No 330 March 20 – April 2, 2014 Look! See! Feel! Whenever I take out a drawer of quality pipes with assorted finishes, I note the customer’s reaction. That’s the effect a good sandblasted finish has on almost everyone. Sandblasting was invented by Alfred Dunhill in 1917. “Sandblasting” is achieved by holding the bowl (in gloved hands) inside a sealed glass box and guiding it carefully, allowing the strong jet of fine hot sand to follow the pattern of the softer wood in the grain, blasting it away in the process, leaving the “shell” of the briar. The pipes are usually finished with a darker stain, and may be buffed - highlighting the pinnacles of the ridges. In some cases sandblasting can be used to disguise the odd surface flaw on an otherwise good bowl, where filling in the flaw may disfigure the appearance of the bowl. Sandblasting, by its nature, can only be applied to bowls with plenty of hard wood, and contrasting grain. Besides the good looks and appealing feel, sandblasting, by removing the softer wood, creates a much lighter bowl, and by increasing the surface area may contribute to a cooler smoke. Genuine sandblasting is a skilful, relatively costly exercise - but can be used to add value to a good quality bowl with surface flaws. After curing and sorting there are likely to be more good bowls with surface flaws than good bowls with a clean surface. Sandblasted pipes show so much character! Note: Sandblasting should not be confused with machine roughening or carving of the bowl, either all over or in patches. We have sandblasted pipes in the following brands: And of course the originator of the finish - Alfred Dunhill Ltd: You’d like to try a sandblasted pipe?
Grab this opportunity with both hands! Have a look No.330; 20 March – 2 April, 2014 You can read previous articles from "Across the Counter" in The Library. 
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No 331 April 3 - 16, 2014 Ringsize - the diameter of your cigar How does it affect your smoking enjoyment? With the recent emergence of cigars offered with ringsizes of 56, 58 and even 60, I thought it appropriate to revisit this statistic. In countries using the Imperial system of measurement (feet and inches), such as England in the past and the United States today, the diameter of the cigar is expressed in “rings”, where a ring is 1/64 of an inch (precise old engineering measurements). So the size of a cigar may be 42 x 5: Frequently the systems are mixed, and the size is described as 127mm x Ring 42 (or 42 x 127). Back in 2001 when I first covered this statistic of a cigar I said “so much for the maths – what is the relevance to the cigar smoker”. The Blend: On the contrary, drawing too hard on a slim cigar in order to get more smoke, may cause the cigar to burn too fast, giving a hot smoke and harsh, bitter taste. By virtue of its size, the larger the ringsize the more flavour you experience with each puff. So: You can alter the draw by reducing / enlarging the cut of the cigar – but remember not to cut past the cap line. It may be that you want to sample one of the new “big” cigars, but find the larger ringsizes (58+) too uncomfortable to put into your mouth. Just press the cigar firmly against your lips and draw comfortably. Some considerations:
(102 x Ring 50). The blend will be similar, but adjusted to develop the full flavour over the shorter length. Perfect for when time is short. Today such “Petit” cigars are finding their place in many cigar smokers’ selections.
Try for example, a Partagas Serie D No.4 (124mm x Ring 50). This will have a different flavour, but a similar draw and burning rate. The same options apply to a slimmer cigar: try a shorter cigar with the same ringsize, or a thinner cigar with the same length – or a different brand of your favourite ringsize. In the final analysis, for practical purposes, the relevance of ringsize (and length) is that it will determine the rate of draw that is most comfortable for you and the amount of time you need to smoke the cigar. In spite of the current restrictions on smoking, there are still some places where you can relax with your cigar.
Special Note: the German Leather Cigar Case with 2 glass tubes:
Back to which ringsize cigar is best: Colin Wesley No.331 April 3 - 16, 2014 You can read previous articles from "Across the Counter" in The Library.
