Since this thread has been revived, let me brag just a little more about my Edwards-made Benton pipes bought as house pipes from Iwan Ries, made with the Algerian briar. These are handsome "factory" pipes, which probably were made in more of a workshop than a factory, but on the assembly line system. The Algerian briar is bright lovely material that is light weight and makes a great large bowled pipe that you can also clench. I have a big-bowled billiard, a similar Canadian, and a bent billiard compact pipe, almost a Hungarian, that passes a pipe cleaner (!). Iwan Ries carried the photos of these house pipes long after they'd all gone out-of-stock, and I puzzled for a long time as to why. I think Edwards hoped to revive the brand, and Iwan Ries, taking the long view, waited to see if they could do it. When they finally couldn't, IR went to Italian-made house pipes. If you find Edwards or Benton pipes unsmoked or in good shape, or have them already, buy them and don't trade them off. They often aren't exciting lookers, very traditional, but they are excellent pipes and gaining stature every year. As the old song says, "You don't know what you got 'til it's gone."
Iwan Ries also had Hardcastle pipes on their site for years, nice ones with brass-colored bands, for about $40. Then suddenly they disappeared. Always thought I should grab one, but never did. They may still have one or a few floating around in that vast inventory of pipes in Chicago. I may ask. In the past, at least, IR has done at least some pricing on the basis of what they actually paid for a pipe rather than raising the price with the market no matter what they paid. It's one of the benefits of a retailer who has been around since before the Civil War.
