Just a short post to solicit ideas about the current state of the U.S. factory briar pipe industry, as in Kaywoodie, Dr. Grabow, and similar brands. It appears to me that Edwards brands such as Benton seem to have gone to low or no production. I admit I am still impressed with especially Dr. Grabow pipes. No one would mistake them for up-market factory pipes or artisanal pipes, but they make a highly respectable product that is durable, reliable, good-smoking and handsome in its genre. I'm don't own any estate Kaywoodie's or Grabows, but the current ones seem consistent with their past strengths. I'm not a huge fan of the Kaywoodie Drinkless, but get some good smoking out of the one I own. Any comments, reflections, historical perspectives, or inside info would be of interest.
It appears to me that fewer brands are in production, house pipes, etc. Some series, such as the Yello-Bole briars, are either out of production or low production and hard to get. Brylon still seems to be a staple for Yello-Bole and Medico, I'd guess based on price, a pipe that lasts forever for $19 to $25. The U.S. factory pipes seem most alive in its estate market and collector community where these are treasured and subject to really scholarly study. The current product, maybe not so much.
It appears to me that fewer brands are in production, house pipes, etc. Some series, such as the Yello-Bole briars, are either out of production or low production and hard to get. Brylon still seems to be a staple for Yello-Bole and Medico, I'd guess based on price, a pipe that lasts forever for $19 to $25. The U.S. factory pipes seem most alive in its estate market and collector community where these are treasured and subject to really scholarly study. The current product, maybe not so much.
