For artisan and high-end smokers/collectors, what predominant brand and why?
John Perkowski
interested in those of us who can afford PAD. So, this thread isn't
for Grabows nor cobs.
This is for the serious collector of upper middle end, high end, or
artisan pipes: Castello, Dunhill, Anne Julie, Preben Holm, E Andrew,
Talbert, Lee Erck, Lindner all come to my mind for starters...
What's the majority brand in your rack? What's the favorite brand in
your rack (someone out there has a favorite pipemaker that isn't yet
the majority in his rack...)? Whyy?
For me, the majority brand is Charatan's Make. It's also my favorite
brand. I have three reasons for that:
1998: A certain article on the NASPC website, by a certain lady. She
published it at the moment I was returning to the briar. It gave me
quality options from low to high. It allowed me to focus and
organize.
I'm really delighted Tad Gage did his article in P&T last year. It
helped explained life over the years of a brand that chose not to date
their offerings.
Over the past four years, I've accumulated a bunch of Charatans. I
have a few Perfections (the joke against Dunhill), otherwise, there's
a hard floor a couple of points up the straight grain line. I've
found them technically well executed. They're available on the estate
market at a price that doesn't break the bank. They take well to the
English blends I now favor. I enjoy the tactile feeling of the makers
sanding, where the pipe becomes not "lathe round" on the exterior.
The quirky shapes, where the
I have some artisan pipes. Tinskys are most of those. The club I
belong to selects mainly artisan makers for the "pipe of the year." I
enjoy them.
But when I load my travel bag, 6 of 7 will be Charatans.
Smoke in peace, John
Joshua Rosenblatt
(in message <f6bfe4fb.03021...@posting.google.com>):
>
> What's the majority brand in your rack? What's the favorite brand in
> your rack (someone out there has a favorite pipemaker that isn't yet
> the majority in his rack...)? Whyy?
Majority & favorites in my rack: Tinsky -15/16 by Mark and 3 by Glenn.
why, they smoke geat and there is nothign like smoking a pipe made by an
artisan you love as a person & friend.
As for the focus of my pipes, I've gone the gamut. Castellos, Dunhills,
Ashtons, ad infinitum (never ogt into te Danish though, not my style -though
they sure are purty).
Lately though I started focusing on pipes by artisan makers I knew and liked
(either in perosn or online). I find alot of pleasure in smoking my
Bonaquistis, Le Nuvoles, Lindner, Talbert, Von Erck, Eells, Mickles, Cannoys,
Block ad infinitum. It adds a whole lot to the experience for me.
I will be thinning my herd yet again and most of what I'll be getting rid of
will be the Dunhill, Castello, type pipes (of coruse I'll keep sentimental
pieces and the absolute best smokers of that group)
Joshua
Martin Farrent
>
> What's the majority brand in your rack? What's the favorite brand in
> your rack (someone out there has a favorite pipemaker that isn't yet
> the majority in his rack...)? Whyy
Majority: Dunhill, but it's not an overwhelming majority. Six pipes out
of about 75. Reasons: consistency and that "timeless" Dunhill air. I
also have three Parkers (2 from the 1950s), for those who consider them
Dunhill seconds.
Favourites: Also Dunhill, but not alone. I'd like to own more by Kai
Nielsen, preferably his highest grade "Jewel of Denmark" (I only have
one). I appreciate Upshall a lot and also love old Loewes, though I only
have two. Of the modernists, apart from Nielsen and his father, I like
l'anatra tremendously (more than any other Italian make, at present).
I'm looking forward to smoking a Tinsky soon. Another dream would be a
Joura.
> For me, the majority brand is Charatan's Make.
I like Charatan's. I have two, a Belvedere and a large freehand
Distinction from the early 60s. I also had a tiny freehand Special until
recently, when it burned-out. This was the only time such a thing had
occured to me in 25 years - and I really do blame the pipe. The shape
was misconceived - too slender and far too thin-walled at the bottom. I
always smoked it as carefully as I could, but knew it would happen, some
day. The lady you mentioned would probably blame me :-)
Best,
Martin
Mark Cicero
I collect pipes by JHW and Don-Lou (brooklyn based carver that I knew
personally). I have appromimately 20 Don Lou's many of his exotic wood
pipes...and about 15 JHW....all but 2 are unsmoked.
Of the pipes that I smoke regularly I probably have more Rolando Negoita
and Tom Eltang pipes that any other makers. (it use to be
Matzhold....but I sold many of those).
My interest in Rolando's pipes stems from my one time interest in Ed
Burak's work (of which I had a HUGE collection.....now I only have
one). Rolando's designs are like none that I have ever
seen....organic....original......and they smoke great. I believe that
pipes possess a little bit of the soul of the maker. Rolando and his
wife Alexandra are some of the finest people I have ever
met.....ergo....a beautiful pipe becomes that much more special.
I feel the same way about my Eltangs pipes. Tom is doing some great
work and great designs.
What I like about Rolando and Tom's work is that they are immediately
recognizable.......they have a stly and grace that is ALL their own.
Good thread.
Regards,
Mark
Da' Bear
> Yes, smoke what you enjoy, and enjoy what you smoke. Even so, I'm
> interested in those of us who can afford PAD. So, this thread isn't
> for Grabows nor cobs.
>
> This is for the serious collector of upper middle end, high end, or
> artisan pipes: Castello, Dunhill, Anne Julie, Preben Holm, E Andrew,
> Talbert, Lee Erck, Lindner all come to my mind for starters...
Lordy. My "collection" (glancing at the pipe rack) looks like it was
selected by an ADD child with a credit card that he stole from his dad's
wallet.
I would *like* to get some Dunhills (being a DPD, only proper),
Lindners, Talberts, and Johnsons.
--
Da' Bear
"To you I'm an atheist; to God, I'm the Loyal Opposition."
-Woody Allen
Sagiter
high grade. A clear majority seems to be Heeschens though, I think I'm up to
13. I love the look of all or most of Peter's work and afaic they are all
unparralleled smokers and as light and comfortable as one could want. The
stems are amazing.
