Pipe Line

Pipe Smoking Desktop Backgrounds: October 2023

October 3, 2023 by Andrew Wike

It's time for another round of beautiful pipe-smoking desktop backgrounds for you to enjoy. As in previous months, the set includes some of our favorite shots and artwork, including nine unique images, split between desktop and mobile orientations and available for download in two high-resolution formats. ... Read More

Calabash Engineering: What is it?

September 22, 2023 by John McElheny

6 Comments

In the pipe world, "Calabash" refers to both a shape and a specific type of engineering, though the two evolved at the same time with the genesis of the gourd Calabash in Southern Africa. The unique combination of shaping and engineering gets its name from a kind of gourd, the calabash gourd, which has been cultivated all over ... Read More

The Types, Uses, and Essential Nature of the Humble Tobacco Pouch

September 21, 2023 by Davin Hylton

3 Comments

While we tend to emphasize the maintenance and preservation of our favorite pipes, we spend less time discussing how to safeguard our tobacco, especially when traveling or on the go. After all, without tobacco, pipes are nothing more than ornate briar sculptures – charming, handsome, but, inevitably, purely aesthetic. When we talk about traveling with tobacco, we're often discussing ... Read More

John Steinbeck: Writer and Pipe Smoker

September 15, 2023 by Zachary Podl

13 Comments

One of the most fascinating elements of writing is its simplicity. A pencil, paper, and a little creativity is all one needs to get started. However, some might prefer a few additional accommodations, such as background music or a comfortable chair. For John Steinbeck, a pipe packed with tobacco was a welcome ... Read More

40 Years of Kurt Balleby Pipes

September 7, 2023 by Truett Smith

1 Comment

This year marks Kurt Balleby's 40th pipe-making anniversary, and it's a milestone worth celebrating. I haven't even been breathing for four decades, and that's perhaps the easiest, most passive action available; it's hard to imagine intentionally dedicating sweat and effort to one specific pursuit for such a span of time. ... Read More

Pipe God of War: The Story of Semyon Danilovich Nomokonov

September 1, 2023 by Gabriel Bass

20 Comments

The Second World War has countless stories of heroes who displayed impressive heroism to defeat the forces of fascism, many of whom were known pipe smokers. Few, however, have a story as unique as that of the Soviet sniper Semyon Danilovich Nomokonov, who terrified the Nazis as few others could, earning the respect of ... Read More

Pipe Smoking Desktop Backgrounds: September 2023

August 31, 2023 by Andrew Wike

1 Comment

It's time for another round of beautiful pipe-smoking desktop backgrounds for you to enjoy. As in previous months, the set includes some of our favorite shots and artwork, including eight unique images, split between desktop and mobile orientations and available for download in two high-resolution formats. ... Read More

The History of the MacArthur Corn Cob Pipe

August 25, 2023 by John McElheny

9 Comments

Throughout pipe making's many centuries of history, myriad mediums have been employed for carving the familiar smokers. From stone and clay to briar and morta, the list is extensive. One of these materials stands out among the others, not just thanks to its charming and humble physical substance, but its distinctly ... Read More

Top Pocket Pipes for Everyday Carry

August 24, 2023 by Davin Hylton

3 Comments

Pipes, like with most things, come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from the giant, palm-filling briars of the Italian neoclassical tradition to the compact and muscular pipes of North America. The wide variety of pipes reflect the diverse taste of pipe smokers, as well as what they want from their smoking instruments. For some, ... Read More

The Victory Cigar: The Story of Red Auerbach

August 11, 2023 by Zachary Podl

1 Comment

The top professional athletes have a singular goal: ending the season with a championship win. It takes years of practice, long hours in the gym, and an unrelenting drive to defeat every opponent and call themselves the best. Once they reach that peak and can celebrate their accomplishments, there is something that ... Read More

Pipe Smoking Desktop Backgrounds: October 2023

Calabash Engineering: What is it?

The Types, Uses, and Essential Nature of the Humble Tobacco Pouch

John Steinbeck: Writer and Pipe Smoker

40 Years of Kurt Balleby Pipes

Pipe God of War: The Story of Semyon Danilovich Nomokonov

Pipe Smoking Desktop Backgrounds: September 2023

The History of the MacArthur Corn Cob Pipe

Top Pocket Pipes for Everyday Carry

The Victory Cigar: The Story of Red Auerbach

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