Pipes Magazine » Pipe Talk

1. 

   allan
   

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   Hi Everyone

   Last week the NYC pipe club met in Soho and as I mentioned on the 'pipe club' forum I met some great people and tried different tobaccos that would have taken me quite a while to accumulate.
   I also had asked members about Rad Davis' pipes, highly recommended by Cigarmaster as a fine pipe. Anyone I spoke to at the club who knew of Rad's pipes totally agreed-buy one!
   Well, turns out that Chris from Ibriar.com was off in a corner selling Rad's and other artisan makes and I wouldn't have seen/heard him with the din going on there - if it wasn't for another member who knew I was looking for a pipe I wouldn't have been able to acquire this one.

   My experience with pipe brands are Peterson's (from 40 years ago) and now dunhill, all bends and polished. Rad's is a blasted finish and just a minor bend and clearly different. I really appreciate the dunhills; Rad's pipe may take some time to get used to. According to Harris, they are freer smoking and require different packing techniques; I will reserve judgement until I give it a fair trial.

   So, here is the pipe: forgive my poor pictures with the iphone camera and poor lighting.

   https://www.dropbox.com/s/2bjv3ervc41cqoc/IMG_0007.JPG
   https://www.dropbox.com/s/zfz9t76sodo20f1/IMG_0009.JPG
   https://www.dropbox.com/s/sox614tzxzctzoy/IMG_0010.JPG
   https://www.dropbox.com/s/7exmrj22834tzh4/IMG_0012.JPG

   Allan

   Posted 4 months ago #
2. 

   captainprophesy
   

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   Very nice... dont own one, but your right Harris has gotten me wanting one as well

   Let us know how she smokes.

   I carry a gun... because a cop is too heavy!

   Posted 4 months ago #
3. 

   papipeguy
   

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   Very nice piece. Enjoy it.

   Posted 4 months ago #
4. 

   cigrmaster
   

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   Allan, great looking Rad, I have one almost exactly the same. Mine is a flake smoking machine that I dedicate to Vaper flakes. So mine sees Escudo, Solani 633, SG St James Flake and Dunhill Deluxe Navy Rolls exclusively. That is a Dublin variant which has a conical bowl, and I have found that for me, Dublins smoke flakes beautifully. Congrats on your first Rad, once you get used to it I think you will see why Rad Davis pipes are as popular as they are.

   Harris

   Posted 4 months ago #
5. 

   guitarguy86
   

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   That's a nice pipe for sure!

   Posted 4 months ago #
6. 

   k9shag
   

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   Very Nice

   Posted 4 months ago #
7. 

   flmason
   

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   Congratulations on your new pipe. Rad's pipes sell out fast. Normally by the time I receive an email from Rad stating new pipes have been added to his website they have already been sold when I open up the website link.

   Posted 4 months ago #
8. 

   cortezattic
   

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   It should be a good smoker. Hmmm, one of these days...

   I find myself sitting idly on the line dividing past and future,
   as if I could kill time without injuring eternity. -- Thoreau
   .

   Posted 4 months ago #
9. 

   gwtwdbss
   

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   That pipe looks great. Well done!

   "I run a craftsman's shop, not a factory, my pipes are works of art, fruit of experts hands, heart and fantasy" ~Carlo Scotti

   Posted 4 months ago #
10. 

    rothnh
    

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    Congratulations -- Looks like you've already started breaking it in

    Posted 4 months ago #
11. 

    foggymountain
    

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    Harris says that Rads smoke freer. That is because the draft hole is wider. They clean better if you use Longs wider (orange label) pipecleaners.

    Posted 4 months ago #
12. 

    philobeddoe
    

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    Very nice Rad, congratulations.

    Cubs win, Cubs win, Cubs win....Holy Cow!

    Posted 4 months ago #
13. 

    allan
    

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    Thanks all for the good wishes.

    This aftenoon, on the phone with Harris, I packed the new Rad tighter than I was used to with the Dunhills and found the smoke to be...in word....EXCELLENT!!

    What a difference the packing made. Yes, many of the experienced know that the draw on a pipe should be like drinking out of a straw, but I've been so used to packing my pipes one way, I just didn't realize that each pipe or fill can differ each time you do it...

    I can see now that this pipe will be a favorite of mine, despite the sandblasted finish and it not being 'bent'.

    Thank you for all of your advice, Harris and to this forum.
    Allan

    Posted 4 months ago #
14. 

    peckinpahhombre
    

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    I am not in Harris' league, but I have 7 Rad Davis pipes and love them all.

    Posted 4 months ago #
15. 

    shawn
    

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    Looks nice.

    Posted 4 months ago #
16. 

    rhogg
    

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    Can you explain the unique packing method involved? I have a couple of large pipe with very open draft holes that I have trouble smoking.

    Posted 4 months ago #
17. 

    cigrmaster
    

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    rhogg, you just need to pack whatever blend you are using tighter. Fill it to the top then gently push it down to about halfway, do it again till it is to the top with a little more pressure, then put more in using even more pressure and then do it again using more pressure. At each level check the draw, the first should have no resistance, the second only a tiny bit, the third a little more and the fourth it should feel like sipping through a straw with some decent resistance. Make sure your tobacco is dry enough. I have found that a large airway pipe smokes much better when you have a tighter pack. You will need to play around with it until you get the feel for it. Let us know how you make out. I think many people pack too loosely which leads to a hotter smoke that is difficult to keep lit.

    Also, make sure you are packing it in around the sides at each level.

    peckinpahhombre, you should start a thread showing us your Rad's. I love looking at his work.

    Posted 4 months ago #
18. 

    Al
    

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    Allan:
    That is Rad pipe that caught my eye and I held it for quite a while before putting it down. I thought it was a lovely pipe and finish. It is also quite large, which I liked as well. I blew all my pipe money on the Comoys picked up earlier that day, so I could only admire that one. I knew it wouldn't last long, good for you!

    On my Castellos, which as also very open, a very firm pack yields a great smoke. If I don't pack the bowl very tightly (twice as firm as my British made pipes), they whistle and don't let the tobacco smoulder properly. I'm guessing your Rad will need the same firm touch. Enjoy getting to know her!

    Al
    

    Posted 4 months ago #

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