As for today, I'm smoking some Crooner in this pipe...a Rocheleau. The pipe is interesting for a couple reasons (well, to me). John Rocheleau was a Canadian painter and sculptor of some acclaim. He took up pipe making in the early 2000's as another artistic outlet and instantly enjoyed a lot of success. But, after only a short time into it, he developed some physical issues (worsening arthritis IIRC) and had to end it. He stopped making pipes around 2006ish.
I bought this one from a guy who fraudulently misrepresented it. The briar is fine, but he situated the pics to disguise the fact that the stem 1. Isn't original, 2. Is wildly disproportionate to the pipe, and 3. Clearly wasn't even made for it - he took a stem from some other pipe and stuck it into this one because it "almost" fits. After I got it, I was quite perturbed because it wasn't cheap, even secondhand. But, rather than go through the battle I just figured some day I'd have a proper stem cut for it. I really dig the unique rustication and finishes that Rocheleau used and wanted *this* pipe. That day never came, and I kinda just got used to this one. Maybe one day I *will* get around to it, but if not that's OK too. I really do like the stem material - it's just sized incorrectly both externally and internally. So, it smokes a little sloppy and looks wonky. Meh. I reckon I can cope with that.
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