Articles by Chuck Stanion | Smokingpipes Daily Reader

The Pipe Stem: The Most Important Component of Any Pipe

May 19, 2023 by Chuck Stanion

9 Comments

Around 30 years ago, the sharing of information between pipe makers changed. The thinking, in North America, at least, was that the craft had to be learned by performing it solo. Pimos's Guide to PipeCrafting at Home was the only resource for new pipe makers. It's a great book and thousands of people have ... Read More

The Retrohale: A Technique for Advanced Flavor Appreciation

May 12, 2023 by Chuck Stanion

12 Comments

Retrohaling is the practice of expelling tobacco smoke through one's nose without having inhaled it. For those of us who haven't practiced the technique, the obvious question is, "Why?" What's the advantage when we can obviously taste our tobaccos already? ... Read More

The Chicago Pipe Show

April 21, 2023 by Chuck Stanion

23 Comments

This year's Chicagoland International Pipe and Tobacciana Show (April 25-May 1) will be held at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort at 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, Illinois. ... Read More

Introducing géométrie: A Multi-Faceted Plug Tobacco By G.L. Pease

April 7, 2023 by Chuck Stanion

3 Comments

Sometimes, if a conversation is interesting enough, Gregory Pease's eyes momentarily drift and lose focus, and he becomes motionless. Even his breathing pauses. It would be spooky except it's merely a microsecond and mostly unnoticeable, but a lot can happen in that microsecond. ... Read More

Savinelli Introduces the Luisa Fiammata Series

March 31, 2023 by Chuck Stanion

3 Comments

Savinelli has satisfied and impressed generations of pipe smokers everywhere who leaf and flame unite. The company has been a touchstone of quality among fine Italian pipes since 1876, when Achille Savinelli opened a shop in Milan and began commissioning carvers throughout northwest Italy to make his designs, later ... Read More

The Return of The Beast

March 17, 2023 by Chuck Stanion

39 Comments

It has been two years since Small Batch: The Beast last lumbered from the primordial swamps of Louisiana to plunder and ravage the expectations of pipe smokers with its terrifying abundance of Perique. The Beast is 51 percent Perique — enough to satisfy the most intrepid enthusiast and possibly intimidate those seasoned by conventional mixtures. ... Read More

The Junior Rusticated Series by Peterson

March 10, 2023 by Chuck Stanion

13 Comments

Diversity has always been a pillar of the Peterson catalog. From their solid work pipes able to prevail over rough daily use to their equally robust, silver-clad, smooth-grained works of technical and visual distinction, Peterson has provided for every pipe smoker's every need. It has been a few generations, however, since the Peterson portfolio has included a full range of smaller pipes. ... Read More

Erik Stokkebye: The Fourth Generation

March 3, 2023 by Chuck Stanion

3 Comments

Representing his family's fourth generation in the tobacco business, Erik Stokkebye has been immersed in the trade over his entire lifetime. Appropriately, Erik is the founder and driving force behind Erik Stokkebye 4th Generation tobaccos and 4th Generation pipes. ... Read More

Techniques for Smoking Extra-Large Pipes

February 17, 2023 by Chuck Stanion

16 Comments

There are pipes large and small, and both can be artfully rendered and enjoyably smoked. Some of us like smaller pipes because they're light, easy to carry and clench, and manifest a pleasing footprint and lightness in hand. Others prefer large pipes because of their reassuring mass and large surface area highlighting grain and texture, and for their large tobacco chamber requiring infrequent refilling. ... Read More

Dayton Matlick: Lifelong Tobacco Man

February 15, 2023 by Chuck Stanion

9 Comments

Dayton Matlick has passed at age 88. He was far more influential than most suspect, and no one can estimate his full contributions to our hobby. He was a quiet man who did not talk about his accomplishments, but I often lunched with him and heard some stories. ... Read More

Chuck Stanion

The Pipe Stem: The Most Important Component of Any Pipe

The Retrohale: A Technique for Advanced Flavor Appreciation

The Chicago Pipe Show

Introducing géométrie: A Multi-Faceted Plug Tobacco By G.L. Pease

Savinelli Introduces the Luisa Fiammata Series

The Return of The Beast

The Junior Rusticated Series by Peterson

Erik Stokkebye: The Fourth Generation

Techniques for Smoking Extra-Large Pipes

Dayton Matlick: Lifelong Tobacco Man

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