Ashton Pebble Grain (XX) Full Bent 1999

ssjones · Apr 6, 2015

I haven't found a Taylor Ashton that was in my wheelhouse for a couple of years. This 1999 tan Pebble Grain was at a shop in Albany this afternoon at a great price. The XX size is perfect and I estimate it weighs about 40 grams. The pipe and stem is in mint condition with nary a toothmark. These pix are via my camera phone in my NY hotel room.

joshb83 · Apr 6, 2015

Wow, great find! I have yet to find a bent pipe I haven't liked. One question, what is the black strip on the inside of the right of the bowl? Marker I assume? Or just a stripe from the grain?

ssjones · Apr 6, 2015

I think that is the remainder of the orginal stain in the bowl. I don't think this one was smoked much.

settersbrace · Apr 6, 2015

Nice grab there Jones! What are you going to load it with for the inaugural smoke?

ssjones · Apr 7, 2015

My usual, MM965, hopefully this evening if I get home in time.

tbradsim1 · Apr 7, 2015

Al it's a great pipe and the lighter color is a nice departure from the darker colors. Hope you have or had a good smoke.

papipeguy · Apr 7, 2015

Super find, Al. Love the color. Enjoy.

ssjones · Apr 7, 2015

Thanks guys. On closer examination at home, this pipe was darn close to being unsmoked. I polished the bowl with some Halycon and gave the stem my usual spit shine. I had an opportunity to smoke it on the patio (first time this season!) and it smokes wonderfully. You can really tell the oil-cured briar on the first couple of smokes.

raevans · Apr 7, 2015

That is one beauty of a pipe. I know what you mean by the oil cured process. I love breaking in new Ashtons, I find that they have an almost nutty flavor that really blends well with the tobacco. Congratulations on a wonderful score.

saltedplug · Apr 12, 2015

As I understand briar is harvested, cut into blocks and boiled in water. If it is to be oil-cured, is this step inserted after the boiling in water or substituted for it? I've read that when oil-curing was begun by Dunhill they boiled the briar in olive oil. Has this been the oil of choice since then or are different oils used as selected by the briar cutter or the pipe maker? I've also read that oil-curing removes resins not otherwise released by water curing. True? It would appear to be that oil-curing is no better than prolonged air-curing and that oil-curing, although it imparts a nutty taste during break-in and has cachet from being begun by Dunhill, is an alternative, not better, cure.

ssjones · Apr 12, 2015

Oil-curing is a pipe tin of worms to be sure! Here's some related info:

http://pipesmagazine.com/python/manufacturer-retailer-spotlight/artisan-pipe-maker-joe-nelson-interview/#more-2568

http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/a-look-into-the-sasieni-oil-curing-method

http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/a-look-into-the-sasieni-oil-curing-method
The Ashton method is detailed here:

http://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/ashton/history.cfm
With two unsmoked Ashton estates now under my belt, I can only add that the flavor is distinctly different for the first 4-5 bowls, than it diminishes. This pipe is a 2X size but weights 53 grams, so I can't say the oil curing made this one remarkably lighter than an air-cured pipe. (but it sure felt lighter in my hand than the weight my scale registered).
I'm four bowls in and the pipe is an excellent smoker. The draft hole, drilling and button work is spot on, which I think adds more to the positive experience than the oil-curing.

chalbach72 · May 12, 2015

Quite a lovely finish on that pipe! I'm picking up an Ashton this summer, can't wait! :D

monty55 · May 12, 2015

Wow! That is beautiful! It has just the right length for the bowl/shank/stem. It is exactly what I look for in a bent. Great find! You did it justice my friend, well done!

buroak · May 13, 2015

ssjones, I cannot imagine a more perfect Taylor-era Ashton. Great find!

ssjones · May 13, 2015

Thanks guys. The pipe has proven to be a great smoker, just right in size and bend. I still can't believe it passes a cleaner.

buroak · May 13, 2015

It passes a cleaner?!?! Wow! My Craig Ashton has a very gentle bend and will not pass a cleaner.

ssjones · May 13, 2015

As soon as I saw the tip of the cleaner, I said "I'll take it". Best $100 I've spent in a while!

pepesdad1 · May 13, 2015

Beautiful pipe, Al. Smoke it in good health.

ssjones · May 14, 2015

Ashton Fans: A pretty good deal on an Ashton Claret LX, Taylor is up on eBay with a very good BIN

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251959680732?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Too big for me, dive in!

ssjones · Nov 5, 2015

I picked up an inexpensive heat gun at Hobby Lobby earlier this week. The bend on this pipe never seemed quite right and was a bit too shallow. I like the top of the stem to match the angle of the bowl top. I had bent vulcanite stems before, but not one made of Ashtonite. It took a little longer to heat and the bend made a slight wrinkle on the underside. I removed that and repolished the stem. Now it hangs much better and looks "right" to my eye. Details on the process is here:
And the new profile:

Ashton Pebble Grain (XX) Full Bent 1999

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