The Seattle Pipe Club / UPCA Western Regional Slow Smoke Contest is just two days away. It shall prove to be a great time, and a wonderful evening.

As brothers of the briar we compete as gentlemen, on our honor to see that the rules of the contest are followed, and that the competition remains fair. I thought, as I know that some of the competitors read this site, that I would touch upon a few of those rules here.

The tamper may only be used when the pipe is in the mouth.

It is forbidden to knock, or shake, the pipe in any way.

It is permitted to remove the mouthpiece from the bowl to get rid of liquid.

Competitors may use the papers provide to wipe the tamper.

Competitors may remove ash from the pipe, but may not put back any tobacco that happens to fall out.

Competitors may not drink until the 10-minute mark has passed.

From the start of the competition competitors will have 5 minutes in which to prepare their tobacco, but may not humidify or add anything to it.

Time will be registered from the moment the command to light the pipes is given.

Competitors have one minute to light their pipes with either one or both of the matches provided. Defective matches can be replaced.

Competitors must signal appropriately when their pipe goes out.

Should a competitors pipe bowl burn, the competitor must be disqualified.

I am honored to be hosting this contest again this year. We have some wonderful prizes, including the ever-odd prize of 1000 matches. My sincere thanks to those who have helped put this competition together, it could never happen without your efforts.

With that, I look forward to Thursday Evening at Smokey Joes!

Posted by Cameron at 10:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This year I am once again proud to be hosting the Seattle Pipe Club Slow Smoke Contest, our clubs 7th such competition, and the UPCA Western Regional event.

Thursday, November 13 at Smoky Joe’s in little ol’ Fife.

Details can be found at the Seattle Pipe Club website, and complete rules at the UPCA website.

This is always a great event, and we look forward to tremendous fun and fellowship this year as well.

Posted by Cameron at 2:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While admittedly I was not around during the height of pipe smoking, it does seem that we are right now in a golden age of pipe smoking.

Pipe carvers from around the world are creating truly wonderful pipes, amazing pipes in everything from traditional shapes to freehands that boggle the imagination. Additionally, many of these great pipes are affordably priced. There is also a very vibrant estate pipe market bringing the treasures of the past back to us today.

Small tobacco blenders are creating amazing blends, and new blends on a regular basis. Some old favorites may be gone or changed forever, but new favorites continue entering the market.

Fancy tampers, extremely functional lighters, it seems we have it all available, and importantly, most within the reach of everyone.

We also have pipe clubs around our country, and indeed around the world. Great friends, fellow pipemen whom we can enjoy a bowl of fine tobacco with. This social aspect of pipe smoking is perhaps one of its most valuable assets.

All of this said, I think that we, as people who love the pipe, must make some efforts to expand our numbers. To make sure that our pleasure does not die away due to interest falling below what is necessary to sustain the commercial pipe smoking industry.

Pipe carvers, tobacco blenders, retailers, and estate pipe sellers all need a certain level of business to survive. If too many pipemen are lost, without replacement these small businessmen who serve our community so well will no longer be able to meet our needs.

I think that the Pipe Party is one way we can replenish our numbers show others the joy we find in a great bowl of tobacco. That is why I hosted my party last weekend, to bring non-pipe smokers together with pipe smokers, to let non-pipe smokers see for themselves the pleasures of the pipe. Perhaps it worked, I hope it did.

I can’t claim the idea as my own, for I was invited to two parties hosted for the same reason, and those parties set me on my own path of the pipe. With luck, perhaps it will work the same way for others.

Pipe smoking is a true joy that should be shared with others, not only to allow them to experience what we do on a regular basis, but indeed for the very survival of the industry we rely upon to provide the products we need to find that joy.

I will be hosting future parties in an effort to share the joy of the pipe. If you would like to be invited, please subscribe to this sites newsfeed for invitations will be sent over it.

Posted by Cameron at 12:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The wife will be away, so I must play. What better excuse for a pipe party? What better way for pipe smokers to meet their fellow aficionados or for those who want to try the pipe to learn some of the art and science of smoking from those who have already mastered it?

You are cordially invited to come join me on Saturday, August 9 at 5:00pm for a good old-fashioned campfire here in the woods on the banks of the Skykomish River. In the tradition of outdoorsmen past we shall build fond memories as our tobacco smoke reaches for the sky, there to mingle with the smoke of our fire.

I’ll promise you food, fellowship, and fun. You need only bring yourself and your libation of choice.

Of course I’ll be doing the cooking so can’t promise that the food will actually be good, but it’ll be free and that can’t be beat!

We will eat around 6:00pm, and light the fire shortly thereafter.

For you brothers of the briar, I offer you a simply amazing view to contemplate as you enjoy a bowl of your favorite tobacco. For you future brothers of the briar, I offer you loaner pipes and a selection of the worlds finest tobacco’s to try.

All of that my friends is the good news.

Now for the bad news.

I’m having this little event at my house, and lemme tell you, my house is a long way from civilization. I’m about 40 minutes east of Monroe, off Highway 2, near the tiny town of Index. If that isn’t enough to scare you off, my ‘driveway’ is a primitive gravel road, my house about 4 miles in. The road is good enough for any car to pass; indeed one of my friends has visited in his Corvette. That said, were I to own such a car I would not drive it here, and would advise my guests that they might feel much more comfortable if they were to arrive in a more rugged vehicle. One small consolation is that it is easy to find, no one is likely to become lost looking for my home provided that they remember to bring directions.

Weather presents two minor obstacles to these plans, but will be unable to derail them. If it does not rain soon the Burning Ban will remain in effect stopping the enjoyment of a campfire. If it does rain, we shall be fine, we shall simply move inside the studio where smoking is always welcome.

Please RSVP to bailey.cameron.m AT gmail.com by Thursday, August 7 so that I may ensure enough food for everyone. When you RSVP please let me know where you will be coming from so that I might send you directions via the quickest possible route.

Posted by Cameron at 4:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)