Neil
--
Neil Flancbaum
Craftsman
http://www.smokinholsters.com
"John Perkowski" <johnwpe...@my-deja.com> wrote in message
news:f6bfe4fb.03021...@posting.google.com...
G. L. Pease
(in message <f6bfe4fb.03021...@posting.google.com>):
> What's the majority brand in your rack? What's the favorite brand in
> your rack (someone out there has a favorite pipemaker that isn't yet
> the majority in his rack...)? Whyy?
The majority brand for me is old GBD, and has been for some time. I love
the things. When they were at the peak of their game, the presented a
classical style that was unparlleled, to my eye. Even a simple billiard
was rendered something more. The beautifully beveled tops, the graceful
shanks, the perfect stem length. I don't think there is a pipe ever made
that represented classic English style as well as GBD did at their best.
I wish I could say the same for their more modern pipes. Additionally,
most every one that i have is just a damn fine smoker. There are dogs in
the kennel, but I can say the same thing for any of the classic English
marques, including Barling and Dunhill. Additionally, GBD were innovative
beyond their competition. They did things with shapes that challenged the
very definition of "classic," while still paying homage to it. My hat's
off to those guys, especially during the 20s-50s, when they were turning
out stellar stuff. Further, these pipes represent the history of pipe
making to me. When I pick up a 1929 GBD, fill it with a stop of some
cherished weed, set it alight, and puff contentedly, I'm transported to
other times, other places. There's magic in them pipes.
To some, GBD would not fit in the category you suggest, but to me, that's
just wrong minded. The older pieces were every bit the pipe that Dunhill
was. So, there. (They weren't cheap, either! If they were being produced
today with the same quality of fit and finish, they'd be selling for
high-grade prices. I rest my case.)
But, despite representing the majority, GBD is not really the focus of my
collection. For that, I have to turn the hand-mades. Roush, Heeschen,
Kent, Eltang, Teddy, Bengt Carlson, Talbert, Barbi, Bang, Tsuge,
Tokutomi. The list goes on. Probably the one stand-out, collection wise,
is Roush, with Heeschen coming in next, and then Eltang, then Kent. I'll
reluctantly limit my discussion to these four, so I don't spend the rest
of the day pounding on this damnable keyboard.
Roush: Flawless fit and finish. While I don't love every shape Larry
makes, the ones I do, I really do. They're immediately recognizable. His
rustication is stellar, and they smoke like dreams.
Heeschen: The lightest, most comfortable, best smoking pipes I have come
from this man. His stem work is second to none for comfort. The pipes
smoke like old-friends before you've finished the second bowl, and his
shapes are beautiful.
Heeschen and Roush both know how to make a pipe you can smoke, as well as
hold. There's just something about they way they fit. Great work.
Eltang: What can I say? Tom has taken the notion of "classic shape" in a
direction that is exclusively his. There's no mistaking his work, whether
it's a flight-of-fancy freeform, or a conservative apple. The man is a
master.
Kent: Kent doesn't bother with the notion of classic very often. His
playground is the world of fantasy, and his freeform pipes are incredible
works of art. His eye for perfection is obvious, and he's paid great
attention to what goes on inside the pipe, as well. Yep. They smoke.
While kent does tread in the land of the outre with some of his shapes,
he never strays so far as too make them silly. (I can't abide the "Danish
Freehand" stuff that was popular in the 70s and 80s. While this sort of
styling informs Kent's work to some extent, it's restrained and
brilliantly reinterpreted. I could go on and on...)
With each of these guys, if you were to examine a body of their work,
you'd easily see the threads that tie the work together. They each have a
different style, a different flair. Each will do something different with
the same block of wood, and that block would become uniquely theirs. To
me, that's what makes a master at the craft, rather than just a
craftsman. And, they are artists in every sense.
Of course, I may be biased. Each of these men is a friend, and that may
well colour my perception of their work. In addition to being fine pipe
makers, they are outstanding human beings. Naturally, that does have
something to do with the way I feel about their pipes. If I were forced
to get rid of all but 10 of my pipes, there is no doubt that I would
select my favourites from these makers, and those of other pipe making
friends. Sadly, I would be forced to sacrifice my beloved GBDs. I pray
that I will never have to make such a choice.
This has become longer than intended, but I lack the time to make it
shorter. I'm sorry to have left out so many of my faves, but the ones
mentioned are in good company. In the final analysis, it is as I have
always suspected. My favourite pipes have soul. Something just makes them
special. (Didn't I write an article about that? Hmmm...)
-glp
--
Gregory Pease
Principal Tobacco Alchemist
G. L. Pease Tobaccos, Intl.
http://www.glpease.com
Robert Blair
Perkowski) wrote:
<snip>
>
>What's the majority brand in your rack?
The majority (18) of my collection is pre-1970 GBD as that is the
first "real" pipe I started smoking after graduating from Dr. Graybow
back in the late 60's.
Following that would be Dunhill and Prebem Holm with 8 each. The
Dunhills just because they have been reputed to be the bench mark for
other traditional shaped pipes. The Prebem Holm's for a like reason
but relating to Danish and/or Freehands.
After these, my collection is an eclectic mix of Savinelli's,
Sasieni's, Upshall's, Stanwell's, Tinsky's and etc.
> What's the favorite brand in your rack?
>
I would have to say the Prebem Holm's are my favorite brand as they,
to me, epitomize the flair of the artisan in making a well engineered
pipe while at the same time a work of art. All but one I purchased
new myself back when Prebem was still alive and got to have the joy of
breaking them in, albeit with Amphora and Flying Dutchman. The stems,
mostly vulcanite, are perhaps the most comfortable and in of
themselves add to the craftman's flair with the different shapes they
were made in. When I look at a 'modern' freehand, I judge it by the
standards that Prebem set back when he and only a few others were
producing works of art instead of just a vessel for smoking tobacco.
