Does anyone here know what the quality of Rattray's pipes are? I was looking at their Dark Ale series, they look beautiful but I have no experience with them.
Rattray's Pipe Quality
- Thread starter jiminy
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I've had a couple Rattray's pipes. I've been satisfied with them. Better than a Grabow, not as nice as a Peterson or Savinelli. YMMV
I have a Rattray's Goblin, and it smokes great. I really enjoy it.
Rattray pipes are excellent quality. I have one that was given to me years ago.
But, on those rare occasions these days when I decide to buy a new one, I still purchase Petersons or Save for comparable $.
But, on those rare occasions these days when I decide to buy a new one, I still purchase Petersons or Save for comparable $.
I have one Rattray pipe and it is finished well, drilled well, and smokes well. The briar is of lower tier quality and the ebonite is very prone to oxidation (i.e. cheap). The one I have fills a niche in my assortment of pipes and I'm happy with it. I feel the value ($ vs performance) is good.
I was given a Rattray's Celtic Bent Billiard a few years ago as a gift. The shank had a crack in the mortise, but I didn't notice it at first because the Celtic line has a silver embossed band around the shank.
The first few smokes were pretty terrible tasting (maybe because of the bowl coating?), but eventually the pipe broke in and was a pretty decent smoker.
I ended up selling it when I culled a large part of my collection to buy some Artisan pipes.
That's been my only experience with Rattray's pipes. YMMV.
The first few smokes were pretty terrible tasting (maybe because of the bowl coating?), but eventually the pipe broke in and was a pretty decent smoker.
I ended up selling it when I culled a large part of my collection to buy some Artisan pipes.
That's been my only experience with Rattray's pipes. YMMV.
my one is great. Perfect in everyway. The thing is from my understanding they have others make them for them so quality could vary. Even just basic style.
I'd have to research it, but I think Rattray used to be made in Scotland, but has long since been relocated, I don't know where. The old line used to be notably handsome but expensive, but not like a Dunhill. Not too many retailers carry them, so I've lost track of the brand. I've stuck mostly with more widely distributed brands.
Just thought I would link to a few other threads where current Rattray pipes are discussed:
Rattray’s Pipes :: Pipe Talk
Hi everyone. I was just wondering you thoughts on Rattray’s pipes. I have now got four in my collection and have just managed to acquire the Brandy shaped Samhain shown in the photos. It’s apparently a limited run so felt quite lucky to get hold of one. The stems are made by Chris Kelly of...
pipesmagazine.com
Who makes this Rattray's pipe? :: Pipe Talk
So I was in London this summer and made a most worshipful pilgrimage to James Fox tobacconist, where I spent more money than I ought to have on a new Rattray's pipe and some Squadron Leader. I have to say I've been amazed by this pipe. (And the SL is superb too.) At the moment, it's hands...
pipesmagazine.com
Any Rattray Pipe owners? :: Pipe Talk
Looking at CupOJoes, he has some Rattray pipes listed... Anyone own any of these? Pros / Cons / Recommendations?
pipesmagazine.com
The Rattray Pipe :: General Pipe Smoking Discussion
Saw a Rattray prince "hail to the king" pipe on eBay, but know nothing about this manufacturer. The pipe seems a solid ly made prince.Any thought, fellows?
pipesmagazine.com
Rattray's Pipes :: Pipe Talk
Thinking about purchasing a Rattray's pipe. I have never seen one. How is their quality: fit, finish, etc. and how do they smoke? Thanks!
pipesmagazine.com
Picked up “the judge” poker new for $80 on eBay. I was going to sell but liked it enough to keep and smoke. It’s my only one. I really like it but I have had a bit of an issue with the airway being narrow. For some reason it keeps clogging when my others done. Filter or no filter… I may widen the airway eventually. I like the pipe aside from that though. I’ve heard it’s a higher end Butz Choquin essentially but by quality or fanciness and name? I don’t know the brand enough to say.
I do not currently own one but have in the past. I think they are good pipes. I would think quality would vary a little based upon which factory they are using to make them.
The Judge poker to me sounds like the professional nickname of our own @Briar Lee.
Charles Rattray never made his own pipes, he worked with a variety of carvers throught Europe. Kohlhase&Kopp now own the rights to Rattray's. They use a number of traditional makers in Saint-Claude (Chacom & Butz-Choquin) and also by factories in Italy (Gigi, Brebbia, L'anatra) and Altinay for the Meerschaum pipes.
Rattray's nation of origin is listed on SP as "Other." This leads me to think, without further evidence, that it is done in a nation not noted for pipe making. I think if it were Italy, France, England, or Ireland (or a few others), they'd just state the fact. So I'm thinking maybe Poland, Czech Republic, or China. Sometimes it's better to reveal the information.
I think I read somewhere that they are made "mostly" in Germany and England...that "mostly" can certainly cover a lot of territory, though. That's the only thing that makes me somewhat reluctant to buy one.
mine is really very french. It eats snails. But if you look at them they seem to use a number of carvers from one pipe to the next.
I had a Rattrays morta pipe that I loved. Although I never got it back from a cleaning(Anthony Cook, haven't heard from him in 2yrs) it was one of the best pipes I had ever smoked.