Articles by Chuck Stanion | Smokingpipes Daily Reader

Traditionally Pipe-Centric Father's Day

June 17, 2021 by Chuck Stanion

4 Comments

Father's Day isn't as connected to pipes as it once was. In the '50s and '60s, pipes were among the most popular gifts for the informal occasion, second only to neckties, though hammers and golf clubs were also popular gifts. Indeed, it was a lucky father who got a pipe instead of a necktie, because ties chosen by their children were usually pretty awful. I know, because I bought a tie or two for my dad, and he did not wear them. ... Read More

Larry Roush: The Phoenix of Pipe Makers

June 11, 2021 by Chuck Stanion

11 Comments

Larry Roush began pipe collecting in the 1980s, particularly enjoying vintage Charatans, Castellos, and Barlings. He was also a jeweler and a machinist, and at some point he had an epiphany and decided he could combine his skills by fitting his favorite pipes with silver and gold bands, some with complex and sophisticated interwoven patterns, some leaf patterns, some with the elegant ... Read More

Pipe Smoker: Aaron Spelling

June 10, 2021 by Chuck Stanion

8 Comments

You probably recognize the name Aaron Spelling, especially if you lived through any part of the '70s, '80s, or '90s when the television shows that he produced dominated prime time. His shows included The Mod Squad (1968-'73), Charlie's Angels ('76-'81), The Love Boat ('77-'86), Hart to Hart ('79-'84), Dynasty ('81-'89), Beverly Hills 90210 ('90-2000), and Charmed ('98-2006). There were more; a lot more; a list of his shows contains more entries than there are lines in this article. ... Read More

Elegance Through Fungus: Spalted Wood Accents

June 4, 2021 by Chuck Stanion

6 Comments

Accents can certainly add much to the handsomeness of a pipe, offering contrast of color and texture while elevating particular compositions by using rare and attractive materials. They are jewelry for pipes, and in many cases they could easily be mistaken for jewelry. Larry Roush, for example, is a jeweler who applies his expertise with precious metals to his craft of pipe making, adding ... Read More

A Dedication to Tradition: Peterson Deluxe Classics

May 28, 2021 by Chuck Stanion

4 Comments

Glen Whelan's cellular structure is seemingly Peterson-pipe based, each nucleus composed of erica arborea, with cytoplasm of briar dust, mitochondria of acrylic, and endoplasm of free-floating .925 sterling silver, all informed by DNA that is Peterson's 155-year tradition. His father worked at Peterson for 50 years and Glen has been working, living, and breathing Peterson from the time he was 16 years old. ... Read More

Ardor: Creative Vigor in Any Language

May 14, 2021 by Chuck Stanion

5 Comments

The word ardor signifies vigor, energy, and transitory warmth, all appropriate for a brand with the creative design stylings and impressive smoking properties of Ardor pipes. However, as compatible as the name is with the smoking instruments developed and executed by the Rovera family for the past four generations ... Read More

Psychic Pipe Readings

May 6, 2021 by Chuck Stanion

24 Comments

I noticed my supernatural powers early in life, starting with my ability to recognize when I was about to be grounded simply by sensing that my parents would surmise exactly how my brother's bedroom furniture became spray painted pink. I then applied my clairvoyance to foretell the parental retribution l would face after my brother found all of his pants legs knotted tightly together, and again after he found my pet spiny-tailed iguana, which he was terrified of, nestling against his toes when he climbed into bed. The iquana didn't object, but my brother did. ... Read More

Oriental Tobaccos and Their Characteristics

April 30, 2021 by Chuck Stanion

21 Comments

Oriental tobaccos differ from other tobaccos in size, character, and blending applications. These plants are small in comparison to the tobacco plants we see growing in the mid-Atlantic south. Those plants grow tall, up to 10 feet, while the plants that produce Orientals are only about three or four feet tall, and although Virginias and Burleys have large, broad leaves, Oriental leaves are small. They are also sun-cured as opposed to the fire, air, and flue curing that we're most accustomed to. ... Read More

Italian Leatherwork at its Best: Claudio Albieri

April 16, 2021 by Chuck Stanion

7 Comments

Pipes are of relative insignificance to the bustling world at large, and the number of pipe enthusiasts is unlikely ever to rival the fans of, say, mountain unicycling, cheese rolling, or, and this is real, bog snorkeling. Basically, our hobby is almost unknown except by those who learn to understand it and graduate the initial learning curve to achieve pipe smoking's contemplative benefits. ... Read More

The Perfect Pipe Rim Cleaning Solution

April 14, 2021 by Chuck Stanion

22 Comments

We're all irritated by the unsightly buildup of carbon on our pipe rims. It's basically the same thing that makes up the cake on the walls of our tobacco chambers. Carried by the smoke we so enjoy, it drifts over the rim and deposits a tarrey, hard discoloration. It's easy to recognize on smooth rims, but on dark sandblasted or rusticated rims, it can go unnoticed until we find ourselves with smooth rims whose texture has been filled in with gunk. When it reaches that stage, it will take some work to get it clean. ... Read More

Chuck Stanion