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All New Pipes
Andrew C.
About Me:
Art, Pipes & Snuff
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Reviews
Clarin Clay - The Canadian One (Tobacco Clay)
The best clay pipe
I’ve got a couple of Clarin Clay pipes and I love them. I’ve got other brands and some vintage clays too, but these are my favorite. They are great for every occasion, but the Canadian One is a bit more rugged feeling in the hand for a walk or a smoke out in nature. I’ll be picking up some more when these can find their way back into the U.S. I have found that a gentle swabbing with Falcon Pipe Cleaners works. Top Notch!
Clarin Clay - The Cutty One
My favorite clays
I’ve got a couple of Clarin Clay pipes and I love them. I’ve got other brands and some vintage clays too, but these are my favorite. They are great for every occasion, but the Cutty especially goes well with a book on a summer night. I’ll be picking up some more when these can find their way back into the U.S. I have found that a gentle swabbing with Falcon Pipe Cleaners works. Top Notch!
Lighters - Lighter Insert - Zippo Double Torch
Switched back to my lighter fluid
I had high hopes since I’ve tried 3rd party butane inserts for my zippo lighters in the past. But this one had some of the same challenges. I even bled it and tried again fresh a number of times. Zippo sent me a replacement and that one is running at about a 25% success rate so far. I’ve switched back to my Zippo insert with zippo lighter fluid. Giving a star for Zippo sending a replacement.
Toscano - Extra Vecchio (5 Pack)
a favorite
I've been finding that I don't have as much time for a pipe or a full cigar lately, so these have been my go to. Most often, I clip in the middle as suggested and enjoy a stout and short smoke, but sometimes I smoke the whole Toscano and enjoy the flavor development as it opens into the wider belly and then as it comes back down for the second half it is smokier and stronger than ever. Something I won't go without. I keep a large mason jar full of these at all times (living in the Pacific Northwest, I don't want them to get too much humidity).
Humidification - Boveda 60g Humidity Control Packet-75%
Great for calibrating my hydrometers
I don't need any of my cigars at 75% humidity. I prefer to use the 69% Boveda packs for my humidor, travel humidors, jars, ziplock bags or whatever else I'm keeping them in. But I do use this 75% to calibrate my hydrometers once in a while. I just had one that was way off and I was worried that my cigars were getting too much humidity... after throwing the hydrometer in a Tupperware with this bad boy for a day, I reset it to 75% and what do ya know, my humidor has been spot on at 69% ever since.
Stands & Pouches - Claudio Albieri Origami Keychain - Navy/Dark Brown
Great Stand
Lovely and soft, this works perfect as a stand for a wide array of pipes. For rubbing flakes, I wish it were maybe a tad bigger when unfolded, but it gets the job done when I'm traveling. Claudio's work is impeccable and it shows in even something as small as this.
Books - Peterson's Patent Pipes: A Facsimile of the 1896 Catalogue
Fan
I wish we could get these vintage catalogues from all of the brands. As a Pete fan though, this really does it for me.
Books - The Peterson Pipe: The Story of Kapp & Peterson
Great Read!
As a Pete fan, I love to peruse this book fairly often.
Toscano - Toscanello Aroma Vaniglia (5 Pack)
Softer than other flavors
This one smells better than it tastes. The vanilla is nice for everyone around me, but the Toscano flavor is subdued and I think the blend is a little weaker or softer on my palate. I tossed it in a box with some of my naturals and the vanilla rubbed off on them a bit and I really enjoyed those smokes.
Cutters & Accessories - Savinelli Toscano Mouthpiece Green
Good, but I wish it were better
These are nice enough, and are a great price point. I love a good Toscano, so I bought a handful of colors. I do find that I don't use them very often though. There is only one vital that really fits in them well. They open a little too wide for most of my Toscano's and the taper is to abrupt to hold them well, so I find I have to trim a little extra from the tip and then soften the cigar in my mouth to make it hold well. That, and one of the mouthpieces I purchased had a noticeably uneven bite. So I ended up having to file it a little bit. I filed the airway a little too since the cut was a tad shallow and rough.
