By the early 1700’s, meerschaum from Turkey and Africa was beginning to be employed to fashion tobacco pipes. This is when hot smoke burns the surface of the pipe smoker’s tongue, creating a sensation that is similar to a bite. Named for its ability to sit steadily on the poker table while you shuffle up and deal, the Poker is made for play, but it’s an “all business” kind of pipe when it comes to shaping. Its walls are tall, and the cylindrical bowl is flat on both the top and the bottom. The round shank exits just below the bottom of the bowl, and is elongated with a simple saddle stem.
There are more shapes and variations on shapes that one could possibly list and talented artisans create more every day. On the accompanying shape charts you can see many of the most common and classic designs. This pipe has a longer, and slender mouthpiece compared to other pipes and has a bowl that is short and slightly curved. All these features add to the pipe’s well-balanced and elegant appearance. The tobacco pipe changed from English clay to Meerschaum in 1720 (“foam of the sea” in German), a material found in Africa and Turkey. This was mined from the compressed deposits of ancient, microscope marine life and had the consistency of softened cheese.
This is often the first question I am asked when I show my work to a non – pipe smoker. Though it may strike some as an odd one, tobacco pipe this question usually comes from someone unfamiliar with high grade artisan pipes. Many under the age of thirty, have never encountered a proper smoking pipe “ in the wild ”. As the pipe stummel, or body of the pipe can be made from numerous materials, I will just briefly discuss those that have been used most often. The Churchwarden pipe is a popular shape of pipe that is known for its long stem. They are also made with a variety of bowls so that they can suit different pipe smokers.
Pipe material is the second most important factor that impacts the overall price of an antique tobacco pipe. Out of all the different materials, real meerschaum and briar pipes are the most expensive, costing up to $1,000 or more. It was during the 18th century that tobacco pipes underwent a huge change after makers began using meerschaum and porcelain. The pipes were now made in a unique shape with a large chamber and bowl and had hand-carved intricate designs.
With time, he expanded his business by restoring machinery from scrap yards. And after years, his hard work paid off when in the 1970’s he became one of the pipe craftsmen’s most admired and respected. Erik Nørding first started working as a blacksmith in his father’s razor and garden factory when he was only 15 years old. Sadly, his father passed away a year later, and his mother sent him to train as an engineer. Tobacco pipes took off in popularity, but the manufacturing of them was tricky.
Tn the following I will briefly discuss the history of pipes, explain the mechanics, buying options, how to clean it, and of course how to smoke a pipe. If you’re an avid collector, trust me, you must add a vintage tobacco pipe to your collection! Not only do these old pipes reflect ancient art, but they also serve as royal relics for today’s collectors. All thanks to their fascinating shapes and valuable materials that are rare today. From the elegant long stems of churchwarden style pipes, to the comfortable classic bent apple and brandy pipes, the complete Shire collection has it all. All pipes are crafted from beautiful cherry wood and come neatly packaged with the accessories you need to make the most of your new Shire Pipe.