| Archive for Dr. Grabow Pipes "America's One and Only" |
| Sir Duke |
Last bowl smoked !Tobacco: Sir Walter Raliegh ARomaticCoffee: Sunoco Pipe: Dr. Grabow Golden Duck Rhodie, ajusto For a good 45 minutes all was right with the world.... |
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| drbridges |
Texas Ranger tobacco in an egg shape cob Great Dane from Missouri Meerschaum with a 2005 Shiraz from Messina Hof Winery this evening.
I've also been smoking a couple of Westbrooks. A poker and a classic billiard but with a triangular shank. Been trying to decide if Mac is right about those metal spoons. They seem to work best if I pull them out and wipe them off 2 or 3 times during the bowl. And that is distracting. |
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| Sir Duke |
I do this. Works for me. I don't find it particualry distracting until I raise the bowl to my lips sans stem, or vice a versa. Thats distracting! Perrettis in Boston has a blend steeped in Merlot you might find enjoyable. For me this am: Captain Black Gold in a new model Omega. Me being one who smokes hot, I was impressed that this bowl never heated up! I concluded that it was in part due to the fact that I am extra careful not too puff too fast when smoking CBG. Regardless, it was a fin smoke. On another note, in this day and age when time is scarce and we rarelt found and hour and a half to sit idle smoking the pipe, Dr. Grabows are perfect for a 45 minute smoke... (Thats how long it takes me anyway. And I exaggerate a bit.) Goodday, T |
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| drbridges |
On another note, in this day and age when time is scarce and we rarelt found and hour and a half to sit idle smoking the pipe, Dr. Grabows are perfect for a 45 minute smoke... (Thats how long it takes me anyway. And I exaggerate a bit.)
Funny you mention that. I favor smaller bowls nowadays. For instance the DUKEs are ideal for seminars and meetings, when you need a pipe small enough to carry in a pocket, and you have only 10-15 minute breaks. These days you can't light up in the meeting room. So, you step outside for a short smoke break, no longer than it takes to smoke a cigarette. And the tampon filter ensures that moisture won't seep out of the stem and stain your clothing. |
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| Sir Duke |
sat 5/24A fine morning in NE, long weekend, my sons washing the car and mowing the lawn. Finally some payback for havin kids!Olde Pataow... something or other given to me by a friend who concocted it himself. Smoking a Golden Duke. Fine fine smoke w/filter which I just flipped 180 degrees--- a weird habit i have. While packin da pipe I noticed green flecks which can only mean Deer Toungue. Has barely presented itself come the middle of the bowl but I get a whisp every now and then. nice. 
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| drbridges |
In New England green flecks in your tobacco may mean Deer Tongue.
Down here in South Texas green flecks in your tobacco means something else. And you don't want to get caught with it. In that same vein, I couldn't tell you how many comments I have received over the years from people who feel compelled to insinuate I am smoking something illegal in my pipes. Sometime or another, pipes became associated with drug use in some folks' minds. This stereotype may affect the marketing of pipes and accessories. |
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| Sir Duke |
C&D's Crooner (Bings Blend) (as opposed to bling's bend), yesterdays smoke got me in the mood for deertoungue. Also, I strayed a bit from the "codger burley's" and it being sunday and all.. must make ammends. | ||||
| drbridges |
NUVO - Sinbad
http://images.kodakgallery.com/ph...49/51/13/7/713514990603_0_ALB.jpg This morning's pipe was moon stoved Mon Cherry in a little MLC NUVO pipe stamped SINBAD. I packed it a little tighter than usual because it uses no filter. The bowl lasted much longer than I expect such a diminutive bowl to last. The coffee was hot. The birds were singing. All seemed right with the world. M. Linkman & Co. produced pipes other than Dr. Grabows. In fact, M. Linkman & Co. had been in the business of producing pipes about 30 years before they introduced the Dr. Grabows. These non-Garbo pipes (except the HOLLYCOURTs, OLD LONDONs, COURTLEIGHs) are generally stamped as MLC. The NUVO appears to be Linkman's version of the Medico Jetstream. I haven't compared them directly, and have no idea whose came first). |
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| drbridges |
TAMPONS AND EVERCLEARLast bowl was Texas Ranger in a Dr. Grabow FREEHAND.I like to keep my pipes clean, and I have found the tampon filters really help in that endeavor. Swab the shank of your pipes with a Q-tip dipped in solvent and you will see the difference a tampon filter makes. I don't mind using isopropyl as a solvent, the higher percentage stuff (90%). But I prefer to leave the pipe overnight after isopropyl swabbing. I have used flavored Brandy, but EVERCLEAR works fine. And with EVERCLEAR I smoke immediately after cleaning. Other ethanols work, but I'm less likely to drink the EVERCLEAR while cleaning pipes.
I use Medico filters most of the time because that is what I can acquire easily. Don't notice any difference between the Medico and Dr. Grabow tampon filters. Did bisect them once and compare their structure under manification. The perforations in the inner cellophane layer are slightly different. And it was a fine smoke. |
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| Sir Duke |
"Moon Stove" You sir are on a roll!
Sounds like good pipetimes! Don't blame me if your tongue blisters! I usually do use Iso. as well but like you found it does need time to dissapate. If I use a potable alchohol, I'll smoke it right away and If'n I use Dos Cusandos Tequila I can also eat the worm. ... Then it don't matter what I'm smoking. OK- Just kidding. its 3 o'clock here and it already has turned out to be a long day. Damn teenagers.... God! |
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| Sir Duke |
C&D's #104 Crooner in one of mine own. Been negleting them. They're mad.
