A fresh look at bryoln....

[mso489]

I've always wondered if the Brylon bowl could be molded so as to have small hollows inside the wall of the bowl to insulate them better, but I suppose the manufacturer has explored many configurations. Glad to hear the stem comes out for cleaning. The weight factor influences me. Less weight relative to size seems a real plus, to reduce wear and tear on ones teeth. At least, though, this thread goes around the usual knee-jerk "ugh" we get with Brylon discussions. As I always comment when the subject comes up, thousands of people are buying Brylon pipes, and I can't believe they are all first and only time buyers. There's a market for Brylon, and it has been going strong for a half century, so Brylon has a significant following. We should keep an open mind about it, even if we won't be Brylon smokers. It's an interesting niche.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Is this part of "the pipe" history? I bought one—a black billiard— in the mid or late 60's, but it was lost years ago in a warehouse fire.
From Link to lengthy history, including mentions of bakelite

Wes Myers joins as Marketing VP- 1965
1st "Story of *the pipe*" brochure Apple, Bent, Billiard, Bulldog, Pot black the pipe $9.95

 

[mso489]

I think the pricing on these (Brylon pipes) runs from about $19 to $25, a notch above cobs but below all but the least expensive briars and other wood pipes. I notice that, for some reason, Medico pipes of similar shape and configuration, run a little less, by a dollar or two, than Yello-Bole, and the Yello-Boles seem to have a sort of stinger apparatus, whereas the Medicos have a place for a 6 mm filter, which would likely also accommodate a 6 mm adaptor mostly associated with Savenelli pipes. Tobaccopipes.com is a source on these; they used to offer briars made by Yello-Bole, but these seem to be gone from the inventory for now anyway.

 

[smokinfireman]

@ jmpcwjr
It is. It was also used by the Kaywoodie corp. for use in cheaper pipes where they did not use top-grain briar.
@ mso489
I recently picked up another medico at my local tobacco store for about 20 bucks. Filtered straight stem and nice rich mahogany color. It does smoke a little warm with aros. Brylons can be very available at yardsales for next to nothing. I once saw a yellobole for 5 dollars at a garage sale, but it was a model I already had so no go. I prefer the fluted scoop type to the filters. Don't know why, I just do.

 

[tuold]

I've got couple of Medico Brylon pipes that came in a couple lots of estates from ebay. They are ok pipes. No break in required and easy to clean are the two advantages I can list. The two negatives are the increased weight and tendency to smoke hot if you aren't careful.
From the standpoint of someone looking to buy a new pipe I'd choose a cob over Brylon just because cobs are more comfortable to smoke and they are about half the price of a new Brylon

 

[newbroom]

I've got two synthetic pipes. I smoke them most often either to try a blend without having pipe material 'input' or as durable traveling pipes. My "The Pipe" is a handsome looking classic billiard with a nice large bowl, and my Yello Bole Brylon is more of an apple shape. I keep the Yello Bole in the console of my car with no worries.

Once you learn how NOT to smoke a pipe, these can be appreciated for the clean smoking, easy care for units they are.

The larger pipe has a softee bit on it to help me save my teeth from its acknowledged heavier than briar weight.

 

[drfrankenstein56]

Any idea where one might get Brylon resin? as noted above, weight and insulation seem to be part of the issue with the material.
There is a additive used in the aerospace industry called "Micro-spheres or Micro-Ballons" and they are tiny ceramic beads that are used for heat and weight control. These "Ballons" could be added to the Brylon and reduce the amount of resin and wood dust required to make the product as well as lighten and insulate.
I would assume this could be a fairly straight forward process as I imagine most brylon pipes are cast rather then shaped.

 

[okiescout]

I have entertained picking up one in really good condition if it can be purchased cheap just to have one in my collection. A bit of Americana piping.

 

[mso489]

okie, since Brylon pipes are so inexpensive, you might consider buying one new, so you have a choice on shape and stem, rather than taking your chances at the flea market or antique store. tobaccopipes.com is the go-to place for these, Yello-Bole and Medico, and it seems to me that maybe 4noggins and Cup O Joe may also carry them. But tobaccopipes.com has free shipping. Why not get to pick between six or eight or a dozen shapes. I think I'd go for a small pipe in Brylon to keep the weight down. And report to the rest of us on the smoking experience since this is sort of an "exotic" experience for most Forums members.

 

[condorlover1]

I think I am going to be sick!

 

[brewshooter]

I think I am going to be sick!

Just remember, many would say the same thing of your favorite tobacco. Not me, I love the stuff! If I had to choose only one tobacco for eternity it would be on the very short list, but to each his own!!

 

[wyfbane]

Condor, be nice!
Welcome to the forum. I have no opinion on Brylon. As a multiple Kirsten owner, I understand what it is like to get ribbed.
It is all good natured. This is a great group!

 

[jpmcwjr]

Are they dishwasher safe? (semi serious question)
Someone mentioned wood as a component- what else makes up Brylon? When I owned a 'the pipe' it seemed to be space age material—whatever that meant at the time—50 years ago or so.

 

[drfrankenstein56]

brylon is a mix of high temp resin and wood dust.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Thanks! The "the pipe"—for some reason always in lower case—never gave a clue to me that there was any wood component!

 

[drfrankenstein56]

I think the "pipe" you are talking about was made of regular plastic but had a compressed graphite insert for the burn chamber. ive been wating one for my collection

 

[jpmcwjr]

Yes, that sounds right. Pretty sure you've solved the problem! It was a matte black throughout. Maybe semi-gloss is closer. Heavy!

 

[tuold]

If I had to declare a favorite Brylon, it would be this Medico Onyx. It smokes just fine.

 

[okiescout]

I do have a Kirsten, Wyfbane :lol:

 

[smokinfireman]

Hello all. Yes, brylons are dishwasher safe, though I have never put them in a dishwasher. These are the chevy pickups of pipes. Run 'em over, beat 'em up, they still keep goin.
@ tuold

Beautiful pipe.