Can We Talk GBD's For A Few Minutes?

[AJ]

First thing let me get the bragging out of the way. I've got a bunch of GBD's and I'm very proud of my collection (29 today). I've got Mandarin's, Tapestry's, Virgin's, New Standard, Seventy Six's, Prehistoric's, New Era's, Fantasy's, and others in just about every shape and size imaginable. That should give you an idea of what my collection entails. These pipes don't just take up space on the rack, they all get smoked and cleaning them is a full time job. But I like my pipes and pipes are made to be smoked even though I have some that I don't smoke. I'm keeping those for my granddaughter. They should provide her with a nice start in her adult life.

GBD's are still being made but they can't compare to the ones made prior to 1980. The old briar in the older pipes make my tobacco sing with richness and taste. The newer pipes don't have whatever the older GBD's have that makes such a difference in the taste. I've compared different newer pipes to the GBD's and even wrote down the comparison to see if there really was a difference and there is.

Included in my collection are several Prehistoric models. Six to be exact and for some reason they are the superior smoking pipes of all the GBD's I have. I get the same effect on my smoking experience as I do with an Edward's pipe made from Algerian Briar. The Edward's enrich the sweet qualities of the straight Va.'s and the VaPer's I smoke. The Prehistoric's do the same. Is it possible that these GBD Prehistoric's are made from Algerian Briar? I haven't read anywhere that they are but it's the only reason that makes sense. I'm not saying the other ones aren't great smokers, they are but the Prehistoric models outshine the other models. Have any of you noticed this difference?

The older GBD's are a great value and their prices are going up continually. I'm glad I got mine why they were relatively still inexpensive. However, the most expensive GBD I own is one of the worst smoking pipes I've ever had. It was a NEW Statesman Billiard. It is a beautiful pipe and that's why I bought it. Big mistake. Even after it had a good bit of cake built up it still didn't perform as well as the others but not so badly that I'd consider getting rid of it. Who knows in another few years it may become one of my favorites. Beside my pipes are like my handguns. Once I own them I don't sell them.

Our brother Michael (monbla256) was the one that first told me of the excellent qualities of GBD's and Edward's pipes. His 40+ years of pipe smoking experience has really been an asset to me. I would suggest that all of our newbies and those with less experience listen to what he has to say. Guys like him that have so many years of experience are a treasure trove of knowledge. If you listen to them you can save yourself some major dollars and have a very fine collection as a result.   

Merry Christmas to all the brothers and sisters of the BoB. I hope it will be filled with peace, love, family and friends.  :santa:

AJ

 

[daveinlax]

You should be and have every right to be proud of your collection. As you well know, building a collection is a lot of fun and finding the next perfect pipe for the collection is so much more rewarding than just buying a random pipe. I'd like to see some photo's of the collection.  

Our brother Michael (monbla256) was the one that first told me of the excellent qualities of GBD's and Edward's pipes. His 40+ years of pipe smoking experience has really been an asset to me. I would suggest that all of our newbies and those with less experience listen to what he has to say. Guys like him that have so many years of experience are a treasure trove of knowledge. If you listen to them you can save yourself some major dollars and have a very fine collection as a result.

This is so true. Building relationships with your fellow collectors is a huge part of the hobby. Pipe boards are fine but it's the time spent visiting with collectors in smoke filled hotel rooms and show room are when you get to be a insider. :shock:

 

[BigCasino]

well I just acquired two new era  GBD's  they came with their original boxes, the original socks, and the date  he received them as gifts written on the box which are 1970 and 71 I believe, the tags that were on the christmas wrap on who they came from was also in the box.

I have yet to get a chance to clean them up but I have been eager to do so, and now even more so

Thanks AJ!

 

[monbla256]

From what I've been told and read, the Algerian briar was the wood of choice used for sandblasted pipes back in the mid 20th century for most of the major European makers. It is a softer briar and as such takes a nice deep blast which was the style at the time. It was also a higher priced and quality of wood than the Sardinian, Grecian or Corsican wood. Seems that there was a stopping of harvesting of it by the end of the 80's and what is used by many makers today for blasted pipes I'm told, is Grecian Briar. The distinctive "flavor" you get from both your blasted GBD's and Edward's IS due to the wood but Edward's oil curing adds another dimension to their pipes. They and older Shell finished Dunnies smoke almost the same 'cause both were oil cured Algerian briar. The fact that your GBD's were made from older wood is merely a fact of the times when they were produced and the manufacturing practices of that time. Some of this is sadly gone from the scene so to speak for various reasons and will probably not return. I'm very thankful that I have been able to experience much of this quality in my years of smoking and have been able to aquire the quantity of pipes from this period to last me till I die  :twisted:  :twisted:

 

[AJ]

well I just acquired two new era  GBD's  they came with their original boxes, the original socks, and the date  he received them as gifts written on the box which are 1970 and 71 I believe, the tags that were on the christmas wrap on who they came from was also in the box.

