JT Cooke pipes.

Subject: JT Cooke pipes. Wed May 28, 2008 10:10 pm

Great forum guys. My usual forum focuses on lower grade pipes and this site is wealth of info on higher grades. On to the point...

I prefer to buy North American carvers for a variety of reasons and am gradually selling my euros. Most NACs have a website, but I can't find one for Cooke. Anyone know a shop, internet or B&M, that sells his work? His blasts look great and I wanna taste the fine reputation he's built.

Subject: Re: JT Cooke pipes. Thu May 29, 2008 2:51 am

Occasionally one shows up on eBay. I think he has done some sales at Chicago. You may have to do some research to find his contact info.
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Subject: Re: JT Cooke pipes. Thu May 29, 2008 6:52 am

You may want to consider buying one of JT's pipes as an estate.His current waiting list is roughly 3 years long and his prices are quite high.I'm up to five now and all of mine were bought presmoked at pipe shows.Below are a few from my collection:

Best,
D.J.
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Subject: Re: JT Cooke pipes. Thu May 29, 2008 8:11 am

This one's pretty!.....

http://www.thepiperack.com/moreinfo2.cfm?Product_ID=12635

Best,
D.J.
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Subject: Re: JT Cooke pipes. Thu May 29, 2008 3:05 pm

I just noticed that one too! New and an easy score. Unfortunately, I just paid a very large bill and a $1000 pipe is out of the question. Are you aware of any dealers that regularly sell Cooke's pipes? I peruse a number of online dealers (when I should be working, of course), but never see new/non-estate JT's.

Since you own a few, how do you feel about his pipes? I own a couple Roush purchased new and they are fantastic, but JT is up yet another price bracket. I realize this is a very subjective topic...

Joined : 15 Dec 2007 Posts : 38

Here is another one
http://www.briarblues.com/caje16.htm

Subject: Re: JT Cooke pipes. Fri May 30, 2008 3:56 pm

Subject: Re: JT Cooke pipes. Fri May 30, 2008 6:01 pm

I agree, a easy score. However, I don't really like that particular shape. Someone did though... it's gone now!

Joined : 28 Mar 2008 Posts : 25

JT Cooke does not have a website. Heck, he doesn't even have an email address and I believe he does not do any business via PC/Internet.

Very nice guy, down to Earth and passionate about his pipes!

Subject: Re: JT Cooke pipes. Fri May 30, 2008 7:37 pm

I really like the look of that blowfish. drool

Subject: Re: JT Cooke pipes. Sat May 31, 2008 2:48 am

I have had mixed experiences with Cooke pipes. I've only had five of them and now I have just two. They have all been good, but some have been better than others as smokers. One just didn't smoke well for me at all but I understand from its owner - who is a friend of mine - that it has really come into its own. It probably just wasn't a pipe for me. (It was a virgin blasted Dublin)

I'm not all that crazy about Cooke's mouthpieces. I find the engineering a bit tight - as Dock has mentioned - and the stem at the button is sometimes a bit thick. Still, when it comes to a North American pipe artisan that is very desired, if Cooke isn't at the top, he sure is in the top two or three.

The canted apple pictured below is a very good smoker and an interesting and unusual shape when it comes to Cookes. I find this pipe to be uncommonly sweet, very balanced, and quite cool.

I also like this blast considerably more than Cooke's more recent work which is considerably craggier.

People buy Jim's pipes because they LOVE his craggy blasts. Personally, I think he is also capable of creating very interesting and quite beautiful shapes; he just doesn't do that as much as he used to.

I have a smooth bulldog that is one of the most beautiful pipes I own. It is amazing in every way and yet it would not fetch much on the resale market (probably) because it isn't blasted. As somebody who puts shape first and finish second, I don't understand this, but I know it is true.

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www.apasssionforpipes.com

Joined : 28 Mar 2008 Posts : 25

Wow Neill....that smooth rhodesian is beautiful!
I also noticed the bit is thinner on the apple. The one thing that turns me off about his pipes are the bits....too wide, thick, and bulky for me.
I have a black blasted billiard from him, and the blast is stunning! I haven't smoked it yet because the bit bothers me.

Joined : 07 Apr 2008 Posts : 88 Location : Fort Gratiot, MI

Bruce, I can fix that bit for you.

scottyb
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