Cutters & Accessories - Savinelli Toscano Mouthpiece Grey Swirl
Good, but wish it were a little better
These are nice enough, and are a great price point. I love a good Toscano, so I bought a handful of colors. I do find that I don't use them very often though. There is only one vital that really fits in them well. They open a little too wide for most of my Toscano's and the taper is to abrupt to hold them well, so I find I have to trim a little extra from the tip and then soften the cigar in my mouth to make it hold well. That, and one of the mouthpieces I purchased had a noticeably uneven bite. So I ended up having to file it a little bit. I filed the airway a little too since the cut was a tad shallow and rough.
Cutters & Accessories - Savinelli Toscano Mouthpiece Orange
Good, but wish it were a little better
These are nice enough, and are a great price point. I love a good Toscano, so I bought a handful of colors. I do find that I don't use them very often though. There is only one vital that really fits in them well. They open a little too wide for most of my Toscano's and the taper is to abrupt to hold them well, so I find I have to trim a little extra from the tip and then soften the cigar in my mouth to make it hold well. That, and one of the mouthpieces I purchased had a noticeably uneven bite. So I ended up having to file it a little bit. I filed the airway a little too since the cut was a tad shallow and rough.
Lighters - IM Corona Pipe Lighter - Old Boy Matte Black
More than I ever expected
I bought this on a whim as a gift for myself. I thought it would do the same job as my other lighters and that I would just "feel fancier". But no, it is great. I reach for it EVERY TIME! It has a really great weight in hand. It lights perfectly every time I use it. The flame adjustment is easy and I have it to exactly where I like it. And I have found that the reservoir holds its capacity for longer than any other lighter I have used. All in all, I would define this as THE PERFECT LIGHTER! I even use it to light my cigars since I prefer a softer flame.
Cutters & Accessories - Colibri Cut Cigar Cutter Black
Feels Good
The weight is nice in my hand and in my pocket. The rubberized finish feels good in hand and allows me to have a good grip. It cuts right through my favorite caps with ease. I'm happy.
Warped - Saint Espresso 2oz
Tasty and has a great room note
I'm not often an aro fan, but this one caught my interest and I don't regret it. I will take this blend with me when I have people around who may be less appreciative of pipe smoke, and I have not gotten a complaint. The flavoring is not overly zealous, and I can taste more of the natural flavors and nuance. I would buy this again for sure.
Cleaners & Cleaning Supplies - Falcon Pipe Cleaners - Regular (50 Pack)
Great for small draws
I use these for Falcon pipes, but I also find that these are what I reach for if I need to clear an airway on a clay or any number of vintage pipes that have a smaller airway. I will make sure I have some on hand always.
Sir Walter Raleigh - Regular 1.5oz
Simple
I finished my first pouch of this and it is simple and consistent. Won’t go on my favorites list, but it holds its own. I will certainly order it in the future, but not with regularity. I’m a burley fan and I recommend any burly fans out there try it at least once.
Punch - Elites EMS
My go to
These are what I reach for when I don’t want to have to think about what I have in my hand/mouth when I’m in the yard. They are consistently tasty with a solid burn. I’ve never had to relight or think too hard about my cadence. I like an array of brands, blends and vitolas, but this hits my mark for an inexpensive any-time blend.