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No 332 April 17 – 30, 2014 Beyond Potholes Those of you who read my articles on Pipesmoking will have read the articles (Nos.319, 321) on possible “Potholes” you may encounter along the path of enjoying your pipe. Hi Colin, I purchased a budget pipe some months back from you store in Rosebank. One of the (Lorenzo) budget sports variety. I have found the ritual of preparing and packing the pipe to be highly therapeutic. The smoking has been very pleasant too. I finally seem to have got packing the pipe down to an art of sorts. The pipe seemed like a natural extension on the cigars which I have enjoyed for a decade or so. I have been experimenting with various mixes of, old gold, cherry and rum and honey tobacco, all purchased at your store.This last weekend I was given an unused An…. pipe with b..-b.. filters. Being eager to break the new addition in I made an approximate thirds mix of the tobaccos as mentioned earlier. Smoking was a really pleasure to start with. Perhaps two thirds of the way through, the taste became strange and unpleasant. Sniffing the smoke coming out of the bowl, it had a distinct ammonia scent. I stopped smoking at that point. I am not sure of the source of the flavour, if it was the new pipe or maybe something I did with the tobacco. I am hoping you can point me in the right direction on how to eliminate this flavour shock please? I love puffing on the pipe and would like to try and avoid experiences like that. My other pipe has no filter and I have not noticed the ammonia flavour with it. Regards B Good day B Thank you for your interesting and intriguing email. I am pleased that you are enjoying your pipe. In many cases it can be a very good substitute or companion for a good cigar as the smoking pattern is very similar. The ammonia aroma is a puzzle. I can’t see how the filter could be a cause as the smoke only passes through it after it has left the bowl – but let’s find out by trial and error. I suggest: Smoke the same mixture of tobacco in your original pipe to see if you still get the ammonia smell If there is no smell, then try again with the An…. – first without the filter Then again the An…. with the filter. Hopefully the ammonia aroma will crop up on only one of these occasions. It may be that the An….. pipe simply didn’t cure properly and needs a longer, gentler breaking-in process. Not pleasant but possibly worth it. I hope that this is of help. I’d be pleased to know how you get on. Regards Colin Wesley Maybe you have a problem not yet covered - just tell us about it. Those of you who read past articles in the Library will know what respect we have for Lorenzo – the master of “value” pipes. Pipes that may not be spotless in appearance but are delightful to hold and smoke like a pipe of much higher price. Pipes that offer very, very few problems. Well this year we found on our visit to Lorenzo warehouse: 6 spot-carved Lorenzo pipes, all different prototype shapes that just needed a “brush up”, plus 10 Titano Oom Paul T1 shapes (4 on the website, balance in the franchise shops).
I can’t guarantee a 100% perfect smoke from all of them, but I will guarantee a full 100% refund if any one of them presents a latent problem, that can’t be resolved. No.332 April 17 – 30, 2014 You can read previous articles from "Across the Counter" in The Library.
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No 333 May 1 - 14, 2014 The Basics Over the last 20 years, the world of cigars has exploded. Here are some basics selected from articles in the Wesley’s Library:
If you plan to smoke your cigar during the World Cup or a rugby match, then you will want a larger cigar. A normal after-dinner cigar would approach 45 to 60 minutes. Now you’ve considered – how to choose: As we say to our new Pipesmokers, the best way to find out is to “put it in your pipe and …….” We’ve made it easier for you – “trial without error” Even easier: Currently we offer: Available from all Wesley’s shops. Unfortunately, the law does not allow us to post you a tobacco product. But if you know a friendly shopkeeper in your area who normally sells any tobacco products, we could use him as a means of getting cigars to you – and he will make a profit. Back to the basics – and what could be more basic for lighting your cigar than a good quality, strong, thick match – manufactured in Europe.
If we can be of service it will be a pleasure! Colin Wesley
No.333 May 1 - 14, 2014 You can read previous articles from "Across the Counter" in The Library.
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No 334 May 15 - 28, 2014 Does anybody still smoke a pipe? A question I am often asked by non-smoking customers is “Do you really still sell pipes, I never seem to see anybody smoking one these days”. Because of the restrictions of where one may smoke, the comment may have some truth in it. • Some are people who have never smoked at all, but the allure of the pipe with the image of peace and tranquillity that it projects, is persuasive enough for them to “give it a try”. Pipes come in an endless variety of shapes, sizes and finishes – one size does not fit all, all the time. As with a cigar, a pipe appeals to all our senses, except sound. Each pipe brings its own story with it, which impacts on the life of the man who comes to own it. We mentioned “paraphernalia”.
Just in time for Fathers’ Day – 15 June 2014 A final word from Sam Slick, the Clockmaker: No.334 May 15 - 28, 2014 You can read previous articles from "Across the Counter" in The Library.
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