I recieved this pipe from smokingpipes.com really quickly. I have been putting it though it's paces since it arrived.
I have smoked it probably 8 times, and have already formed some opinions. First of all, and what I wanted to know mostly, was how the 9mm filter system worked on this brand. To cut to the quick, I removed the filter after about the first 10 min. It did not impress me at all.
The filter fits into the stem. Either Vauen cut the filter reservoir too long, or it's supposed to work this way, which I can't believe is the case, as it's really annoying. When puffing, the filter sucks up against the rear most area of the reservoir, making it feel like it's obstructing the airway. You can feel it suck back. When you slightly blow, you can feel it slip forward, which frees up the airway. Since I puff more than I blow, the airway feels obstructed during most of your smoke. So I just took it out.
Which created another problem. The air hole leading from the reservoir to the bowl did not match up with the airway leading down through the stem. This makes it almost impossible to run a cleaner through it when it starts to gurgle. Also the condensation comes up to the reservoir and settles in the bottom where your cleaner can't reach. You find that out when you pull the stem off. The moisture spills out.
Solution? What I did was put one of Savinelli's 6mm balsa wood filters in it instead. Not a perfect fit, but it works. No gurgle. No pipe cleaners needed. Great!
You just have to change filters before each smoke. That problem solved, there are some very nice details about the pipe that I rarely see of inexpensive pipes. And this was faily inexpensive at only $ 67.50.
The first was the recessed rim. It makes filling the bowl somewhat easier. The second thing was the lip of the stem. It is slightly beveled towards the smoker, which makes it very comfortable to put in between your lips. These are little details which inhance the smoking experience I think. I have never had a pipe lip like this on any of my other pipes. It is really nice feeling to bring it to your mouth for a puff. It feels like a much thinner lip, but the rear still has enough lip to hold in your teeth without difficulty.
The finish is very shiny, which make me somewhat suspect. I don't know what the finish is, or if the briar can breath or not. It doesn't seem to smoke hot though. Most pipes with a varnish finish will, although I do have an older Hilson pipe with a finish that has never lost it's luster, and it has always delivered a cool smoke.
There are no fills in the pipe, although it does have several pits up around the top of the bowl. All in all, for what I paid for it, I think it accounts for itself rather well.
