, and some lime soda water to drink.
New guy at work smokes Black & Mild Wine flavored, they smell great. Picked one up today while getting gas, and I’m here to tell you they are absolutely dreadful. Going to load up some of The Squire’s Cherokee for the ride home.
Comments
@PappyJoe gave a really good tip that I now use for the same purpose:
I now use a wind screen...
Interesting discussions
What on EARTH has prompted you to own a sandblast... much less smoke one...? 😏
Well, a nice sandblast still has to have the grain. There are a few with nice ring-grain, let’s just say, I’ve come around some. I still prefer that they have a contrast stain, but some still just “speak to me”, like this one, and one other black Musico I have, along with two Peterson SPD’s. The best looking are the two Radice’s I have, both with awesome ring-grain and contrast stain.
Both Musico’s and both Peterson’s smoke better than either of the Radice’s however.
I thought about the defects being disguised as well (which they are), but after you look at enough smooth finished pipes and begin to see the “ring-grain” popping out along with the contrast stained “normal” grain the patterns emerge. I then think to myself, “What would this pipe look like sandblasted?” (If it “had” to be). It’s interesting to me that the “ring-grain” runs perpendicular to the “normal” grain that is easier to see. Having worked with all kinds of woods, I had never seen any “ring-grain” before. I’m not sure if other types of wood have it? I would surmise so, but I don’t recall ever seeing it in other types.
In line with this thread, I'm smoking Luxury Navy Flake in my @Corey562 bent egg.
Eager to see that one when you are finished.
CEC is an interesting blend. I enjoyed it for what it is..... and moved on to Egg Nog 😛
Yeah, just something a little different this morning. On the subject of H and H Egg Nog which as you know I recommended highly, I have another new "kind of favorite", Sutliff "Black Cordial". A VERY nice subtle cherry influenced blend. I have been smoking the crap out of that for a week or so.
Good to hear you are feeling well enough to be piping away.😃
Not really, just trying to replicate my "normal" life here as best I can. My pipe and cigar smoking is a somewhat flawed attempt to return to some level of normalcy.
I hear ya, brother. And I understand.....