I've been an offline lurker for some time now and I thought that it would be a good idea to harass Kurt for access and finally say hello.
The introduction:
I haven't been a pipe smoker for very long now (only about a year), and as I'm sure is very common, I picked up the habit after kicking the much more unhealthy habit of cigarette smoking. I live in Edmonton, Alberta in Canada and unfortunately there is not much of a retail pipe presence here in the city to speak of. There is however, one shop which specializes in fine cigars and pipes and has a decent high-end collection. The first pipe I bought was a pretty decent Lorenzetti after which the shop owner clapped me on the back and welcomed me to the "fellowship". What a welcome! I've been hooked ever since. My next was a pretty decent Dunhill Rubybark which was hard to beat for a couple months until I picked up my Winslow 09 pipe of the year.
Needless to say, I've been enjoying all 3 immensely.
My neighbor and I were in the pipe store one day back in Febuary and, low and behold, there were a couple of pipe kits sitting on the counter in preparation for a local IPSD carving competition. Now, I had never considered making my own before, but looking at the blocks with their rough-cut, unbent stems immediately gave me several ideas. I figured, what the heck ... why not?
It would be about 3 weeks before I finished my first pipe. A week of constant research through these forums and through sites like Stephen Downie's for the proper tools, the best techniques, etc. etc. etc. It was probably the funnest 3 weeks of my life. A period of time where I enjoyed the creation of something unique that was taking shape because of my own will. Sappy, I know!
I immediately rushed back to the store, and while the contest wasn't nearly complete, I turned in my first pipe and bought a couple more kits. My second pipe took me 3 days, the tools and basic research behind me. The third took me about a week after that.
I ending up winning the competition for the second pipe, but to me, the real excitement was in the discovery of a new hobby ... something I hope to enjoy for a long time.
So, anyway. I would like to say hello and add that I love the fact that the professionals here are willing to part with some of their hard-earned knowledge!
Pipes are below ... I'd love some critique.
Take care,
Chris J. Hittinger
Pipe 1:
Pipe 2:
Pipe 3:
