The Tinder Box Pipes

"Back in the day" I bought all of my pipes at the Tinder Box, they were predominately large frame free hands.

To me they seemed like they were big on Erik Nording, Caminetto, and similar pipe makers.

Although, they did have quite a few Ascortis as well.

But, I think you are right that they outsourced their "Tinder Box" pipes.

Jeeze, Durham270, it's spooky, like you're reading my mind. Here's my story. I just found the "mother church"

Tinder Box store, which started out as Ed's, in Santa Monica, CA. They have an "ask Tinder Box" block so you

can ask questions. I wrote them about my pipe labeled "The Tinder Box, St. Ives," that I bought in the mid-1970's,

asking where they sourced their house pipes at that time. I asked the question about fifteen minutes before

I saw your post on Forums here. I bought my pipe at the Raleigh, N.C., Tinder Box at something called

Crabtree Valley Mall, one of the large malls here. I would describe my pipe as a bent pot sitter with a saddle

stem. It has approximately a group 4 bowl, but is extremely light weight and well-shaped. It's held up

well over the decades and I just had a good bowl of McClelland 5100 Red Va. Cake in it. Draws perfectly and

polishes up great afterwards. Your pipe might have been sourced at a different time and place, and therefore

your answer may be different than the one I get, but I'll share it with you on this thread if I get it back fairly

soon. Great minds on the same track. Meantime, just Google Tinder Box and go to the Santa Monica store site.

Let me know what you learn, too. I've been trying to figure this one out for years.

About a year ago I purchased a Nording Freehand pipe from my local TinderBox shop (now closed) The stamp on the pipe had the "TinderBox" marking and Nording as well. Guess they have a few still floating around with their stamping at least.

Durham270, here's my response from Pipe Guru at Tinder Box in Santa Monica on my Tinder Box St. Ives pipe:
Back in the late 70's the St. Ives pipe sold for $13.95! The line consisted

of classic English shapes and it was a very good seller. At this time we had

a number of companies making pipes for us including Charatan,

Parker/Dunhill, Sasieni, GBD/Comoy, Butz-Choquin, and Armellini. This time

was indeed a great time for pipe smokers coming into The Tinder Box. My

memory is a little vague on this but I think the St Ives was made by

GBD/Comoy. I know they were great smoking pipes and it is good to hear that

you are still enjoying your St Ives.
Good Luck

The Pipe Guru

Tinder Box International

Wow! Are you looking to sell that? I might be interested if you are. I'm a fan of pokers.

burg, not sure if you are offering to buy my pipe; it's a bent pot sitter, not a poker. Since it's my original pipe,

I'm not looking to sell it, especially now that I have its provenance. I too like pokers. I have a La Rocca poker;

not my favorite make of pipe among the Italians, but especially nice design I think. I also have a Parker

sandblasted poker, which I was surprised to see coming from Parker. Not wanting to sell any of the stable

of pipes. I have pretty much what I want and will now concentrate on tobacco. But there are many great

pokers out there, so good luck.

No worries. I get my shapes mixed up. It's very poker-esque... good looking pipe nonetheless.

Just went on ebay - there is a Tinder Box Comoy Estate pipe - bid starting at 9.99.