Hirsute
Used to have fun with Commander Yellow Pantyhose
Gentlemen! It’s my pleasure to introduce the 2021 B&B LE of the Badger and Blade Brown Leaf! This is the tenth year we’ve done an LE Pipe. This year’s pipe will be made by the one and only Ryan Alden of Edgewood, TX: Custom Handmade Pipes | Alden Pipes - https://www.aldenpipes.com/. Ryan has been making pipes for a number of years and is a true gentleman. He’s joined B&B and is can answer questions and give us updates on the pipe this year as @Alden Pipes .
I’m really excited about this year’s pipe. I have three of Ryan’s pipes and they’re some of my absolute favorites—top notch artistry, perfect smoking characteristics, and they demonstrate a real attention to detail.
This year's pipe is a classic with a bit of personality: a 4-square paneled billiard. The pipe will be a sandblasted crosscut grain and is finished in a lovely contrast brindle stain with a handmade Cumberland stem. This is a very comfortable pipe, feels great in the hand, and it also sits like a good dog. The paneled billiard is one of Ryan’s specialties, and he’s one of the few makers today who does this shape properly.
Approximate Specifications:
Bowl Width – 1.43"
Bowl Height - 2"
Length - 6"
Chamber Depth "Standard Chamber Bore - 13/16"
Price: $275.00 plus 10.00 shipping U.S. or $25 shipping international
In addition........
With this year’s pipe, Ryan is offering us a special option: the choice of bowl diameters.
The pipe will be offered with your choice of three bowl diameters:
Approximate diameters:
Standard – 13/16”
Smaller – 3/4"
Larger – 15/16”
A note about bowl diameters: Some of the experienced pipers here will have strong preferences for their choice of bowl diameter, and different diameters work better for some folks, and for some styles of tobacco. To help you make your choice, here are my general thoughts on bowl diameter:
The standard drilling of 13/16 is a good choice for just about any tobacco. If you’re unsure, choose the standard drilling. I have a 13/16 diameter pipe from Ryan, and it smokes the heck out of Virginias, VaPers, flakes, burleys, dark fired Kentucky—you name it. It’s a good choice for aromatic smokers as well.
The smaller drilling of 3/4 is a good choice for Virginias and flakes. The smaller diameter tends to concentrate flavors, which is why it’s a good choice for Virginias. This diameter will result in a pipe that has slightly thicker chamber walls and will be slightly heavier. Most folks choosing this size will know that they like a smaller chamber.
The larger drilling of 15/16 is a good choice for latakia blends, complex Balkans, and aromatics. In complex Balkans, I find I taste a bit more of the different types of leaf in the blend in a broader chamber like this. I find that blends like Penzance which can be a little subtle and tricky, really do best in a broader chamber. Some aromatic smokers also prefer a larger bowl, as it can help the flavor come through a little clearer. With that said, I know some folks who like a bigger drilling for Virginias. Generally, a bigger bowl is a little harder to control because you’re dealing with more surface area, but can produce a cooler and slower smoke. The larger chamber size will result in a pipe with slightly thinner walls which will be a bit lighter.
Ordering Info:
Please send an email to [email protected] with the subject “B&B Pipe” with the following information:
Name
B&B User Name
Email Address
Mailing Address
Bowl Diameter Choice – you can specify “standard”, “smaller”, or “larger”. If you do not specify a diameter, you will receive a pipe with the standard diameter.
Pipe number will be assigned by order received, and in remembrance of @bryant #20 will be skipped. At the end of the ordering period, Ryan will send members an invoice for initial down payment. This year, Ryan is offering us a tremendous discount over his regular retail price, and the down payment will be half the cost of the pipe ($137.50) so he can order materials without fronting those costs. Upon completion of the pipes, Ryan will send an additional invoice for the balance ($137.50) plus shipping. Projected completion date right now is September.
Don't miss out on the chance to own a Ryan Alden paneled billiard pipe at a great price. The ordering window has been set at 21 days, which would be May 31.