Recent Articles | Smokingpipes Daily Reader

Johan Wolfgang Dobereiner, Inventor of the First Lighter

August 4, 2021 by Chuck Stanion

7 Comments

The first friction match was invented in 1826. Obviously, matches were a quantum leap in technology for smokers, who before that time used tongs to hold small coals against the tobacco in their pipes, or carried flint and steel, or used "spills," which were shavings of wood specifically used for lighting one's pipe or cigar. So popular were spills that a number of woodworking planes were ... Read More

The Legendary Tom Eltang

July 30, 2021 by Chuck Stanion

7 Comments

A gangly, six-year-old Tom Eltang, all arms and ears, eyes and skinny stick-legs, stood in the rain on a sidewalk in Copenhagen in 1964, peering into a kiosk at a laminated poster displaying photos of pipes — artisan pipes like none he'd seen in his young life. Even at age six, Tom was familiar with pipes. He had carefully examined his father's pipes and figured out how they worked. ... Read More

Pipe Smoking Desktop Backgrounds: August 2021

July 29, 2021 by Andrew Wike

2 Comments

It's time for another round of beautiful pipe smoking desktop backgrounds! As in previous months, we've compiled some of our favorite shots and artwork to share with you. Below you'll find eleven unique images, split between desktop and mobile orientations and available for download in two high-resolution formats. They're ready for you to use however you'd like. Feel free to download and set them as your desktop or phone background, or print them out and hang 'em on your wall. ... Read More

Mystery Tobacco Review: July 2021

July 28, 2021 by Andrew Wike

3 Comments

Welcome back to another episode of The Mystery Tobacco Review. Mystery Tobacco Review! For this month's installment, we asked Dana Mahanay, one of our knowledgeable Customer Service Reps, to sit in the Inquisitor's chair and select one blend for us to review in a blind taste test. Tune in to find out how we fared. ... Read More

Italy, July, 2021: A Pipe Travelogue

July 23, 2021 by Sykes Wilford

15 Comments

We go where the pipes are. Our special relationships with pipe makers and manufacturers are predicated on being responsible, supportive stewards for their pipes and their efforts, and a near limitless willingness to just show up. Travel is a big part of what makes Smokingpipes what it is. ... Read More

Origins of the Calabash Pipe

July 22, 2021 by Jeffery Sitts

13 Comments

The Calabash is one of the most iconic and timeless pipe shapes of all time, becoming a significant and historical design within pipe making as well as appearing in multiple forms of media. It's a whimsical and distinctive shape that's immediately recognizable, with the archetypal gourd Calabash being perhaps the most famous and well known version, which is named after the hard- ... Read More

Mystery Cigar Review: July 2021

July 21, 2021 by Andrew Wike

Welcome back to another episode of the Mystery Cigar Review! For this month's installment, we were privileged to host yet another guest Inquisitor: owner, founder, and master blender of Black Label Trading Co. and Black Works Studio: Mr. James Brown! ... Read More

The Fascinating Development of Sun Bear: Black Locust

July 16, 2021 by Chuck Stanion

22 Comments

Sun Bear, among Cornell & Diehl's most popular Small Batch compositions, is returning. It's a blend of Bright and Red Virginias balanced by Basma from 2014 and Izmir from 2013, with the subtle, whispered notes of silver tequila, elderflower, and honey. The original Sun Bear featured honey harvested from the hives of ... Read More

7th Annual American Pipe-Making Exposition

July 16, 2021 by Truett Smith

Introduced in 2015, the American Pipe-Making Exposition is an annual Smokingpipes tradition that showcases the work of U.S.-based artisan carvers, the style of each pipe united by a specific theme. Past years have highlighted the use of bamboo, certain finishing techniques, and aesthetic influences, and for 2021 — the 7th edition of the Expo — we return to 2017's theme: accent stems. ... Read More

How to Date Orlik Tobacco

July 14, 2021 by Andrew Wike

11 Comments

In this post, we'll take a closer look at Scandinavian Tobacco Group's most recent manufacturing codes for their US products, and teach you how to date popular blends like Orlik Golden Sliced, Erinmore, Peterson, and Escudo. ... Read More

Recent