I came across this Chacom 296 Canadian pipe at a local antique market, and though it was in rough shape, it had a few things going for it in my mind. First was the unique leather pipe case it came in that featured a snap closure just like Grandma’s change purse. The case is unmarked, so I don’t know if it is original to the … Continue reading Restoring a Cracked Chacom 296 Canadian
When I first pulled this pipe from my refurb box, I thought I was looking at another Danish design. It was only after taking a closer look that I realized it was, in fact, an Italian pipe, a Savinelli Nonpareil 9904, which Savinelli describes as a Bent Dublin. The pipe is stamped “Savinelli” over “Nonpareil” onflickr the left shank, and “9904” over “Italy”, along with … Continue reading Cleanup of a Savinelli Nonpareil Smooth 9904 Bent Dublin
The aroma of a pipe is one of those olfactory experiences that can thrill the senses and trigger a flood of memories and emotions – chats with Grampa on the front porch, the texture of the bench seat in an aluminum fishing boat, the scent of a campfire or the warm hazy aftermath of Christmas morning. I’ve had fellow pedestrians deliberately alter the course of … Continue reading Deghosting a Stinky Champagne by Savinelli 606KS
This pipe was another one sent to me by a DadsPipes reader for a bit of “spit and polish”, this one coming to me from El Paso, Texas via a VERY circuitous route – when the parcel arrived, it was marked “MISSENT TO JAMAICA”. That explains the late arrival! The pipe is a Republic-era Peterson, stamped “PETERSON’S” over “KAPET” on the left shank, and “MADE … Continue reading Refreshing a Republic-Era Peterson Kapet X105
Just about the worst thing that can happen to a pipe smoker is damage to a favourite pipe. We wince at the smallest handling marks, dread rim dents and try our darnedest to keep our Vulcanite stems from oxidizing. So I can understand a panic reaction when something really dreadful happens to a favourite pipe. Take this 1960’s-era Brigham 384 Bent Brandy, for example, which … Continue reading Splicing a Broken Shank on a 1960’s Era Brigham 384 Bent Brandy
Having served in the Canadian Forces Reserve during my university days, I’m a big fan of all things Army, including military mount pipes, so when this Nino Rossi Sterling 167 hit my worktable, I was quite excited to see what lay under the layers of tar and tarnish. This pipe was obviously a favourite of its previous owner, and it showed all the hallmarks of … Continue reading Rehabilitating a Well-Used Nino Rossi Sterling Spigot 167
OK, it’s not THAT kind of brass band, but this Stanwell Brass Band 25 Freehand is almost as much fun. This is the second pipe I’ve cleaned up from what I’ve taken to calling The Stanwell Lot, a collection of mostly-Danish pipes from an estate outside of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. This Brass Band arrived on my worktable looking a little worn – well-loved, mind you, … Continue reading Where’s the Cornet Section? – Restoring a Stanwell Brass Band #25
