Break in has started for my Bruyer St Claude Dux Repose ( I think it translates to Deposed Duke) billiard. It arrived nicely packaged in a Smoking Pipes box and sock. My missus said "oooo, how cute," because it's only five inches long. But it's perfectly proportioned, handsome, slightly chunky, with ample wood in the walls and shank. It has nice cross grain, and the fitment between the shank and horn stem is perfect. I've read that horn bits are delicate, but this one seems fine and sturdy.The airway is a little snug, but it takes a Pete or Falcon cleaner easily with no coaxing. I found only two tiny pits and to me these are far preferable to fills. Besides it was hard to find them even under light. The drilling is perfectly centered to the bottom of the bowl. The first smoke was Prince Albert, and it went to the bottom of the bowl on the charring light. The post-smoke cleaner was barely damp at the tip. It's a splendid little pipe, and shows to no disadvantage on my "billiards" rack next to Dunhill, Charatan, Luciano, Wilke and Sav billiards. It's pretty cool smoking this little guy and imagining it's carving and nearly a century of "aging" in a St. Claude attic. Maybe I'll dedicate it to codger blends.
