The shank should be bent upwards, equal to or greater than the stem in length, and more often than not, the bottom of the shank will be flush with the bottom of the bowl, creating a long and flowing line from front to back. Finer examples of this shape can be some of the most expensive pipes on the international market, easily running in the $1,000 to $2,000 range and more. Rustication of a Volcano is not recommended, and is rarely seen, but both sandblasted and smooth Volcanos can be jaw-dropping works of craftsmanship. When sandblasted, the artisan carefully ensures that the underside of the pipe is kept perfectly smooth to preserve the stunning Filling cut tobacco birdseye grain, making for an exceptional contrast to the rugged top. One of many pipes which finds its inspiration in an object of similar shape, the Egg is not only beautiful to behold, it is one of the most comfortable in the hand, sitting perfectly in one’s palm.
The word “meerschaum” means “sea foam” in German, alluding to its natural white color and its surprisingly low weight. Meerschaum is a very porous mineral that absorbs the tars and oils during the Fashion tobacco pipe smoking process, and gradually changes color to a golden brown. Old, well-smoked meerschaum pipes are valued by collectors for their distinctive coloring.
Most, including myself, do not consider it “smoking”, in the same way I don’t consider myself an alcoholic because I have a beer once a week. It’s not an addiction, but certainly appeals tobacco pipe to collectors and those that want to explore an incredibly diverse variety of tastes and smells. Also, pipes are made from various materials such as briar, clay, ceramics, corncob, glass, meerschaum, metal, gourd, stone, wood, bog oak and calabash. Pipes were and continue to be made of various sizes depending on what would be placed in the pipe. Because of the long history of pipes and the materials that were used to make them, they have become quite collectible. You may recall movies and television shows of Native Americans smoking pipes.
The tobacco chamber runs nearly parallel to the stem, which makes it very difficult to drill proper channel for the smoke and still maintain good smoking mechanics. To combat this, a true Ramses has the draught hole drilled so that it ends a few tenths of a millimeter away from the side and bottom of the tobacco chamber. Another hole is then made through the side of the tobacco chamber which meets the draught hole. This method allows the smoker to smoke the Ramses all the way down to the bottom of the bowl, which is a difficult thing to do with many fully bent pipes.
These dots are the Vauen mark of quality, and only the pipes made of the best materials and highest craftsmanship earn the Vauen spot. Pipe makers are creative and innovative in their pursuit to make the best pipes for an exquisite smoking experience and for practical cleaning and storage. The craftsmanship put into creating every pipe is bound on precision and the potential of the materials. Most pipe makers have their favorite materials and ways of working, which makes every pipe maker, and every pipe, unique and of the highest quality. It has been argued that the decline in pipe smoking may be related to its lack of appeal on the part of women.
If capacity has been reached for the day, the queue will close early. These coatings may include honey and water; powdered sugar and water; cigar ash and water; and sour cream, buttermilk, and activated charcoal among many others. Welcome to our store and welcome to our family of enthusiastic pipe aficionados, casual puffers, and curious newcomers—wherever you fit in, we’re happy you’re here.
While his memory of his father’s pipe smoking was more than 40 years ago, he quickly identified Captain Black as one of his father’s favorite smoking tobaccos. Another friend’s memories of cigar smoking were also tied to the aroma of the tobacco. It was his view that females loved to be around men that smoked pipes because of the smell of the tobacco. Then there was the friend that considered himself to be a “spediock” someone that is cool, sophisticated and mannerly. He, too, spoke through a big smile about how he and his other spediok friends, all males, would go into his basement, each wearing his favorite smoking jacket and smoked their pipes as they passed the evening away. Along with the bowl’s unique shape and grooves, Bulldogs are typified by a diamond-shaped shank.
A colleague and a church member, the son of a pastor, displayed a broad smile when I asked him if he had ever smoked a pipe. While he had not, his smile apparently brought to mind his father whom he described as a big pipe smoker. He shared with me that he and his brothers loved to be around their father when he smoked his pipe as the aroma from the tobacco was very pleasant. Now, think back in time to those days when smoking was permissible in bars and clubs. Some of you recall sitting around, having a drink, bonding with your friends, and yes, with a pipe in your mouth.
Originally a woodworker, Tibbe quickly made the pipe better and soon decided to make corn cob smoking pipes permanently. Much like Dunhill, Vauen marks their smoking pipes with a dot on their stem. Pipes sold in Germany are marked with a white dot, while internationally sold pipes bear a grey dot.