Articles by Chuck Stanion | Smokingpipes Daily Reader

Psychic Pipe Readings

May 6, 2021 by Chuck Stanion

25 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

Jared Coles: From Pipe Kits to Artisan Masterpieces

April 9, 2021 by Chuck Stanion

6 Comments

Maybe there's something about working with three-dimensional forms that attracts brilliant minds. Or maybe three-dimensional forms generate brilliance in those who work with them. Either way, smart people think in three dimensions. Look at Michelangelo. Look at Leonardo da Vinci. Smart guys. ... Read More

The Mystery of Balkan Blends

March 26, 2021 by Chuck Stanion

31 Comments

A number of terms used in our hobby represent slippery concepts. Cavendish, for example, isn't a type of tobacco so much as a process, and discussions centering on the topic can veer into confusion when different participants adhere to different interpretations. ... Read More

Sitting Bull's Greatest Pipe Smoking Demonstration

March 24, 2021 by Chuck Stanion

20 Comments

The hero of this story is Sitting Bull, the warrior reputed by some to be the military strategist behind the defeat of General George Custer at the Little Bighorn in 1876. He did not actually lead that battle, but had prophesied the defeat of the enemy, expanding his reputation as a spiritual leader. ... Read More

History of International Pipe Smoking Day

February 19, 2021 by Chuck Stanion

12 Comments

One of the most popular online forums for pipe smokers is Smokers Forums, based in the UK and still going strong after many years with a world-wide membership. I've managed to modulate the compulsion, but for years I couldn't start a workday without browsing Smokers Forums ... Read More

Legendary: Hans Former Nielsen

January 29, 2021 by Chuck Stanion

15 Comments

Fifteen-year-old Hans "Former" Nielsen had scoured the classified ads looking for a job, and he found the perfect opportunity: a local shipyard was looking for a toolmaker to train. He had been given the nickname "Former" by his friends, who thought he looked like comic actor George Formby and started calling him that, and it evolved into Former. ... Read More

Waldo Waterman: Pipe Smoking Aeronautical Genius

January 6, 2021 by Chuck Stanion