Another Ropp Vintage On The Way

[milk]

The idea of some of them being vintage Algerian briar is interesting. The discussion has been done to death but at least one person around these parts thinks Algerian briar has special qualities and is no longer easy to find. Without starting a huge debate, does anyone here have a Ropp stamped Algerian briar?

 

[coming to_falling too]

The idea of some of them being vintage Algerian briar is interesting. The discussion has been done to death but at least one person around these parts thinks Algerian briar has special qualities and is no longer easy to find. Without starting a huge debate, does anyone here have a Ropp stamped Algerian briar?

I do. It's a pretty decent pipe, but I wish the button work was better than what it is. I picked it up on a sale a couple years ago. Tbh I haven't smoked it in a while but I might break it out here soon.

 

[judcole]

Yesterday, when the darned thing had not shown up, I went out to SP to see what was the status of the order. It said it had been delivered Wednesday! I was very much in WTF? mode. I had not seen it. Went out on the porch - looked over the side. Sure enough, the package had blown off the porch. I brought it inside, and did have a bowl of RR.

I loved RR too. Wish I had stocked up. Have you tried the Sutliff match? I have ordered some. Fingers crossed. I will probably go with SWR for my first Ropp smoke.

I have tried the Sutliff, and enjoy it, as well, I never smoked Edgeworth RR, so I have no idea what is closer. I've been smoking the Lane simply because, without worrying about which is closer, I slightly prefer it.

 

[kgs]

I have a couple and like them very much. The horn feels like it almost 'flexes' if you clench it harder.

My one annoyance is that the delrin tenon came loose on both of them, and I had to epoxy them back in.

I am surprised that they use a delrin tenon. Did horn stems always use a separate tenon? I really want one of these horn stem pipes but I think I would try to replace that piece of plastic with an actual bone tenon. I think it would be very nice to have a pipe made from all natural materials. Anyway, I am very interested to know how horn stems were traditionally fitted to pipes.

 

[LeafErikson]

I am surprised that they use a delrin tenon. Did horn stems always use a separate tenon? I really want one of these horn stem pipes but I think I would try to replace that piece of plastic with an actual bone tenon. I think it would be very nice to have a pipe made from all natural materials. Anyway, I am very interested to know how horn stems were traditionally fitted to pipes.

Rubber and briar is pretty darned close to all natural materials but I know what you mean.

 

[kgs]

Rubber and briar is pretty darned close to all natural materials but I know what you mean.

I agree for the most part, as vulcanite is just chemically processed natural rubber. However there is something special about all natural and non-processed materials. We're splitting hairs, but really I think it comes down to an appreciation of pre-industrial craftsmanship. Even today people will pay a premium for musical instruments made with all natural materials, including animal-based glue, partly I think because these items are a kind of art. Leather soled shoes are another example of this.

 

[LeafErikson]

I agree for the most part, as vulcanite is just chemically processed natural rubber. However there is something special about all natural and non-processed materials. We're splitting hairs, but really I think it comes down to an appreciation of pre-industrial craftsmanship. Even today people will pay a premium for musical instruments made with all natural materials, including animal-based glue, partly I think because these items are a kind of art. Leather soled shoes are another example of this.

No I totally get it and agree. The idea of having a pipe made of completely organic materials essentially untarnished by the human touch is awesome.

 

[mortonbriar]

I am surprised that they use a delrin tenon. Did horn stems always use a separate tenon? I really want one of these horn stem pipes but I think I would try to replace that piece of plastic with an actual bone tenon. I think it would be very nice to have a pipe made from all natural materials. Anyway, I am very interested to know how horn stems were traditionally fitted to pipes.

Well you will have no trouble removing the delrin in order to replace with bone!

 

[kgs]

Well you will have no trouble removing the delrin in order to replace with bone!

Of course finding a bone replacement will probably be difficult. I don't even want to think about carving one from scratch. It is exactly the kind of tedious thing I would waste my time on.

 

[mortonbriar]

Of course finding a bone replacement will probably be difficult. I don't even want to think about carving one from scratch. It is exactly the kind of tedious thing I would waste my time on.

Short work with a lathe, and frustratingly achievable using the chuck of a drill to turn it instead, with drill in vice and a rubber band holding the trigger down....

 

[kgs]

Short work with a lathe, and frustratingly achievable using the chuck of a drill to turn it instead, with drill in vice and a rubber band holding the trigger down....

Or..

 

[mortonbriar]

Or..

View attachment 213740

Is this yours? It is beautiful! I have a couple of lathes, but they have motors attached.

 

[kgs]

Is this yours? It is beautiful! I have a couple of lathes, but they have motors attached.

I wish I owned that. I don't have even one lathe as I don't have the space for one. When I do have the space I would like to get a small one for my little projects and general tinkering.