Cigar Weekly

Fishin Phil · 05-06-2007, 02:10 AM

Wow!

I've never seen anything quite like that! A huge convention room filled with exhibitor tables and pipes as far as the eye could see!

Pipes of every size, shape, description, and price range were available. It was a very interesting mix of exhibitors, some were big name retailers that we all shop (Iwan Ries, Smokingpipes.com, etc.), some were the carvers themselves - from aspiring artists to big name carvers like Rad Davis, some tables were just individuals trying to thin out there extensive collections. I saw pipes that range from $5.00 reclamation projects to pipes that cost thousands of dollars.

Many of our favorite Tobacco blenders were there and rolling out new blends at the show:

C & D had several new blends, I picked up one tin of Sunday Picnic
MacBaren introduced their new HH Matured Virginia, I picked up one tin.
McClellan had samples of their new Oriental Varietals, unfortunately the tins were not ready yet so they didn't have any for sale, but they were giving out sample bowls. Very nice!

One cool aspect of the show was that smoking was encouraged in the exhibition room. There were thousands of pipe smokers happily puffing away. This allowed all of the tobacco vendors to allow everyone to sample their wares. Unfortunately, I fear this aspect of the show may be wiped out next year due to the friggin ISN (Illinois Smoke Nazis).

I was there for 2 hours, and left with two pipes and six tins of tobacco. This was my first pipe show, and I learned one very valuable lesson for next year: TAKE MORE MONEY!!!

05-10-2007, 09:50 PM

That sounds like an incredible time. Everyone needs to get to the Chicago show at least once.

Ted · 05-11-2007, 07:29 AM

I wonder where this show will move to now that Illinois has passed their broad smoking ban.

Fia · 05-11-2007, 02:25 PM

Less and less places available to those types of events due to smoking laws. It even brings into question the RTDA show in Las Vegas summer 2008.

The chicago pipe show is one of those things on my list to do before I die!

sucol · 05-12-2007, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fia

The chicago pipe show is one of those things on my list to do before I die!

I am for sure going in 2008. This September I'm going to Richmond ... I hope we can get together some CW members there.

Thanks for the great report, Phil!

sucol · 05-12-2007, 03:41 AM

BTW, I thinks Ted's question is a good one ... will the big pipe shows be forced to North Carolina, for example, by the anti-smoking madness? Or will private venues have to be used?

Bernie*C · 05-14-2007, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sucol

BTW, I thinks Ted's question is a good one ... will the big pipe shows be forced to North Carolina, for example, by the anti-smoking madness? Or will private venues have to be used?

I think the answer is very likely, yes and yes. It'll have to be in a state where public smoking is still permitted and in a venue that isn't owned municipally.

I'm afraid that the time is coming when these shows will be virtually "underground" events. If there is a Chicago show next year, I plan on going.

sucol · 05-15-2007, 01:59 AM

I'm off to the Newark Show on June 2nd - and there will once again be no smoking. This is due to New Jersey's commitment to clean air.

Seriously, it detracts from the show, but there is still the camraderie with friends and fellow pipe smokers - plus, for now, a number of us go for the night and rent smoking rooms. Still and all ... a pipe show with no smoking

05-06-2007, 02:10 AM	#1
Fishin Phil Herf God Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Machesney Park, IL USA Posts: 17,425	Chicago Pipe Show Wow! I've never seen anything quite like that! A huge convention room filled with exhibitor tables and pipes as far as the eye could see! Pipes of every size, shape, description, and price range were available. It was a very interesting mix of exhibitors, some were big name retailers that we all shop (Iwan Ries, Smokingpipes.com, etc.), some were the carvers themselves - from aspiring artists to big name carvers like Rad Davis, some tables were just individuals trying to thin out there extensive collections. I saw pipes that range from $5.00 reclamation projects to pipes that cost thousands of dollars. Many of our favorite Tobacco blenders were there and rolling out new blends at the show: C & D had several new blends, I picked up one tin of Sunday Picnic MacBaren introduced their new HH Matured Virginia, I picked up one tin. McClellan had samples of their new Oriental Varietals, unfortunately the tins were not ready yet so they didn't have any for sale, but they were giving out sample bowls. Very nice! One cool aspect of the show was that smoking was encouraged in the exhibition room. There were thousands of pipe smokers happily puffing away. This allowed all of the tobacco vendors to allow everyone to sample their wares. Unfortunately, I fear this aspect of the show may be wiped out next year due to the friggin ISN (Illinois Smoke Nazis). I was there for 2 hours, and left with two pipes and six tins of tobacco. This was my first pipe show, and I learned one very valuable lesson for next year: TAKE MORE MONEY!!! __________________ The only thing better than fishing, is smoking a cigar while fishing.

05-11-2007, 02:25 PM	#4
Fia Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Makakilo, HI Posts: 630	Less and less places available to those types of events due to smoking laws. It even brings into question the RTDA show in Las Vegas summer 2008. The chicago pipe show is one of those things on my list to do before I die! __________________ Aloha Fia

05-12-2007, 03:41 AM	#6
sucol Club Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 2,893	BTW, I thinks Ted's question is a good one ... will the big pipe shows be forced to North Carolina, for example, by the anti-smoking madness? Or will private venues have to be used? __________________ "There are two theories of arguing with women. Neither one works."

05-15-2007, 01:59 AM	#8
sucol Club Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 2,893	I'm off to the Newark Show on June 2nd - and there will once again be no smoking. This is due to New Jersey's commitment to clean air. Seriously, it detracts from the show, but there is still the camraderie with friends and fellow pipe smokers - plus, for now, a number of us go for the night and rent smoking rooms. Still and all ... a pipe show with no smoking __________________ "There are two theories of arguing with women. Neither one works."

05-10-2007, 09:50 PM	#2
ElkTwin Guest Posts: n/a	That sounds like an incredible time. Everyone needs to get to the Chicago show at least once.

05-11-2007, 07:29 AM	#3
Ted Club Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Along the Oregon Trail Posts: 1,508	I wonder where this show will move to now that Illinois has passed their broad smoking ban.