I remember the first time I had Coke out of a glass bottle. Yes, I am showing my youth. However, for almost all of my life, I had been having coke from either a plastic bottle, aluminum can, or out of a fountain dispenser. Then I tried it out of a glass bottle and experienced an entirely different flavor: it tasted sweeter, fuller, and far more delicious. I asked my brother why this was and he explained that it was just the difference in the container. Each container has its loyalists and no one is empirically better than the other, though some will argue long and hard to make the case for their favorite. In reality, the difference may have all been in my head. At that moment, however, I converted to the religion of the glass Coke bottle.

In a way, this is similar to a few of the debates that we have in pipes. Everyone has heard the briar versus meerschaum versus corncob (and the occasional clay contender), but there is another, less well-known, equally divisive debate: stem material.

I’m going to be honest. I was very shaky about the whole stem material thing. I mean, really: Bakelite, Ebonite, Lucite, Vulcanite, and acrylic. They sound more like Tolkien-style names than something crucial to the enjoyment of a pipe and one that could create so many divisions and red-faces. What the hell are they? Are there any real advantages to each?

First, let’s knock Bakelite off the list. As far as my research tells me, and I’m happy to be corrected if wrong, it is rarely used nowadays. It was popular in the early 20^th century and was one of the first plastics made from synthetic components. It can still be found occasionally on contemporary pipes, but mostly in yellowish tones and for an antique appeal, as is seen in this lovely piece by Todd Johnson n the left. It’s scientific name is polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride, which clearly explains why it’s called Bakelite. I guess…

Amber is another one that we can discuss rather quickly. Amber stems are made out of that same material that they found the mosquito in in Jurassic Park, only this one won’t lead to being chased by a T-Rex. It is fossilized tree resin that results in a beautiful, albeit brittle and fragile, material with a glassy finished. Almost all examples of amber stems are found on Meerschaum pipes. I can’t find any real reason for this, but it does make sense that the more fragile medium for pipes is accompanied by the most fragile stem material. Due to its visual popularity, it is not uncommon to find Ebonite stems that replicate the appearance of amber without the fragility.

Here is where things start to get complicated, so work with me. The four remaining words often used for stem material are Ebonite, Vulcanite, Lucite, and acrylic. However, in terms of chemical and physical properties, Ebonite and Vulcanite stems are exactly the same, as are Lucite and acrylic. So, for the purposes of clarity, I will use the terms Ebonite and Lucite, as they are the two most common.

In terms of usage, there is one difference between Ebonite and Vulcanite. Though they are the same in definition, there is a different connotation. People often use the word Vulcanite to refer to stems made out of that material that are preformed. That means they are given to the pipe maker already in the shape of a stem with the internal drilling already completed and the pipe maker need only fit the stem to the pipe that he has made.

Ebonite is a an extremely hard rubber that is created through the vulcanization of rubber for long periods of time – thus why it is commonly called Vulcanite. For you science geeks, vulcanization is a chemical process used to convert rubber or other similar polymers into more durable materials. This is done through the addition of curatives or accelerators, such as sulfur. Where does it get the name Ebonite, you ask? Well, the result of this vulcanization is an extremely black material and was used as an alternative for ebony.

In terms of why Ebonite is popular, a number of pipe makers with whom I have spoken, such as Alex Florov, say that it is easier to work with than Lucite. It also is a slightly softer material that Lucite, which many think results in a more comfortable feel in the mouth. There are two main downsides to Ebonite as far as I have found: those pipers who like to hold their pipes between their teeth have claimed that Ebonite is easier to bite through. A more noticeable problem that all pipe owners with Ebonite stems will eventually experience is oxidation. This is when the stems turn from a beautiful black color to a less pleasant brown, yellow, or even green color. Without going into the chemical reaction that causes this, it is often a result of too much exposure to sunlight and no cleaning off the stems thoroughly after use. While this isn’t too difficult to clean, it is an extra effort that is not required of Lucite stems. There are a lot of great guides online for how to fix this problem or prevent it in the first place.

Some of you might have seen pipes that are said to have Cumberland stems. All this means is an Ebonite stem that is created to look like fake wood. The piece below by Will Purdy is a superb example. The material is exactly the same. More recently, Ebonite stems have been created in all colors – from pink to red to green – and types of swirls.

Moving onto Lucite. Lucite is a hard plastic, as opposed to the rubber of Ebonite. The result is a harder stem that cannot oxidize. Some find this harder plastic less comfortable, but it has quite a loyal following. It has found immense popularity among Italian pipe makers. Along with the hardness, many feel that Lucite is more visually appealing, because it capable of taking and holding a shine better than Ebonite.