Thanks John for starting this thread and I look forward to seeing what
others have in their collections.
Cheers,
Bob
jlruble
Charatan. I consider them both the same. And a distant second is Mark
Tinsky, only because I discovered the Wades 18 years ago, and Mark only
about 6 years ago (and thanks to this group).
SCOTTY
"John Perkowski" <johnwpe...@my-deja.com> wrote in message
news:f6bfe4fb.03021...@posting.google.com...
Jim Turner
Perkowski) wrote:
>Yes, smoke what you enjoy, and enjoy what you smoke. Even so, I'm
>interested in those of us who can afford PAD. So, this thread isn't
>for Grabows nor cobs.
>
>This is for the serious collector of upper middle end, high end, or
>artisan pipes: Castello, Dunhill, Anne Julie, Preben Holm, E Andrew,
>Talbert, Lee Erck, Lindner all come to my mind for starters...
>
Interesting thread John, thanks for bringing it up.
First let me say it is presumptuous of me to even be considering
adding to this discussion. I am one of those people who do not feel
the need to have a great number of pipes - I try to limit the
collection to between 30 and 35, so there is no great number of any
one specific makers product.
Having said that I have three each of Mark Tinsky, Lee vonErck, Peter
Matzhold, and Dunhill. Two each of Bang, Peter Hedegaard, W. Becker,
and old Celius. Singles by Garbe, Roush, Anne Julie and others.
My greatest disappointment is that I have nothing by Eltang or Barbi
currently.
A pipe that I always wanted to own is a Talbert. Unfortunately, I'm
not sure I have ever seen one for sale. For a while I would
religiously check his web site but continued to see a message that
everything was sold and that he was not accepting special orders. All
the while people would be writing about their new Talbert's. It got
frustrating and finally I quit looking. Everything I hear about them
is excellent however. Lucky are the owners.
JT
Jeff Folloder
> This is for the serious collector of upper middle end, high end, or
> artisan pipes: Castello, Dunhill, Anne Julie, Preben Holm, E Andrew,
> Talbert, Lee Erck, Lindner all come to my mind for starters...
>
> What's the majority brand in your rack? What's the favorite brand in
> your rack (someone out there has a favorite pipemaker that isn't yet
> the majority in his rack...)? Whyy?
I have over 60 Dunhills, approaching 50 Talberts, and an assortment of
other high end/artisan products from Eltang, Lindner, Johnson, and
others. Dunhill is the majority, but that will soon give way to my
favorite: Talbert.
--
Jeff Folloder
(on the road)
Sailorman Jack
>> What's the majority brand in your rack? What's the favorite brand in
>> your rack (someone out there has a favorite pipemaker that isn't yet
>> the majority in his rack...)? Whyy?
More than 100 Dunhills and about 30 seventies and earlier Charatans.
Fair winds,
Sailorman Jack
Port of New York
-------------------------------------------------------------
"There ain't no such thing as a free lunch." Professor Bernardo De La Paz in
Robert Heinlein's "The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress"
Buddy Springman
"Joshua Rosenblatt" <joshuaro...@earthlink.net> wrote in message >
Majority & favorites in my rack: Tinsky -15/16 by Mark and 3 by Glenn.
> why, they smoke geat and there is nothign like smoking a pipe made by
an
> artisan you love as a person & friend.
>
> As for the focus of my pipes, I've gone the gamut. Castellos,
Dunhills,
> Ashtons, ad infinitum (never ogt into te Danish though, not my
style -though
> they sure are purty).
Sixteen Tinsky's. All but a two are great smokers - and I'm holding out
hope for them. Only one in the bunch has a stem/shank juncture you can
feel with your eyes closed. He is *great* to deal with. And he was in
"Tier 1" <g>.
And a handful of Dunhills which smoke pretty damn well, God bless the
fraizing machine.
Buddy
ip...@ptd.net
>>
>> What's the majority brand in your rack? What's the favorite brand in
>> your rack (someone out there has a favorite pipemaker that isn't yet
>> the majority in his rack...)? Whyy?
>
>
>
Focus is primarily higher end, hand crafted Italian pipes as well as
American pipemakers. I think Randy Wiley makes terrific smokers. Looking
towards Von Erck or my paisano, Dario Christian for my next pipe.
A few weeks ago a Dunhill collector wanted to trade me one of his Dunnies
for one of my Tinsky's which he coveted. J. Folloder was helpful in steering
me towards some information on the pipe but for me, the trade was out of the
question. Each MT that I own has it's own story behind it. You just don't
let those thing go.
Nizo
Mike Rothenberg
Tinsky, Cavicchi, Le Nuvole, Moretti, and Dunhill make up the bulk, but Ashton
is my favorite. I just got a Sovereign xx Rhodesian that is simply killer.
Very reminiscent of the best English pipes from years ago. I believe Ashtons
are the finest smokers of all.
Mike Rothenberg
Tom
--Tom
------------------------------------
"Homo sum, humani nil a me alienum puto."
Terrance
fred hanna
> John Perkowski wrote:
> > What's the majority brand in your rack? What's the favorite brand in
> > your rack (someone out there has a favorite pipemaker that isn't yet
> > the majority in his rack...)? Whyy?
I try to blend collecting and smoking in the pipes I own. The pipes I
KEEP in my collection must be GREAT smokers or I trade or sell them.
It's too frustrating to own a beautiful pipe that does not smoke well,
or is merely decent. From the collecting side, I keep pipes that are
mostly large, have fantastic straight grain, and a highly appealing
shape, all of which combine to call out to me to hold and smoke them.
The pipe must also have no fills, and good quality engineering so that
it does not smoke wet, takes a pipe cleaner, has reasonably thick
walls, and so forth. Having said that, one sometimes has to compromise
on some points because very few pipes approach perfection.
