Stanwell shape 62, 63, and 64. Differences?

[PLANofMAN]

Curious about the differences between the Stanwell 60 series pipes. The 62 appears to be a tad bit more svelte than the 63 & 64, with a narrower outer diameter on the bowl.

As a long time fan of the 63 shape, (along with many a pipe smoker), I was mostly curious about the 64. It doesn't seem to draw the same attention as the 63, and I've yet to find a description that highlights the difference between the three. Is it the size of the pipe? Is it the amount of bend to the stem?

 

[thesmokindragon]

62 - Sexy lines; Weighs in around 1.40oz / Chamber Depth 1.43", Chamber Diameter .72"


The 63M style I smoke - A bit more stout; Weighs in around 1.90oz, Chamber Depth 1.47", Chamber Diameter .77" ( conical shaped bowl, so it is a wonderful flake pipe )


64 - Weighs in around 2.02oz /Chamber Depth 1.73" / Chamber Diameter .77"

 

[Chasing Embers]

Just looks like a case of personal preference. I'd personally go with the 62 but the chamber is just too small for my liking.

 

[PLANofMAN]

So, a deeper chamber (i.e. bigger pipe) on the 63 vs the 64 being the primary difference between them? And the 62 has a narrower and shallower bowl than either of the above mentioned pipes?

 

[PLANofMAN]

Just looks like a case of personal preference. I'd personally go with the 62 but the chamber is just too small for my liking.

That's because you haven't seen one of these lately.

First pipe I ever purchased at the age of 16, twenty seven years ago; a Stanwell Vario 63M and still one of the most beautiful (to my eyes anyways) pipes ever made. I always have had a soft spot for the Vario line of pipes, and Stanwell's military mounts are just so clean and elegant looking...

To my young eyes, it looked to be a pipe lifted directly from the pages of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-Earth. To my older, dimmer eyes, it still looks that way, imo. This was before the movies codified what a Middle-Earth pipe looked like of course...

Which brings us to this basket case. A Stanwell 64M "Royal Briar" with what appears to be a Stanwell pipe warden stem. They could be ordered that way from Stanwell, once upon a time. Or you could pick your pipe out at Stanwell's factory store and have the stem of your choice fitted on site. Or it's a well crafted replacement stem.

Seller's pictures. My editing.

I've always wanted a "ren-faire special." I could almost hear the clouds open and a voice saying, "You're a wizard, Frodo." It looks rough, well loved, but I think it will clean up nice.

Edit: appears to address two common complaints about church wardens, they burn hot, and have small bowls. It's probably going to gurgle more than Admiral Ackbar with wet cough.

 

[Chasing Embers]

That's because you haven't seen one of these lately.

I lean towards larger pipes.

 

[PLANofMAN]

I lean towards larger pipes.

View attachment 285322

When the question is how much the pipe weighs or how much it holds, and the answer for both is "quarter pounder."

When I was young, the 63 looked like a large pipe. Now I've got a lumberman that dwarfs it, but it's about half the size of that Meerschaum monster.

 

[thesmokindragon]

Boswell made some nice monster pipes; Grizzly and Magnum series - Dump in a full tin and go! You will need to invest in a new pipe-lighter otherwise char light will take forever

 

[Chasing Embers]

When the question is how much the pipe weighs or how much it holds, and the answer for both is "quarter pounder."

When I was young, the 63 looked like a large pipe. Now I've got a lumberman that dwarfs it, but it's about half the size of that Meerschaum monster.

3.7 ounces and can empty a 50g tin with 2 smokes. Only slightly larger than most of my pipes.

 

[PLANofMAN]

I was able to scrounge an old advertisement, showing the pipes next to each other. Seen that way, the differences are a bit more obvious.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Grizzly and Magnum series

I know, I've tried to get one but they said they all sell to one buyer.

 

[Pappy Coon]

Seems like they changed the 62 a bit. Doesn't seem as "pointy" now.

 

[PLANofMAN]

Seems like they changed the 62 a bit. Doesn't seem as "pointy" now.
View attachment 293227

I'm pretty sure they all come off the frasier 'pointy' still. It's what happens in the sanding/polishing/sandblast phase that determines whether it keeps the 'point.' That likely has as much to do with the grain 'flow,' flaws in the briar, or the particular person handling the pipe at that moment. Most do seem to get rounded off; the ones that don't, typically have exceptional grain or a grain pattern that flows from that point.

It's one of the things that make the 60 series of pipes one of the more interesting Stanwell offerings.

 

[AroEnglish]

I was able to scrounge an old advertisement, showing the pipes next to each other. Seen that way, the differences are a bit more obvious.
View attachment 285527

Thanks! It’s very helpful to see them side by side.

The 63M was a shape I coveted for a long time.

 

[romaso]

I collect the 63, a favorite shape. The 63 bowl is more 'flared', more of a Dublin, than the 64. The 62 was longer, leaner, more feminine.
Doesn't matter as they only make the 63 now, at least for USA availability. Try the Danish Pipe Shop for a bigger selection.
If memory serves, the 63 was designed for Stanwell by Sixteen Ivarsson.
I'll also mention the 126, another favorite no longer available.
The 126:

 

[romaso]

I lean towards larger pipes.

View attachment 285322

You've got a Meerschaum similar to a 63.
Don't toss it if it ever stops working for you!

PS That should be Sixten Ivarsson above. Dang autocorrect!
He did the 62, 63 and 64. Tom Eltang did the 126.

Stanwell Shapes and Origins | Smokingpipes.com

Stanwell's extensive portfolio, features a number of artisan-designed shapes, offering the individuality and aesthetic appeal of artisan pipes .

www.smokingpipes.com

 

[PLANofMAN]

I collect the 63, a favorite shape. The 63 bowl is more 'flared', more of a Dublin, than the 64. The 62 was longer, leaner, more feminine.
Doesn't matter as they only make the 63 now, at least for USA availability. Try the Danish Pipe Shop for a bigger selection.
If memory serves, the 63 was designed for Stanwell by Sixteen Ivarsson.
I'll also mention the 126, another favorite no longer available.
The 126:
View attachment 293509

My 63M and 64M have an identical bowl shape and size. (Aside from the pointy bit on my particular 64). The stummel is a tad bit wider on my 64.

Just realized I never posted the "clean-up" pictures of the 64M. These will have to do for now. (Before and after).

 

[romaso]

My 63M and 64M have an identical bowl shape and size. (Aside from the pointy bit on my particular 64). The stummel is a tad bit wider on my 64.View attachment 294352View attachment 294353

Just realized I never posted the "clean-up" pictures of the 64M. These will have to do for now. (Before and after).
View attachment 294360View attachment 294361

Nice restoration work! Never seen a 64M before.
What's the difference then, just the pointy 'chin' on the 64, and a different stem shape?

 

[PLANofMAN]

Nice restoration work! Never seen a 64M before.
What's the difference then, just the pointy 'chin' on the 64, and a different stem shape?

Nah. I've seen a few 64 shapes without the pointed 'chin,' and I've seen a few 63's with it. I think it's part of the original core 'shape' for the series. It just often gets sanded down to make the pipe's lines flow better. Probably depends on the particular person making that pipe that day.

In general, I think the 64's tend to have a wider, rounded block shaped shank, and a taller, deeper bowl, but I've never seen anyone articulate any specific differences that make one pipe a 63 and another a 64.

Still haven't, not really. 64's are uncommon, and 64M's even more so. It would be a lifetimes task to collect enough 64's to do a type study, and, as far as I know, the Stanwell factory in Italy never produced the 64 shape.