Making Clay Pipes in 1955 Britain

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condorlover1

Lifer
Dec 22, 2013
7,994
26,608
New York
I came across this fun video on youtube about a husband and wife team who made clay pipes in their back garden back in 1955 Britain - enjoy!
https://youtu.be/lfj3Vm0M8fo

 

buroak

Lifer
Jul 29, 2014
1,867
14
I thoroughly enjoyed that. Can you imagine that storm that would be unleashed today if you sent your little tykes out with blue clay pipes for bubbles? And where did all those molds go?

 

condorlover1

Lifer
Dec 22, 2013
7,994
26,608
New York
Ages ago I posted the 15 minute film of Gordon Pollock of Pollocks of Manchester clay pipe fame! I can do it again if anyone is really interested.

 

condorlover1

Lifer
Dec 22, 2013
7,994
26,608
New York
Pollocks of Manchester in the film 'My Pipe Dream'. These guys used to supply me with all my clays each month and I even took a trip on my motorcycle to visit the Stott Street works and met Gordon! Interestingly he only passed away a few years ago and I believe he was just shy of his 100th year as one of his nephews comments on the fact in the comments section of the video. Anyway enjoy!
https://youtu.be/FsyyEcW-v1s

 

mawnansmiff

Lifer
Oct 14, 2015
7,385
7,295
Sunny Cornwall, UK.
Thanks so much for posting those Condorlover :clap:
I never realised how much hands on work was involved in making a clay pipe. I shall now dig out one of my estate clay pipes and fire up my first ever clay bowl....with Condor tobacco of course :puffy:
Regards,
Jay.

 

mawnansmiff

Lifer
Oct 14, 2015
7,385
7,295
Sunny Cornwall, UK.
Here is another one from 1938 where churchwarden pipes are made. The dexterity of the woman making them has to be seen to be believed. Imagine poking a wire down a thin piece of floppy clay to make the draught hole without ruining the pipe...not something I would like to try!
https://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=r8TEN65Nnus
I now have one of my clays loaded with FVF (the Condor was a little too moist) and about to light it up....wish me luck :puffy:
Regards,
Jay.

 

condorlover1

Lifer
Dec 22, 2013
7,994
26,608
New York
Until my early 20s I only ever smoked short 'cutty' clay pipes until my dentist told me I was getting pipe notches on my teeth and inquired how I found the UK in the 1850s!

 

mawnansmiff

Lifer
Oct 14, 2015
7,385
7,295
Sunny Cornwall, UK.
Just smoked my first clay pipe...not a memorable experience I have to say. Hot bowl? I was expecting that but forever having to relight (the baccy was plenty dry enough) spoiled the experience somewhat :oops:
Ah well, at least I did try.
Regards,
Jay.

 

oldreddog

Part of the Furniture Now
Sep 4, 2014
923
6
Here's one of the Bean an tì knocking out a few dùidìns.

https://youtu.be/2oKLnZGdrag

 

aimlesswanderer

Starting to Get Obsessed
Jun 25, 2016
211
2
Jay, I have a couple of clays that I smoke occasionally. I've found you have to pack a lot heavier/firmer than with other pipes to keep the damn thing lit.

 

jpmcwjr

Moderator
Staff member
May 12, 2015
24,568
27,074
Carmel Valley, CA
I've found that I have no desire to ever smoke a clay again from my experiences eons ago. Hot, hot hot! And the stem feels lousy on the lips, and the bowl is small, and they break easily, and yada, yada, yada. Hopefully, YMMV.

 

jpmcwjr

Moderator
Staff member
May 12, 2015
24,568
27,074
Carmel Valley, CA
Here's one of the Bean an tì knocking out a few dùidìns.

https://youtu.be/2oKLnZGdrag
Good one. She seemed to pronounce "kiln" with two syllables -> "killen". Is that an Irish thing, a local thing, a Celtic thing, an Olde English Thinge?? Anyone know?

 

aimlesswanderer

Starting to Get Obsessed
Jun 25, 2016
211
2
I've found that I have no desire to ever smoke a clay again from my experiences eons ago. Hot, hot hot! And the stem feels lousy on the lips, and the bowl is small, and they break easily, and yada, yada, yada. Hopefully, YMMV.
I can't really argue with any of those points. I'm still determined to master it though, and have had some success with my two, but not consistently. I've had a reasonable smoking duration with them, and even smoked cool enough to hold by the bowl (I normally hold the stem, almost like a cigarette), but again, I've not had consistency in smoking cool over a duration. The lip feel eases a bit with use, and I hope to master the clay before the almost inevitable breakage. There is a good reason I bought two....

 

weezell

Lifer
Oct 12, 2011
13,653
49,163
I smoke clay pipes quite often and love them.There is nothing better than smoking some good plug or rope in them...

 
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