Ozark Mountain Briars 2007
Pipes
Contact Information
For information about my pipes, to talk about pipes, tobacco or anything else, please email me at david@ozarkmountainbriars.com I am always interested in hearing from fellow pipe smokers, and collectors.
Several people have asked me if I send out periodic emails about site updates. So by popular demand, I am going to start sending out site updates. If you would like to be included in this list, please Click Here! Or send an email to the above address stating that you would like to be added to my update list! I will be sending out updates usually every 2 weeks to once a month.
If you want to stop receiving my site updates, I will include a link in all the update emails with instructions on "unsubscribing" or send an email to me at the above address stating you'd like to be removed from the site update list!
Frequently Asked Questions (and some rarely asked ones!)
Q. Do you charge shipping and handling?
A....... The price of shipping and handling to all United States addresses is already included in the price of the pipe. For orders shipped outside the United States, please email me before purchase and I will quote you a price on shipping to your location. All pipes shipped to the United States are send USPS Priority Mail Insured, and all shipments outside the US are sent USPS Priority Mail International. If you would like other shipping services, please let me know!
Q. Do you ship to places other than the United States?
A.......Yes! I will ship world wide! Buyers outside the United States please email me for information on shipping costs before purchasing. Shipping will be slightly higher than to US addresses. All taxes, duties or import fees are the responsibility of the buyer.
Q. If I order a pipe using the PayPal buttons, do I need a PayPal account?
A......No! You can purchase through PayPal with a credit card without setting up an account. (they will ask if you want to create an account but it is not necessary.)
Q. Can you explain your nomenclature/stamping?
A......Sure! My pipes are stamped with my initials (DMJ). Under the initials are 5 numbers, a group of 4 and one by itself. The first 4 are the number of the pipe and the year. The last number is the series number. Workman Pipes are stamped with a "4", Tradesman Pipes are stamped with a "3", Craftsman Pipes are stamped with a "2" and Pinnacle Pipes are stamped with a "1".
Q. I prefer my pipe bowls un-coated. Can you remove the pre-carb coating from the tobacco chamber?
A.....Short answer, no. Once the precarb coating goes in, its very difficult to completely remove it. I run the risk of changing the bowl shape, especially in the all important heel area of the bowl, and losing the chamfer at the top edge of the bowl. For more info on bowl coatings and why I use it, go to my About Briar page. Look for my thoughts on bowl coatings at the bottom of the page. I prefer to precarb the chamber, but you like one of my pipes, but do not want the coating in the bowl, please email me and I can recreate the pipe without the coating.
Q. Why are handmade pipes so expensive?
A......Several factors go into pricing. Mostly, it is because of 2 factors. Pipes are very labor intensive and take many hours to craft. And each pipe is one of a kind. Other factors: materials involved, tools and machinery, etc.
Q. Why are some pipemaker's pipes higher priced than others?
A.....You are paying for the name! The more well known the pipemaker, the more collectible his/her creations. And the more collectible the creations the more they will be sought out by buyers. Its the law of supply and demand at work.
Q. Do you take special orders/requests?
A.....NO... I am in the process of moving, and my shop will be down for a few months. I am not sure when I'll be back up making pipes so I would rather not take requests until my shop is set up again. Sorry for the inconvenience but it is necessary. I hope to be back to making pipes early 2008.
Q. Do you have any warranty/guarantee on your pipes?
A.....Of sorts! I want all customers to be happy with their purchase. IF you don't like the pipe you purchased, please return it unsmoked within 2 weeks of receiving it for a full refund. If your pipe burns out (burns through the bowl) within 6 months, return for a refund. (if its going to burn out, it usually will in the first few bowls) For other problems, please email me the details and we'll go from there.
Q. What's the weather like in Arkansas?
A.....Updated November 3, 2006. We had our first frost last night and most of the leaves are off the trees. Looks like winter is setting in. Sure hope it isn't a nasty one! Update March 7, 2007. Spring has returned!!! Joy Joy Joy! Although we may yet have some winter left.
Q. What's your favorite tobacco?
A.....Gee, what time of day is it??? My favorite is usually any good tobacco that I'm smoking at that time!!! C&D's Haunted Bookshop and Three Friars are among ones I smoke frequently. I've also gotten to know Gawith's Full Va Flake too. My taste has moved from English to Vapers and straight Va's.
Q. Why don't more women smoke pipes?
A.....Good Question! I really don't know! I think it has a lot to do with society's perceived notions on what people should or shouldn't do. Women just don't smoke pipes! Which I think is a shame! If more women could get by the social stereotyping and try pipe smoking, I think they'd enjoy it as much as the men do. (maybe more!) And its great for taking away the stresses of life.
Q. Why do certain pipes smoke better with certain types of tobacco?
A.....Ah, one of the greatest mysteries of pipe smoking! If anyone can come up with a way to predict what tobaccos will smoke the best in a pipe I think they'd be a millionaire overnight. But the fact remains that pipes, like people usually "prefer" one type of tobacco. For example, I have a straight apple I made for myself when I first started crafting pipes. Smoked like a dog! I tried every tobacco I had, every packing method, and anything else I could think of. And I was ready to dumpster the darn thing! Then I bought a sample of an all burley blend and on a whim tried it in this apple. Absolutely Marvelous! A mild nutty flavor with hints of brown sugar and caramel! Smoked like a dream! Needless to say it is now the pipe I reach for when I want a predominantly burley blend. The bottom line is, if you've got a pipe that doesn't smoke well, don't automatically condemn the pipe, it just may favor a different style of tobacco! Keep experimenting!
Q. English/Balkan/Oriental Blends. What's the big deal with them? I don't "get" them at all!
A.....You know, I was the same way for years! I've smoked a pipe for a long time, but my usual blends were virginia and virginia/burley and usually a flavored aromatic. I'd try an occasional English blend and never understood the attraction to them. I even threw out about 2/3rds of a tin of GL Pease Blackpoint (Sorry Greg, I wish I hadn't now!) because it tasted like smoking a handful of burning leaves. I'd stop short of saying English blends are an acquired taste, but would say it is more of a learning experience and refining your palette. It took me several weeks of smoking an English occasionally until I began to taste the flavor nuances others do. I think they require a little more patient smoking technique than a flavored aromatic. Plus, you need to find a pipe that will handle them! (see above)