Giving Your Pipe A Deep cleaning

Without regularly cleaning your briar pipes, they will become a sour tasting
experience, and will no longer provide you with the smoking pleasure you desire. To eliminate such problems, you need to embark on a regimen of regular cleaning and maintenance for your pipes.

Tools for cleaning: Tapered pipe cleaners, bristle pipe cleaners, regular or extra fluffy pipe cleaners, pipe sweetener or grain alcohol, Shank brush or cotton swab.

Before You Light-Up: Caring for your pipes start with you very first smoke. So, if you’re a beginner, make note; Before each smoke, run a pipe cleaner through the stem to remove any ash or tobacco left behind, then gently tap your pipe, holding it by the bowl, on a cork knocker. Do not use force!

As you Smoke: While you are smoking keep the flame above the tobacco, so as not to char the rim of your pipe. If the rim of your pipes begin to darken just moisten a pipe cleaner or cotton swab with saliva and rub it. This will eliminate the dark color. If a pipe starts to have a bad taste while smoking, it is probably time for a good cleaning.

After Smoking: Before we start any cleaning remember NOT to remove the stem from a pipe while it is still warm. The stem may loosen and you can end up cracking the shank or breaking the tenon. After each smoke, you should give you pipe a thorough cleaning. Let the pipe cool down completely, and then stir up any ash and residue left at the bottom of the bowl. Cover the bowl with your fingers and shake the pipe to evenly distribute the ash along the inside walls of the bowl, which will greatly speed the formation of ‘cake’, a protective layer of carbonized tobacco and ash inside your pipe. Cake is an insulator and greatly extends the life of your pipe, guarding it against burn outs. Dispose of the remaining residue, and run a bristle pipe cleaner through the stem, repeating the process until the pipe cleaners come out clean. Blow through the stem gently to dislodge any leftover ash and wipe your pipe with a soft cloth, perhaps with a dab of your favorite Pipe polish. Place the pipe back on it’s rack or stand and allow it to rest, hopefully for two to four days before it is smoked again.

Once A Month
You should give your pipes a deep cleaning. Most smokers do it on a regular basis. Experiment with how often you should do this cleaning in time you will know what works best for you.
Extra cleaning tools: Pipe Reamer & Pick.

First, carefully remove the stem of the pipe from the bowl and lay the two pieces on a paper towel. Dip a regular pipe cleaner in alcohol and run it through the stem. It will most likely come out with some black or brown residue on it. Follow this pipe cleaner with a dry one, and repeat until the pipe cleaner comes out the same color as it went in. Run a last “dry” pipe cleaner to remove any moisture and set the stem aside. Using bristle pipe cleaners, moistened with alcohol, vigorously swab out the air-hole of the pipe, alternating with dry, regular pipe cleaners. Don’t be afraid to use a lot of pipe cleaners. Pipe cleaners are cheap, new pipes aren’t. Once your dry pipe cleaner comes out the same color as it went in, run another dry one to absorb any moisture. Using a cotton swab or shank brush, clean out the tenon, the portion of the pipe where the stem attaches to the bowl. If your stem or bowl has a band, now is the time to polish it. Carefully reinsert the stem into the bowl, and wipe it with a soft cloth with a little pipe polish . Allow your pipe to rest for a couple of days before smoking it, this way the alcohol will evaporate completely. If you have cleaned most or all of your briar pipes at once, now is a good time to smoke your meerschaums.

Fixing a lose stem or a tight stem in a briar Pipe

Once in a blue moon a pipe smoker may be faced with a loose stem. Most of the time this problem will fix itself, but if the stem is so loose that it falls out, then something has to be done. Your best bet is to take the pipe to a tobacconist or send it to a repair person. These people will have years of practice doing these repairs, and it will cost very little. It is very easy for an amateur to crack a shank when attempting to repair a pipe, as most of us, at one time or another will agree to that.

Nevertheless, if you are determined to do it on your own, first you have to determine what kind of stem is in the pipe. If the stem is Lucite, the easiest fix is to apply a very thin layer of clear nail polish to the tenon, allow this to dry *completely*, and then carefully sand the tenon to fit. A vulcanite stem, on the other hand, is a bit more complicated, as you will need to heat the tenon and expand it in some way. There are a number of ways to go about this procedure, but the best one is found below.

First, remove the stem from the pipe and insert a drill bit, using the end that fits into the chuck and try it for size. If it fits snugly into the tenon, the next size up is the one you will be using.