While there are more specialized materials that can be used for pipes stems, such as horn, bone, and even briar (which is growing in popularity among more adventurous pipe makers and smokers), the ones listed above will give you enough knowledge to understand any pipe offering. Now, go out and find out which you prefer! Remember, there are no right answers, only your preference.

So, which do you like more?

First of all, a delayed Cherry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Safe Solstice to all. May your days be merry and bright. Now, let’s jump back a couple of weeks.

Sunday morning on December 2^nd. It was a beautiful day; 70 degrees outside. As I put on a short sleeve shirt, I temporarily thought about global warming, but decided just to enjoy the side effects in my Led Zeppelin shirt.

Around noon, I strolled into The Scottish Arms, a pub where I worked for four years and my fiancé, Lauren, still works as a hostess. Kissing her on the cheek, I settled into a corner booth with an Irish Coffee and papers to grade.

*thud* Lauren drops a local magazine in front of me, open to a specific page with the title “Holiday Gift Guide”. I sighed as I waited for her to point out the item that had caught her eye and prepared for mental calculations of how much of my holiday budget I currently had remaining.

Despite my initial cynicism, my eyes fell on something beautiful, though I did not fully appreciate it at first: a picture of six Vauen pipes from a local pipe shop.

I don’t know if it was because I was too focused on all of the grading I had to do or if I was simply groggy from the previous evening, but my first reaction was simply to say: “Yeah, those are pretty good pipes.”

Lauren looked at me with surprise and I stared back at her with what I am sure must have seemed complete idiocy.

“But it’s a pipe advertisement in a magazine.”

She was right. The beauty of this advertisement was not the brand of pipes being advertised, but the fact that pipes were being mentioned at all. I had not seen something like that outside of specialty shops, hipster-style “ironic” stores, and old, faded catalogues.

I eagerly read the blurb next to the pipes. Nowhere did it mention that this would be a great gift for a grandfather or antique lover, nowhere did it mention it as an alternative to cigarettes or a costume piece. There were no caveats. Not even a warning. It was simply an advertisement for pipes.

Why? Why, now of all times, is there a pipe advertisement in a local publication? Surely it is not just because it is a local establishment. There must be something else.

I recently read a blog piece by Neill Archer Roan concerning the recent item called the Stiff pipe, a pipe which was meant to appeal on a style-level to young, non-pipe smokers. In this article, he mentions that the time might just be perfect for such an invention. The same factors that made the time right for the Stiff pipe might be what make it perfect timing to slowly start advertising for pipes again.

Two of the most popular shows on cable are Mad Men and Boardwalk Empire. Both shows focus on strong male leads; one is the sixties and one during Prohibition. These shows have helped, I would argue, to revive interest in classic drinks, such as Manhattans, Martinis, and straight bourbons, along with other typical acts of manliness.

There are also many websites, one called, appropriately, The Art of Manliness, that gives great how-to guides on everything from shaving with a straight razor to tying a bow-tie to, yes, smoking a pipe.

Something else coming back in style that used to be considered outdated is suits. Phrases like monkey-suit were not uncommon from the sixties and even into the nineties. Now, however, it is thought of as stylish to wear a vest with jeans and is even becoming more and more acceptable to wear a full suit to an informal to semi-formal gathering. I even wear a three piece suit occasionally while I teach my high school classes. Once again, I think that the above mentioned shows have had a slight influence on this. Another show, with a totally different tone, that has helped to revive the suit is How I Met Your Mother. One of the main characters is constantly commanding “Suit up!”

The drinks and suits are just pieces of the puzzle. There are many other signs that we are getting more and more comfortable with invoking the styles of previous generations, from architecture to interior design to children’s names. Each piece of the puzzle that falls into place makes it easier for the next piece to find its way.

Tobacco use is dwindling, yet pipe smoking is on the rise. It is possible, just possible, that the association so many people had with pipes, namely that it was a hobby of the older, wearier generation, might be dying off. With the death of that characterization comes the revitalization of the pipe hobby.

Maybe it might be as simple as a style thing and pipes might become the new 70s band shirts. It gives one an air of cool to be involved with something far before his time. Personally, I have stopped people wearing Pink Floyd t-shirts because they looked too young and asked them what their favorite Floyd album is. If they say “Dark Side of the Moon”, I dismiss them as posers. But I digress.

Personally, I hope this is not simply an issue of style, but a resurgence of common sense and independent thinking.

People do not want to rid themselves of tobacco completely and the gentle art of smoking, but do wish to avoid the potential hazards of cigarettes. Tobacco is becoming an enjoyment instead of a vice and, let’s face it, pipes are far more enjoyable than cigarettes. After all, how often has a cigarette smoker been approached to be told how good his cigarette smells?

