IHT
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2008
- Messages
- 151
- Reaction score
- 1
After realizing I wanted another "new" pipe (i had just bought 2 Morgan "Bones" pipes), i figured i'd spy the estates on ebay (where i've had luck in the past). I watched, and waited.
I spotted some things that caught my eye, known makers and shapes i like. then i saw this one.
i had to do some research on the maker, but after reading a few reviews, knew who he learned under (Tim West), i figured that solid piece of briar was probably going to be a super sturdy bit of equipment for a long while.
got it yesterday, fired it up that night with some old Esoterica Dorchester from about '06. still too moist, but gave it a shot anyway.
after two quick lights with the bic in the steady KS breeze... it took off. no whistles, easy draw, passed a cleaner easily.
the photo on the ebay auction didn't do it justice, then again, maybe he wanted the photos dark?
+beautiful dark chocolate stain, very thick.
-heavily pitted briar, which could be why the thick stain and bad lighting in the pictures in the auction?
+i don't mind pits as long as they don't interfere with the smoking capabilities of the pipe, these seem to be external.
+super thick walls, smoked very cool - also why i'm not worried about the pits.
-coated chamber, not a fan of them in general. didn't seem like there were any pits in the chamber upon inspection.
+love the craggy rim, don't have to worry about charring the rim.
+bit is reportedly a machine made generic bit, not highly polished acrylic, but again, that's not what i'm after. i actually don't prefer acrylic stems.
-the weight wasn't too bad, it's not like a Ser Jacapo double Maxima in weight, only 66 grams? just a tad bit too heavy to really sit back and clench it for a while and read a book, have to relax the jaw a bit.
+at least it's easy to grip in the hand, and not hot.
+it kinda sits, or leans, either to the left or the right. a bonus, as most of my billiards/pots don't sit up after i load them and spill some tobacco if i set it down.
+as i said, passed a cleaner no issues with a slightly bent stem, machine made bit, and no whistling/gurgling. draught hole lets plenty of air through.
+i was grilling and had to set it down a few times to come back inside and get something. came back out, it took right off puffing again.
+burned really well, almost the whole surface of tobacco, and went all the way down except some wet dottle.
+i think i paid less than $50 total (with shipping), for a brand new pipe that smokes great. more than happy.
I spotted some things that caught my eye, known makers and shapes i like. then i saw this one.
i had to do some research on the maker, but after reading a few reviews, knew who he learned under (Tim West), i figured that solid piece of briar was probably going to be a super sturdy bit of equipment for a long while.
got it yesterday, fired it up that night with some old Esoterica Dorchester from about '06. still too moist, but gave it a shot anyway.
after two quick lights with the bic in the steady KS breeze... it took off. no whistles, easy draw, passed a cleaner easily.
the photo on the ebay auction didn't do it justice, then again, maybe he wanted the photos dark?
+beautiful dark chocolate stain, very thick.
-heavily pitted briar, which could be why the thick stain and bad lighting in the pictures in the auction?
+i don't mind pits as long as they don't interfere with the smoking capabilities of the pipe, these seem to be external.
+super thick walls, smoked very cool - also why i'm not worried about the pits.
-coated chamber, not a fan of them in general. didn't seem like there were any pits in the chamber upon inspection.
+love the craggy rim, don't have to worry about charring the rim.
+bit is reportedly a machine made generic bit, not highly polished acrylic, but again, that's not what i'm after. i actually don't prefer acrylic stems.
-the weight wasn't too bad, it's not like a Ser Jacapo double Maxima in weight, only 66 grams? just a tad bit too heavy to really sit back and clench it for a while and read a book, have to relax the jaw a bit.
+at least it's easy to grip in the hand, and not hot.
+it kinda sits, or leans, either to the left or the right. a bonus, as most of my billiards/pots don't sit up after i load them and spill some tobacco if i set it down.
+as i said, passed a cleaner no issues with a slightly bent stem, machine made bit, and no whistling/gurgling. draught hole lets plenty of air through.
+i was grilling and had to set it down a few times to come back inside and get something. came back out, it took right off puffing again.
+burned really well, almost the whole surface of tobacco, and went all the way down except some wet dottle.
+i think i paid less than $50 total (with shipping), for a brand new pipe that smokes great. more than happy.