Next, carefully heat the tenon over the flame (1/2 inch to 1 inch away) of a disposable lighter for a couple of minutes, rotate the tenon back and forth while moving the flame up and down (the intent is to soften the vulcanite, not melt it).

Then take the drill bit and insert the end that goes into the chuck into the tenon. Push it in about 1/2 inch, be very careful to keep the tenon straight.

Then while holding the pipe and bit with both hands, put it under cold water to cool down. Pull the bit out and clean it.



Fixing a stem that's too tight
If the stem is still inserted in the pipe and is so difficult to remove that you fear your pipe may be damaged, then place the pipe in the freezer for several minutes. This works the vast majority of the time; however, if the stem still proves too difficult to remove, smoke the pipe, allow it to cool, and try to remove the stem again. If neither of these techniques work, then send the pipe to a reputable repair person.

If you do manage to remove the stem, place some sort of dry lubricant, such as graphite (from a soft pencil) or wax, on the tenon and attempt to reinsert the stem. If this does not provide satisfactory results, you will need to remove a small amount of material from the tenon. Wrap some very fine (400 grit or so) sandpaper or some "O" or finer grade steel wool around the tenon and twist the stem gently. Work very slowly and carefully, and check the fit frequently until it is satisfactory.

Pipe - The Lost link

I found this article in the net somewhere and for the life of me I can't remember who wrote it!
Its cool though...lol

A short article singing the praises of pipe smoking today, in the 17th century and in 1994. How the powers that be have and are trying to quash its use without really being able to. Like drinking everything should be done in moderation to be able to truly appreciate it.

Richard Klein, a professor at Cornell University, noticed that there is a direct link between freedom and the right to smoke. He wrote: “Like other tyrants such as Louis XIV, Napoleon, Hitler, James I despised smoking and demonized tobacco. The relationship between tyranny and the repression of the right to grow, sell, use, or smoke tobacco can be seen most clearly in the way movements of liberation, revolutions both political and cultural, have always placed those rights at the center of their political demands. The history of the struggle against tyrants has been frequently linked to that of the struggle on behalf of the freedom to smoke”

Tobacco has been around for hundreds of years if not thousands, and there is no legislation that will be able to eradicate it. The Los Angeles Times made an interesting

Observation, mentioned by Rick Newcombe in 1994: “Russia once whipped smokers, Turkey beheaded them and India slit their noses. The Massachusetts colony outlawed public smoking in the 1630s, and Connecticut required smokers to have permits in the 1940s. In many instances between 1893 and 1921, cigarette sales were banned in North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, Iowa, Tennessee, Arkansas, Illinois, Utah, Kansas and Minnesota.” Despite such efforts, about a billion people around the world continue to smoke.

Its impossible to be a cigarette smoker on the fence or a moderate smoker. I know some, very rare, who smoke socially. But smoking a pipe is like have a glass of wine with dinner, instead of a case of beer every day.

Smoking a pipe is a hobby, and a fun one, say pipe smokers. Relaxing, tastes good, smells good, enhances objectivity and helps them cope with stress. David Kessler, head of the food and drug administration in 1994, when Rick Newcombe came out with these ideas, wanted to regulate tobacco as a drug. A reasoning that would also support a ban on abesity, a requirement that all Americans exercise, a ban on junk food, limits on alcohol and caffeine consumption, as if…., and so on. The amazing thing is that Waxman is rather chubby and Kessler used to be fat, says Newcombe.

Compare those two with Arnold Schwarzenegger, who not only is as healthy as a horse but dedicated to the cigar and occasional pipe smoker. Yet he is put on the defensive and trated as a pariah because he enjoys a cigar or pipe.

An interesting article came out, noted Newcombe, in an issue of the Complete Smoker, describing an interesting longevity study conducted in Pennsylvania during the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. An organization called “No Other World” performed the research with the assistance of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Lung Association and regional chapters of the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association. The study reported that pipe smokers attained an average of 78—two years older than their smoking male counterparts.” This may say something about the stress-reducing benefits of pipe smoking.

Rick Newcombe was a two-pack-a-day cigarette smoker. He couldn’t run a mile without collapsing from wheezing. He decided that cigarettes were not his thing, but still wanted to enjoy smoking. He turned to the pipe. It took a while to find his way about the wooden contraption, but with patience and some tongue bites, a broken pipe, and a dozen other mistakes, he became familiar and enjoys his pipes and different tobaccos immensely. Today he runs 5 miles a day and is healthier that he was 25 years ago.

Who would you vote for Professor Einstein, a gentle pipe smoker? Or Hitler a fanatical hater of tobacco? Einstein would my choice….

