I just finished this Byford that I picked up in a lot of old pipes I recently purchased. Looks like it will be a good smoker.
Restored Byford
- Thread starter craig61a
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I hadn't heard of them either, until I got this one. Not a lot of info out there. Originally designed by Colin Byford, the brand was picked up by Orlik. I did find this online: Byford Patent
I would guess the pipe was manufactured in the late 50's, early 60's. This particular one has no fills, some nice wood, and is marked "Byford" in script with two shields below it on left side, "Made in England" on right side. It is a very well made pipe.
I would guess the pipe was manufactured in the late 50's, early 60's. This particular one has no fills, some nice wood, and is marked "Byford" in script with two shields below it on left side, "Made in England" on right side. It is a very well made pipe.
If it has a strange looking aluminium tube in the shank and another that slides into it then I have a couple of them in my refurb box.
Weren't they big in South Africa at some point?
Regards,
Jay.
Weren't they big in South Africa at some point?
Regards,
Jay.
I've just realised it was a thread I had started that Al linked to. My mind must be going 
Regards,
Jay.
Regards,
Jay.
So, I opted for Stokkebye English Luxury. Not an overly wet blend as received. Average number of relights, although I would let it sit for awhile as I smoked. Going through a break-in with it although it has some residual cake. As received the pipe had cake filling half the diameter of the bowl. Reamed it back to just under the thickness of a dime.
Overall the pipe smoked very well. The smoke was dry and plentiful. Sometime after I was done, I pulled the stem and gave both piece a light tap on paper towels to remove the condensate. Several drops worth were expelled, mostly from the stem side. A very nice smoking pipe.
Overall the pipe smoked very well. The smoke was dry and plentiful. Sometime after I was done, I pulled the stem and gave both piece a light tap on paper towels to remove the condensate. Several drops worth were expelled, mostly from the stem side. A very nice smoking pipe.
By the way, you should monthly "The capillaries and stem may be washed in warm soapy water.A pipe
cleaner dipped in mouthwash or spirits and passed through the tubes and smoke holes will bring the
pipe back to a clean, sweet smoking condition"...........from the leaflet
cleaner dipped in mouthwash or spirits and passed through the tubes and smoke holes will bring the
pipe back to a clean, sweet smoking condition"...........from the leaflet
Yes, they are pretty common here in South Africa, and have a similar system to the Keyser pipes which were also marketed here. You can still buy new Keysers, but not Byfords as far as I know. Still quite common on the estate scene though as I say. Limited shapes, mostly straight Billiards (I think I recall seeing one bent). I don't have one, but given Craig's review I should maybe consider picking one up , as they are quite reasonable.
This pipe has no shape number stamped on it. And I am at a loss for what that number would be.
I have smoked it 3-4x now, with English Luxury. It is very efficient at removing moisture, and I get a dry flavorful smoke from it, there is nothing to impede the draft channel, it all gets wicked away.
As for cleaning, I just do my normal procedure. After I have smoked it a few more times, I will use the big fluffy cleaners w/alcohol and just insert them in the channel and let sit overnight. That should pull out most of the gunk. That's what I did when I refurbed it, though it took several days and more cleaners.
I don't use soapy water as it tends to promote oxidation.
I have smoked it 3-4x now, with English Luxury. It is very efficient at removing moisture, and I get a dry flavorful smoke from it, there is nothing to impede the draft channel, it all gets wicked away.
As for cleaning, I just do my normal procedure. After I have smoked it a few more times, I will use the big fluffy cleaners w/alcohol and just insert them in the channel and let sit overnight. That should pull out most of the gunk. That's what I did when I refurbed it, though it took several days and more cleaners.
I don't use soapy water as it tends to promote oxidation.
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