I'm not sure if this belongs in the customer's project thread, woodworking thread, or may get demoted to the woodshed, but I'm posting a picture of a mesquite wood pipe that a long time customer made for me as a gift. The wood is a scrap of mesquite from my sawmill and when I looked at what he had done with it, I flashed back to memories of my father's father teaching me how to smoke from a small pipe back when I was probably 4-5 years old. My grandfather was from Eastern Europe and would take me into the basement and teach me about tools, hanging fall vegetables in the root cellar, smoking a pipe, and forming the future man I would be.My grandfather had a special little pipe just for me. The part that is interesting to me is that as I relate this story to the men who work here at my present business, they chuckle with remarks about child protective custody, government intervention, etc, etc. When I look at the pipe that my customers (who are of middle Eastern origin) presented to me as a well wrapped gift (complete with their mix of special tobacco, pipe tamper, leather storage bag etc.) I remember back to the 1950's when my now long deceased relatives gave me life lessons and shared a little of their culture with me. And I don't think I am any the worse for it. I have to wonder at how far this country has come. I am having to teach myself how to smoke a pipe all over again, this time by myself. Rob
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/35190/mesquite_pipe.JPG)
Beautiful! that is a good customer
I am an ex cigarette smoker. I think I miss the smell and taste of a pipe more than any of the cigarettes. I miss a cigar too. BUT I know I can never enjoy them again. :(
I like it.
I'm not a smoker (a chewer :-\), but my late uncle always had 2 pipes in his bib overalls and smoked Prince Albert, when one went out he'd switch to the other. When I was little I always tried to stand down wind of him, I still remember that sweet smell. My wife has one of her late Grandpa's pipes, he smoked Velvet and she has the same memories of him, funny what you remember from years gone by. That's a very nice pipe ;).
That is a fine pipe and a nice gesture of appreciation. Mine would go un-smoked. ;D
Quite the craftsman, Nice!