Articles by Chuck Stanion | Smokingpipes Daily Reader

Fine Art, Cartooning, and Pipe Smoking: Jim Amash

July 9, 2021 by Chuck Stanion

62 Comments

Pipe enthusiasts who read reviews of tobaccos are likely to recognize the handle JimInks. In the nine years he's been actively reviewing, JimInks has reviewed more than 2700 tobaccos. He not only writes reviews ... Read More

Gerald Ford, the Pipe Smoking President

July 2, 2021 by Chuck Stanion

19 Comments

President Gerald Ford was an anomaly. Most prominently, he was the only president not elected nationally. There have been vice-presidents who found themselves elevated to the presidency, of course, but Ford was an appointed vice-president who became president and did not experience the nationwide election process for his position. He didn't aspire to the office and was about to ... Read More

The Histories, Writings, and Pipe Smoking of Shelby Foote

June 25, 2021 by Chuck Stanion

15 Comments

Shelby Foote found himself elevated to celebrity status following his multiple appearances in Ken Burns', The Civil War in 1990. In that 11-hour documentary, Foote was seen in 89 segments, dominating substantial screen time. ... Read More

C.S. Lewis: Inventor of Worlds, Smoker of Pipes

June 18, 2021 by Chuck Stanion

30 Comments

Brilliant, imaginative, creative, scholarly, and a pipe smoker who loved Capstan and Three Nuns, C.S. Lewis has made an indelible contribution to literature, Christian apologetics, and world culture. He is the author of more than 30 books that continue to enthrall readers almost 60 years after his death, including the highly influential Mere Christianity, exploring the logical ... Read More

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

Chuck Stanion