If God intervened in the world of smoking pipes and declared that
there could only be one pipemaker on earth, I would choose Poul
Ilsted, possibly the most underrated of the great pipemakers. I own
two of his pipes that are as close to perfection (to me of course) as
any that I have ever owned, although I have owned a good number of
other Ilsteds. His shapes and styling are the most intriguing to me. I
also own some Eltangs that are nearly in the same category, although
some Eltangs (and other Great Danes) are not my style at all. I own
only one pipe that is not a straight grain, and that is a
monster-sized, fantastic, all smooth, densely grained, 360 degree
birdseye Moretti. Straight grains are not superior pipes, by the way,
they simply appeal to me aesthetically.
As for sheer numbers, the most of any brand I own are Castello and
Charatan, because I love SOME of their shapes. Like I said, I only
keep the Charatans that smoke GREAT, as I find them inconsistent.
Castellos are fairly consistent in smoking quality, to my taste. I
also like J.T. Cooke, Rich Lewis, R. Barbi, Don Carlos, Radice,
Stokkebye, Moretti, Viprati, and some Ser Jacopos that don't have
fills (there is a way to predict which ones will, by the way). And I
own 2 absolutely precious (to me of course) old GBD Uniques by Horry
Jamieson, another of the world's most underrated pipemakers.
There was a time, 20 to 25 years ago, when I collected only Charatans.
Oh I had Dunhills, Comoys, GBDs and others pass through my hands, and
I smoked them as well, but I collected only Charatans. Those days are
long gone. Now, these days, I do not buy pipes, they buy me. I do not
have to worry about making decisions concerning which brand to buy,
because if my pulse quickens with excitement over a pipe and I find my
wallet levitating out of my pocket as if it had its own will, I don't
fight it. I think to myself, "It looks like I am going to buy this
one." And the ones I buy seem to fit the categories described above.
Having said that, there are some brands I would like to try when the
right one comes around, such as a Brian Ruthenberg or a Todd Johnson.
Larry Roush says he will let me know when he has a great straight
grain but I am still waiting. I fear that he has so many customers
telling him the same thing that I may never get my shot, as most of
his pipes are rusticated. Paul Bonaquisti tells me the same thing but
he does not make too many of my style either.
Curiously, I love sandblasts but only when they are other peoples'
pipes. They are great, but I love the graining in briar so much that I
only collect smooth and densely straight grained pipes. I cannot
defend this, it's just what I like. I also like to look at
rusticateds, but they are a shape phenomenon, because for no doubt
good reasons, they have been deprived of their grain. I love briar,
what can I say? I just love it in my own way, just like everyone else.
Fred
Mingkahuna
My majority in my rack is fairly evenly divided. But, I do have a lot of
Safferlings as i find them to be excellent smokers with a unique styling that I
quite enjoy. As I look at the twenty or so pipes that I have I can watch
Bertram's progression as his attention to detail has improved greatly over the
past few years. Not that his earlier pipes aren't great smokers, they are.
Its just that he has refined things so much.
Then, I have my Heeschens which is now a day over a seven day set. Marvelous
pipes that smoke beautifully from bowl one. Wonderful shapes and styling that
show so much of my friend Peter.
The majority is also shared by the pipes of Peter Hedegaard. His strong style
really hits home with me, and his pipes smoke so well.
Then, there is the work of Kent Rasmussen. His shapes sing to me. He can
combine wonderfully organic shapes with absolute precision. The synthesis is
breathtaking. He's also a friend and that makes his work all the more special.
Also a large part of my collection is Mike Lindner and Todd Johnson. I'm
putting them together here because they have so many of the same strengths.
Incredibly good construction. Painstaking attention to detail. As strong
sense of style that is imaginitive yet isn't too far out. Plus, they are both
good friends.
You'll see a lot of John McGrath in my collection. And, considering I own the
first McGrath ever sold you can see a progression from talented amateur turned
professional to professional doing the right stuff. His work now is fantastic.
He's also a friend.
I own three Wolfgang Beckers and i see that doubling or tripling soon. The man
is a great talent that will become even greater in coming years. When I saw
his most recent shapes in Chicago last year I was astounded.
You'll also see a good amount of Winslow's in my collection. And, even though
the bowls are a bit too large for my curent tastes, the pipes smoke wonderfully
and I thoroughly enjoy his ability to have some fun with his craft creating
some absolutely outlandish pipes.
Then, there's Tom Eltang. My collection currently only consists of one that I
smoke (my all briar ukulele will be smoked, but not yet) but this man creates
what I consider to be possibly the finest all around pipe on the planet. I want
more, and more and more. Tom is a friend, so I have been able to know the man
and see him in his work. Even his most conservative pipes have an energy about
them much like the man himself. If I could only smoke one brand it would be
Eltang. BTW, if anyone has a blast bulldog that they want to part with.....
Other brands having a strong presence in my collection: Bang, Rudiger
Will/Reiner Pipe Art Design, Radice.
Again, a recurring theme in my collection is to smoke the pipes of people that
I know. It seems to add so much to the experience.
Art
Bob Rhode a.k.a. TBomb
~~snip~~some Ser Jacopos that don't have
> fills (there is a way to predict which ones will, by the way). ~~snip~~
> Fred
You wouldn't care to share this secret would you?
Bob
Bob Rhode a.k.a. TBomb
> Yes, smoke what you enjoy, and enjoy what you smoke. Even so, I'm
> interested in those of us who can afford PAD. So, this thread isn't
> for Grabows nor cobs.
>
> This is for the serious collector of upper middle end, high end, or
> artisan pipes: Castello, Dunhill, Anne Julie, Preben Holm, E Andrew,
> Talbert, Lee Erck, Lindner all come to my mind for starters...
>
> What's the majority brand in your rack? What's the favorite brand in
> your rack (someone out there has a favorite pipemaker that isn't yet
~~snip~~
> Smoke in peace, John
John,
I don't know if I'm really as hardcore as a lot of these collectors
but this is a great topic and I'll give it a shot.
First of all my "main" collecting focus the last few years has been by
shape rather than brand so there are many labels represented. I
collect pokers or cherrywoods or variations of the same. Most of what
I have are Italian followed by Americans with a smattering of others.