Jim Bennington has been caring for the cigar and pipe smoker for 30 years in Boca Raton, Florida. He has been writing for the cigar and pipes smokers for 10 years. For More information go to www.bocabenningtons.com or email: jim@bocabenningtons.com.

THE HUMIDOR

By B.B. Dandes

A room, or a box, of varying sizes, designed to preserve or promote the proper aging of cigars by maintaining a humidity level of 70% to 72%.

A HUMIDOR IS A NECESSARY
accessory for lovers of fine cigars; indeed, buying a quality hand-rolled cigar and not storing it properly is a crime.
The history of humidors is related to the rise in demand for cigars and the desire that they be well kept. It is also the story of the craftsman's mastery of their primary material: wood.
Like so many good ideas, the idea of the cigar humidor has been around a long time perhaps to the Middle Ages, when the guild system came into being and woodworkers had already begun to develop particular styles. From then until now, elegant hand-carved humidors have become a symbol of precedence and authority.
Good cigars will always need a good home. Humidors are made for that purpose: to protect your cigars. From the lowly Tupperware container to the exquisite Elie Bleu line this is their primary function. Some are quite beautiful and will grace any room where placed. Others offer clean design and function only, which is fine for those more cost conscious and needing functions only
When buying a humidor, first consider how many and what size cigars you want to store in the humidor. You'll want to buy one that fits either a 7 or 8 inch cigar unless you're a 9 inch smoker. Version:1.0 Look for one with a good humidification system."

Tip #1:
Fill your humidifier with either distilled water or one of the new cigar humidifier liquids now available on the market. Don't overfill the humidifier and never use tap water, which may contain minerals that could clog the humidifier element [in addition, tap water contains chemicals, which could impart an unpleasant odor to your cigars]. Allow your humidifier to drain on a paper towel for 45 minutes and shake any excess water out. Place the humidifier in its rightful place in the humidor, close the lid and wait 12 hours. This conditions the interior to accept your cigars.

Tip #2:
Before putting your cigars inside, wipe the interior of your humidor with a lint free cloth dampened lightly with distilled water. This picks up any residue from the manufacturing process and also conditions the interior to accept a certain amount of moisture, which will be there when the cigars are inside. If this is not done, the dry wood may suck moisture out of your cigars or humidifier. Clean the outside with a soft cloth, don't ever use furniture polish. Never place your humidor near direct sunlight, it will fade the finish and do damage to the cigars as well.

Tip #3:
The Mighty Myth: the biggest myth about humidors:' says Andy Kossin of Accent Imports, "is that the box itself must be made of solid wood. Most consumers are thrilled to say their humidor is made of solid cedar wood. But there's a problem with cedar wood down the road: warping. Solid wood warps. In the entire history of wood-making, you cannot keep solid wood from eventually warping." (editors note: Kossin's humidors are made from a special engineered wood)

If you want to know more call Jim Bennington at 888-574-5404 or click on the link below to go directly to our on-line store. http://www.bocabenningtons.com

The Meerscahum Pipe

DESCRIPTION: Meerschaum is a compact massive variety of the mineral sepiolite, a hydrous magnesium silicate hydroxide hydrate. Mostly found in Eskisehir, Turkey.
OTHER NAMES:
* Aktas - one of the names used by local inhabitants of Eskişehir area.
* Eskisehir (or Eskisehir’s) stone - marketplace name for meerschaum from Eskişehir area, Turkey.
* Lületaşı - an overall name applied by the natives of the Eskişehir area to either meerschaum or meerschaum pipe (I am not sure about this. It needs to be resolved -- readers please help!).
* Patal - one of the names used by local inhabitants of Eskişehir area.
* Pierre de savon Maroc (i.e., rock of Moroccan soap) - designation used, especially in the past, in Morocco where meerschaum was sometimes used as a so-to-speak substitute for soap.
* Tanganyikan meerschaum - name sometimes given meerschaum from Tanzania.
* Vienna stone - name apparently based on the fact that many meerschaum pipes (etc.) were fashioned and/or marketed in/through Austria.
* “White gold” - name sometimes used in the area in Turkey where it is mined and carved.

