Thanksgiving is traditionally a time to count your blessings and appreciate the people and things, great and small, that bring joy, love and laughter to your life. This year, the second Thanksgiving observed during the global COVID pandemic, I'd like to do just that. Thank you to all those working in front-line jobs across the… Continue reading Take a Moment to Say Thanks
This pipe arrived at the workshop recently, sent in from a pipe smoker in the Prairies for a bit of TLC. The subject is a figural meerschaum in the shape of a Sultan's head. The obvious issue was the broken Bakelite stem, which had snapped off near the shank. Less obvious before a closer examination… Continue reading Rehabilitating a Modified Sultan Figural Meerschaum
This old meerschaum stummel came to me in a lot of bowls I purchased from a pipe friend in the Netherlands. It caught my eye immediately due to its obvious age and deep amber coloration, though it had a few issues that would need to be sorted out before it found its next pipe steward.… Continue reading Creating a Mini-Warden from a Vintage Meerschaum Dublin
I have been kept busy this summer with repairs and restorations for other pipe smokers and collectors, so when I finally had a bit of free shop time, I decided to work on one of my own. This Peterson-esque full bent stummel came to me in a lot of about a dozen loose bowls. My… Continue reading Restoring a French-Made Wellbor Army Mount Full Bent
Over the years, I have developed a generally good sense of the age of a pipe based on its size, shape and finish, among other details. This Peterson Sherlock Holmes meerschaum, however, surprised me. When it arrived on the work table, the pipe was looking far from its best. The stem was heavily oxidized with… Continue reading Restoring a Hard-Ridden 2006 Peterson Sherlock Holmes Meerschaum
Lockdowns, closures and other by-products of the COVID pandemic have revived (for some) or reintroduced (for others) the "Mend and Make Do" attitude prevalent among the British during World War II. Purchases of new things - cars, clothing, home improvement projects, etc - have been delayed or given up altogether as people tighten their proverbial… Continue reading Rehabilitating a “Repaired” Savinelli Chocolat 122
It's been a while since I had a really challenging repair on the worktable. Straightforward restorations are great, don't get me wrong, but after the twelfth basic ream & clean job, a more intricate repair can be refreshing and a chance to exercise some muscles not often engaged during less complicated projects. This pair of… Continue reading Rebuilding Shattered Shank Extensions on Two Castello Sea Rock Pipes
This week's post is something a bit different - a guest blog by Bohdan Shulakewych. I have worked on many of Bohdan's pipes, including some of his much-loved meerschaums. I hope you enjoy the read! - Charles I’ve been reading Charles’ blog almost religiously. I have provided him a number of pipes from my extensive… Continue reading A Meerschaum Adventure in Turkey
I'm sneaking in a mid-week post this week. I just couldn't wait to share this one! It's not every day that a self-identified pipe geek like me gets to contribute to a new series by their favourite pipe maker, so when I was approached by the folks at Brigham about just such a project, I… Continue reading Everything Old is New Again
After 18 months of stay-at-home orders and other restrictions, we here in Ontario are once again being permitted to use recreational properties. And with Bass season officially open, it's time to hang up the shop apron for a bit and head out to the lake! I will be away June 30 to 5 July, then… Continue reading Gone Fishin’!
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