Anyone have experience with Royal Dutch pipes?

[hakchuma]

I'd like to know if anyone here has a Royal Dutch pipe and if they are good pipes. I was also wondering if it would ever be possible to get an replacement stem that is acrylic because it comes with a stem made I'd vulcanite. If I do choose to try and get a new stem would that require a lot of modification to have it match the pipe?

 

[blendtobac]

Royal Dutch pipes are made by Big Ben (actually, the factory was called Royal Dutch), and they're known for a quality pipe for a fair price. The best answer to replacing the stem is to send it to a repair shop because you would have to buy a stem, sand it to the size of the shank and then polish it back up. The vulcanite they use is good quality and shouldn't oxidize for quite some time, and maybe never, with proper maintenance.
Russ

 

[B18]

I got 4 Big Ben's and the only issue that i have with them are that the outside coating is crappy. When i got them they were nice and shiny after a months or so, some parts became dull/mat(on all 4 pipes).

Part of BigBen's guarantee states "Mouthpieces are not guaranteed but may be repaired for a moderate charge should they be damaged. Your Tobacconist will be pleased to help you with any problems".
The guarantee can be interpreted in which that they don't make a replacement, but they'll just fix the stem.

But what Russ said, their vulcanite is of high quality.

 

[mso489]

I know it's an individual thing, but I don't avoid vulcanite. As has been pointed out, it can be maintained and it is softer on the teeth. I am a little relieved when a pipe has an acrylic or other high quality non-vulcanite stem, but vulcanite is a quality material and mostly can be maintained. Just keep it out of direct sun.

 

[mso489]

... just a footnote ... I'm not sure what is a subset of what, but when I recently purchased a Big Ben pipe it came with a little hinged fan brochure with the parent company being given as The Pipe Manufacturer Gubbels, Est. 1870. I think Royal Dutch may be a subset, but Gubbels is definitely a major corporate name. They have a web page at www.gubbelsfactory.com which I haven't visited yet, but will. Just FYI.