I have yet to get a chance to clean them up but I have been eager to do so, and now even more so

Thanks AJ!

Congratulations Harry. You're on your way to smoking Nirvana. Those Old English made pipe along with some great tobacco compose a symphony of smoking pleasure.  :cheers: 

AJ

 

[AJ]

From what I've been told and read, the Algerian briar was the wood of choice used for sandblasted pipes back in the mid 20th century for most of the major European makers. It is a softer briar and as such takes a nice deep blast which was the style at the time. It was also a higher priced and quality of wood than the Sardinian, Grecian or Corsican wood. Seems that there was a stopping of harvesting of it by the end of the 80's and what is used by many makers today for blasted pipes I'm told, is Grecian Briar. The distinctive "flavor" you get from both your blasted GBD's and Edward's IS due to the wood but Edward's oil curing adds another dimension to their pipes. They and older Shell finished Dunnies smoke almost the same 'cause both were oil cured Algerian briar. The fact that your GBD's were made from older wood is merely a fact of the times when they were produced and the manufacturing practices of that time. Some of this is sadly gone from the scene so to speak for various reasons and will probably not return. I'm very thankful that I have been able to experience much of this  quality in my years of smoking and have been able to aquire the quantity of pipes from this period to last me till I die  :twisted:  :twisted:

Michael,

I too have all the pipes I need if I were to be so fortunate to live another 50 years but PAD is a disease that has infected my senses and I'm not looking for a cure.  :twisted: :twisted: 

AJ

 

[BigCasino]

Thanks AJ!

Mon, Algerian Briar is available again, whether or not the quality and characteristics are them same I couldn't tell you

 

[monbla256]

Thanks AJ!

Mon, Algerian Briar is available again, whether or not the quality and characteristics are them same I couldn't tell you

I was not aware of that. Maybe we'll see some "old style" blasted pipes again  :cheers: 

 

[AJ]

You should be and have every right to be proud of your collection. As you well know, building a collection is a lot of fun and finding the next perfect pipe for the collection is so much more rewarding than just buying a random pipe. I'd like to see some photo's of the collection.  

Our brother Michael (monbla256) was the one that first told me of the excellent qualities of GBD's and Edward's pipes. His 40+ years of pipe smoking experience has really been an asset to me. I would suggest that all of our newbies and those with less experience listen to what he has to say. Guys like him that have so many years of experience are a treasure trove of knowledge. If you listen to them you can save yourself some major dollars and have a very fine collection as a result.

This is so true. Building relationships with your fellow collectors is a huge part of the hobby. Pipe boards are fine but it's the time spent visiting with collectors in smoke filled hotel rooms and show room are when you get to be a insider. :shock:

Dave,
I totally agree but sadly I haven't found many pipe smokers in my area that are interested in getting together and discussing the wonders and joys of the pipe. The local B&M is usually occupied with cigar smokers. They're a nice bunch of fellows but don't understand the pleasure that a pipe offers.   

AJ

 

[docwatson]

I love reading about peoples collections, and AJ you have amassed a wonderful group of vintage wood. Maybe old farts like myself appreciate the older wood but it seems the younger crowd goes after the new stuff which is fine with me. I guess it's a generational thing, but I do know that experience is the best teacher, and gentlemen we have experienced the best.

 

[AJ]

I love reading about peoples collections, and AJ you have amassed a wonderful group of vintage wood. Maybe old farts like myself appreciate the older wood but it seems the younger crowd goes after the new stuff which is fine with me. I guess it's a generational thing, but I do know that experience is the best teacher, and gentlemen we have experienced the best.

Holding one of those old pipes is akin to holding a knife made by Blackhorse. You can feel the soul of the craftsman as you caress the lines and admire the magic that they put into their work. They perform like a well engineered machine sort of like an old steam locomotive. They may be out of style but they were so beautiful and could sing like a baritone at the opera. Those old pipes still make music for me.   