Taking the rest of the day offline to cookout! Happy Memorial Day! Thank you to our Veterans and to the enlisted. |
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| drbridges |
A fine bowl this morning of Golden Cavendish and Long Grade Burley 1:1 in a DELUXE mountain laurel Dr. Grabow. Best bowl of the day. | ||||
| drbridges |
Dr. Bridges' BlendThe Golden Cavendish + Long Cut Burley is now the Dr. Bridges' Blend at the San Pedro Humidor in San Antonio. Dina assured me it is going in the recipe book. Got 1 lb. coming as I type. We will see if they get it right.Also the Texas Ranger Blend I have smoked and enjoyed for many many years, and written about on this board is the Lane RLP-6. Would like to sample the Lane LL-7 someday. Perhaps I should plan a fact-finding trip to San Antonio. |
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| Sir Duke |
Re: Dr. Bridges' Blend
Do they do Mail order? I smoked sumpin fr my pouch in the Hillcrest. I should have let it dry out more since it soaked up a lot of denat. alchohol during the cleansing ritual... I looked up Texas Ranger on tobacco reviews and it wasnt there. Care to elaborate? |
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| drbridges |
I call in my orders on an 800 number. If I call before 2PM, my order arrives UPS the next day. Don't begin to know how they ship so fast. It always takes my shipments days to deliver. 'Course shipping to Yankee-land is international shipping for us. You can read about Lane RLP-6 on tobacco reviews. It's there. 2-3 star rating. And you can order it wholesale from lilbrown. Humidor - San Pedro 800-788-8175 Ask for Dina Gabriel. I haven't met her, but she gives the best customer service. There are several outlets called Humidor in San Antonio. The San Pedro caters more to pipes. The Menger Hotel outlet is pipe-friendly, but small; really just aimed at walk-in retail. Avoid the other Humidor outlets; very disappointing. |
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| drbridges |
Sir Duke, I know you are NOT cheap, merely frugal.
I will send you some samples of my blends next week. My Dr. Bridges' Blend was my poor attempt to recreate Carter Hall. CH is truly a blessed blend; mild mannered, friendly, even tempered. Maybe it isn't a tempestuous passionate lover, but it is a steady and stalwart friend. And to think you introduced us. |
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| drbridges |
Best bowl of the day:
Carter Hall in a cob while driving across town. My best pipes always happen when I'm doing something else. |
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| Sir Duke |
Couldn't Have said it better myself
Yes CH can be like that freind you tend to take for granted because he/she's ALWAYS there for you. This morning a little "Pouch Poporri" Wonderful in my Omega as I pondered what I might do to the faux p-lip. Don't think I'll go the the extreme that you went to but WILL give the very tip a slight upward tilt to better replicate the p-lippiness. I forgot I still had the Hillcrest loaded as I had set it down last night as it was smoking hot. The draught hole is off center and dreadfully high but I don't blame the hot smoke on these attributes. In stead I blame by haste in wanting to smoke so shortly after the alchohol treatment (the pipe not me) Still its got the fever an may my tongue fry in h3ll for saying so! |
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| drbridges |
My cafe crebow cups just arrived!
Pipes & tobak still mystify me. The packing, the lighting, the tamping, the drawing. I can enjoy the best bowl in memory one day, go to that same pipe and blend later and become so revulsed I dump it half way. That really struck me reading tobacco reviews. How the same blend affected reviewers so differently. One thought it was mild and cool. A second thought it rivaled the fires of hell. And we don't know did both of them begin with clean dry pipes? How differently did they pack their bowls? Pipes are more like campfires, each is a unique creature of the moment. You can no more recreate a fine and memorable bowl, than you can last night's campfire. |
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| drbridges |
Good case in point: I just returned to the same pipe and same blend that blistered and tormented me last evening. This morning it seemed mild and friendly, even pleasant. I did make some conscious changes in packing the bowl this morning, mindful of the tearful experiences of the previous smoke.
36 years of pipe smoking, and I am still learning. |
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| Sir Duke |
Its amazing what a good night sleep can do for you... |
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| Sir Duke |
Dr. G Collector* w/ Captain Black Gold.
*Famous for being able to smoke any tobacco a High Grade can! |
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| drbridges |
I've been living with my new custom pipe blend, Dr. Bridges Blend for the past several days. Pleasure and satisfaction are increasing. After several bad bowls in the beginning I was worried I had made a mistake. Then I changed my rotation. Amazing what difference clean/dry pipes and less packing can make!
Your blends are in the mail, Sir Duke. |
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| Sir Duke |
RotationI never could quit figure how one with so many pipes could stick to but a few for regular use. Especially Grabows, the ones with stinger seem to need extra care and cleaning lest they sour.Although I do also see the beauty in keeping it simple and building cake... A trade off I'm sure. Me, I smoke a pipe a day (sometimes more) and clean it at the end of the day and set it aside for a while. I do have my favorites which seem able to go nine innings a couple nights a week... Today a Va/Bur blend in a Grabow Full Bent. Can't wait to try the Dr B! |
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| drbridges |
My limited rotation began as an imposition really. We moved last year, and for 5-6 months, we lived in a 5th wheel camper. Space was at a premium, like living on a boat. Except for a few pipes, my collection remained in storage.
Now my pipes are accessible, but not convenient. But I am gradually increasing my rotation. And will continue, until my wife decides there are too many smelly pipes in the house and suggests a relocation. |
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| Sir Duke |
Today a little va/burley in a sexy lil prince.
