I have been a pipe smoker on and off for 30 years, mostly off. When I was in my 20’s, I would visit a pipe maker in Bay Ridge Brooklyn by the name of Dominic Cazzetta. I knew him as Don because he sold his pipes under the name Don-Lou. I would visit him and smoke a bowl of tobacco with him. If I remember correctly, he smoked a #5 or #6 blend that he blended. I would always look to buy a new pipe, one that I could afford. He had many beautiful pipes made from exotic woods such as Oregon Oak, Indian Paduke, Rosewood, and several others. Don would say the oak wood gave a spicy note to your smoke while the Indian Paduke gave your smoke a subtle sweetness. I learned all I know about pipe smoking from him including packing a pipe the correct way and taking care of my pipes. He never used varnishes on his pipes because he said that made the pipes hot. He would say all I needed to do was rube the pipe whit my thumb to keep it clean. I or my wife bought most of my pipes from him, many of which are shown in my images area. Happy smoking!