That is my  Savinelli pipe story.  I’d love to hear some readers first pipe purchase story.

Orgionally the two brothers named their humble shop in Dublin ‘Kapp Brothers’, they soon garnered a name for themselves crafting and selling fine Meerschaum and Briar pipes.  Soon after they Kapp Brothers opened for business they were visited by a man that would change that small business forever.  His name was Charles Peterson, a Latvian immigrant, and he walked into Kapp Brothers Grafton Street premises armed with a new pipe design and ambitious plans for the future.

It was here that Peterson asked the Kapp brothers to partner with him in to see this wonderful design be make into a reality for the rest of the world.  They agreed and the company was renamed Kapp & Peterson. Peterson Pipes soon went on to become Dublin’s most fashionable and respected manufacturer of smoking pipes, pipe tobacco, and tobacco accessories.  Peterson pipes gained a reputation for affordability and quality, a brand and quality that would still define them today.

The most famous design from the Kapp and Peterson factory was Peterson’s famed ‘Dry System’ pipes, patented in 1894. THis pipe was famed for being a dry smoke all the way to the end. The system pipe featured a small reservoir intended to collect moisture before it reaches the smoker. Indeed, it is on this groundbreaking design that the worldwide reputation of Peterson grew.

Peterson is now one of the last of the true classic factory pipe makers still in private ownership. They have been making pipes since before the turn of the century; and while they have made a major push into the mass market, can still turn out first quality pipes from excellent briar.

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Author John From Seven Bridges Road

While tending to some business in Morganton, NC I wanted to stop at a local store to pick up some pipe tobacco. It hit me that I was in the home town of Cornell & Diehl one of the major blenders in the world for pipe tobaccos. Some call them micro blenders regardless, there top of their game. I grabbed my smart phone and looked up the website and got their number. A very nice fella answered the phone and I stated that I was interested in his blends and could he recommend an outlet or do they sell out of the plant. He kindly stated they did not and asked what I was interested in. I stated I was wanting Haunted Book shop and to browse some of his others as well.

He told me to stop by and see him. I thought wow what an opportunity to visit a blender with such a reputation, I jumped on it and said I would be right there.

Upon arriving at the drive way to the plant I noticed one thing, it was modest place surrounded by farm land and several Ostrich that had an equal interest in me as I drove in. Upon entering the sweet aroma of blends was delightful. I was greeted by a beautiful (and protective) hound who went by the name of Con. An employee greeted me and took me to the gentleman who spoke to me. I was floored at what a small operation this was but it was nice, you felt an American quality about the place. No robots, no fancy conveyor belts and all that plant jazz, just simple hand run packaging, labeling and tons of tobacco. One thing that really stood out was how polite everyone was and how happy they appeared. I mean these guys looked like they loved their work, it was refreshing.

The fella asked me what I wanted and that they don’t sell directly but he would help me out. Wow these guys got some blends, there must have been several hundred. Now keep in mind these blends are organic and still blended by hand! He stepped away shortly and arrived back with two tins. After thanking him for letting me stop by I asked if I could take a picture or two of outside of the building, he stated sure no problem. On the way out I said good bye to Con and the delightful lady at the desk who I believe to be Mrs. Patty Tarler the owners wife now that I seen her on the website.

As I was almost out the door the gentleman yelled out to me and tossed me a can and said, “Here try this one too!” Sure I said feeling like the kid in the old Mean Joe Green Coke commercial. These guys are top notch stand up kinda guys. I liked what I seen, I liked how I was treated and I love their blends. I will return, here is their website, take a moment and read about them and if in the need, call them for a Tin or two. These guys should be supported and respected for keeping an American tradition alive!

http://www.cornellanddiehl.com/

The Photo Tour:

Marks’ was first introduced to pipe smoking early in life by his father who smoked a pipe, a Dunhill shell, one he owns and still smokes to this day. When Marks was 15 his father gifted him a Dunhill pipe of his own. Marks recalls his fathers advise: “If I was to smoke, it would be with a good pipe and at home.” From then on he was hooked.

As the years past Marks passion for pipes grew, and at the age of 26 he decided that pipe making would be his profession. From that point forward he traveled the world seeking out the wisdom of the the “old guard” master pipe carvers. During his early days he rubbed shoulders with the likes of Former Neilson, Poul Hansen, and Sixten Ivarsson. These men made a serious impact on his work and still do to this day.

One of the most unusual and yet spectacular things about Marks’ pipes is the fact that each black of briar in his studio is over 30 years old. While in Copenhagen in 1974 Marks purchased a large supply of Corsican and Greek briar that is still used to make his pipes today. This briar was from the same supply that the high grade Danish carvers were using at the time.

I have the privilege of owning a Andrew Marks pipe is I must say that it is one of the finest smokers I own. The attention to detail, the beautiful shape, and the lovely hand cut stem are all exceptional. There is something extraordinary about smoking a pipe that you know has been curing for over 30 years. Not only are Marks’ pipes great works of art, but he is a quality gentleman himself, down to earth and full of life. Please head on over to http://p-i-p-e.com to take a look at these beautiful pipes.

Enjoy:

Pipe Blog’s and Retailers:

A Passion for Pipes
SmokingPipes.com
PipesMagazine.com
The Briar & Leaf Chronicles

Notable Pipe Makers:

J Alan Pipes
Rad Davis Pipes
Steve Liskey Pipes
Eppers Pipes (A Shameless Plug I know)

I love Eric N. Squires description of the lovely pipe: “The stem, shank, and underside of the bowl are classic Peterson shaping, and classic shaping for this pipe’s defined type as well, but once one rises above the single bead, that’s all over and done with. Here, instead, we have a decidedly volcano-like form thrusting upward, complete with cocked rim which one would half-swear was sneering at our pedestrian expectations.”

I cannot wait to break in this pipe! I’ll be sure to update everyone once I get the pipe in hand. And to sweeten the deal smokingpipes.com is offering a free tin of Peterson tobacco with any pipe purchase. Pipe and tobacco for under $65.00, a great deal I must say. (no affiliation with smokingpipes.com, just a happy customer)

Stats:

Length: 6.02 in./152.91 mm.
Weight: 2.10 oz./59.53 g.
Bowl Height: 2.21 in./56.13 mm.
Chamber Depth: 1.85 in./46.99 mm.
Chamber Diameter: 0.80 in./20.32 mm.
Outside Diameter: 1.82 in./46.23 mm.
Stem Material: Vulcanite
Shape: Rhodesian
Finish: Rusticated
Material: Briar

Country: Ireland

Cheers, and happy smoking!