(if she complains of the smelly pipes, star griping 'bout her shoes) |
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| LokoMac8 |
Aromatics, Chemicals and Accidental Design
Why is it I never know what people are talking about -- "cafe crebow cups"? All this time I have known you, DRB, and I would've never guessed that you would have blistered tour tongue. I feel better now. Anyway, I think it's just the darn chemicals in aromatics. maybe some people have steel tongues. You would think after all the spicy food I eat, it wouldn't affect me, but IT DOES. Trying to enjoy MacBaren's Cherry Ambrosia right now and it just ain't working. If I have any hide left on my tongue, I'll finish up with a bowl of Prince Albert. I think what I like best about cherry tobacco is when SOMEONE ELSE is smoking it. Now I have read this some where and found it to be true myself, that when you are actually the one smoking something, that you normally don't get the same good smell sensation as others around you do that are not smoking it. I guess it is sort of like the ability to smell beer on someone else's breath -- you just can't do it as well if you have been drinking yourself, yet if you haven't been drinking, you can smell someone else's beer breath a mile off. I, too, have experimented with packing and tamping and all sorts of things, but seldom get the perfect smoke from anything other than the big commercial tobaccos like Carter Hall, Prince Albert, etc. I guess it would help if I stuck with one tobacco, the same pipe for that particular tobacco, and the same method of packing, tamping and smoking, but alas, I don't. It is amazing how our own tastes and experiences change day to day, and also how other's impressions of the same tobacco vary from ours. That's why there are so many different tobaccos, pipes and pipe designs out there and no shortage of inventions and patents for the perect smoking pipe I guess! There are so many factors that influence a good or bad smoke at any given time that I think sometimes, when it comes to pipe design itself, one that yields a consistently perfect smoke is as much an accident in design as it is purposeful design. Two pipes could almost be absolutely identical to a point that you can't quite see or measure, all conditions such as tobacco and relative humidity the same, yet one will smoke perfectly and the other will perform badly. When it comes to a "bad actor" as I call them, sometimes you can tinker with different things like the flue hole diameter and such, and sometimes you make it better, and sometimes you don't. So who really knows? Apparently no one really does, or we'd all be smoking the same exact pipe and a bunch of pipe makers would be out of business. Man, ya'll have been busy on this Forum! I just got some time tonight to look around and found this stuff on "the last bowl smoked". I had thought that I had seen it all, but I still haven't! |
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| LokoMac8 |
Re: Rotation -- Wiping and Blowing out "Cleaners"
I don't -- almost everything I have is in rotation at some point or another! As far as the pipes with the "cleaners" in them, one must follow the good Doctor Grabow's instructions: 
After EVERY bowl, I religiously take the pipe apart, blow out the bowl, and blow out the stem and wipe it dry and repeat on the stem until it is dry. Actually, I only use a pipe cleaner every once in while, with a little sweetner on it. I actually prefer that to smoking a tampon pipe as I have the urge to change the tampon after not more than two bowls of tobacco, otherwise I feel like I am getting a bad taste -- one tainted from the residuals of the previous smoke. Of course, I know, "different strokes, for different folks!"
If I am home and in my smoking room/study/office/dog house, I usually smoke a different pipe with each bowl. Sometimes I WILL smoke the same pipe twice. But on the road, I only take ONE pipe with me and smoke it for two or three days that I am gone -- this is where I really learn the character of that particular pipe. I sort of smoke tobaccos in "rotation" as well, but that's not a strict edict, as mood comes into play a lot -- like I skip the English blends almost all the time, but then every great once in awhile will get a craving for them. Other than the abuse a pipe gets when I am on a trip, my pipes get a good rest between smokings and are throughly dry the next time I use them. --RJ-- |
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| drbridges |
Sir Duke, our benevolent dictator here, has coffee mugs (Crebow cups) and sweatshirts with the Dr. Grabow Collector's Forum logo on them. CafePress is selling them for him. I ordered 2 mugs.
http://www.cafepress.com/ Search for Grabow Sir Duke has a stunningly handsome white hoodie, and there is a photo of him modeling it in the Gallery. My Collector's Forum mugs have been brightening my mornings since I received them. Yes, I'm afraid I may be a big wussy. Sir Duke seems quite satisfied with some pipe blends I consider hellish. But I am an intermittent inhaler also, and I suspect he is not. I favor milder and gentler blends. But we agree on CARTER HALL! |
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| LokoMac8 |
What? You mean there is MERCHANDISE?!!
I don't know what happened last night -- it was late and I was exhausted -- but none of my reply came across. First, thanks for the link -- I'll have to order a couple of mugs and a military hat! I did see a photo of Sir Duke in a hoodie, but thought he had just made that for himself. Man! that TM is a mover and a shaker. DR, funny you didn't get interested in CARTER HALL until TM sang its praises. You must have overlooked my tobacco "reviews" because I combined them with Dr. Grabow information in our old emails. I have spoken lavishly high praise upon CH several times! --RJ-- |
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| Sir Duke |
Sunday am, lawned mowed but i aint smokin' grassRJ Said
DR hated The Humidors "Fig Newton" Cubed cut Burley. A Lane Tobacco no doubt which I know I had before. Bought it for blending but smoked it all up solo. So I tried Fig Newton and Liked iut immediately KNEW what pipe would be best for it, My Don Carlos Stacked poker. A Chimney really. No actually its a friggin' stove pipe. ITs a huge mass of briar with chamber deeper than the day is long. I loaded it up with the cubes like one would lad a pellet stove! So here I sit loving Fig NJewton in my non-Dr. Grabow (sorry) Don Carlos!!! Maybe he'll send me a package with Oreos smoe day.... 
About the hoodie. Yes i love it! When I get a sec, I'll go to Cafe Press and make a grey one available. It'd be more appropriate with smoking being such a dirty habit and all.... |
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| drbridges |
Rotation ChangeSo you guys won't think I'm a barbarian - I've rotated my pipes.New group includes:
Prince - Royalton FILTERWELL - I just picked up on eBay Bent Billiard - ROYAL DUKE Bent Bulldog - GOLDEN DUKE Lovat - MEDICO Plus I've got a brand new straight Pot GOLDEN DUKE from the IP&A offer I may add later. All are tampon takers except for the ajusto BELVEDERE. Everything else is clean and stowed. |
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| Sir Duke |
CARRY ONI smoked some Texas Ranger in a pipe that I ONCE smoked some Erinmore Flake in. It was a selfmade, full bent Cherry.Long story short. IT tasted like ERinmore Flame as will everything I smoke out of this pipe until the nex millenium. If you've venver smoked EF, think: a pink, scented, urinal cake. To Quote the Raven, Nevermore, Nevermore... |
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| drbridges |
Does it taste like a NEW pink scented urinal cake? Or one that has been urinated on? First bowl this morning was Texas Ranger with just a pinch of Texas added for spice and variety, smoked in an old HL&T Royalton FILTERWELL. The pipe is used and still has the musty flavor of an old pipe. Plus towards the bottom of the bowl I got a nice roasted paper flavor from the tampon. A memorable bowl. Sometimes I enjoy the ghosts in old pipes. Wondering what blend the previous smoker enjoyed years ago that left this flavor I am enjoying today? |
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| drbridges |
My last bowl descriptions are more about pipes than tobacco blends. My choice of blends is rather monotonous. Or to cast it in a better light: I remain loyal to the blends I like.
