About Tabago pipes

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	This page is meant to help you choose a pipe. I will also tell you what choices I have made with Tabago pipes: -Where are you going to use the pipe, at home or out? -How long do you prefer smoking at a time? -How big tobacco-chamber should I then choose? -What kind of surface do you prefer, natural or stained? -What shape do you prefer? -What are typical for a Tabago pipe?

	Balance and rhytm A successful pipe is for me caracterized by the words balance and rhytm: A balanced exterior adds to the the calm I wish you as a pipesmoker. Rythm ensures you an interesting pipe.

	No two pipes become alike
	When pipes are shaped by hand, variations in shapes increases. Every pipe becomes somehow unique. The pipe you see pictured on the PIPE PAGES are the one you receive when ordering.

	About small and big pipes The smaller pipes are my favorite. Here are some reasons why: You need just the tobacco for a short break rather than leaving a bigger pipe half way smoked. The latter is a recepie for a sour pipe. Thus a smaller pipe has a reduced risk of turning sour. A smaller diameter in your tobacco-chamber also ensures a pipe that not that easily goes out.It is easier to smoke. Smaller pipes often tends to smoke a bit varmer. You compensate for this by choosing tobaccos that burns cooler. A calm way of smoking also helps. Smaller pipes are handier when you go outside. When you have plenty of time, a bigger pipe is your best choice. A larger pipehead will absorb more of the the heat from the tobacco and provides you with a cooler and tastier smoke. Try even a longer mouthpiece for tobaccos that burns hot. Since longer mouthpieces are less handy, these pipes probably better smoked and left at home. I make pipes without too steep angel between the head and the shank. In my experience, the very steep ones are more difficult to smoke to the bottom, thus tends to go sour.

	Important details When you hold a pipe in your hand a number of times, you will learn to appreciate the functional qualities of your pipe. And since it is used close to the eyes, it tends to be examined regularly from an esthetical point of view: Rounded edges on top of the tobacco-chamber (As on the pipes above) not only looks great, it also lessens the risk of burning into your bowl when lighting it. Please notice on Tabago pipes, that the silver-rings completly lines up with the rest of the pipe. It is fully integreted into its lines. At the same time, the silver reinforces the most vulnerable part on a pipe. To ensure a pleasant encounter with your mouth, I make the lips thin (4-4.5 mm). I follow advice from Danish colleagues. I tested their theory, and I fully agree. A thick lip tends to make the owner tired in his cheeks. The briar mouthpieces are slightly thicker, ab.5.5 mm. They fits for those not "eating" into their pipes - but then, who would bite into those beautiful wooden pieces.

	The strongest wood there is comes from a bush Tabago pipes are made of briar from Corsica and Catalonia. Most pipeheads have since 1850 been made from the root of this Meditereanean bush (See picture above to the left) called briar. Tolerance to heat, strength, nice taste with tobacco and great looks are some of the reasons of its popularity.The onion shaped root is cut into pieces as on the picture above and then made into pipes. The plant grows in large numbers in medium altitudes around the Mediterranean.

	Only noble materials This pipe is made of briar and reindeer antlers. It is specially designed for Island - a country where the sulphurous atmosphere wears traditional ebonite and silver heavily. But anywhere these all wooden pipes looks great and tend to smoke extremly dry. Expect more of these pipes available for sale in the spring of 2006.

	The surface The finishing job on a pipe takes a lot of time, but it means a lot for the apprehension of the pipe. Some pipes comes with a nice natural pattern. I leave them that way (Like the one above). The black stained pipes will over time change its character: Through daily use and wear, gradually the woodwork woill become more apperant and the lines in the wood will return. To the right you see some of the tools I use to obtain the desired finish.

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