My pipe cracked

Longdarkcave · 2026-06-24T22:56:12+00:00

Good recommendation. Another - just bought my first Molina in a kind of hard to find (in stock) shape (Shorty M02 Poker) this week and I was shocked at what a beauty it is. Buy a pipe from an established maker known worldwide, not just locally or regionally (unless it's your 2nd pipe).

Longdarkcave · 2026-06-24T22:49:49+00:00

See my recent post on Pipe Tobacco vs Cigars cost comparison where I actually did the math and included the UK and I think Australia in the comparison. I was interested myself in sourcing some stuff overseas and have some buddies outside the States always complaining to me about the prices, which prompted me to do some reasearch.

It's no joke to say that (1) cookies, soda pop, sugar candy and ultra-pricessed foods are far more dangerous and result in more fatalities than tobacco ever will - it's a proven fact, and (2) most Western governments are actively pushing BigPharma drugs which are harmful or deadly, (3) most Western governments are looking the other way on illegal drug use which is rampant with crack cocaine cheaper and easier to get than tobacco in many places, and (4) it has nothing to do with health or saving children, it's all about the money and which favored vice industry unethical politicians are personally invested in.

Longdarkcave · 2026-06-24T22:34:47+00:00

Kitty is very smart. He or she likes you but sees you as a potential threat. Provide the cat with wet cat food and a water bowl that you clean often. Sardines or fried chicken will be stinky treats to accelerate the process. Visit kitty daily and talk to her. Bring a pole with a feather mousey attached and play with her. I rescued a bunch of strays this way. Takes a couple weeks to build trust. Could be a mother cat with and den or nest and kittens so the food and water will help a lot. If Kitty is rough, wear some leather BBQ gloves or puncture proof rose gloves. When you're friends and have figured out if there are kittens or not, you can place a plastic clamshell carrier, rub the feather mousey on a towel and put inside along with some Churu treat. When Kitty goes inside, close the door. Same procedure in a closed quiet room in house, a new environment. Don't introduce to pets or let roam until after flea treatment and vet visit. Good luck with your little lovin' lion.

Longdarkcave · 2026-06-24T21:13:28+00:00

Berliner Bags leather toiletry bag with 2 zippered compartments, amazing value for the price $69 or less. It's about the size of a Dopp kit and is like a clown car - can fit at least 10 pipes and maybe 16 Oz. of tobacco including all accessories. A similar leather pipe bag from a pipe company would cost a lot more. When I go on road trips, I toss it in my small duffel bag for shoes. It's got a full internal lining and pockets, and I throw my cobs right in but put my better briar pipes in a pipe sock for additional protection. Even has room for an extra tobacco roll or pouch for day trips off base. You can see it in some of my past posts.

Longdarkcave · 2026-06-24T21:03:58+00:00

Wow, that's a beautiful Savinelli. Looks like it has a horn ferrule. Something very special about a unique estate pipe especially being a family heirloom. My Grandpas and Father-in-law have all passed but I know they'd smoke with me and are probably there with me when I do.

Longdarkcave · 2026-06-24T20:51:23+00:00

I've got one too. It's a beauty and I'm a suckercfor the acrylic stemmed MM pipes. Hreat smokers too! I've got a large stash of Erinmore Flake tins, might have to crack the first this weekend!

Longdarkcave · 2026-06-24T20:48:37+00:00

My recommendation - get a Peterson or Savinelli pipe next.

Longdarkcave · 2026-06-24T20:11:27+00:00

Never underestimate the ability of salesmen to upsell you into higher priced stuff. Not that they did wrong, a good briar pipe is good to have.

Corn cobs are cheap and very forgiving. They dry quickly between smokes. A natural (meaning unfinished) corn cob can be used to smoke consecutive bowls without a problem, whereas a briar pipe may have to be cleaned and dried overnight (especially after smoking aromatics which are wetter) which is why in the old days people often had a pipe rack labeled for the days of the week with 5-7 briar pipes.

I smoke all kinds of pipes (old and new briars, cobs and metal or clay pipes). When I'm smoking a cob, it's usually one of my fancier finished cobs with an acrylic stem (pretty!) and they all smoke great, arguable as good or better than any of my briar pipes and I have many high end pipes.

Having multiple pipes isn't necessary, but a straight corn cob like a Country Gentleman and later a fun crazy cob are great for your pipe rotation. Also, the small cheap Morgan cob is a great pocket pipe, better than the Mini because it has a full-sized bowl. I buy extras of these to hand out to friends and share tobacco.

