From: Steve Masticola (????????????????????????)
Subject: 2-bowl experiences

Hi, all,

As I put this issue of the Digest together, I'm breaking in an in-line
2-bowl pipe that Mark Tinsky (???????????) carved as a special order
for me.  I've been curious about both two-bowls and Mark's work for
quite some time, and decided to put one and one together.

The pipe is based loosely on one that appeared in the Summer-Autumn
1995 issue of the Ephemeris, made by Mr. Marshall of Millville
Ltd. and owned by O.F.W. Fisher.  It's a beauty -- a straight stem
with two apple bowls, in line, about six inches long, with a natural
finish and a great-looking tight grain pattern with some birdseyes.
The bowls are separated by about a half inch of thicker stem.

The pipe has a flat bottom so it will stand up on a desk.  Mark
supplied two stems, a P-stem and a flat, crunch-resistant one.  Both
stems are inlaid with a ring of wood and a small silver star cased in
lucite.  I've so far only used the P-bit.  

Mark and I both had fun with the design, which we did by email, and
his execution was as flawless as almost any human activity can be.
One bowl is sliiiiightly thicker than the other, but that's all.  As
was to be expected, there are a couple of minor sand pits, which I
asked Mark not to fill.  I've taken photos, which I hope Mark will put
on his Web page, if they come out.

So what's it like to smoke a multi-engine briar?  Well, it's an
experience for the advanced amateur, not for the beginner.  I'm
learning all over again how to keep a pipe lit!

It's nice and cool, if both bowls are burning.  Keeping them both
burning has required some attention.  One or the other of the bowls
won't stay lit unless they are packed just right.  This means packing
it proportionally, so the outer one draws a bit harder than the inner
one.

I'm still playing with the packing.  The first time I smoked it, I put
some McConnell Red Virginia in one bowl and one of Craig Tarler's
blends in the other.  This was a mistake, as it makes it hard to
balance the bowls with two different kinds of tobacco.  The second
time, I used one blend in both bowls; this seems to give better
results.  Hopefully, after a few hours, the technique will become
automatic.  Then, I'll play with blending at the time of combustion,
which I'm eager to accomplish.

Last but not least, this is one pipe I'm _never_ going to smoke in the
car.  The police here are on the lookout for drug paraphenalia; the
papers are replete with cars being searched for pot after being
stopped for broken taillights and failure to dim high beams.  So I'd
prefer to look inconspicuous while driving.  But I hope to bring the
Tinsky two-bowl out at a show soon and have some fun with it!  (I'd
love to see the double-takes! :-)

Mark and I have also discussed fitting the pipe, or one like it, with
an in-line screw adjustment for flow balancing.  He assures me that
this is possible, but suggested that experience would help more.  At
this point, I think he's right.

If anyone else here has played with multi-bowls, I'd appreciate
hearing your experiences, and tips on technique.  Until next issue,
then, 

			Smoke in peace,
			~\UU Steve.


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