The Pipes Magazine Radio Show Podcast

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome back pipe maker Nate King for the sixth installment of our recurring segment, "The State of Nate." Nate has been making pipes since 2005 and holds an honorary Master of Pipes degree from the Chicagoland Pipe Collectors Club. He is also a member of the prestigious Confrérie des Maîtres Pipiers de Saint-Claude.

In this episode, Nate and Brian catch up on the recent Indiana Pipe Show, before turning their attention to the latest Las Vegas International Pipe Show. They discuss attendance, changes to the lounge and show floor, the challenges of organizing the event, and what worked especially well this year. Nate also shares his perspective as both an exhibitor and a buyer, including some of the pipes he brought home, the people who make pipe shows special, and a few memorable moments from the week in Vegas. And, of course, there's the usual conversation about In-N-Out Burger.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome back Jess Steere, who first joined us more than five years ago, when he was celebrating his first five years as a pipe smoker. Now marking his tenth anniversary in the hobby, Jess returns to share how he has helped build a local pipe-smoking community that brings together college students and other men who might never have discovered fellow pipe smokers in their area.

Jess explains how casual conversations about pipes led to gatherings centered on good tobacco, shared interests, and camaraderie. He discusses how he introduces newcomers to the hobby, helps them choose pipes and tobacco, and encourages others to start clubs of their own - even if they don't know another pipe smoker nearby. Drawing on his experience in campus ministry, Jess also reflects on the importance of friendship, mentorship, and creating opportunities for people to connect. He's even willing to coach anyone interested in starting a club of their own.

At the top of the show, Brian presents Part Five - the conclusion of his series comparing three coin-cut tobaccos: Escudo, Peterson’s Deluxe Navy Rolls, and Davidoff Flake Medallions.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome back Nate Rose, who first joined us in 2022 when pipe making was still a part-time pursuit. Today, Nate is a full-time pipe maker, having made the leap from his job at General Motors to building his business around the craft. Since then, he has continued upgrading his workshop, refining his skills, and developing his own recognizable style.

Nate and Brian discuss the transition to making pipes for a living, the challenges of balancing commissions with the freedom to experiment, and his ongoing efforts to expand his range of shapes. Nate talks about his fondness for traditional English and French designs, his growing interest in freehand pipes, and the blowfish shape that continues to challenge him. They also look back on the pipe-smoking community, including a particularly meaningful memory involving Nate’s grandfather, Murray, whose earlier appearance on the show left Nate with a recording his family can treasure.

At the top of the show, Brian presents Part Four of his five-part series comparing Escudo, Peterson’s Deluxe Navy Rolls, and Davidoff Flake Medallions. We will get into some of the history of Davidoff Flake Medallions, and provide a review.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome back Glen Whelan, Managing Director of Peterson of Dublin. Peterson is a family tradition for Glen: his father spent 50 years working at the factory, eventually becoming Factory Manager, while Glen began his own career with the company as a part-time retail associate at age 16. After more than a decade in retail, he moved into sales and steadily advanced to his current leadership role.

Glen gives us a behind-the-scenes look at Peterson's manufacturing operation, from developing new finishes and testing pipes under demanding conditions to coordinating special releases without disrupting regular production. He also discusses the inspiration behind the Halloween series, subtle refinements to classic shapes, the growing market for smaller pipes, and what's coming next from Peterson, including a special upcoming release in the Charles Peterson collection. Along the way, Glen shares his favorite Peterson shape, his current enthusiasm for McClelland tobaccos, and a memorable story from a pipe-smoking event that proves you can enjoy a slow smoke a little too slowly.

At the top of the show, Brian continues with Part Three of his five-part series exploring the similarities and differences between Escudo, Peterson's De Luxe Navy Rolls, and Davidoff Flake Medallions. We will get into some of the history of Peterson De Luxe Navy Rolls, and provide a review.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we continue our three-part conversation with Dennis Cullinan of Red Bell Pipes in Lansing, Michigan. In this second installment of "Story Time with Dennis," Dennis takes us through his years as a working librarian, when pipe smoking was still part of his daily routine and a pipe rack in his office was never far away. He also recalls the pipe shops of Lansing, the brands and shapes that caught his attention, and his growing appreciation for estate pipes.

Dennis shares stories from his early visits to pipe shows, including the first Chicago Pipe Show he attended in the late 1990s, and how those events opened up a whole new world of collecting. We hear about his affection for Wilmer pipes, his adventures finding and restoring neglected estate pipes, and a few remarkable bargains—including several Dunhills discovered in thrift and junk stores.

At the top of the show, Brian continues with Part Two of his five-part series exploring the similarities and differences between Escudo, Peterson's Deluxe Navy Rolls, and Davidoff Flake Medallions. We will get into some of the history of Escudo, and provide a review.