The venerable Danish pipe maker Stanwell has moved production to Italy, and some
Forums members are waiting to see how those pipes will be, and looking for older
inventory if they are buying new pipes, or buying estate pipes, until the Italian produced
pipes are proven. Cup O Joes even has a separate category for Denmark made Stanwells.
Smokingpipes.com clearly states in its Stanwell introduction that they have moved to Italy,
but the individual pipes are still designated as being from Denmark. I wasn't sure which I'd
get. I have been angling to add a Stanwell to my rack for years, and have always liked the
silk brune line; it is the least expensive, but I prefer the matte finish that shows grain.
I've always thought they could charge more for it as easily as less -- very tasteful.
So I finally decided to get the pipe -- either way -- it was the first shape, a bulldog,
in silk brune that I really liked. The jury is still out, but I took delivery of the pipe and
out of the box I am fully impressed. This is a straight bulldog model 32. Fit and finish
look perfect, and of course it passes the pipe cleaner test like a breeze. The pipe is stamped
Danish Design, meaning it is made in Italy I presume. SP says this bulldog was originally designed
by Poul Stanwell himself, and that SP is responsible for its return to the U.S. So far, I am well
pleased. I will report again later after I have had a chance to break in the pipe, to let my
fellow Forums members know if it is safe to go back into the Stanwell new-pipe waters.
This one shows nice grain through its refined matte finish, and it has the look of a pipe
that was produced under a critical and demanding eye. Will report further, later.
Has anyone else taken the Italian Stanwell plunge?
Forums members are waiting to see how those pipes will be, and looking for older
inventory if they are buying new pipes, or buying estate pipes, until the Italian produced
pipes are proven. Cup O Joes even has a separate category for Denmark made Stanwells.
Smokingpipes.com clearly states in its Stanwell introduction that they have moved to Italy,
but the individual pipes are still designated as being from Denmark. I wasn't sure which I'd
get. I have been angling to add a Stanwell to my rack for years, and have always liked the
silk brune line; it is the least expensive, but I prefer the matte finish that shows grain.
I've always thought they could charge more for it as easily as less -- very tasteful.
So I finally decided to get the pipe -- either way -- it was the first shape, a bulldog,
in silk brune that I really liked. The jury is still out, but I took delivery of the pipe and
out of the box I am fully impressed. This is a straight bulldog model 32. Fit and finish
look perfect, and of course it passes the pipe cleaner test like a breeze. The pipe is stamped
Danish Design, meaning it is made in Italy I presume. SP says this bulldog was originally designed
by Poul Stanwell himself, and that SP is responsible for its return to the U.S. So far, I am well
pleased. I will report again later after I have had a chance to break in the pipe, to let my
fellow Forums members know if it is safe to go back into the Stanwell new-pipe waters.
This one shows nice grain through its refined matte finish, and it has the look of a pipe
that was produced under a critical and demanding eye. Will report further, later.
Has anyone else taken the Italian Stanwell plunge?