Last bowl was smoked in a Medico Lovat. I know it isn't a Dr. Grabow, and I feel really bad about that. This is the only Medico I own. I think it was included in an auction lot which I bought chasing something else. It really is a nice smoking pipe. There is something indefinable but different from similar Dr. Grabow pipes. I might be tempted to buy more Medico pipes if it weren't for a bad experience I've had with my one and only Kaywoodie that gurgles like a fish from the first light. |
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| LokoMac8 |
Oh boy . . . I hope this statement doesn't cause Sir Duke to remember and repeat the story I told him of one of my experiments gone awry with a particular estate pipe I picked up. When your curiosity gets to the level mine did, DON'T DO IT! --RJ-- |
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| drbridges |
Ghosts
I was referring to ghosts in old vintage pipes, not cadavers that half fill your bowl. This first is a lingering presence of essence. The second is a rotting carcass of road kill. |
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| Sir Duke |
Oh it Did, IT did!
I'm biting my tongue myself on this one. Tongue bite self-inflicted as I keep RJ's story close to the vest.... Lets just say Mac, "you are a sick man", Tom |
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| LokoMac8 |
Dr. Grabows
Well, to get us back on the Dr, Grabow track, I will talk about a particular pipe I smoked a couple of trips ago, but didn't get a chance to "report" on. As always, lack of time, ya know. Anyway, DR already knows of this curious "Dr. Crapo" -- a strange one indeed! I think it's too late to be one of the WWII pipes, but is so light and the stain so dark as if they were masking something, that I wonder if it isn't mountain laurel. It's a Dr. Grabow DELUXE #9803. For as late a model as I think it is, it's also odd that it is in the 9800 series, but the dark stain is similar to a couple of 9800's I have that are circa-1937. This pipe is a push stem and has a large fat metal cleaner like those SPECIALs and STANDARDs from that odd "transition era" somewhere between 1949/Chicago and 1953/Sparta. The pipe has a narrow "band" -- what I think DR and I joked about calling a signet ring or something. Until I glue it on with Gorilla Glue, the ring used to fall off. The only purpose of the ring seems to be to give the impression it is a screw stem -- it's VPS (Vulcanite Push Stem) though. The oddest thing by far is that it is double stamped. Actually, it looked like the pipe was stamped once, then filler used to fill in the stamps, then it was stamped again. Maybe the old stamps didn't show up when they did it, but with age, affect of the elements and smoking, they sure show up now. (Unfortunately, they all don't show up in the photos I took). One stamp in particular though, looked very deliberate, and the best I can tell, was purposely used to obliterate a previous stamp. What was obliterated? The best I can tell, the word BRUYERE! Does this mean that it might not be imported briar? Anyway, I smoked this pipe on my trip that lasted over three days -- with four different tobaccos that I carry in small tins. What inspired me to write this -- and what I've noticed every single time that I have smoked this pipe -- is that IT ALWAYS SMOKES GREAT! It's the darnest thing. Looks like the dickens, but never fails to please. I can only attribute this to what I call, "accidental design", where every aspect of the pipe like the flue hole, the tobacco chamber and things of that nature, are absolutely perfect, mostly by luck. I will see if I can attach a couple of photos of this thing. 
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| Sir Duke |
Maybe someone was learning stamping and it ended up getting sold, either by accident or on purpose. As I told DR privately once "suckes how you can render a pipe unsaleable by mistamping it!" This one beat the odds!
Probably is mtn laurel. Pipes in "other woods" can sometimes better than briar. (But you didn't here me say that. I have a pipe made of Plum that rocks) I think a VPS with a cleaner is odder than the double stamp. Looks like it doesn't know what it wants to be this Frakenpipe of yours! |
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| drbridges |
Good Pipes / Bad Pipes
This brings up a subject that may offend some pipe folks. That isn't my intention. We have all experienced this at some time. A beautiful pipe smokes like crap, and a really ugly pipe smokes great. It is almost as if a pipe's briar has external and internal characteristics, sort of like people. We can examine only the external, its flaws, its fills, its color, its grain, its fitments, its finish. But we cannot see inside the briar. We can only guess. Sir Duke has probably spent more time with raw briar than anyone currently posting here. I suspect it is very inconsistent. I believe a pipe smokes great because of the grain and character of the internal briar, which may be completely different from the outside appearance. Breaking in procedure, care and cleaning, may also contribute, but I think the absorbability of the internal briar, especially in the shank and bottom of the bowl are the most critical factors. And so far, no one can judge that. Which may mean you are about as likely to get a fine smoke from a less expensive, crappy looking pipe as you are from a hand-selected, finely finished masterpiece. This may rub some nerves, but this is my experience. |
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| Sir Duke |
AGREED.
