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 …

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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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Recommissioning a Venerable 1938-1940s Kaywoodie Shellcraft 5651S Meer-lined Billiard

The next pipe on the worktable is another Kaywoodie commissioned by pipeman Don, who lives in nearby Ken Caryl, Colorado.  The first pipe Don commissioned was a gem – a rare Kaywoodie Tuckaway which was produced in the early 1960s.  Here is a before and after picture to show the transformation of this Tuckaway.The next …

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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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New Beginnings for a Preben Holm Ben Wade Deluxe Hand Made Denmark Freehand

The next pipe on the worktable came to me from a pipeman in nearby Lakewood, Colorado.  I met him when I responded to a Facebook Marketplace ad for a Zero Gravity recliner.  When I went to his house to eyeball the recliner, I pulled up to the driveway and saw a pipeman in his comfy …

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A Survivor of the Now Gone Bertram ‘The Nation’s Pipemaker’ – a Bertram Washington DC 30 Billiard

The next pipe on the table is a workhorse Billiard without doubt.  It was found along with a few other treasures November 2021 at The Antique Market in Michigan City, Indiana.  We were traveling from Colorado to my son’s home in Dearborn, Michigan for Thanksgiving celebrations.  My wife and I always like to explore the …

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A Cracked Shank Repair Brings a Comeaux USA  3-00 Canadian Back to Life

The next pipe on the worktable was donated from a pipeman who wished to stay anonymous and who appreciates that pipes that I restore help others in unfortunate circumstances.  My wife and I co-founded the Daughters of Bulgaria several years ago when we lived in Bulgaria and since then, now residing back in the US, …

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Revisiting the Provenance of a Pipe Pub Imported Briar Zulu

My wife and I have been traveling and it’s good to be back to the worktable.  We did a camping road trip from Colorado to Orange County, California, to visit our youngest daughter and her family.  As is our custom, we pulled our small travel trailer and visited many fabulous places going and coming back.  …

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Restoring a Sixten Ivarsson Stanwell Hand Made in Denmark 23 Strawberry

The next pipe on the worktable is a beauty.  The Stanwell Hand Made came to me in what I call the Lot of 68 that I acquired from an online estate auction from a seller in New Hartford, Connecticut, in February 2019.  The pipe is marked among other pipes that are still waiting to be …

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