Now that we have answered why, at least a little, there’s another question: so what? What does this matter? Is it possible that I am taking a little an ember and mistaking it for a bonfire? Well, I have been guilty of that before.

But…come on! This is a big event! It is these embers that might just catch the torch that brings pipe smokers out of the shadows and removes the stigma attached to the activity. It is possible that this might mean more and more people will stop condemning pipe smoking and start enjoying it. It is possible…

It’s also possible that this is simply a fluke. It’s possible that such an advertisement might get harsh blowback from the public and will not be seen again. It’s possible that this means nothing. Only time will tell.

In the mean time, I encourage each and every one of you to continue being positive ambassadors for our hobby. Follow basic rules of civility and chivalry and we can fan the flames. Smile at passersby while you smoke, stop to talk to curious people, and don’t smoke where it is not welcome.

As for me? I’m going to buy a Vauen from Jon’s Pipe Shop just to show that the advertisement was successful and encourage more of them in the future.

I’m still exhausted. Last week, Lauren and I and three of our friends went to see the midnight showing of The Hobbit. The movie was a great time, even though waking up at 6:30 the next day was not.

Tolkien seems to be extremely popular among pipe smokers. Perhaps it is simply pipester-to-pipester loyalty; perhaps it is his drawn out language that lends itself to length musings and relaxation in an armchair. Then again, maybe it’s just because he wrote incredible stories.

When we arrived at the movie theater about an hour before show time, Lauren and I met up with our friend, Aaron. Aaron is one of the most incredible costume designers that I have ever met. Not only does he create outfits for characters like Jack Sparrow, the Mad Hatter, Batman, and so many more, he also acts the characters out at renaissance faires and parties. His a phenomenal actor, a brilliant guy, and a great friend. It should have been no surprise that he came to the movie with an elaborate set of Elven bracer that he created, start to finish – including staining, stitching, cutting, and molding – just a couple of hours before.

He also brought a pipe. Until eight hours before the movie, I didn’t know that Aaron even owned a pipe. When we were hammering out plans for the night, however, he sent me a text message reading, “We need to smoke a pipe. I have the perfect one.”

Well, well, Aaron! You are full of surprises! Believe it or not, Aaron, I just happen to have the perfect pipe and tobacco for this movie, too.

Many months ago, I spoke with the great pipe-artist, Stephen Downie, about a large project. I don’t know what inspired this project, but we started something that has since become known as the Fellowship of the Pipe: nine pipes for nine of the major Lord of the Rings characters. Here’s the catch: they aren’t imitations of the pipes smoked by those characters in the movies or books, but rather they are the pipes that those characters would commission from Stephen if they were able.

As a result of this goal, each pipe has required a great deal of thinking, including what type of tobacco the character would smoke (for chamber type), level of activity (for stem length), personality (for appearance), passions (details), and geographical origin (materials). These are just some of the factors that have gone into every pipe so far of these has been created.

So far, three of these pipes have been created and will be revealed in a later post. However, I knew that one of these pipes was perfect for this movie, but I couldn’t decide which.

At the impasse, I changed my approach and decided on the tobacco first. I knew for a fact that I wanted to smoke “Shortcut to Mushrooms”, by Just for Him. The delicious, buttery blend is one of the most highly rated blends out there and is a fantastic example of an English Aromatic. Even better, it is part of a Lord of the Rings pipe tobacco series, along with Old Toby, Treebeard, and more.

With this, I settled on the second the pipes Stephen has made in the series, Legolas. This pipe contains Elvish script, is modeled after one of the leaves in the story, and features light, fanciful features as would befit an elf. It seemed more fitting for a slight aromatic than the other options.

I was so giddy to smoke that pipe before the movie that I almost forgot about the movie. When we got to the theater, however, I was so overwhelmed with anticipation and excitement at being with so many friends that I left the pipe idle in the car, completely untouched.

Despite this hiccup in my best-laid plan, we had a wonderful time. Aaron provided Mystery Science Theater 3000 style commentary throughout the previews and Lauren, having never seen or read The Hobbit, let me experience the whole thing through new eyes. Though I regret not getting to christen the pipe on such a perfect occasion, pipes are all about enjoyment. Had I tried to rush the experience, it would not have been worth it.

For those of you who have not yet seen the movie, I really enjoyed it. It has an entirely different feel from the first three Lord of the Rings movies. It is not nearly as dark and has a great deal more humor. A perfect example is the trolls. In the first movies, the trolls didn’t speak: they screamed and roared and howled. In The Hobbit, however, the trolls spoke perfectly, sometimes with British accents.

If you’re skeptical about the fact that it has been split into three movies, don’t be. The movie moves along smoothly and includes a lot more of the Middle Earth canon than does the original book, as it draws upon many different writings.