I always hate when someone will pick up one of my pipes and the first thing they comment on is the grain. "Nice Grain" Like I had anything to do with that. Sure.. I oriented the pipe in the block, and shaped it accordingly and to the best of my ability to look good. And I do the "engineering" (its just making joints and holes come one) to the best of my ability. Could smoke great, most likely will smoke Good, and may even smoke like crap. I've have always contend that its the guys in the mills that deserve more credit for a good pipe. There is a lot of happenstance to the affect of telling me that my typewriter makes a lot of spelling mistakes... DR BRIDGES ya got it all figured out. Repack your bowl and go figure out how to get gas back to a buck ninety nie a gallon!!!!!! |
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| LokoMac8 |
Re: Good Pipes / Bad Pipes
Your statements neither offend me nor do I oppose them. It would only fall in my, "there are a bunch of different related and unrelated factors, external and internal, involved" theory, and it doesn't actually affect my other, "accidental design" theory, either. The only problem I have with how much influence the briar or wood plays as opposed to that perfect combination and alignment of bowl diameter, depth, flue hole position (high, low, left side, right side or some infinite combination), and so on and so forth, is that after a good dime's width caking, what does the briar actually do then? Also, I have smoked a couple of NYLON -- make that BRYLON -- Yelo-Boles and they smoked pretty darn good, too! I detested them, of course, because I am a "I like the warmth of wood" man, but somehow they smoked well and I guess, sold well, yet exhibited NONE of the qualities of briar except the resistance to burn out. Playing Devil's Advocate again, I am, but I am not really debunking your thoughts on briar. I consider what you say to be one of the possible contributing factors to a great smoke and want to understand better, if it really does play a high percentage part in the overall scheme of things that are all beyond my comprehension! By the way, current smoke is Java Breeze in another one of those Ajusto STANDARDs (Definite Sparta product, with top spade pointed toward the bowl). What a fantastic, sweet smoke it is yielding TODAY! I haven't smoked this one that much, but I don't remember it ever being a "bad actor". A $2500 pipe would please me no more. I do wish the craftsman that created it had his initials stamped in it though. --RJ-- |
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| drbridges |
In my opinion, the bowl has very little to do with the smoking characteristics of the pipe. It simply holds the ash and yet unburned tobacco. The shape and thickness of the bowl does influence the handling characteristics, its weight and balance, and may determine how hot the pipe gets in your hand. That certainly plays a part in whether I enjoy a pipe or not.
The height and diameter of the bowl determines how much tobacco it holds and the length of the smoking experience. I often enjoy short smokes, so small bowls like the DUKE and RIVIERA appeal to me. I don't have any LARK models. Flue placement doesn't matter to me, except if it is too high I cannot completely smoke the last of the bowl's tobacco. If flue placement plays a role in smoking pleasure, I believe it is towards the end of the smoke. I am fastidious about the diameter of the flue, and I've discussed that before. The density of the grain at the bottom of the bowl and in the shank play the major role in a pipe's elusive smokeablilty, in my humble opinion. If Brylon smokes well, then I must assume its density and porosity closely matches ideal briars. A determining question will be how soon after a nice Brylon smoke can you enjoy a second? And does it use a tampon filter? Tampon filters may make many unsuitable pipes tolerable to pleasant. |
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| drbridges |
Pipe Rotation
Well, it has been almost a week, and I am preparing to rotate my pipes again. Trying to impress you finicky guys is keeping me busy. Just in case you are interested, my pipes for next week will be:
GOLDEN DUKE Ajusto/tampon Author GOLDEN DUKE Ajusto/tampon carved Pot (new) STARFIRE Ajusto/cleaner #24 fine carved w saddle bit RIVIERA vps/cleaner bent billiard yellow spade "Aged Imported Briar" And an unnamed bent billiard stamped only "205 Made in London England" with a calabash emblem on its push stem. Anyone familiar with the last pipe? The emblem isn't listed at http://fujipub.com/ooops/makes.html but sort of resembles Molina, but different 
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| LokoMac8 |
Interior Bowl Diameter
Well, now I am offended, hurt and saddened. Not really -- just KIDDING! I think quite contrary, though. I think it is a very big factor and not a "one size fits all" thing. An old, old timer who smoked nothing but cobs swore to me that he liked a tall, narrow chamber because it "drafted better", allowing for a more complete and even burning and as a result, a better smoke. I wholehearted agree with this, BUT that diameter has to perfectly match flue size, etc. to really complete the picture. For instance, the STANDARD I just bragged about is drilled at 5/8-inch for the tobacco chamber. A lot of pipes get up to 11/16 and 3/4 of an inch. This bowl is a bit shorter, so the slightly smaller bore probably is a good match. It also has a nice tapered cone to the bottom -- and there's another factor that would affect the draft. ANYTHING that affects the draft and the circulation of air through the tobacco WILL affect the BURNING of the tobacco. Getting back to interior bowl diameter though, I think this is another reason why caking is important, and why some people allow a seemingly over abundance to accumulate. It narrows down the diameter and it almost every case, would improve the draft, at least some. The Y-B Brylons had a push stem and metal cleaner. I sold them all on eBay many, many moons ago. Now, I think I will again smoke the STANDARD I previously bragged on. I will now join "Sir Duke" in a bowl of Carter Hall -- in spirit anyway. One thing about Carter Hall and a good drafting pipe, YOU DON'T HAVE TO SUCK LIKE A WEASEL! --RJ-- |
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| Sir Duke |
Brylon, Bowls abd the Universe
I found the density similar but there was NO porosity to brylon. Smoked hot and wet and I couldn'r get it to cake. I think I must have bought it from RJ on ebay and since reauctioned it. ... I'm trying to avoid the whole discussion about whjat makes a pipe a good smoker. Honestly, its everything. Some things in our control, some not. Cured briar burls being the first and formost. Age of the burl at harvest, and especially the curing of the wood, the cut. And yes the maker's skill or lack therof can make or break a pipe. I had a way about picking dogs at the track. I did all right too but am not a gambler. Sinliarly I have a certain formual I look for in a pipe. First and formost is wall thickness. The more wood the better. Took me a long time to admit this to myself because I like thin walled pipes, in which case I tend to want a big bowl (pushing the 7/8" limit" such that I can build a bigger cake. Dr Grabows for the most part fall into this category. I like tall chambers as well... chimneys... a preference and often considered "flake" pipes. Man.. the variables are endless but it starts with the wood. If its green and the sap hasn't been drawn out its gonna smoke like a frsh f__k_d fox in a forest fire. Pipes are like women though [dissertation duly eliminated] but I can say there like a bike helmet. I bought my son one and he hated it. Wouldn't wear it. Wouldn't do him much good if it ain't on his head. So I took him to the store let him pick one out, one that he'd wear. So smoke what ya like, like what ya smoke to quote the ole cliche. Its only wood. If ya don't like it git rid of it, there is someone else who'll love it. So maybe preference has an equal role to play in this. D@mn I need a smoke! |
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| drbridges |
I formulated a kind of rule of thumb about pipes, and maybe its worth about as much as a rule of thumb.
