 I've been a member of the YTPC, or YouTube Pipe Community, longer than the Pipe Nook has been around. I discovered the YTPC while I was looking for tips on various pipe-related topics, and it can't be understated how important the YTPC has been in my pipe-smoking journey. But for whatever reason, I haven't shared my channel here on The Pipe Nook yet. Well, today seems like a good time to fix that!
As I mentioned in my long-winded introduction Blog several months ago, about 3 years ago, I was ready to "put up or shut up" when it came to pipe smoking. I had tried off again, on again to smoke a pipe for nearly 20 years, but just never got the hang of it. I can't tell you how frustrating it was for me to burn my tongue, fight keeping my pipe lit, etc. So in desperation, I did a YouTube search, and found Jayson Dagner's video on how to smoke a pipe. I was amazed at how easy it could really be if you took your time and learned how to do it! Then I noticed on the "related videos" sidebar that others were also making Pipe related videos, and many of them were commenting on each other's videos. I soon discovered this "YouTube Pipe Community," and jumped in! Since there wasn't a pipe club anywhere near me, the YTPC became my "Virtual Pipe Club." I've made many videos, gained a good bit of subscribers, and met many friends through the YTPC. If you haven't discovered this group of pipe smoking enthusiasts, click the image above to check out my channel, and look for those who comment on my videos...many of them have pipe smoking channels of their own! One special mention: When I launched The Pipe Nook, I was given a lot of early support from members of the YTPC. The Pipe Nook would not be what it is today if not for the encouragement and support of those people. So I want to take the time here to thank each and every one of you in the YTPC who have helped me along the way. It means so much to me! So, if you found The Pipe Nook elsewhere and would like to put a face and an actual person with this humble web store, check out my channel, and don't forget to comment. I love the interaction as much as I love the pipe smoking and pipe collecting hobby itself. Keep 'em lit, Eddie Gray
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 I purchased my very first Big Ben pipe earlier this year, a Cafe Noir 228 shape like the one pictured above. When I opened the box, I just knew it was going to be a good pipe! Sometimes, you just have a feeling. But I did my due diligence anyway, of course, checking out the fit and finish, drilling, etc. Everything looked great, and when I smoked it for the first time, I had one of those rare "where have you been all my life" moments. This has become my absolute favorite smoking pipe. I've gotten another equally good smoking Big Ben from the Bora series since then, one with an incredibly beautiful green finish and swirled green stem, and I'm sure I'll be adding more to my personal collection in the months and years to come. I fell for these pipes in a hard way, and just knew I wanted to offer them to you here at The Pipe Nook!
Big Ben offers simply astounding quality for value in the pipe market. Made in Holland at the Gubbels Pipes workshop, the quality of fit and finish when compared to their pricing is just hard to believe. These are well crafted, well engineered pipes, and while Gubbels has one of the most modern pipe production operations in the world, what impresses me most is the obvious human touch that is required to made pipes this good. They offer a wide variety of shapes and finishes. If you can't find a Big Ben pipe that suits your taste, you're just not looking hard enough! I'm beginning my Big Ben offerings here with 3 lines: Bora, Bruyere Deluxe, and Cafe Noir. Bora pipes are lightweight, pocket-sized pipes that come in a variety of unique shapes and colors. Fitted with acrylic stems to match the stain type, and with large bowls in relation to their overall size, these pipes are perfect for smoking on the go. Bruyere Deluxe Pipes are one of the mainstay lines from Big Ben. They are larger sized shapes, fitted with durable acrylic stems, and finished with a stain that accentuates the natural grain of the briar. Cafe Noir Pipes feature more contemporary takes on traditional shapes, and have a dark brown finish with a lighter finished rim, metal accent ring and a swirled acrylic stem. The overall look of these pipes is reminiscent of coffee or mocha. They accept 9mm filters, come in a beautiful presentation box, and are incredible smokers! I'm very happy to present Big Ben Pipes to my Pipe Nook customers, and I look forward to adding more of their unique and exciting lines in the days to come! Keep 'em lit, Eddie Gray |