AJ

 

[Dramatwist]

..."I haven't found many pipe smokers in my area that are interested in getting together and discussing the wonders and joys of the pipe. The local B&M is usually occupied with cigar smokers. They're a nice bunch of fellows but don't understand the pleasure that a pipe offers.   "


Same here, sadly.

One of my best is a pre-60s GBD blast.

Cheers,

 

[SpeedyPete]

I have three pre 80's and two reject GBD's.  Funny thing is the rejects are the better smokers.  One reject I bought in 1994, a full bent billiard, is one of my top 10 favourites. No matter what tobacco I load it with, it always shines. The other reject is decorated with 2 ugly fills but it's a very good smoker.

As I've stated in another thread, the 9488 pot can only be enjoyed with latakia blends.  But since I discovered this trend, it's getting better with every bowl I smoke.  It seems as if it will be my latakia champ eventually.

 

[riff raff]

AJ and I share not only the same initials, but also a fondness for GBD pipes. For the money, they are hard to beat. If you are willing to do some restoration work, even better buys are out there.

This morning I smoked for the first time a recent 9438 acquisition, a 9438 Super Flame. I christened it with a bowl of MM965. A one match affair, perfect draw and flavor. I've been lucky on all of my GBD estate finds and not had any ghosting problems. This is my 8th 9438 shape and I believe the pinnacle of my 9438 collection.

 

[Dramatwist]

...a fondness for GBD pipes.  For the money, they are hard to beat.  If you are willing to do some restoration work, even better buys are out there.

Though I have smoked a pipe for the better part of 40 years, my discovery of GBDs... well, let's just say I came late to the party. So far, I am really enjoying those made in France.

Best,

 

[riff raff]

...a fondness for GBD pipes.  For the money, they are hard to beat.  If you are willing to do some restoration work, even better buys are out there.

Though I have smoked a pipe for the better part of 40 years, my discovery of GBDs... well, let's just say I came late to the party. So far, I am really enjoying those made in France.

Best,

I don't own one, but some of the French made "Speciale" shapes are really attractive.

 

[plumbernater]

Pictures or it didnt happen. I love those GBDs too.

 

[idbowman]

I have two GBDs - both are pre-Comoy, but I haven't gotten much for exact in dating them. One was sent to me as part of last years Secret Santa - I believe it to have been an antique store find that was refurbished and cleaned up by the sender (a fine pipe craftsman in his own right, and the GBD he sent me was in fantastic shape when it got to me). The other is a rather large pipe that I bought from another member here earlier this year. Both are EXCELLENT smokers, very comfortable in the hand and in the jaw, and are a breeze to keep cleaned. The big guy works particularly well with latakia and the smaller bulldog has taken to virginias, particularly strong flakes.

I think if I were to ever start collecting a particular brand of pipe, it'd be GBD. Can't say enough about 'em!

 

[riff raff]

All right Plumb...

This one one of my first GBD's, a gift from a member on another forum. A 9676 "Seventy-Six" & Colossus, I've only seen one other like it.



That led to my infatuation with the 9438

Super Flame


Seventy-Six


Virgin


Tapestry


Prehistoric


Fantasy


New Standard


City DeLuxe


Prehistoric Colossus


Prehistoric Shape 5 (Cadogan stamped pipe with brass rondell)


Seventy-Six 1353


New Era 1345


And AJ has the rest of them....

 

[AJ]

And AJ has the rest of them....

AL,

That is a very fine collection of 9438's. I'd be very happy to take the Prehistoric off your hands.   
As to having the rest of them, I admit that I have a small arsenal but not as many as I want. They all smoke very well but for me the Prehistorics are the best. I've got some that I'd trade for a Prehistoric. If I had known that they were going to be my favorite GBD I would have concentrated my efforts on obtaining them alone. I do have some other models that I wouldn't let go because they smoke so well but overall my favorites are Prehistorics. I usually smoke at least 3 different GBD's each day. This allows me to go through my entire collection GBD's about every 10 days. Keeps me busy cleaning pipes. Smoking 5-8 bowls a day and each smoke is in a different pipe makes pipe cleaning an all day job. It's tough to catch up if I miss a day. I confess that sometimes I cheat a little by just running a cleaner through them and a quick wipe down until I can do better.  :fpalm: We all have our crosses to bear.  :mrgreen: 

AJ