I also have this fascination with little known or out of production
labels. I've got five Sergios which, considering the scarcity of that
brand, probably makes me a "serious" collector. My finest
Virginia/perique smoker is a rusticated Capitello in a shape very
similar to a Castello 225. I've got a couple Lucianos, including a
four X that's one of the nicest grained and crafted pipes in my racks.
There are a couple von Ercks that are on my "no-trade" list and of
course both my smooth and my white stemmed blasted Weiner are on that
list also. And there's the Lorensetti 24K, fills and all.
Favorite maker? Gee, it might be Castello just because they are that
good or it might be Radice because of Gigi's history. Or there's
Ardor, although I'm hot and cold about their shapes, I do love the
Venere I have. Heck, even my Pete's have their place. After all who
does a better bent than Peterson when you come right down to it?
John, after giving this some thought I'm afraid I'm just a pipe slut.
There's always that one next pipe that's going to put me on the
straight and narrow. And yet I always seem to fall off the wagon and
go a'whoring before too long.
Bob in SD - watching the rain turn to ice and finishing a dtg'd
Autograph
Joshua Rosenblatt
(in message <f3de9368.03021...@posting.google.com>):
> fredc...@comcast.net (fred hanna) wrote in message
> news:<c35a85a2.03021...@posting.google.com>...
>> Jeff Folloder <je...@folloder.com> wrote in message
>> news:<3E4C34FC...@folloder.com>...
>
>>> snip~~some Ser Jacopos that don't have
>> fills (there is a way to predict which ones will, by the way). ~~snip~~
>> Fred
>
> You wouldn't care to share this secret would you?
> Bob
to avoid the ones with fills buy them from a licensed dealer in North
America. the distritutor puts his own stamp on em and they are, AFAIK,
fill-free since North Americans are usually much more anti-fill than our
piping counterparts in Europe. :)
Martin Farrent
> You'll also see a good amount of Winslow's in my collection. And, even though
> the bowls are a bit too large for my curent tastes, the pipes smoke wonderfully
> and I thoroughly enjoy his ability to have some fun with his craft creating
> some absolutely outlandish pipes.
Yes. I have two, both bought within the past three months. I don't
really like his shapes. I bought the first despite this, because I'd so
often been told they were good smokers and badly wanted to try one. I
bought the second two weeks later. They're outstanding smokers, so much
so that I'm beginning to reconsider their design. What I'm trying to say
is that you can associate a shape with a taste - and then the shape no
longer means the same thing to you. Winslow's design no longer yells
"Scandinavian furniture" at me, but the promise of a great smoke.
Brief semi-hijack: For those of you who *can't* afford the type of PAD
prescribed for this thread, Winslow's Crown series pipes smoke just as
well as the high-grade ones. They're mostly handmade and fetch anything
from 60 to 130 Euros (presumeably about the same in dollars).
Martin
Mingkahuna
>America. the distritutor puts his own stamp on em and they are, AFAIK,
>fill-free
Yes, Rob Seigel of Marble Archhas dealt with this issue and Marble Arch
carefully inspects each pipe coming into the US market.
since North Americans are usually much more anti-fill than our
>piping counterparts in Europe. :)
For a view contrary to this see the new NASPC newsletter where this notion is
addressed.
Art
Mingkahuna
>"Scandinavian furniture" at me, but the promise of a great smoke.
I think that you'll also find a great range in shapes once you really start
looking at Winslows. Some are downright conservative. Others are pretty
outrageous. But, the best thing about Winslow, other than fine smoking pipes,
is that i can look at the man's work and virtually feel the enjoyment that he
gets from pipe making.
>Brief semi-hijack: For those of you who *can't* afford the type of PAD
>prescribed for this thread, Winslow's Crown series pipes smoke just as
>well as the high-grade ones. They're mostly handmade and fetch anything
>from 60 to 130 Euros (presumeably about the same in dollars).
Agreed, they are some of the best deals going out there.
Art
G. L. Pease
(in message <01HW.BA72800E0...@news.cis.dfn.de>):
> to avoid the ones with fills buy them from a licensed dealer in North
> America. the distritutor puts his own stamp on em and they are, AFAIK,
> fill-free since North Americans are usually much more anti-fill than our
> piping counterparts in Europe. :)
You're a real shit-disturber, Rosenblatt. <g>
Hugs and kisses,
Joshua Rosenblatt
(in message <0001HW.BA7297A3...@News.CIS.DFN.DE>):
> On Fri, 14 Feb 2003 8:14:22 -0800, Joshua Rosenblatt wrote
> (in message <01HW.BA72800E0...@news.cis.dfn.de>):
>
>> to avoid the ones with fills buy them from a licensed dealer in North
>> America. the distritutor puts his own stamp on em and they are, AFAIK,
>> fill-free since North Americans are usually much more anti-fill than our
>> piping counterparts in Europe. :)
>
> You're a real shit-disturber, Rosenblatt. <g>
>
he he he, well, you know me
it's part of my, ahem, charm :)
best
Joshua
Patrick M. Dennis
The Italian made pipes are the backbone of my collection of 120, and I
have a passion for straight grained pipes. I fell into the "brand
name myth" trap buying Castello's because they're a popular name
brand. Lately, I've been exploring the market looking for
alternatives that deliver at least the same quality at much lower
prices.
I really like the Don Carlos brand and have several, including a
Symphony 2000 I treated myself to.
Another brand I've bought a few of lately is the Sumerler brand made
by Armellini. These are really nice well made pipes and priced well.
The older Savinelli Autographs are excellent pipes, even if you get
one of the vulcanized stems, a factory stem replacement is only
$25.00. I have 10 of them and they are pretty close to the top of
list of favorites.
Spanus, Ascortis, A/R Caminettos and il Ceppo are also well
represented.
My favorite artisan one man carver is Marco Biagini of Moretti pipes.
He hand picks his briar from great suppliers and really pays attention
to the details. The first pipe I had made just for me was made by
Marco to my specifications.
