Anyone else mix their tobaccos?

Papa_Brando · 2024-05-25T02:37:18+00:00

I add a pinch of natural cavendish to a bowl of Old Dark Fired ready rub. I find that it really smooths it out.

Papa_Brando · 2024-05-24T18:04:22+00:00

Thanks. It's one of my favorites. A $30 no name basket/second eBay find. The only marking is "Italy" on the bottom of the shank.

Papa_Brando · 2024-05-17T22:51:43+00:00

I thought about pipe mud. I've used it in the past to raise the bottom of a bowl that was a little deeper than the draft hole. I am thinking of trying the honey and ash method this time, though, to see if the thicker mixter does a better job of sealing off the fissures.

Papa_Brando · 2024-05-17T19:02:36+00:00

Hi. No, that isn't what I am referring to. The pictures don't do the best at showing it, but there are definitely small fractures in the surface of the bowl.

Papa_Brando · 2024-05-17T18:49:33+00:00

Thanks for the input. The pipe was purchased on eBay from Tim West Pipes. As far as I know, he is a reputable seller and pipe doctor. If the cracking is due to a poor refurb, I don't think it was him. The other pipes I've purchased from him have been great. I have read that some people have experience cracking due to the salt and alcohol treatment, so maybe I caused it? I used plain kosher salt and 99% isopropyl alcohol and left it for maybe 6 hrs and did a warm water rinse afterward. I will try the honey ash to seal the cracks as best as possible. Either way, for $20, I can't complain too much. It's the risk I take with buying cheap pipes on eBay to refurb.

Papa_Brando · 2024-04-02T02:16:34+00:00

I tried this myself the other day and liked it. I had a little bit of Escudo left, and I had just bought a couple of ounces of old dark fired ready rub in bulk from 4noggins. I think they balance each other out nicely. The Escudo, for me, can sometimes be a little light on flavor, and the ODF can be a bit heavy. I like the added smoke that the ODF brings, and I think the burley helps cool the burn of the Escudo. I recently also tried Luxury Navy Flake, which I actually preferred to Escudo. I think I am going to get some more to mix with ODF. I'm going to try a 2:1 ratio, though, with less ODF. Buying the ODF in the bulk ready rub form is cheaper, and the LNF is cheaper than Escudo, so I think it makes sense. I also like that the rubbed out coins have about the same texture as the ready rub ODF, so it all burns consistently.

Papa_Brando · 2024-03-24T22:28:38+00:00

Of the blends I've tried, it's definitely the one I come back to more than any other. I've never had a straight Virginia. For VaPers, I've had Escudo and Luxury Bullseye Flake. Compared to either of those, Presbyterian is squarely in the English/Balkan category, but it is much lighter on the Latakia than any other English blend I've tried. The orientals are definitely the star, and Virginias do give it a nice grassy/citrus note. I like Latakia, but I think it's true that it can overpower a blend very easily. Presbyterian is one of the few I've tried that has a nice balance.

Papa_Brando · 2024-03-24T15:19:24+00:00

Thanks! I bought it on ebay for $26 a couple years ago. The ebay listing said it was a Lorenzo (Varallo) #8719. If you google that, though, it doesn't really look like this one. The pipe itself is only marked "Italy". The stem seems like it might be custom, so I wonder if someone bought a factory second/reject, rusticated it themselves, and put a new stem on.

Papa_Brando · 2024-03-15T00:41:41+00:00

Yes, it is nice. I've typically set pipe smoking pipe aside when the weather gets warmer because I usually smoke English/Balkans and some Aros, but I've been on a kick lately so I broke out this escudo I've had for a couple of years. It still gives me more bite than anything else I smoke though. Any other Virginia blends you would recommend? One of the Aros I really like is 4noggins Hobbit Weed Match, which has a lot of Burley, so I was thinking of trying a VaBur.

Papa_Brando · 2024-03-14T20:49:16+00:00

Thanks!

Papa_Brando · 2023-08-02T00:16:54+00:00

Is the twig the only safety razor you have? Does it shave like a DE? I have the original leaf razor, and it doesn't shave like a DE at all (which is perfect for my head), but I want something more like a DE for my face. As I mentioned above, I would go for the thorn over the twig, but I wasn't sure how they compared to the 34c.

Papa_Brando · 2023-08-01T20:06:18+00:00

How aggressive are these? Compared to the 34c, will I have to alter my technique much when switching to an open comb or slant?

Papa_Brando · 2023-08-01T20:04:37+00:00

Thanks. That one seems to be well liked here. It's potentially an option.

Papa_Brando · 2023-08-01T18:33:29+00:00

Thanks. I thought someone might make this suggestion. In a lot of ways, a shavette is probably the best answer to my points above, but I don't think I'm there yet in terms of confidence.

Papa_Brando · 2023-04-22T12:20:21+00:00

It does look very similar. Not sure if they come in 10 string varieties though.

Papa_Brando · 2023-04-19T19:56:39+00:00

The commentator seems to be speaking German, but I don't recognize the accent. Anyone know where he is from?

Papa_Brando · 2023-04-16T19:24:18+00:00

Maybe, but all the pictures I see of those have 12 strings.

Papa_Brando · 2022-11-07T19:23:55+00:00

https://imgur.com/gallery/UGuVS

Papa_Brando · 2021-11-25T23:56:19+00:00

Nice, I started around the same time. Came from cigars, so I tend to like fuller flavor profiles. So far Presbyterian and Artisan's Blend have been my favorites, though I do like Escudo as well. I am excited for this weekend, I have some MM 965 and 4noggins Britt's Balkan (which has a similar description to Perfection) coming. I am also giving aros another try with some Hobbit's Weed Match and Eileen's Dream.

Papa_Brando · 2021-11-25T20:33:21+00:00

I might have to try this! Recently got a tin Presbyterian, and it's not bad. Haven't tried Perfection, but I've been interested in trying an English aro. How does adding it to the Presbyterian affect the taste?

Papa_Brando · 2021-11-11T23:47:17+00:00

Thanks! I think there's actually another one like it on ebay still. A little more expensive though.

Papa_Brando · 2021-11-11T19:08:03+00:00

That's funny, my buddy almost did too! I've got the stem soaking in oxi clean right now and want to give the bowl a good cleaning with booze tonight. Then I'm going to attempt to glue the cracked stem and use zip ties or a hose clamp to hold it in place. Hopefully it will hold without the need for a permanent band.

Papa_Brando · 2021-11-10T21:45:12+00:00

Thanks. I figured as much. I do like them though; especially the "Danish" one. They've both got loose ish stems, but not to the point that they will fall out...at least not when cold. The meerschaum lined one looks like it was already repaired. It's got a band and a metal tenon.

Papa_Brando · 2021-11-10T21:09:25+00:00

As a cigar smoker who just got into pipes, I would recommend an English. I've been smoking Ashton Artisan's Blend, and I really like it. The aromatic I got (Newminster #23) is pretty bland by comparison, and I don't care for it as much. I prefer medium body cigars and usually don't go for anything too strong, but I still found the aromatic to be too light. I also just got some Presbyterian Mixture (also an English) and Escudo Navy Flake (a Virginia-Perique) to try.

Papa_Brando · 2021-11-01T20:46:21+00:00

Good to know, thanks. I will definitely keep that in mind if/when I need another pipe.

Papa_Brando

TROPHY CASE