My daughter has an Anatolian as a livestock guardian dog on her farm. She's a real sweetheart. So far she has treed a bear and a bobcat and chased an eagle who had caught one of the ducks. The duck survived because of her. When my daughter was walking her and they surprised a possum, she looked...
WOW! The apple is my favorite shape, but it takes on a whole new aspect with the swan's neck stem. It looks more organic and sinuous, and the grain is striking. Needless to say, the stem fits it perfectly.
The three I have are all good smokers, but nothing very special. The older Shell finish pipes are my preference and I was able to use their dating to acquire a "birth year" pipe. Other than that, I think they are overpriced.
One of my Savinellis came without an adapter and I just smoke it that way, another I leave the adapter in. Most of mine are from before filters were even an option from them. Makes little difference as far as I can tell.
My recommendation would be for the EMP. I think that 965 leans too heavily on the latakia element and lacks complexity. Of course, it's been a while since I've smoked any 965 so it may have changed.
After suffering for decades, my allergies have largely disappeared. I think my immune system has basically decided "whatever".
I vividly remember trying to light my pipe with one hand while blowing my nose with a handkerchief in the other.
My favorite would be a sharp Cheddar, but also, Wensleydale, Chesire, Stilton, Brie, aged Gouda, shall I go on?
My daughter, who is raising dairy goats makes an excellent Chevre.
I smoked cherry blend in the car when we were dating. After we got married she would help me shop for pipes and I usually got one for Christmas or birthday or both. In 50+ years I've received a lot of pipes, lighters, tampers, etc..
She sits in her armchair and I'm puffing right next to her...
The letter codes on Shulte pipes were apparently a pricing code, though how to decipher it is beyond me. Among many others I have an "MAC", a "CERS" and an "AER". The pipes were in a jumble in drawers and racks in the shop and I suspect this method was how they dealt with price tags falling off...
That is the place and yes, that seems to be the reason for locating there. Originally in a grand old social club in Seattle but forced to move since legally, wait staff couldn't be "required" to operate in a room where people smoked.
For me, two of the most memorably enjoyable smokes I've had were while engaged in a pleasant conversation.
Once at a restaurant meet-up with fellow pipe smokers and once chatting with my son and a couple of his friends. Both times I marveled at how little I needed to fuss with the pipe. No...
Regarding Charatans, if the saddle you're referring to is the DC (double comfort) stem, I hope you're aware that they did not use that style on every pipe.
Congratulations! I'm sure I have no idea of the work or office politics of such a position, but I have always felt that the passing on of knowledge to others was among the noblest professions.