Okiepiper - I recently purchased the 186 shape Royal Guard, biggish bowl and a great smoker ( 6 1/2 bowls up to now, breaking it in).
My first big bowl pipe and thick walls, I'm converted.
Over Christmas I took delivery of a Stanwell Royal Guard 186.....it dwarfs my Savinelli Oscar Tiger 326 which I thought was a decent size before! Not smoked the new one yet but sounds like I have a good smoking experience to look forward to if the previous comments from you guys are correct.
Filters for me (9mm carbon or 6mm balsa), I do like the harshness they take away from some baccys too. Usually get the Adsorba or Peterson brands because they are the best value.
As you know they do seem to be more popular in Europe and most manufactures this side of the pond seem very pro filters.
Cracking pipes, just started to use my 2 regularly again. Added 2 new bowls recently and really enjoying the no nonsense, easy maintenance pipe smoking. After smoking my 6 and 9mm filter pipes it seems you get so much more flavour in the straight through Falcons, seem to 'sip' much better too.
+ 1....filters, balsa or carbon. Last me around 3/4 smokes with no bother (not large bowl pipes by the way), just find them so convenient, cleaner and smooth smoking providers.