The next pipe on the worktable came to me in November 2021 when my wife and I were on a road trip. As we were cruising through Des Moines, Iowa on I-70, we saw the sign for the Brass Armadillo – a huge antique mall. We decided to stop and see what treasures we could …
Continue reading New Life for a Barontini Lite 22 Italy Bent Dublin
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 …
Continue reading A Pipe for Christmas – An Yves of St. Claude Made in France 55
Another interesting pipe has been commissioned coming from the Lot of 68. I saw this Lot of pipes on the eBay auction block in February 2019 from a seller in West Hartford, Connecticut. The time ran out and my bid was the last one standing. These pipes eventually made their way to the For “Pipe …
This striking Preben Holm Freehand has been waiting patiently for me to pay some attention to it since September 2019. Most of the pipes I purchase go into the For “Pipe Dreamers” ONLY! collection to help financially support the Daughters of Bulgaria, now called Spring of Hope. However, on this day in 2019, trolling on …
Continue reading A Christmas Pipe for Me?! A Preben Holm Hand Cut of Copenhagen, Denmark
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 …
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 …
Continue reading The Second Gift of Four From Bulgaria: A Denicotea Absorba 2164 Bent Rhodesian
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 …
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
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 …
Continue reading Exploring the Interesting Heritage of a Drucquer & Sons of Berkeley Cherrywood
The next pipe on the worktable was the second commission of pipeman Bill from the state of Georgia who works as a Control System Engineer contracted to the Department of Energy. Bill has commissioned a few other pipes from me, but the last was a challenge. I named the write up accurately because of the …
Continue reading Refreshing an AMPHORA X-tra 732 Made in Holland Blasted Pickaxe
The Pipe Steward 