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Stands & Pouches - Erik Stokkebye 4th Generation Mailbag Vintage Brown
Fine for Small Pipes, Not for Large Pipes
The bag is incredibly well made and looks great. The size and design also work very well for smaller pipes and/or pipes that do not have a deep bend. Unfortunately, though, the elastic strips are not conducive to carrying larger pipes like a Peterson 302, Savinelli 320, or larger freehands. Still, it's better than those folio types of pipe cases.

Tampers & Tools - Rubber Pipe Bits (2 pack)
Perfect for Pretty Much All Pipes
Flexible and tough enough for pretty much any pipe, and comfortable enough to want it on every pipe. Only complained is that these are too big for some of the smallest pipe stems, but that just means they need to come up with a smaller version as well!

Old German Clay - Antique Tavern Belge (Black)
Wasted Potential Due to Poor QC
Bought one of these and it came to me with a hole poked in the chamber; the rod used to make the airway had been pushed too far, which caused the hole. Thankfully the SP team was willing to replace the pipe, but the replacement was incredibly warped and also cracked in multiple places near the mouthpiece. SP for the win again as they simply gave me a refund this time around, but the QC on this model was clearly lacking for me to get two unsmokable pipes in a row.

Lighters - IM Corona Pipe Lighter - Old Boy Matte Black
The Perfect Lighter!
While there are brands that cost hundreds of dollars more, the IM Corona Old Boy is the standard bearer for all pipe lighters for a reason. These lighters work beautifully, don't require you to continue to hold the ignition to stay lit, and last forever.

Lighters - Peterson Pipe Lighter - Grey
Close Second to IM Corona
I love this lighter. The twin nozzle and larger fuel tank are huge improvements on the classic Old Boy design, and it lights easily with a consistent flame. However, there two drawbacks that keep me from giving this lighter a full five stars: 1. Even though it is made by Kiribi, their flints are just loose enough to get stuck as they wear down. 2. This lighter will end up needing repair sooner than an IM Corona, but the warranty is good. Still, all in all it is a great lighter.

Lighters - Peterson Pipe Lighter - Silver Stripe
Close Second to IM Corona Old Boy
I love this lighter. The twin nozzle and larger fuel tank are huge improvements on the classic Old Boy design, and it lights easily with a consistent flame. However, there two drawbacks that keep me from giving this lighter a full five stars: 1. Even though it is made by Kiribi, their flints are just loose enough to get stuck as they wear down. 2. This lighter will end up needing repair sooner than an IM Corona, but the warranty is good. Still, all in all it is a great lighter.

Lighters - Colibri Cigar Lighter - Pacific Air Black and Gunmetal
Inconsistent Flame
Bought this, purged it, filled it, and... the flame wouldn't stay consistent. From one second to the next in the same light, it would alternate between a tiny nub and a full-on flame thrower. Better to invest in a Peterson, Kiribi, or IM Corona.

Favorite Products

Blog's Commented on

A Closer Look At Latakia Tobacco
  • ► Wonderful read and fascinating video. I was wondering, though, where one might find information regarding different types of leaf and their specific nicotine percentages?
  • ► Oh and also: that picture should be released in high definition as a desktop wallpaper ;-)
All Pipes Considered: Peterson Christmas 2024
  • ► Ordered myself a rustic XL02, and I am quite excited about it. I will say, though, that Peterson seems to have a habit of taking the concept from a previous year's Christmas and then perfecting it in a follow up year. 2019 perfected the concept from 2018, and this year perfects the 2022 concept.
All Pipes Considered: Peterson Halloween Pipes 2025
  • ► Mine arrived yesterday. Haven't had the opportunity to smoke it yet, but I absolutely love it already. That being said, seeing the black acrylic mount on the naked blast made me also want that with a red stem - and then seeing the red tape on the black blast made me want a red mount on a black pipe 😂 Love this line, and look forward to seeing what Peterson does with it in the future as well.
All Pipes Considered: Peterson Pipe of the Year 2025
  • ► I was unsure if I wanted this shape until I saw a product video of a Supreme that showcases the pipe from all angles. Now I have a Natural Rusticated on the way 😂
Bing Crosby: Singer, Actor, Pipe Smoker
  • ► Hey, this is one of those few stories that I can add something to! So the connection between Cornell & Diehl and Crosby was through a man by the name of Mark Stewart. Mark ran a jazz club in Las Vegas, which is where he knew Crosby; Mark was also friends with the Tarlers and worked with them to create Crooked Lane.After Mark retired, he moved to western North Carolina - where I got to know him through B&B Tobacconists. One time, he showed me a pipe that Crosby had given him: the classic billiard with a long, thin shank and equally long, thin stem and a wide silver band. Wish I'd looked at it closer to see who made it, but hey, I was in my early 20s and was an idiot 😂
Pipe Smoking Desktop Backgrounds: February 2021
  • ► One idea I would like to see is that the desktops with calendars or quotes come in formats both with and without the words. There are some that I absolutely have loved the photography, but didn't love the writing on them or could only use them for the specific month.
Pipe Smoking Desktop Backgrounds: July 2021
  • ► That Peterson one is awesome 👍
Small Batch: Sun Bear Navy Cask
  • ► This one sounds fascinating, though for me the epitome of the perfect small batch is Folklore. Wish I'd bought more of that!
The 2021 Release of Peterson Christmas Pipes
  • ► Not going to lie: I think the new rustication is horrendous. Just looks like someone just took scoops of wood out of the pipe. But I really appreciate the sandblasted and heritage finishes paired with the copper band.
The History of Santa Claus, Pipe Smoker
  • ► Once again a wonderful read, though it might amuse you to know that Santa Claus Conquers The Martians is not just a classic MST3K episode, but has also been thoroughly riffed by Cinematic Titanic and Rifftrax.
The Real Popeye The Sailor
  • ► Once again, a wonderful read. Thank you!Though I still await a read on Carl Sandburg :-P
The Why and How of Estate Pipe Purchases
  • ► The part talking about not choosing a substitute really hit home for me. I'd been on the lookout for a Morgan Bones Oom Paul and couldn't find one. I ended up buying an estate Savinelli 614 through you all and then BAM!! I got the Bones in a trade. Within two weeks, I'd sent the Savinelli back to you all for trade credit 😂
Top 10 Best-Selling Aromatic Tobaccos
  • ► Great list. Would love to see a list like this for Enlgish blends.
Top 11 Best-Selling G.L. Pease Blends
  • ► Great list. Wondering how it looks now in 2021 with Sparkplug and Penny Farthing being added to the lineup.