Almost any pipe can make one good bowl, or smoke. Most pipes can make it for two. Some pipes can make it for three. But few pipes can still deliver a pleasant smoke after three. Clean 'em and rest 'em. Clean 'em and rest 'em. |
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| LokoMac8 |
Re: Brylon, Bowls abd the Universe
Did I ever say "thanks"? I think I can dig up another one down in the barn that I can give you wholesale for your retail business . . . --RJ-- |
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| Sir Duke |
Please do...
Then I can keep what seems to be my current business model: If cost = x, let sales price be x/2 The only way I'll make a million dollars at this rate is to start with 2 million. |
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| LokoMac8 |
Re: Please do...
At that rate, I WILL have to find a suitably large piece of Texas mesquite (probably from Sweetwater as they grow them big out there and have such little vegetation, they actually have them as shade trees in their yard and are proud of it!) and send to you so that you can make me a Dr. Bridges Omm Paul out of it! --RJ-- |
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| drbridges |
Yep, I told you we should have bought a bigger truck. | ||||
| Sir Duke |
Re: Please do...
actually, I'd like to try that. (I'm serious) |
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| drbridges |
New Pipe Rotation ListFor those of you following my weekly pipes rotation:
Dr. Grabow Standard #73S slim Dublin Saddle Bit Dr. Grabow Grand Duke 6 panel #50 med. Billiard (white spade) Dr. Grabow Berwyck #47 large Billiard Full Bent Dr. Grabow Emperor #83 Bent Bulldog Saddle Bit Dr. Grabow Belvedere fine carved #65 Quarter Bent Oval Shank Dublin My tobacco choice doesn't vary much, so accounts of my last bowl smoked become repetitous. Lots of garbos this week. 2 tampons, 3 ajustos, and that damned Vogel straw. Will see what I think of it after a week. |
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| drbridges |
TM & TD are absolutely correct! There is no finer handling pipe than the Dr. Grabow #83.
Bent Bulldogs Rock! |
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| Sir Duke |
You have served this forum well Squire. Carry on... Also, who DOESN'T follow the rotation of your pipes. I have found it to be a telling economic forcaster. You might although try more bents if your expecting to save this economy from recession, or even worse. Just a suggestion... |
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| drbridges |
Half the pipes in this week's rotation are at least 1/4 bent.
I'm going out to suck on that Damned Vogel Straw Contraption (DVSC). Wish me lux. |
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| Sir Duke |
I do suppose if you were to smoke on 4 of the 1/4 bents at the same time, that might count towards your fullbent status. |
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| drbridges |
Hollycourt ReportI finished my bowl of Texas Ranger in Linkman's Hollycourt (DVSC). It wasn't as bad as it could have been. Not bad at all really.This one had a lot of oxidation on the aluminum parts when I got it, and shows some pitting after I cleaned off the oxidation. I fantasize that it was exposed to salt water during WWII in the pocket of a seaman or navy air pilot that ditched. Ads during the war touted the Hollycourt had "gone to war." Mac interprets this to mean Linkman discontinued making the Hollycourt. I prefer to believe he made it available only to the military. The Hollycourt was Linkman's top of the line pipe, at least in price. Odd that this one isn't stamped as Linkman's. It was based on a 1933 patent by A. L. Vogel. I don't know how much Linkman paid Vogel for the rights. By 1949, Linkman was marketing his Dr. Grabow pipes as products of Dr. Grabow Pipe Co, Inc. but the Hollycourt was still marketed as a product of M. Linkman & Co. Perhaps Linkman didn't want to share his Hollycourt with his corporate partners. Or perhaps he had a royalty agreement with Vogel and needed to keep the Hollycourt income separate for financial reasons. Or perhaps he believed the income from his Hollycourt pipe sales would support him in his retirement after he sold off the Dr. Grabow Pipe Co. We may never know the story. But Linkman appears to have been very fond of his Hollycourt pipe. He lavished a lot of good briar on it. It is heavy and solid. It is about as close to a Viking as you can get and still retain a normal pipe appearance. And it is easy to clean. And I can imagine a Navy Air pilot tamping the dottle out on his boot and tucking my Hollycourt into his flight jacket just before he climbs into his Hellcat fighter to engage the Japs over the Pacific. |
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| drbridges |
Emperor Carter HallDelightful bowl of Carter Hall this evening in my new bent Bulldog Dr. Grabow Emperor. The pipe still has some ghosts in it. This was my second bowl.Towards the bottom I received the most startling impact of cinnamon. How wonderful. This Bulldog is so comforting, I just lingered with it in the evening long after the fire had died. I'm sure gonna miss those ghosts if they leave. Cannot understand why some smokers don't like them. |
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| Sir Duke |
Today I loaded up the "Ranger" with some baccy from the jar. Not sure what it is, or was but its ashes now. What a delightful smoke. Something about this pipe says "Lane LTD" to me... Can't put my finger on it but Im still not ruling OUT the fact that its not a Grabow. The bowl although seems older than the ABS plastic stem warrants.
Who knows. Anyway I good smoke and a fine day here in New Ebgland. Hope you golfers get a chance to get out on the links man! And whats with RJ??? A new set of clubs for each round. That is conspicuous consumption at its finest! Good day folks... TM |
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| drbridges |
A poor carpenter blames his tools.
He didn't say he had 2 complete and straight sets of clubs. |
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| ted |
Nor did he say that any two clubs matched. | ||||
| Sir Duke |
Last night I was gifted a bowl of 20 year old Three Nuns by friend, and fellow SHPC member Doc Perry- esteemed pipe collector & moderator of Brothers of The Briar Forum.