WHY OWN A MEERSCHAUM PIPE
Smokes cooler than briar, absorbing 90% of tar and nicotine. Is it better than briar?
A finely crafted meerschaum pipe can be the best material to use for fine tobacco pipes for many reasons. Below, you’ll find a list of them
1 * Meerschaum is lighter than briar. This particular material is that it is very light when compared to other claylike minerals after the water has been removed from it.
2* Meerschaum is porous and acts as a filter, drawing tars and moisture out before it reaches your mouth.
3* Meerschaum is neutral and imparts no flavor to the tobacco like a briar pipe might. This allows you to get the true flavor of the particular blend you are smoking.
* Meerschaum will not burn like briar. Since you cannot catch a meerschaum pipe on fire, there is no need to build a cake of carbon around the bowl to protect it.
4* You can safely smoke any number of different types of tobaccos (aromatics, English, Virginia, burley, etc) back to back without fear of muddling the cake with different flavors/aromas like you do with a briar pipe since you don’t need a cake. I can safely smoke a bowl of English and Aromatic later without having the aroma or flavor from one, affect the other.
Breaking In : No need to break in your new pipe. Unlike Briar, the natural mineral quality of Meerschaum needs no caking to enjoy the true, pure taste of your favorite blend. Fill it gradually, remember it only needs to be filled half way. Now your ready to light it so strike a match or flick a lighter and apply the flame. As the heat from the flame comes in contact with the tobacco the tobacco will expand up towards the top of the bowl so grab your tamper and apply pressure to the tobacco, but don’t stop puffing.
Care : There are many misconceptions surrounding Meerschaum pipes. Remember, just as no two pipes are exactly the same, no two pipe smokers are exactly the same. Don’t be afraid to hold and handle your Meerschaum pipe. Smoking your pipe is a traditional pleasure and watching it color adds to your enjoyment.

Sutlift - Barbados Plantation Tobacco

Sutliff Private Stock Barbados Plantation Pipe Tobacco, 12 x 1.5oz tins. Rich Barbados Rum applied to a base of Burley, Virginia & Black Cavendish.If you wish to order a variety of different tobacco brands please email us your requirements to info@tobaccoonline.co.uk . We can mix and match most of the tobacco brands. All orders paid via a direct bank wire transfer are granted 10% discount upon check out.

Sherlock And the Calabash

The image of a man smoking a pipe always gives the impression that he is thinking, pondering or churning something in his mind. And the bigger the bowl, the deeper these men seem to go into their thoughts. The man that most comes to mind is Sherlock Holmes. One of the deepest thinkers of the 19th century. And even though he was a figment of Conan Doyle’s imagination, we always have a hard time believing that the detective is imaginary. He is so real.


Many of Sherlock’s habits are reputed to have been emulated from Mr. Doyle’s own habits. Most illustrations of the period show the famous detective and Mr. Doyle puffing away on a long stemmed clay pipe, with his tobacco at his side, kept in an old Persian slipper. In those days, Holmes’ habits of smoking cigars, cigarettes, and pipes were not considered a vice. Holmes always described his habits as bohemian. Why then, has the Calabash pipe always been related to the famous detective? Because at the time, it was used by actors who portrayed characters that smoked pipes. The Calabash pipe not only can be seen from very far, it is also a great hand prop for delivering poignant lines.

The calabash, or “a calabash” is a vegetable, a form of squash. When ripe, it is used in Asia, Africa and Central America as a culinary delicacy. When mature, or dried, it’s gourd is used as a musical instrument, to transport water or to smoke tobacco. An old style Calabash pipe is made of a part of the calabash gourd resembling a horn. Inside the wide end of the gourd is inserted a detachable bowl, in the shape of an upside-down bowler hat. A cork gasket keeps the bowl firmly in place. The bowl is usually made of Meerschaum stone, but sometimes we can find the bowl made of porcelain or briar wood.
Some of the older Calabash pipes would have a silver cover, but not today. On the narrow end of the gourd, a briar cylinder is inserted, many times covered with a silver band. This is the actual shank, where the tenon of the stem is inserted. This is necessary because the gourd’s material is too fragile to sustain so many insertions and removals of the stem when the pipe needs cleaning. The stem is usually bent, made of vulcanite or lucite.

Calabash pipes smokes cool, dry and mellow, more so than a briar pipe, as the smoke passes through an empty chamber inside the gourd, it loses most of its heat, moisture and strength.

Presently, most Calabash pipes are either made of briar or mahogany with their Meerschaum bowls.
Of the most famous actors who portrayed the great detective were: John Barrymore, Peter Cushing, Michael Cane, Jeremy Brett and Roopert Everet. But it was Basil Rathbone who was it’s most memorable and prolific Sherlock. Having stared in 14 episodes during the late 1930s and up to 1945. It was Mr. Rathbone who introduced the Calabash as the detectives prop for the next 70 years.
Today Mr. Holmes enjoys his pipe puffs in his original Belgium made, long clay pipe, just as Conan Doyle had designed for him.

Jim Bennington