Category: Spring 2013

Parting shots

My wife invited a couple she met at her church to our home the other night. I say “her” church because it’s not mine. Even though I accompany her occasionally, and for a few years attended often, my own belief system differs significantly from hers. She thinks I’m a barbarian dirtbag, I think she’s a […]

by Tad Gage and Joe Harb Villiger International’s lineup of bulk Newminster tobaccos reflects influences from classic Stokkebye mixtures (a company Villiger acquired), and deft blending and tobacco sourcing from Mac Baren. While some of these tobaccos are reprises of classic Stokkebye blends, there are some intriguing differences. One of these is the use of […]

Techniques of immersion and alternative finishing by Fred Bass For as long as I’ve known that meerschaum pipes color, I’ve listened to discussions about how these pipes are finished. The finishing of carved block in a bath of beeswax, tallow, spermaceti, organic oils and just about anything that someone has said, read or had a […]

Easily recognizable at pipe shows wearing his pipe club’s signature red hat, Kjeld Sørensen makes the transition from economist to pipemaker by Stephen A. Ross A quiet man, Kjeld Sørensen wears a loud hat. The red felt derby with a black band adorned with a white silhouette of a pipe is a badge of honor […]

It takes a group of talented professionals to keep an online pipe and tobacco business flourishing by Chuck Stanion Fifteen years ago there were only limited numbers of people who would buy pipes online. The prevalent opinion was, “I can’t buy a pipe until I hold it in my hand and see it for myself.” […]

by William Serad A noteworthy volume of response was received from the previous column, not all of which could be included here. The subject of collecting struck a chord with many readers, and I would like first to excerpt a few paragraphs from Mr. Owen KenKnight of Northfield, Minn.: I own close to 50 pipes, […]

by Eugene Umberger Pipe smokers are familiar with what is often called a pipe gift set, usually intended as a starter set for the beginner. Normally composed of a pipe, tobacco, pipe tool, pipe cleaners and matches or lighter, it might also include a tobacco pouch, wind screen or even a cork knocker for an […]

Nanna Ivarsson builds on the legacies established by her grandfather, Sixten, and father, Lars by Stephen A. Ross There’s a certain bit of insecurity that most artists feel about their craft. The self-expression on display in their work brings with it a baring of the soul, a deep desire to connect one’s passion and experiences […]