I prefer the airflow of a pipe absent the filter. An open airflow, like a 9mm filtered pipe with the filer absent, comes across as cooler and more flavorful to me, which is what I'm looking for.

That looks like a great smoke. What was your process, if you don't mind me asking?

I'll be sure to take some photos mid process for next time!

Amazing. Thank you for sharing.

Did you case the Red Virginia like you do the bright?

Thank you!

I tend to smoke Englishes in them. Current favorites: Presbyterian, Father Dempsey, Sutliff Match 965. But I also will load them up with a burley, DFK, or Balkan and they perform admirably. They only things I don't smoke in them are aros and Virginias; I have other pipes for those.

I love both the form and function of a poker. I have a couple of Savinelli 311KS, which I find to be a well balanced example of the shape and are probably my favorite briar pipes.