I have never owned a Dunhill. I haven't seen one that I really liked
that wasn't Star Trek priced. For the same money I can go buy two
really nice smoking pipes, but maybe someday I'll find a box of them
at a garage sale for 20 bucks and find out what all the excitements
about.
inquisitor
but Il Ceppo would probably be next. They seem to be underappreciated in
the U.S. but are very popular in Italy, I understand.
Christopher
"jlruble" <jlr...@cox.net> wrote in message
news:fBU2a.2060$4F3....@news2.east.cox.net...
BubbatheBuddhist
TBomb) wrote:
>list also. And there's the Lorensetti 24K, fills and all.
>
>Favorite maker? Gee, it might be Castello just because they are that
>good or it might be
Dunhill....my collection falls into four catagorys...Castello, they
are hard to beat. And my main focus.
Dunhills, Tinskys and Vonercks fall into a three way tie. With
Vonerck in the lead for virginias...Marks pipes fall into I smoke
anything in them and same with the dunhill...
As far as shapes go I am mister boring. I like billiards and
Canadians. Somehow to me they remind of the decade I think I should
have peaked in...the 40's.
:)
T
grace christian
fred hanna
>
> ~~snip~~some Ser Jacopos that don't have
> > fills (there is a way to predict which ones will, by the way). ~~snip~~
> > Fred
>
> You wouldn't care to share this secret would you?
> Bob
Be happy to, Bob. I had a long talk with Rob Siegel at Marble Arch in
Chicago last year on this very subject. Marble Arch, of course, is the
authorized distributor of Ser Jacopo in the USA. I mentioned to him
the disturbing number of Gemline Ser Jacopos that I had seen with
fills. Rich Esserman mentioned this a couple of years ago in the Pipe
Smoker's Ephemeris. I asked Rob if he had ever discussed this subject
with Giancarlo Guidi (head of Ser Jacopo).
He told me that he and Giancarlo have discussed this subject, and that
the Gemlines and other pipes that pass through Marble Arch do not have
fills unless they are accidentally missed in the inspection process,
and this would be very rare. This is not only because Rob inspects his
pipes, but also because the people of Ser Jacopo in Italy have
standing orders not to send pipes with fills to Marble Arch.
So how can you tell? Look closely under the "Ser Jacopo" stamping on
the pipe and you will see in small stamping, the words "Fatto a Mano."
All Ser Jacopos have this stamping. HOWEVER, if there is another
stamping DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH the fatto a mano stamping that reads "In
Italia" then the pipe originates from Marble Arch, and odds are, that
the pipe will not have fills. Rob explained to me that there is always
human error, of course, but that he is very careful and determined
about in checking for fills. If the pipe does not say "In Italia" then
it is a pipe that was likely brought from Europe bypassing Marble
Arch, and it will be more likely to have fills. They may not of course
but may be more likely.
So if you don't like fills, I would inspect Ser Jacs that do not have
the "In Italia" carefully, and make sure that the person you are
buying it from is reliable and will stand behind it. Having said that,
I would inspect all Ser Jacopos carefully anyway. But Rob said that he
stands behind any of his pipes and would swap them out if they had
fills.
On some pipes you will also see a "For USA" stamping that is also from
Marble Arch, but it's the "In Italia" stamping that counts, as the
former stamping was done irregularly.
Fred
Mark Tinsky
I like pipes made by my erstwhile and estemmed colleague Paul
Bonaquisti. He has a mix of conservative English and Italian styling
yet manages to impart a little of himself to each pipe. His shapes are
imminently smokeable and as a pipe maker I appreciate his attention to
shape detail. His tops are perfectly flat and the bowls round and
symetrical. Little things like that make them great pipes!
MT
Joe
Are we talking about relatively new Ser Jacopos that have this marking?
Joe
"fred hanna" <fredc...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:c35a85a2.03021...@posting.google.com...
Bob Rhode a.k.a. TBomb
Fred,
Thanks so much for the info.
I realize that this fill question is viewed differently in Europe than
in the U.S. but it just seems wrong to me to shell out serious dollars
for a pipe and to discover that you are buying putty no matter how
well crafted.
Just out of curiosity are there other major Italian labels that one
has to watch for putty?
Bob
Peter Ctyroky
news:f3de9368.03021...@posting.google.com:
>
> Fred,
> Thanks so much for the info.
>
> I realize that this fill question is viewed differently in Europe than
> in the U.S. but it just seems wrong to me to shell out serious dollars
> for a pipe and to discover that you are buying putty no matter how
> well crafted.
Actually it's not that different. The serious collectors and discerning
smokers in Europe would always rather buy a fill free pipe than putty.
The less discerning smokers just smoke basket pipes, with the occasional
Stanwell or Savinelli dropped in, with heavy aromatics.
Ser Jacopo has two lines in Europe. The "La Fuma" line, which are pipes
with a terrific grain, excellent craftsmanship but the occasional little
fill and/or sandpit. The prices are around $100 for smooths. The sign is
a stamp "La Fuma" "fatta a mono" and a red dot on the stem.
The "normal" line has a silver "J" inlaid in the stem and is in my
experience putty free. They are stamped "per aspera ad astra" and also
have the "fatta a mano". Prices range from $200-$300 for a sandblast to
whatever someone is willing to pay for the straight grain smooths.
That said, I consider the "La Fuma" an excellent value for the money.
Wood treatment, stem work and finish are IMO in no way inferior to the
normal ones.
> Just out of curiosity are there other major Italian labels that one
> has to watch for putty?
Savinelli even in the Autograph line doesn't guarantee fill freeness,
Brebbia also only in the Pura line. RoverArt has fills in the lower
grades. I guess many more can be named here, which I have no knowledge
of. Caveat emptor always applies. Fortunately the Italians are not
masters of filling, so they can be seen quite easily.
Peter
Rufus
1)You basically wrote that that Ser Jacopo lines "La Fuma" and the
"normal J line" are diferent because the former has (amongst other
traits) a red dot on the stem and the later has a "per aspera ad
astra" stamping.
