Pipe Line

Doctors and Masters of Pipes: A Timeline

May 16, 2025 by Chuck Stanion

8 Comments

Those who regularly visit the Daily Reader may have noticed occasional mention of Doctors of Pipes and Masters of Pipes, designations awarded by the Chicagoland Pipe Collectors Club. We've published profiles of several Doctors here because they are interesting people with decades ... Read More

The Kemble Pipe

May 16, 2025 by Chuck Stanion

15 Comments

I've always referred to my last pipe of the day as, well, my last pipe of the day, but I could have saved some syllables had I known that a final smoke has a name: the Kemble pipe, named after the martyred English Saint, John Kemble. ... Read More

Pipes and Cannibalism: The Donner Party

May 9, 2025 by Chuck Stanion

22 Comments

We're told in early life to avoid untested shortcuts because they often surprise us with poor results. Few historical episodes demonstrate the principle more dramatically than the tragic expedition of the Donner Party (also called the Donner-Reed Party), snowbound in the Sierra Nevada mountains to endure starvation, misery, disease, exhaustion, hypothermia, ... Read More

All Pipes Considered: Peterson Irish-Made Army Pipes

May 6, 2025 by Andrew Wike

1 Comment

I am back today for another episode of "All Pipes Considered." This time we're going back across the pond to Peterson of Dublin, continuing their celebration of 160 years of their iconic marque. What we're talking about today is something very special to me. It's a series that I've always really enjoyed from Peterson and that is the reintroduction of the Irish-Made Army ... Read More

Desktop Backgrounds: May 2025

May 1, 2025 by Kayla Ivan

1 Comment

Our pipe photographers have done it again for the month of May. Greet the warmer weather and longer days with these nine gorgeous images available for download in two high-resolution formats for your desktop and mobile backgrounds. Be sure to check back here next month for another round of photos designed ... Read More

All Pipes Considered: Castello 25th Anniversary Pipes

April 30, 2025 by Andrew Wike

Sykes Wilford and I are back at it again today for another very special episode of "All Pipes Considered," talking about the next installment of our 25th Anniversary project, this time collaborating with Castello. ... Read More

In Appreciation of Lighters

April 25, 2025 by Rose Kiser

2 Comments

Across every smoker's toolkit is some form of a lighter. From matches and gas-station Bics to Dunhill high rollers, a lighter is essential and often a representation of the smoker's personality. I'm rather fond of lighters. I've been collecting them ever since I discovered my dad's small collection of lighter mementos in high school. While my collection started ... Read More

The History of Meerschaum Pipes

April 18, 2025 by Kayla Ivan

36 Comments

As a history lover, I actively seek out and absorb as much interesting information about the past as possible. Fortunately for me, that curiosity translates well into my current job and my interest in the pipe-smoking hobby as a whole. That endless, enthusiastic drive for wisdom is a foundational pillar for Smokingpipes ... Read More

Franco Coppo: Castello's Driving Force Passes

April 18, 2025 by Chuck Stanion

4 Comments

Castello pipes have represented innovation and quality since their inception by Carlo Scotti in 1947. Scotti's vision was to divert from the typical Italian pipe making of the time, which concentrated on inexpensive, high-volume factory pipes. Scotti transformed Italian pipe making ... Read More

Five Things To Do While Smoking a Pipe

April 11, 2025 by Rose Kiser

27 Comments

If you're like me, more often than not in the evening, or the weekend mornings, you've got some downtime to enjoy a pipe in relative peace. While I enjoy a good observation of the world, sometimes you have an itch to do something while you smoke. The obvious answers are something along the lines of read, write ... Read More