In 1964 I walked into the Seminary for the first time and everybody was smoking a pipe..... That did it for me, for my first pipe life. I started with OTC's and wound up with Balkan Sobranie and Cope's Escudo.
Wore my TPL pin while at Silver Dollar City, Branson MO. Over a full day there, 3 guys came up to me wanting to know if I smoked a pipe. That's when it hit me. We don't find many pipe smokers because we usually aren't smoking a pipe in public. Unlike the cigarette smoker, we can go without partaking of the briar until it is convenient for us, rather than being found puffing away in an alley. Consequently there's no telling how many pipe smokers are out there and we just don't know it... just sayin' IMHO... Sorry I was off subject...
I get to smoke my pipe often while waiting in one parking lot or another for my wife during her many doctor's appoiintments, but I've only once in the past 2 years been approached by a pedestrian, who wanted to know "What are you smoking in that?" -- upon which I just held up the codger-blend pouch I had filled my pipe from.
I keep a pipe and a pouch in my truck so I can have a smoke when my wife goes shopping in a store I don't have interest in going to. When someone makes a comment it is usually positive. A couple of years ago, a millennial passed by (man bun, plaid shirt, blue jeans rolled up so you could see his cartoon socks and patent leather dress shoes) and said, "Look! It's Gandalf!" to which I replied "Look! It's a jerk-off!"
At my age my list of medical conditions gets longer and longer each day. "Selective Deafness" comes and goes. Especially when some asshole comments negatively about my pipe. As long as I am outside I smoke when I want...where I want (within reason).
@PappyJoe I agree with you. Loved the cinematography, but I felt the story telling was missing something. I was hoping for a little more connection to the pipes and pipe smoking. I thought it started off great with Von Eerck telling the story about how his father got his first pipe. I thought it did jump around a little bit.
@Oddjob27 - I also agree with both you and @PappyJoe. I know they had to make some hard decisions about what to cover and what not to. However, I was kind of surprised they barely even mentioned tobacco. I know that was probably by design, but you'd still think a documentary titled Father the Flame would at least do more than barely mention what 'the flame' is burning, right? I mean we don't just sit around a stare at our beautiful, artisan pipes all day... we SMOKE TOBACCO in them!
@jfreedy - For the amount of time they spent editing the documentary together it could have been done with better transitions. I watched it a second time the other day and my impression was they must have had two or three people editing different segments and then just stuck them together.
So I finally had the chance to rent Father the Flame from amazon.com and gave it a watch. I think I agree with a lot of the opinions on here, but ended up enjoying the documentary for what it was. I wish it talked more about pipe smoking, but if you're going for a general audience, it makes sense to focus on the portion that non-smokers can appreciate. They won't understand the nuances of an English blend, but they can see the beauty of a well carved pipe.
@motie2 Tnx for the link. There were 3 more short Mimo videos and I watched them all. Amazing, after watching him work, that he still has all his fingers!
Now that was awesome. It really makes you appreciate the art in your hand. I look at my Savinellis in a completely different way now. Thank you for sharing!!
Now available on DVD, Father the Flame is the first feature-length documentary about pipes and pipe smoking and provides a glimpse into the life and labor behind our hobby, from sourcing, curing, and cutting briar to collecting the finest pieces made. It explores the art of pipe making and what pipes can teach a modern generation about legacy and what we leave behind. Featuring interviews with renowned pipe makers, industry leaders, experts, and collectors, the film offers a contemplative and immersive look into the cultural and spiritual significance of pipes.
Comments
That did it for me, for my first pipe life.
I started with OTC's and wound up with Balkan Sobranie and Cope's Escudo.
That's when it hit me. We don't find many pipe smokers because we usually aren't smoking a pipe in public.
Unlike the cigarette smoker, we can go without partaking of the briar until it is convenient for us, rather than being found puffing away in an alley. Consequently there's no telling how many pipe smokers are out there and we just don't know it... just sayin' IMHO...
Sorry I was off subject...
Still thought it was great, though.
In addition, a DVD can be ordered here.
Was it perfect? No.
Was it good? Definitely.
https://thebadgerpiper.wordpress.com/2020/01/27/film-review-father-the-flame/
Father the Flame DVD
Now available on DVD, Father the Flame is the first feature-length documentary about pipes and pipe smoking and provides a glimpse into the life and labor behind our hobby, from sourcing, curing, and cutting briar to collecting the finest pieces made. It explores the art of pipe making and what pipes can teach a modern generation about legacy and what we leave behind. Featuring interviews with renowned pipe makers, industry leaders, experts, and collectors, the film offers a contemplative and immersive look into the cultural and spiritual significance of pipes.
https://www.smokingpipes.com/accessories/books/moreinfo.cfm