New Life for a Bruised and Burned Charatan’s Make London England SPECIAL 281DC Gilpin

The next pipe on the worktable is an interesting Charatan’s Make.  It came to me on the eBay auction block in February 2019 along with 67 other pipes in what I call the Lot of 68.  The seller of this Lot was in West Hartford, Connecticut and when the final tick of the eBay clock …

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The Perfect Pipe for Scott’s 65th Birthday

The next pipe on the worktable I originally acquired to join my personal collection.  What drew my attention to the Churchwarden was the beautiful, blasted bowl and of course the long classic Churchwarden stem.  It was on the eBay auction block from a seller in Temecula, California in August 2020.  When the time ran out …

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A Snapped Tenon Repair for a 1940s/50s HLT “Rest-Rite” Churchwarden

The next pipe on the worktable is the second commissioned by pipeman Doug who lives north of Philadelphia. The Churchwarden is a unique pipe in ‘pipedom’. It is the only pipe that is given a shape name based not upon the stummel but the stem. As I understand the origins of the pipe’s name, the …

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An Upgrade for a Whimsical Lorenzo Hourglass Matera Studio 807 Italy

It’s been a long road getting back to the worktable to work on the next pipe. I DO appreciate the patience of pipemen waiting for their commissioned pipes. The trip my wife and I finished the beginning of the February took us to Southern California where we celebrated Christmas and New Year's with family and …

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A Pipe for Christmas – An Yves of St. Claude Made in France 55

This will be my last pipe restoration of 2025 and officially declared to be a ‘Pipe for Christmas’ because of the festive vibe it invites.  The ruby red finish, the gold band and the black acrylic stem – all shout, ‘Merry Christmas!’ with promises of a bowlful of Christmas blend.  My wife and I will …

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Renewing an Unbranded Seahorse Rusticated Volcano of Italy

The next pipe on the worktable came to me in February 2019 in what I call the Lot of 68 from a seller in West Hartford, Connecticut.  This lot has produced a trove of treasures for the For “Pipe Dreamers” ONLY! online collection where pipemen and women commission pipes that whisper their names.  The Rusticated …

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The Last Gift From Bulgaria – An Unexpected Repair of a Meerschaum-lining with an Old Time Recipe

It has been fun and a privilege to restore pipes commissioned by Justin which he chose as gifts for 3 good friend in his church home group and his father.  All these pipes were ‘picked’ by me in August 2021 in the coastal city of Burgas during a visit to our former home in Bulgaria. …

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The Second Gift of Four From Bulgaria: A Denicotea Absorba 2164 Bent Rhodesian

The next pipe on the worktable is the second of 4 pipes commissioned by Justin who is a fellow follower of Jesus and lives in Alabama.  These 4 pipes Justin commissioned are gifts for 3 good friends in his church home group.  The other pipe is going to Justin’s father.  I told the full story …

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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 …

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Exploring the Interesting Heritage of a Drucquer & Sons of Berkeley Cherrywood

The Blasted Cherrywood now on the worktable came to me from a generous pipeman who donated it along with 9 others to make a very attractive Lot of 10 – now waiting in “Help Me!” Basket 2 for pipemen and women to commission.  This pipeman has commissioned several pipes and I’ve had the privilege of …

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