One bowl truely was a generous gift knowing what he paid for this tobacco. Smoked it in the Royalton my son gave me for Fathers day. Thanks Doc! You really got to see Doc's collection! I'll post a link later. Tm |
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| Sir Duke |
Dunhill (Lane) Ryal Yacht (aka Royal Yuck! although I like it) in the worlds only "dress black" Omega. A nice nice way to commute into Boston as they prepare Storrow Drive for the Fireworks and the Pops, as well as the Charles River... where there will be many Royal "Yachts" afloat. Good luck to them all. I'll watch it on TV while in the Berkshire.
Hope everyone has a hppy and safe holiday weekend. Eat your Meat, T |
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| drbridges |
I am totally convinced that there is no more suitable combination than Carter Hall in a Missouri Meerschaum.
It is like Jack Daniels in Coca Cola. The result is greater than the sum of its parts. |
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| Sir Duke |
Today July 4thPipe: Dr Grabow since the 1940'sBaccy" Carther hall since 1855 Beer: Pabst Blue Ribbon since 1844 God bless the United States of America! |
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| drbridges |
Weekly Pipe RotationNew 6 pipe rotation for the week:Linkman's Dr. Grabow Deluxe 9724 Olde London (HLT) vps shape like a 60 without the cut rings Dr. Grabow Westbrook ajusto shape 92 Dr. Grabow Eldorado ajusto shape 80 Dr. Grabow Freehand tampon shape 04 Peterson Standard 314 |
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| tranders |
Just finished with some Autumn Evening in a Grabow Omega and a cup of coffee. | ||||
| Sir Duke |
Sounds perfect don't it! |
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| drbridges |
Sounds a lot better than my Carter Hall in a General Missouri Meerschaum with a styrofoam cup of water. |
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| drbridges |
Fig Newton in a Peterson 314. I knew I was settling in with a man's blend, so I chose a man's pipe for it.
Perfect for the evening after dinner smoke. Slow and gentle. Contemplative. |
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| LokoMac8 |
One set does, one doesn't -- I think there is even at least one club for a left hander -- when you don't do something well, I found that you can do it equally well with either hand. I even have one club with three heads on it that works like a triple-bladed razor -- one head clears a path in front of the ball, one digs out a divit behind the ball and the third head actually contacts the ball all in one swing. It works as effectively as a metal cleaner in a pipe. Earlier this evening for a change of pace I smoked my PACER -- with Garmish. Don't know what Garmish is, don't know what's in it, I don't knows if it has "nose" and I can't describe the taste, but I like it. I am just a simple, country boy and when other people wax poetic about what they have in their pipe, I usually don't know what the heck they are talking about. If it doesn't bite and it doesn't smell like a rubber tire burning, I might like it. Used to read the tobacco reviews in Tom Dunn's TPSE -- after reading several paragraphs about a particular blend I still didn't have a clue. And that brings me to my current smoke -- Prince Albert in a nice old Linkman TRU-GRAIN Author shape #6033A. The "A" in this instance just seems to mean a larger "33" shape. What a pipe! What a nice smoke! Can anyone describe the "taste" of PA for me? If I were to say it was "indescribably delicious", would that suffice? PA, 101 years old and going strong! --RJ-- 
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| tranders |
PA Choice Blend in a Kaywoodie Sabiatta. | ||||
| drbridges |
Sabiatta? Isn't that the bread they advertise at Jack in the Box?
Mac, I believe that is the first Author I've seen with a bead. Ted taught me that. |
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| Sir Duke |
Is an Author with a bead a Rhodesian wannabe. (Not to be confused witha wallabe for you folks down under)
drbridges G Dux post made me pull out of the uncleaned box and actually clean it... then actually smoke it... with actual Dr. Bridges Blend from San Pedro Humidor. |
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| Sir Duke |
Its hot and humid and I could'nt even make it through a full bowl this morning.
What the heck would I do If I lived in warmer climes?!?!?!!? |
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| drbridges |
I'm liking that blend more & more with each bowl. Works great in cobs. Like CH. Also good for ghostly pipes. I started an Olde London this week in my rotation. It was virtually USM. Imagine breaking in a pipe older than you are. It wanted to bite me and burn hot during the first bowl. I thought, "Oh boy, this is going to be a long week if I don't replace this Olde London pipe." But I fed it a couple of bowls of Dr. Bridges, took it easy, and made sure to coat the bowl with good ash after each bowl. It's turning into a real pussycat. Only thing I don't like about it is it is VPS, which means I have to set it down to cool and wait before I disassemble and clean it. I've had a long history of ruining nice VPS pipes, loosening their joints by working on them hot & wet (the pipes, not me). I bought some of that Halcyon wax. Supposed to be a poor man's substitute for carnuba, since I don't have a muslin buffing wheel. Vaseline works just as well. Better than nose grease. I apply a very thin coat of Vaseline to the stem and briar while it is warm. Not inside the bowl. Ponds used to bathe in Vaseline. I'll leave it up to you whether he knew what he was doing. |
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| drbridges |
I imagine Armor-All would also work, but I'm more comfortable putting Vaseline in my mouth than Armor-All. |
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| Sir Duke |
Stop putting that goawd aweful crap on your pipes please!!! A petroleum product no less! EGADS whats got over you. Use a tiny drop of EVOO (extra Virgin Olive Oil) if you must and or get yourself some briar wipe if ya want it shiny. D@mn.
FOR THE LOVE OF BRIAR MAN! (ok its hot and humid and Im cranky. they're your pipes do as you please) |
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| tranders |
Nightcap in a Grabow Sculptura. | ||||
| LokoMac8 |
Well, I have also tried Halcyon -- it's OK and great for pipes that you just want to spiff up for selling, but not very durable -- and it's still better if you buff it with a wheel. I also have carnuba wax that I bought long before I got a muslin wheel. It works better and is more durable, but I finally had a guy tell me a secret for putting it on that I didn't know about that involves the application of heat AFTER first applying the wax to the pipe with the wheel. Then buff it again. Much, much better if you like shiny pipes and I do like my pipes shiny. --RJ-- |
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| Sir Duke |
Soon to load a 'bow witht whats left of a puch of CH. Then I will turn to PA. ..