At three thirty in the morning, I left the movie theater with four people that had a wonderful time and were smiling and laughing, despite the hour. It really was a night to remember, as Biblo said.

Then I had to wake up three hours later…

As pipe collectors, just like in the rest of our existence, we go through phases. Some last longer that others and are thus entitled “collecting focuses”, but this is just a euphemism. Very few collection focuses last throughout one’s entire pipe career and with good cause. To me, it would be a dull experience to collect the exact same thing and only that thing for one’s entire lifetime. Please don’t get me wrong: having a focus = good. But there are few people who never diversify their collection beyond one focus. By diversifying your passion and focusing on new aspects of the pipe hobby, your scope widens and  you are better able to appreciate all facets of this complex obsession.

One of my current phases developed without my even knowing it, like they tend to do. Of the last ten pipes that I have added to my collection in recent months, seven of them have been what are known as sitters.

A sitter is not a shape, really, but rather a characteristic of the shaping of the pipe. As near as I can tell, the best definition for a sitter is a pipe that has a flat portion on the bottom that allows it to stand independently in a upright position without the mouthpiece touching the surface on which it is sitting. That last part is important, as it is the entire point of a sitter; it is able to be set down without the use of a pipe stand and without the button getting dirty. If the button touches the table the pipe is sitting on, it’s not a sitter, it’s just a pipe that hasn’t fallen onto its side.

There are two shapes, as far as I can tell, that have being a sitter built into their shape: the poker and the tankard, which is essentially a churchwarden version of a poker. Many shapes, however, with the creativity of a talented artisan, can be made to be a sitter.

Whenever I notice myself falling into another “focus”, I ask myself why. Why this? Why do I like it?

Being a sitter allows the pipe to be an autonomous piece of art and yet be fully functional. For displaying purposes, most pipes require a stand of some sort, whether it be a pipe rack or a single seat. Sitters, however, do not. They can be displayed anywhere, which is something that I have truly come to appreciate as I have been designing my new office and pipe room. Most of my pipes are constrained to the confines of wherever I can fit a pipe rack. My beautiful sitters, however, are able to grace my desk and bookshelves and anywhere else that I can think of.

Does any of this add to the smoking quality of the sitter? No. Then again, neither does the grain. I like sitters in my capacity as a pipe collector, not a pipe smoker.

Also from an artistic perspective, I like the challenge that creating a beautiful and functional sitter poses to the artisan. Oh, sure, it’s easy to make a pipe that can sit on it’s own: just make a poker. But that’s not the challenge. The challenge it to simultaneously get the most out of the block and the shape and to successfully balance the pipe perfectly, both on the X and Y axis, to allow it to stand.

Another construction challenge involves creating a base wide enough to allow the pipe to weather the surface moving slightly beneath it without it tumbling over. After all, there’s no point in having a sitter that collapses every time a mouse walks by the shelf on which it stands. This has to be accomplished without make the pipe look bulky or bottom heavy.

As a consequence of this added challenge, there are often unique and beautiful creations that would never have been thought of otherwise. Everyone knows the saying that competition breeds excellence. In this case, the artisan is competing against gravity and the grain. What might have originally been a run-of-the-mill Dublin becomes an eye-catching and phenomenal piece, as can be seen by looking at this piece by Jonas Rosengren, a Speeding Dublin Sitter.

In general, creating a sitter makes the process of creating pipe a beautiful combination of math and art, even more than it usually is.

As a rule, designing a pipe is already highly mathematical. When you add in the complication of making the pipe sit independently, it heightens the experience and adds in many factors, such as balance on two axes. Also, the angle of the stem and cant of the bowl no longer simply concern shaping and smoking qualities, but also have to do with the balance of the pipe, while still having to be comfortable and functional.

I like it when an artisan deliberately challenges himself. Being content with one’s work leads to atrophy, while turning the volume up to 11, so to speak, leads to incredible work such as those pictured throughout this piece. After all, looking as these beautiful specimens, who could argue with the attractiveness of a well-executed sitter?

Cheers, friends!

P.S. If you know why the title of this piece made me think of one of my favorite SNL episodes, you get a cookie.

Gatherings of pipe smokers is relatively informal affair. Recently, however, I found a fantastic list of 25 rules to follow at such gatherings. Many of these are humorous, but almost all have a great deal of validity and might be a good thing to hand out to everyone at a gathering.

As for me, I whittled down the list to my top 15 and made myself a poster that I plan on putting in my office / pipe room. The link at the end of this post will take you to the full list. I hope you get as good a laugh out of these as I did!

Full list: http://pipechat.info/index.php?topic=2059.0