Articles by Chuck Stanion | Smokingpipes Daily Reader

Shanks for the Memories

July 26, 2024 by Chuck Stanion

2 Comments

Pipes are not complicated instruments. They've been called blocks of wood with two holes, a definition that would make them among the simplest devices, but we pipe smokers know they're more than that, especially those who appreciate fine craftsmanship. However, for a pipe to function, it requires only fundamental components. ... Read More

The History of Caldwell Cigar Company

July 19, 2024 by Chuck Stanion

1 Comment

Building a successful cigar company is pretty straightforward. All it takes is talent, creativity, vision, and a willingness to abandon your personal life for years to do and think about nothing else. ... Read More

Linwood Hines and 40 Years of the Conclave of Richmond Pipe Smokers

July 12, 2024 by Chuck Stanion

5 Comments

Although he's perplexed at the very idea, Linwood Hines is a highly respected and even revered figure in the pipe community. He thinks he's a regular, uninteresting guy, but everyone else thinks he's an icon. ... Read More

Eight State Burley: A Delectable Salute to the Burley Belt

July 5, 2024 by Chuck Stanion

14 Comments

Burley tobacco has been with us since 1864, when a tobacco grower named George Webb planted some seeds from Bracken County, Kentucky, on his land in Ohio and found that the leaves were lighter in color and responded well to air curing, resulting in an exciting new varietal. Three years later, he sold a crop of the new tobacco: 20,000 pounds of it, and it has been consequential ever since, grown throughout what would become known as the Eight State Burley Belt. ... Read More

Grandpa and the Tobacco That Ruined Independence Day

July 3, 2024 by Chuck Stanion

4 Comments

Grandpa and the 10 Tobys (all of his dogs were named Toby) agreed on almost everything. The Tobys were always accommodating and excited whenever Grandpa was ready for a hike or some hunting, and they liked to help with any project he might be working on for his small farm, from tractor repairs ... Read More

The Benefits of Nicotine

June 28, 2024 by Chuck Stanion

11 Comments

Nicotine has been demonized in virtually every culture, perhaps with good reason. As every pipe smoker knows, it has some benefits. We enjoy pipe smoking for the flavors, for the relaxing aspects of smoke rising around us, for the craftsmanship and history of the pipes, for the rituals of smoking, and, it must be ... Read More

What's Happening Lately with Greg Pease

June 21, 2024 by Chuck Stanion

9 Comments

Greg Pease has garnered accolades for his blending since the inception of G.L. Pease tobaccos in 2000. Even before then, he was admired for his photography, writing, tobacco, and pipe expertise, and his reputation has continued to multiply. He's been entrenched in premium tobaccos and pipe smoking since his start at Druquer's ... Read More

A Closer Look at Peterson's Carroll of Carrollton Pipes

June 19, 2024 by Chuck Stanion

1 Comment

The Founding Fathers of the United States were many, and not all of their names are as well remembered as those of George Washington, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, or Thomas Jefferson, though their contributions were of enormous influence. Among the important names that have waned in our memories is Charles ... Read More

Bear Attacks and Pipe Smoking

June 13, 2024 by Chuck Stanion

9 Comments

Bear attacks present particular challenges for pipe smokers, especially novice smokers who may have trouble keeping a pipe lit in the best of circumstances, let alone when being juggled like a beanbag by a 900-pound grizzly. Even seasoned smokers may find that maintaining good technique is challenging during a bear ... Read More

The Semantic Discord of Tobacco Classifications

June 7, 2024 by Chuck Stanion

15 Comments

You're probably thinking, what a pretentious title for a tobacco article. It's what I'd be thinking. To be honest, it took me a while to find the term "semantic discord," but it was necessary for an economy of words. The concept takes too long to write out and titles require brevity. I found it by Googling various ... Read More

Chuck Stanion