My grandfather smoked a pipe throughout my childhood; I suppose that is where the interest came from. I remember my cousins and I all running around, puffing and playing with his unpacked, unlit pipes. I wonder now just how many of his treasures we managed to destroy.

I first tried smoking a pipe when I was fifteen, traveling in Kansas City. I bought myself a new Comoy’s pipe and some drugstore tobacco. Having not a clue as to how to smoke it was needless to say a less than perfect experience. I now know that the tobacco was probably the worst possible choice, and that what the tobacconist assured me was a superb pipe was in fact a very poorly made specimen which should not have survived quality control at the factory for surely it should have graded out as a no name second.

I did keep trying with the pipe through the years though, and eventually I learned how to blend pipe, tobacco, and technique into producing the perfect smoke. It was a long process, but a rewarding one and I do not regret the time it took to learn the art and the science of pipe smoking.

I’m currently an active member of the Seattle Pipe Club, and recommend the club highly to anyone with an interest in pipes and fellowship with other pipemen.

Through the years I’ve found that I love collecting pipes, and indeed tobaccos as my ever growing collection, and my long-suffering wife Melissa can attest. My collection is eclectic but English pipes and strong English blends are my first love.