Cleaners & Cleaning Supplies - Paragon Wax 1oz
Works like a Charm
I regularly repair and restore pipes and since finding this, I can attest that the finished product looks better. It has a nice and easy to use consistency. Just my finger and a lint free cloth gets the job done. Couldn’t say more great things about it. Only wish I could buy it in a bigger container :)
Cleaners & Cleaning Supplies - Halcyon II Wax 1oz
Use it on all my Sandblast and Rusticated Pipes
I regularly repair and restore pipes and since finding this, I can attest that the finished product looks better. It has a nice soft and easy to use consistency. Then I use a shoe polish brush to scrub it in and buff the books and crannies. Then a lint free soft cloth to wipe down the finished pipe. Couldn’t say more great things about it. Only wish I could buy it in a bigger container :)
Tampers & Tools - 8deco Tamper - Bamboo
Nothing Fancy but dependable
I used to only use a pipe nail, but I prefer the round and aerated foot on this tamper. The pick end is also good for stirring dottle, scraping and poking as necessary. Not expensive, and does a good job. Worth it to get a handful and keep a few all over the place. Worth noting that I also like the natural look and the sustainability of bamboo as a material.
Cleaners & Cleaning Supplies - White Elephant Pipe Cleaners - Regular (100 Pack)
Fantastic Attention to Detail
Never thought I was too picky about my pipe cleaners, but since these have been on SPC, I have been adding them to every order. The wire is the perfect stiffness for me, they don’t bend until I tell them to. They are also a good length and the materials absorb and scrub well. Will keep them on order as long as I can…. certainly worth the extra couple cents.
Cleaners & Cleaning Supplies - Blitz Pipe Cleaners (80 pack)
Sturdy and dependable
I just started using these and can already tell they will become my go to cleaners. They are sturdy and meet a wide array of needs. I’m going to be sure to have a few of these on every order.
Cleaners & Cleaning Supplies - B. J. Long Pipe Cleaners - 9 Inch (32 pack)
Perfect for the longer pipes
I always make sure to have some of these around. They are of reliable quality and much easier to use on my longer pipes.
Sutliff - TS-20 Louisiana Perique
Tried it Neat
I admit I was hesitant. And after sniffing the bag note, and getting a snout full of mustiness, I was still fearful. But I went ahead anyway. I loaded my clay and lit. It was not as strong in flavor as I had anticipated (perhaps due to hype). The flavor was there, but it was not painfully spicy or overtly fruity. It was actually a pretty nice smoke. A little moist out of the bag, but no issue lighting. The vitamin N came around mid-bowl and I took a break. I was assured that the room note was not the best. I will try it again on its own and certainly will enjoy adding it to other blends to see how it changes or enhances them.
Tampers & Tools - Low Country Reamer
Indispensable
Before writing a review I had to buy a spare, just in case these disappear too quickly. Having used quite a few different reamers, this one gives me the best results. Precise. Gets int the toughest spots. Cuts through the hardest cake with ease. I won’t use other reaming tools on my collection or estate finds again.
Cleaners & Cleaning Supplies - Obsidian Pipe Stem Oil 18ml
I use it regularly
Love the shine it leaves, and with regular maintenance it certainly prevents the oxidation from returning to my estates.
Tampers & Tools - 8deco Tamper - Club Pink and Black Swirl
Great Value
Great tamper. Love that the air can circulate while using. The color palette is fun too. I can always see it from a distance. Recommended.
Tampers & Tools - Pipe Nail
Value
I lose stuff on occasion, but with these, I can get a handful and keep them all over the place. I don’t have to worry about leaving them outside or in my pocket when my pants go through the wash. I like that I don’t have to worry. It tamps, it cleans out dottle, and there are no sharp edges to hurt the chamber of my Pipes. What more does one need from a tamper?
Cleaners & Cleaning Supplies - B. J. Long Regular Pipe Cleaners (100 pack)
Work Well
These are my go to. I have a supply on hand for all occasions. They do what they are supposed to do and fit in all of my pipes, so I am happy.
Humidification - Boveda 60g Humidity Control Packet-72%
Easy
I love the Boveda packs. I have been using them as my exclusive humidity control for 2 years now. I wasn’t sure how accurate they would be, but in my nicely sealed humidors they keep the humidity perfect. I think I need to switch to 69%, but that is only because they work better than I had anticipated. They also work much longer than stated if you have a well sealed unit.