Beautiful day in NE. Great pipe-smoking-on-the-porch-day!'s EDIT: Change of plan , Peter Stokkeby Bulls Eye Flake (folded and stuffed) in a Linkman's Ringmaster. Nice. |
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| LokoMac8 |
A Linkman's DR. GRABOW "Ringmaster"? Didn't realize you had one of them. Good show. Anotther one of those Grabow oddities -- didn't see one for years, then all of a sudden two or three showed up on eBay in quick succession. If I were guessing, and I am as usual, I think the RINGMASTER came out about the same time as the SUNSET GRAIN. Don't know why there was the change of names or new names in the Grabow lines at that point in time. Two bowls of Carter Hall so far this afternoon in an old Linkman Grabow and another in a "37" shape banded VISCOUNT. Second bowl was necessary to calm my nerves and readjust my poor attitude. I think it's working, slowly. May hit 100 degrees here today and humid -- not really a "smoking on the porch" day in this part of Texas . . . --RJ-- |
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| drbridges |
It's an organic petroleum product. And it doesn't draw fire ants. New weekly pipe rotation:
AirConditioned Royal Duke of Dundee Kaywoodie Red Root Dr. Grabow Golden Duke S/DG #12 Dr. Grabow Westbrook S/DG #76 Unstamped S/DG #83 The Olde London from last week became a favorite. Considering it began so badly, I really came to look forward to another bowl with it. |
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| Sir Duke |
Fire Ants CAuse Tongue Bite, T (went through Carthall and Prince Albert incarnations all weekend) Straight up Carter Hall this morning though with an 83 that was once owned by the good Dr. Himself. Picked it up at a yard sale in Chicago, back in 62. |
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| drbridges |
You're gonna have a bright red 83 to smoke soon enough. | ||||
| Sir Duke |
Can't wait. You could paint that shape any color you want and Id'd buy it. Matter of fact, wouldn't cammo look cool? Leopard Print? Tiger Striped? |
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| drbridges |
People will buy gel skins for iPods, laptops, cell phones, etc. Why not for pipes? | ||||
| LokoMac8 |
Sometimes it's about the tobacco, sometimes it's about the pipe and usually it's both. My last trip to Galveston I was lucky enough to get a room overlooking the Gulf, where I sat out in front of the room and smoked my pipe quite a bit. Usually passersby will note me smoking my pipe and make some comment about how good it smells to them, whether or not it might be any more than a pleasantry. Sometimes they go on to tell me that it reminds them of their Grandfather or Great Grandfather and I hope they are referring to the AROMA and not me smoking a pipe in general. This trip was the first time where the pipe itself got a positive comment -- from two different people! I was surprised. I was smoking one of my favorites, a #39 Continental Shape VISCOUNT. That thing has never given me a bad smoke, no matter what tobacco I stuff in it. It is remarkable for just that reason , if no other. I like the shape about the best of all the Continental shapes. I am not very good at shape NAMES, even though DRB constantly reminds me of what they are, so I will inlcude a picture for those who have yet to acquire a Dr. Grabow shape chart. Since I am sort of a fruity person, I can remember the pear shape and the apple, but beyond that maybe a dublin. When it comes to Canadians and Lovats, it seems I always get them backwards -- even when I "correct" for thinking I have it backwards in the first place. I think I heard someone call this shape a "pick axe", but sticking with fruits, I would have thought it was a banana. At any rate, a great pipe-- great looks and balance and a consistently excellent performer. Apparently has some eye appeal even to non-pipe smokers as well, as they were inspired to say, "NICE PIPE!" --RJ-- 
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| Sir Duke |
Nice Pipe! | ||||
| Gig |
John Patton's "Storm Front" in a filtered Dr Grabow "Duke" 
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| Sir Duke |
<<<Storm Front>>>
How appropriate, we had a whopper of a storm last night, knocked out the power. I'm affraid to even go in my basement (not because of the dark) But to see if there's water in the shop... PA in my Red Duke. |
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| Sir Duke |
Cherry tobacco this morning when I decide on the pipe. | ||||
| drbridges |
CH in my newest acquistion, a King David, from Sparta Pipes. A generous mountain laurel bowl with deep textured carved gouges. I expect I will come to love this pipe. | ||||
| drbridges |
Carter Hall in a bent General from Missouri Meerschaum. A warm breezy evening with clear skies. Best bowl of the day. A beautiful combination. | ||||
| Sir Duke |
You should have the Straight GEneral Thurs or Fri. I on the other hand have laid off the pipe a bit because of incredible headaches. Also, My wife noticed that my car windows were "fogged up". Curiously the "fog" wouldn't wipe away. The glass was SMOKED. I cleaned it with a "green" version of windex because my wife is being kind enough to take it to her mechaninc on firday so I wanted to clean it up. The papertowels looked Brown. It was pipe smoke on the inside of the windows. To see it ALMOST made me want to quit. It was disgusting. I can only imagine what dem pre-smokers at grabow looked like after a month. Cheers Y'all |
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| Mike Leverette |
50/50 mixture of PA and CH in my Grand Duke bulldog. Yummy! | ||||
| Sir Duke |
Mike be honest. You know you packed a Peterson this morning... 
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| Mike Leverette |
The very first thing this morning was some McCranie's Red Ribbon in a Peterson Special; Dublin shape. A pipe gifted to me by Steve Laug, a good friend. At the time I wrote the above post I was actrually smoking PA/CH in a Dr. bulldog.
I guess I had better explain that. The first thing in the morning I load up three pipes, various brands depending on how I feel that AM. I smoke one for awhile then set it aside while I puff on another, etc. Sort of a mini-DGT'ing. |
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