I'm often intrigued by how fast inventories of U.S. factory pipes sell. A few weeks ago, I bought a Kaywoodie from former sponsor retailer PC, which is quite nice. At the time, they had maybe thirty of forty pipes on offer. Just out of curiosity, I went back to the page recently, and there was only one series left, and when I clicked on that, all of the pipes were also out of stock. This happens familiarly with Kaywoodie, Dr. Grabow, Yello-Bole, and Medico. They still make these pipes, but apparently in sparing quantities such that they can't meet the demand. There must be a delicate balance, to sell all you make, but to make as many as you can sell. U.S. factory pipe makers mostly have a production staff, not a battalion of marketing folks, so it appears they wing it and do the best they can. So if you like those old style pipes, buy them when you see them, because they don't linger long. Most of them that I have bought are well over their price point in quality.