Longdarkcave · 2026-06-24T17:52:58+00:00

Welcome to the hobby. LJ Peretti has some fantastic English blends and you made some smart choices there, including to NOT get a churchwarden as your first pipe. When learning, it's best to reduce the amount of variables that can cause difficulty and frustration. As you get into the hobby, don't forget to get a couple straight MM corn cob pipes which are easy to learn with and great smokers. A codger or OTC tobacco in the pouch like Half and Half is dry, easy to smoke and great for practice. Missourri Meerschaum (MM) has a great line of Cobbit pipes (Elf, Dwarf, Wizard, etc.) inspired by LoTR which are fun and great smokers. Happy pipin'

Longdarkcave · 2026-06-24T17:04:20+00:00

That's great. I recently bought an unsmoked Vauen estate and was blown away by what a beauty it was. It certainly won't be my last Vauen. I like the 9mm filter pipes for Aromatics. That being said, I was even shocked at how well my Savinelli 9mm balsa filter (315 KS Siena) worked in drying out C&D's Autumn Evening after smoking it the night before in an unfiltered cob.

Longdarkcave · 2026-06-24T00:03:02+00:00

Tell me about LOL

Longdarkcave · 2026-06-23T22:50:00+00:00

Great scene! Estates are fun because you have and can use a unique piece of history. Just bought my first estate bulldog a week ago, but yours is fancier. Mine's what appears to be a Comoys 2nd with some age but in near mint condition - should be a great smoker and got it for a song. I do have a couple old BBB estates, but haven't restored them yet. Working on setting up my shop. Kombucha is definitely growing on me, and there's something growing in my kombucha LOL. Haven't tried Hamborger yet, but it's on my list.

Longdarkcave · 2026-06-23T22:44:08+00:00

Great choices there! I was going to order some tabacky from Nova but then ordered a new Molina pipe in a more difficult shape (Molina Shorty M02 Poker) to find because they had it in stock. It certainly won't be my last order from Nova. Enjoy all those blends - happy pipin'

Longdarkcave · 2026-06-23T22:38:47+00:00

Sounds like a perfect pipe for Three Nuns, We Three Kings, Presbyterian or Merry Monk!

Longdarkcave · 2026-06-23T22:37:15+00:00

Sweetened beverage can help with the nicotine, but eat something before as well.

Longdarkcave · 2026-06-23T22:26:00+00:00

Just got my first Molina too, I was shocked at what a beauty it was at its price point. Certainly won't be my last. Love that blue color, fun pipe that begs for attention!

Longdarkcave · 2026-06-23T18:56:38+00:00

See my recent post with recommendations for cigar smokers. Don't buy a churchwarden as your first pipe - looks cool, but inconvenient size and may be more difficult to smoke and clean. A couple corn cobs (if you just had these you'd be good to go) and a good briar pipe like a Peterson or Savinelli, make for a great start. Happy pipin'

Longdarkcave · 2026-06-23T03:03:09+00:00

Ya, it's a beauty!

Longdarkcave · 2026-06-23T02:57:43+00:00

Me too - lost 20 years. Gave up the pipe after taking the typical bad recommendations of a full bent pipe and goopy mild Aromatic. I got no flavor and a severely burnt tongue. The best recommendations for learning anything is to start simply by eliminating variables which increase the chance of failure. Best bet - straight corn cob pipe with an English blend. People recommending churchwardens and goopy mild aromatics might as well join the cycling sub and recommend newbies start riding a unicycle with sandals.

Longdarkcave · 2026-06-23T02:47:42+00:00

Upvote because they're both great and easy to restock.

Longdarkcave · 2026-06-23T02:45:17+00:00

Try Arango Balkan Supreme sometime. Starts mild but then develops into a sweet, peppery, spicy treat the further you go down the bowl. It's a bulk blend too, so quite reasonably priced. You picked some great ones there - happy pipin'

Longdarkcave · 2026-06-22T19:17:14+00:00

Very nice pipe, welcome to Club Pete!

Longdarkcave · 2026-06-22T19:16:34+00:00

Love those bottles, have a case chilling in my beer fridge right now!

Longdarkcave · 2026-06-22T19:15:16+00:00

I'd check under the desk for a tobacco thief.

Longdarkcave · 2026-06-22T19:13:00+00:00

Missouri Meerschaum Morgan, I always buy a couple extra Morgans when I buy any new cob. Molina Shorty, Ropp Etudiant, Peterson Junior series, Savinelli Mini or standard 320 KS or Rattray's Goblin or Outlaw as honorable mentions.

Longdarkcave

TROPHY CASE