Articles by Truett Smith | Smokingpipes Daily Reader

The Benefits of Attending Pipe Shows

October 12, 2023 by Truett Smith

2 Comments

Hi everyone, Truett Smith here from Smokingpipes. Today I'll be talking with you about what I feel is one of the most important, significant, and special parts of the pipe community. And that is pipe shows: in-person events where the pipe community congregates to enjoy pipes and tobacco, to celebrate pipes and ... Read More

Smoke Rings: Wildfire Cigars

October 10, 2023 by Truett Smith

Welcome to another episode of Smoke Rings. Today I'm chatting with Jeremy McDonald of Wildfire Cigars. Tune in as we discuss Jeremy's journey as a young boy who longed to smoke cigars with his uncles into a man owning his own cigar brand, releasing a variety of cigars, including the Revivalist and the Intro, a limited-edition ... Read More

How To Clean A Tobacco Pipe After A Smoking Session

September 29, 2023 by Truett Smith

28 Comments

Hey everyone, Truett Smith here with Smokingpipes, and today we're going to be talking about the end of a pipe bowl. Specifically, how do you know when the pipe is done and when you've smoked through the majority of the tobacco that's in your pipe chamber? ... Read More

Mystery Cigar Review: September 2023

September 28, 2023 by Truett Smith

Welcome to another enigmatic episode of our continuing series: The Mystery Cigar Review. Today, Shane, Alan, and I are smoking a mystery submission from Jon Huber of Crowned Heads cigars. Jon went from being a fitness instructor and personal trainer in Los Angeles to discovering his passion for cigars ... Read More

40 Years of Kurt Balleby Pipes

September 7, 2023 by Truett Smith

1 Comment

This year marks Kurt Balleby's 40th pipe-making anniversary, and it's a milestone worth celebrating. I haven't even been breathing for four decades, and that's perhaps the easiest, most passive action available; it's hard to imagine intentionally dedicating sweat and effort to one specific pursuit for such a span of time. ... Read More

Mystery Cigar Review: August 2023

August 30, 2023 by Truett Smith

Welcome to another exhilarating episode in our continuing series of Mystery Cigar Reviews. Today Shane, Tyler, and I are smoking a mystery submission from Ian Reith, founder of Dapper Cigar Company. Ian had no intention of starting a cigar company when he developed his first cigar, the Cubo Claro. His goal was to make ... Read More

Missouri Meerschaum: 150 Years of American Corn Cob Pipes

July 28, 2023 by Truett Smith

20 Comments

While pipes in general hold a firm place in the history of numerous countries, corn cob pipes in particular are intricately tied to American history, and cob pipes have been a mainstay of Americana for well over a century. ... Read More

How to Pack Flake Tobacco

July 5, 2023 by Truett Smith

7 Comments

Today we're talking about flake tobacco and specifically how to pack it properly into a pipe. We've discussed packing ribbon tobacco, but flake tobacco adds one extra step to that process. Now some — especially beginners — might wonder why exactly we should smoke flake tobacco or why we would even want ... Read More

How to Pack and Light Ribbon Cut Tobacco: The Gravity Method

May 18, 2023 by Truett Smith

6 Comments

Ribbon-cut tobacco is among the most ubiquitous tobacco cuts on the market, and it's also one of the easiest to prepare. Aside from optional drying time, it requires no preparation beforehand, meaning ribbon-cut tobacco may be loaded directly from the tin, pouch, or whatever container houses the tobacco. Today I'll be ... Read More

Mystery Tobacco Review: March 2023

March 30, 2023 by Truett Smith