The Third Gift From Bulgaria: Rusticating an Almost Hopeless Lorenzo Arceto 8778 Bent Tomato

This is the third pipe Justin commissioned destined to be a gift for one of the fellows in his church home group or perhaps to his father.  I came upon these pipes from Bulgaria in August 2021 and why did Justin want these 4 pipes found on the same pipe picking expedition in the coastal …

Continue reading The Third Gift From Bulgaria: Rusticating an Almost Hopeless Lorenzo Arceto 8778 Bent Tomato

New Life for a Rare, Early 1960s Kaywoodie ‘Tuckaway’ Standard 050B

I’m thankful for the Pipemen and women who wait patiently for their commissioned pipes to make their way to the worktable.  After ‘officially’ retiring at the end of August, my wife and I continue to be as busy as ever.  One of our most enjoyable avocations, which requires the patience of pipemen and women, is …

Continue reading New Life for a Rare, Early 1960s Kaywoodie ‘Tuckaway’ Standard 050B

Refreshing a ‘Seahorse’ Rusticated Dublin of Italy

The next pipe came to me as part of a Lot of 68 pipes in February 2019.  The seller in West Hartford, Connecticut, had the Lot on the auction block and my bid won the day. There were 3 pipes of the same unbranded series with the COM Italy that stood out with their ‘Seahorse’ …

Continue reading Refreshing a ‘Seahorse’ Rusticated Dublin of Italy

Quite the Find in Burgas, Bulgaria: Resurrecting A Lorenzo Spitfire Goliath Oom Paul

This resurrection project cannot be descibed as a mere restoration.  It started in August 2021 when my wife and I returned to Bulgaria a year after leaving this our home of 15 years.  One of our special places we visited and a place of respite during our time in Bulgaria was a little lazy fishing …

Continue reading Quite the Find in Burgas, Bulgaria: Resurrecting A Lorenzo Spitfire Goliath Oom Paul

New Life for a Savinelli Punto Oro 602 Italy Bent Egg

The next pipe on the worktable came to me in the Lot of 68.  In February 2019 a seller located in West Hartford, Connecticut, placed this lot on eBay and my final bid won the day.  These pipes were placed in the ‘For “Pipe Dreamers” ONLY! online collection where pipemen and women can find and …

Continue reading New Life for a Savinelli Punto Oro 602 Italy Bent Egg

Rescuing a Barok Bruyere of St. Claude Pickaxe from the Mother of All Pipe Injuries – a Cracked Bowl

Well, after about a month of fighting off sickness and finally getting some antibiotics, I’m able to get back to the restoration of this Barok Pickaxe.  Here we go!  The next pipe on the worktable came to me in what I call the Lot of 68 that I acquired in February of 2019 from a …

Continue reading Rescuing a Barok Bruyere of St. Claude Pickaxe from the Mother of All Pipe Injuries – a Cracked Bowl

Unraveling the Nomenclature of a Custombilt IMPORTED BRIAR Panel

The next pipe on the worktable is a classic Custombilt, a brand that always recalls a campfire in a rustic setting for me.  It came to me in February 2019 in a Lot of 68 pipes from a seller in West Hartford, Connecticut.  This Lot of 68 pipes has provided and continues to offer up …

Continue reading Unraveling the Nomenclature of a Custombilt IMPORTED BRIAR Panel

Rescuing a Lowly Mastercraft Pot of Italy from Basket Pipe Oblivion

After pressing through a boat load of flu of some variant, I’m happy to be back at the worktable.  Other than getting well again, I always enjoy this time of the year for football season – both college and NFL.  Since my team has gone on vacation back to Florida (Miami Dolphins) I’ve been pulling …

Continue reading Rescuing a Lowly Mastercraft Pot of Italy from Basket Pipe Oblivion

A Five-Month Adventure restoring an Exquisite Ser Jacopo Spongia R2 of Italy

This Ser Jacopo Rusticated Bent Egg came into my possession in a totally serendipitous way in June of 2021.  The world was still up in the Covid frenzy, and my wife and I were still transitioning from life in Bulgaria to setting up shop in Golden, Colorado.  One of the necessities of life I was …

Continue reading A Five-Month Adventure restoring an Exquisite Ser Jacopo Spongia R2 of Italy

Resuscitating a French-made ‘Pipe’ Dr. Geo DePosee Horn Stem Paneled Bulldog

The next pipe came to me in August 2018 as part of what I have called the ‘French Lot of 50’.  When my wife and I were still living in Bulgaria, I found a lot of 50 pipes for sale on French eBay from a seller in Paris.  What attracted me to place a bid …

Continue reading Resuscitating a French-made ‘Pipe’ Dr. Geo DePosee Horn Stem Paneled Bulldog