Public Profile

Books - Pipe Smoking in Middle Earth: The Fellowship of the Smoke Ring 3rd Edition by Mark Irwin
Decent Book With Some Weaknesses
I have been a fan of J. R. R. Tolkien for over 50 years. I’ve read a good bit of his work besides Lord of the Rings. Overall read some third-party works on the geography of Middle Earth and the Universe of LOTR. On the whole, this look is worth the reading. Yes, it has weaknesses. I understand that it was necessary to cover Peter Jackson’s films, but those parts held little interest for me, since Jackson made too many alterations in the story and details. The illustrations were plausible. The quotes were well chosen, and the author’s commentary gave continuity to the work. The works cited were appropriate, especially Heimann, Robert K.(1960), Tobacco and America, McGraw-Hill. There I learned something that I had know before about the soil’s influence on the characteristics of the leaf. On the whole, it was worth the money.

G. L. Pease - Montgomery 8oz
Good Smoke
I tend to go for tobaccos in the mild to medium range. This blend fills that niche well. This was the second GLP blend that I’ve tried, and it’s been very satisfying. But, I also love Westminster for my English blend. Like most tobaccos, this one benefits from a bit of aging and a slow puffing cadence. There’s a surprising amount of flavor if you do it right.

Tampers & Tools - Erik Stokkebye 4th Generation Pipe Tool - Stainless Steel Blackwood
Great tool
This was a replacement for a mistake. First, the quality of construction is very good—equal to that of some of the better pocket knives I own. The scales on the handle are held on by brass rivets and the pivot pins for the blade and pick are solid. Second, it works well as the blade seems to hold a good edge, and we should note that scraping cake is going to be a challenge for even the very best of steel. It takes a reasonable amount of time to touch up the blade, and it deals with excess cake and bits of unburned tobacco easily.

Tampers & Tools - Savinelli Pipe Companion - Black and Silver
Hardly worth the money
I bought one of these, maybe a year or so ago. To be honest, it has been a disappointment. First, the quality of construction is poor. The joints have become loose, with a lot of side play. Second, the edge on the blade is very poor, and it is not very effective at scraping out excess cake. Finally, the tamper has sharp corners that can easily gouge the inside of the bowl. On the whole, I’d rather use a Czech Pipe Tool. Sorry to have to be so negative , but that has been my observation.

Molina - Tromba Smooth Light Brown (B2) (9mm)
My First Molina Pipe
Today, I received the two pipes that I ordered a few days ago. One of them was a Tromba. I like it. My first break-in bowl (not quite half full) went well and smoked like a dream. As expected, the pipe had a few small fills, but that is normal in a pipe in this price range. The workmanship and finish is very good. A Savinelli 9 mm Balsa Filter was a good fit. On the whole, I’m quite happy with this pipe, and I expect to enjoy it for years to come.

Carter Hall - Carter Hall 14oz
Pretty good
At the risk of incurring the scorn of tobacco snobs everywhere, I like this blend. I’ve seen several reviews claiming it has no flavor. That has not been my experience. If it is sipped, as all pipe tobaccos should be, there is quite a bit of good flavor coming through. If one smokes it too fast, you lose that flavor. It smokes cool, is easy to light, and easy to keep burning. I love my PS Navy Flake, Orlik, St. Bruno, G. L. Pease Westminster, and a couple of other good tobaccos. However, I also enjoy CH a great deal. My only quibble is that the flavor, while enjoyable, is pretty much the same throughput the smoke. There’s not much variety, unlike some of the other blends I enjoy.

G. L. Pease - Westminster 2oz
Great Smoke
I was broken hearted when Dunhill quit supplying tobacco. Greg Pease has healed my broken heart. Since I’ve started smoking again after a 20-year hiatus, I’ve tried a couple of English blends. They seemed too sweet to be a true English. Back in the late 60’s, the 70’s, and 80’s, English blends that I liked were marked with a savory flavor and little to no sweetness. I ordered two 2 oz. cans, and as soon as you manage to restock, I plan to buy a pound. The very first bowl has convinced me. Kudos, Mr. Pease

Presbyterian - Presbyterian 50g
Second Opinion
I like it, but I still prefer a bit more taste. It was a good way to get back into pipe smoking. But, I remember Balkan Sobranie, 759, and Dunhill London Mixture. I enjoy Presbyterian, but there’s tobaccos I like better.

St. Bruno - Ready Rubbed 1.75oz
An Old Friend
I was introduced to St. Bruno in the Early 1990’s when I was a Grad Student. I loved it then. I started smoking pipes again a few months ago. St. Bruno is still a favorite of mine. I do think it’s bits less than 30 years ago, but maybe I’ve learned how to smoke it. Like most tobaccos, it needs to be gently sipped. Could do with some dry time when just opened.

Presbyterian - Presbyterian 50g
Pretty Good
It needs to dry a bit. Fairly mild. I’d prefer more Latakia presence, bu I used to smoke the Original Balkan Sobranie.

Reviews

Favorite Products

Currently there are no favorite products

Blog's Commented on