This is very confusing considering my experience in a local pipe
retailer! I am currently debating whether to buy a very nice apple
army mount Ser Jacopo which has a red dot on the stem AND a stamping
which reads "per aspera ad astra."(!) So which grade is the pipe??
Could the retailler have switched the stem? This is a brand I really
know nothing about so any help would be greatly appreciated. The
retailler is holding the pipe for me only until Friday. I am only
buying it if you'all tell me it is the "high grade" in the Ser Jacopo
lineup. (this group plays a definite part in my pipe purchase here
--gracias)
2)Anyone who knows anything about Ser Jacopos grades and/or categories
or a source therefor, please let me know. No info on their
distibutors site and nothing of interest in the hackers books.
thanks again,
Rufus
Thanks again!
Peter
flatulent1
>Peter or anyone else in the know re: Ser Jacopos:
>
>1)You basically wrote that that Ser Jacopo lines "La Fuma" and the
>"normal J line" are diferent because the former has (amongst other
>traits) a red dot on the stem and the later has a "per aspera ad
>astra" stamping.
>This is very confusing considering my experience in a local pipe
>retailer! I am currently debating whether to buy a very nice apple
>army mount Ser Jacopo which has a red dot on the stem AND a stamping
>which reads "per aspera ad astra."(!) So which grade is the pipe??
>Could the retailler have switched the stem? This is a brand I really
>know nothing about so any help would be greatly appreciated. The
>retailler is holding the pipe for me only until Friday. I am only
>buying it if you'all tell me it is the "high grade" in the Ser Jacopo
>lineup. (this group plays a definite part in my pipe purchase here
>--gracias)
>
>2)Anyone who knows anything about Ser Jacopos grades and/or categories
>or a source therefor, please let me know. No info on their
>distibutors site and nothing of interest in the hackers books.
>
>thanks again,
>
>Rufus
>
>Thanks again!
>
It's my understanding that the coral dot predates the silver J, regardless of which level
of Ser Jac you're looking at. And, if I read correctly, the La Fuma line may have fills.
If the pipe you're looking at does NOT say La Fuma then you're probably looking at a pipe
without fills, though I daresay a magnifying glass would tell you more about the pipe than
I could.
--
Fred Latchaw
www.seattlepipeclub.org
First, you need a live chicken
and a working knowledge of Latin...
Weston in Atlanta
I've decided to go the same route as Neil. The vast majority of my recent
purchases have been artisan pipemakers that I've met. I have to like the maker
to buy his/her stuff. The focus of my collection will be Tinsky (don't own a GT
yet, but that will change), Bonaquisti, Todd Johnson, Maurizio Tombari, Peter
Heechen, and John Eells. I think Lee von Erck is a prince of a guy, but his
shapes don't really fit me (I collect mostly princes and other apple variants).
I'm smoking a LvE now and it's a great smoker.
Tinskys are the largest single "brand" in my collection (about a dozen, out of
50 or so total). I have three Bonaquistis, three STOAs, two Heechens, and three
Le Nuvoles. Not sure why I have lots of "threes", it's just worked out that way.
Mark is a fantastic guy, and for smoking qualities, his pipes are great. Most
are good values too. Paul's hilarious, as is Eells. They both make big pipes,
while I prefer small. Yet, they do make smaller pipes that I'll pick up from
time to time. Maurizio is probably making the most pipes that appeal to me these
days. Another terrific guy. TJ is becoming a good friend, and his attention to
detail is fantastic. He's also figured out what pipes "sing" to me, and is
starting to make one now and again. Heechen is hilarious. Just a hoot. Almost
all of his shapes are appealing to my eye, and his stems are fantastic. Great
smokers as well.
I'll continue to add one-offs to the collection from time to time also. There is
a 4C Cavicchi prince at Al Pasci that is calling me right now. If ASPers would
buy one or two of the pipes I'm selling at Recollect, that pipe will make its
way to Marietta, GA...
I'd like to own a Eltang and a Roush. I'l find one of Tom's pipes that I have to
have some day. It just hasn't happened yet. And I told Larry a year ago I'd like
a prince. I'll get one some day.
Weston in Atlanta
-----------
"Prosperity is the best protector of principle." Mark Twain
Vincento Bøstøñiåññüævø
>
> to avoid the ones with fills buy them from a licensed dealer in North
> America. the distritutor puts his own stamp on em and they are,
AFAIK,
> fill-free since North Americans are usually much more anti-fill
than our
> piping counterparts in Europe. :)
>
But, does Marble Arch put the stemp on their SJ, or, does SJ put the
stemp for Marble Arch in their factory...?
Sorry to h/j this thread but me so curious...
Vincento
G. L. Pease
(in message <fd3d39a5.03021...@posting.google.com>):
> 1)You basically wrote that that Ser Jacopo lines "La Fuma" and the "normal J
> line" are diferent because the former has (amongst other traits) a red dot
> on the stem and the later has a "per aspera ad astra" stamping. This is very
> confusing considering my experience in a local pipe retailer! I am
> currently debating whether to buy a very nice apple army mount Ser Jacopo
> which has a red dot on the stem AND a stamping which reads "per aspera ad
> astra."(!) So which grade is the pipe?? Could the retailler have switched
> the stem? This is a brand I really know nothing about so any help would be
> greatly appreciated. The retailler is holding the pipe for me only until
> Friday. I am only buying it if you'all tell me it is the "high grade" in
> the Ser Jacopo lineup. (this group plays a definite part in my pipe
> purchase here
> --gracias)
Early Ser Jacopo were marked with a silver ring with a briar or coral (I
don't recall) insert. Later ones had the coral dot, similar to the La
Fuma line. The more recent pieces have the silver J.
