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Freshening a Pre-Republic Peterson Shamrock 120F

This pipe was sent to me for refurbishment from a gentleman in Kansas. He had recently acquired it and wanted it spruced up before he started using it himself. After a brief email conversation, we agreed on a plan of action and before too long a box arrived at my door with this Shamrock inside.… Continue reading Freshening a Pre-Republic Peterson Shamrock 120F

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Internal Injuries – Repairing an Over-Reamed Bowl and Opening the Airway on a Yello-Bole Duo-Lined

This is another pipe I picked up on a recent wander through my local antique mall – a Yello-Bole Duo-Lined in a classic Lumberman shape. It was in relatively good condition on the outside, with a bit of rim tar and a few flakes of original lacquer finish missing. The stem was original and still bore… Continue reading Internal Injuries – Repairing an Over-Reamed Bowl and Opening the Airway on a Yello-Bole Duo-Lined

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Peterson – Holiday Season 2015

The air is getting crisper, the nights are getting longer - high time for a Christmas tobacco review! This write-up of Peterson's 2015 Holiday Season blend was originally posted on Confessions of a Pipe Smoker. Please click the link below to read the entire review.  - Charles “The Peterson 2015 Holiday Season tobacco is a… Continue reading Peterson – Holiday Season 2015

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Reviving a Medico VFQ

I reached into my box of pipes to refurbish the other day and this Medico VFQ billiard came out. It was in rough shape – the rim was worn nearly all the way around from being knocked against something to clear the dottle from the bowl. The previous piper evidently also had dubious aim with… Continue reading Reviving a Medico VFQ

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A Quick Refurb of a BBB 2 Star Billiard

I found this BBB 2 Star Billiard at a local antiques and collectibles sale. It was in rather good shape other than a very tarry rim with a few visible dents. The stampings were crisp – the BBB 2 Star logo on the left shank, with “London Made” over “385” on the right shank. The… Continue reading A Quick Refurb of a BBB 2 Star Billiard

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Shortening a Cracked Shank on a Smokemaster Series 300

Smoke Master is a now-extinct seconds brand of briar pipe originally made by a company called Briarcraft Pipe Company. The company did well in the early 20th century but closed its doors in the 1950's. The brand eventually ended up in the Grabow stable of brands, as outlined in this post from 2010 on PipeSmokersForum.… Continue reading Shortening a Cracked Shank on a Smokemaster Series 300

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A New Vision for a Butz-Choquin Galion 1661 Sitter

This is a story about potential and a bit of risk-taking to fulfil it. When I pulled this pipe from the refurb box, I immediately felt that it wasn't quite living up to its potential, not necessarily as a functional pipe, but rather as an “objet d'art”. Pipes, in my mind, fall into that rare category… Continue reading A New Vision for a Butz-Choquin Galion 1661 Sitter

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What the Heck is Brylon?? – A Yello Bole Standard Panel Billiard

Down near the bottom of my box of estate pipes to refurb was this Yello Bole Standard Brylon octagonal billiard. I had noticed the unique shape of the bowl when the auction lot arrived, but I figured I had better do some research before playing with this pipe too much. According to Pipedia, Brylon was… Continue reading What the Heck is Brylon?? – A Yello Bole Standard Panel Billiard

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Cleaning Up a Kaywoodie “500” Canted Billiard

This old Kaywoodie “500” came in a recent auction lot and arrived in fair condition for a pipe that was likely never expected to last as long as it has. On the other hand, the 500 and 600 lines from Kaywoodie were cheap, low-end pipes manufactured between 1959 and 1967, so perhaps my specific 500 wasn't… Continue reading Cleaning Up a Kaywoodie “500” Canted Billiard