The Boswell store is more than just a full functioning tobacco shop.  Along with day to day sales of Pipes, Cigars, Tobaccos and accessories there is much more that is happening in the back rooms of this shop.  

In just one days time orders are being filled for pipe repairs, pipe orders from other tobacconist, e-mail request for  custom pipes, and of course the makings of a Boswell pipe. 

Come take a look at what goes on in back...

Briar Block

All the workings of a Boswell pipe begin with the finest Grecian Briar...      

The Briar is hand picked and then the outline of the pipe is drawn on the briar block.  The drawing on the briar is then cut out, the pipe shape is now started.

First Cut

The tobacco bowl and air hole are drilled.  Now the rest of the pipe is ready to be carved and sanded to a desired shape.

Tobacco Hole  

The next step is to choose a stem for the pipe.  Boswell also purchases his stems in bulk whether it is Lucite or Vulcanite.  Once the stem is chosen it is bent or formed to fit the overall style of the pipe.  

Shaping

The Store from the back.

The Store from the front

Now the pipe is ready for one of the final steps which is staining the pipe and buffing.  Boswell has several different colors of dye to chose from.  Note: Boswell pipes were among the first to bring a wide variety of colors, breaking away from the standard colors normally used such as light brown or dark brown.  He has incorporated blue, green, orange, red, and so on to be used to accentuate the grain of the pipe.

Staining

The final step buffing the pipe with a carnauba wax to a shining finish.  Along with the last step are two more crucial steps Boswell's special bowl coating and Boswell's signature plus the year of the pipe.  Boswell's bowl coating greatly shortens the "break-in" time and gives a sweet smoke from the very first bowl.  

Buffing

Finished Pipe