-glp
hornypipe
you got me examining and checking every Ser Jacopo I got with
magnifying glasses , especialy that four of my Ser Jacs are red dotted
. Happy to report a- No fills were found , b-they all carry the Ser
Jac moto , c- no feasures in the furnaces (bowl)despite accessive
smoking and heating up of pipe . examination sample : four smooth and
three sandblasts and one rusticated . My conclusion : they are rather
good pipes ( especialy since I could not detect any problems in the
furnaces which seems to a reccuring problem with good number of pipes
I have smoked . ) Recommendation : if you like the pipe and think the
asking price apropriate , then by all means get it .The red dot is the
older embelm of the brand , but my understanding was never stopped /
in other words not all Ser Jacs carry the silver J . H
ogl...@alumni-mail.gs.columbia.edu (Rufus) wrote in message news:<fd3d39a5.03021...@posting.google.com>...
Mingkahuna
looked red, or is that the other way around? The silver "J" does not denote
grade, it is only the newer logo. I'm not aware if the LaFuma has a different
dot logo as I've never held on in my hand.
Art
rle...@lewispipe.com
about the progression of the logo over the years as they have supplied me
with them for the last 18 years or so. Most of the information stated here
has been correct.
The original logo was a red dot encircled with a silver ring, Ser Jacopo
then switched to the coral dot which before its put in the stem looks like a
ball of coral that has been cut in half. At the same time they also had a
plastic red dot that came in a rod that was used for the La Fuma line, which
are Ser jacopo seconds, and if my memory is correct do not say Ser Jacopo on
them.
Later on they quit supplying the coral dot because it was very expensive to
make and put in the same dot they used on the La Fuma line onto the regular
Ser Jacopo stems. This was done for a short period as they were getting
ready to change the logo to the current silver J that is used on new Ser
Jacopo's. I assume the La Fuma's still use the red plastic dots on them, but
I haven't seen new ones for a while.
The coral dot varied in color from almost white to pink to red. I still have
some coral dots left and a lot of the red plastic rod. I am well supplied
with the silver J logo and it certainly is more difficult to put into the
replacement mouthpieces.
From your description of the pipe, it sounds like a top of the line Ser
Jacopo. One other thing you might want to check on, if it isn't stamped (In
Italia) on it somewhere it was not imported by the US distributor and is
not under warrantee from them nor will the mouthpiece be replaced in the US.
It would have to be sent back to Europe for both of those things.
I hope this has been helpful information.
Thanks,
Rich Lewis
Lewis Pipe & Tobacco
512 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis, Mn. 55402
612.332.9129
Mingkahuna
>
>Thanks,
>Rich Lewis
Hey Rich, thanks for that history of the logo. I love that type of
information. That type of infomation can be quite useful for the collector. If
anyone is writing this all down, that is a post to save.
best,
Art
hornypipe
and fancy , as such my collection is in multiples of three . The most
numbers are Savinellis , Autographs and Golden Guibelo and Super punto
Oros ( 27) , second in volume are the Dunhills (18) , then Kent
Rasmuessen , Ser Jacopo , and Karl Erik (9 each); J.Upshall , Paul
Becker , Don Carlos , Radice , S.Arita , JHPC , Ardor , and Butz
Caquin Collectors come in fourth (6 pipes each) , finally there are
the Bjarnes' , P.Heeschen , Tokutomi , Ikebana , Viggo Neilssen ,
Ilsted , Charatan , Mastro de Paja , L'Anatra , Pipa Croci ,
Safferling , Ashton , Les Wood Ferndown , W.O.Larsen , Sasseini, Lee
Van Erck , Colin Fromm Castleford , and Refbjerg are fifth (3 each) .
I have a good number of old GBDs and Comoys , Petersons straight and
flame grains , Brebbia , Stanwell Unique and POYs , and the odd single
pipe from different makers ( Johan Kock , Milleville , Spanu , Sasaki
, Celius , Soren Rassmuesen , Tinsky Genod , ...etc ) . There are no
favourites as I like them all ( I did acquire them after all ) . still
I would like a few more Golden Guibellos and Kent Rassmuesen pieces .
H
johnwpe...@my-deja.com (John Perkowski) wrote in message news:<f6bfe4fb.03021...@posting.google.com>...
Bob Rhode a.k.a. TBomb
>
> 1)You basically wrote that that Ser Jacopo lines "La Fuma" and the
> "normal J line" are diferent because the former has (amongst other
> traits) a red dot on the stem and the later has a "per aspera ad
> astra" stamping.
> This is very confusing considering my experience in a local pipe
> retailer! I am currently debating whether to buy a very nice apple
> army mount Ser Jacopo which has a red dot on the stem AND a stamping
> which reads "per aspera ad astra."(!) So which grade is the pipe??
> Could the retailler have switched the stem? This is a brand I really
> know nothing about so any help would be greatly appreciated. The
> retailler is holding the pipe for me only until Friday. I am only
> buying it if you'all tell me it is the "high grade" in the Ser Jacopo
> lineup. (this group plays a definite part in my pipe purchase here
> --gracias)
>
> 2)Anyone who knows anything about Ser Jacopos grades and/or categories
> or a source therefor, please let me know. No info on their
> distibutors site and nothing of interest in the hackers books.
>
> thanks again,
>
> Rufus
>
> Thanks again!
Rufus,
The silver logo is the newer one, the coral dot is an older pipe. If
the pipe says, "Fatto a mano in Italia" that would indicate that it is
US market and has been checked for fills. If it just says, "fatto a
mano" it's European market and you're on your own re fills.
I beleive Mr. Hanna just had a post about this a few days ago.
Bob
Rufus
Thanks a lot for you detailled answer. I reckon I will buy it (after
triple checking for pits --thanks to the other posters for that)
although I guess due to Ser Jacopo's storied past with respect to
stems, I won't be a 100% wether I am getting a second or a high grade
that still has a plastic red dot right before the advent of the silver
J. Its marked down from $250 to approx $150 and got great grain all
around and its got an orange color --if that helps anyone else in the
meantime.
Grateful for the advice!
Rufus
<rle...@lewispipe.com> wrote in message news:<BA7A6967.20B23%rle...@lewispipe.com>...