Are Windcaps Over?

[nick24601]

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I can make them, but it isn’t cheap. They have to be made from scratch, like a mechanical piece of jewelry.

Nice things always cost money. I will be reaching out after I find the right pipe and have cash. Thank you very much for your reply.

 

[BingBong]

Nice things always cost money. I will be reaching out after I find the right pipe and have cash. Thank you very much for your reply.

I saw something I liked and thought you might too. Not that I have that kind of money for a pipe and tamper, though.

Dunhill 4202 3 French Hens Christmas 1995 with Ornate Pipe Tamper & Presentation Box

Dunhill 4202 3 French Hens Christmas 1995 with Ornate Pipe Tamper & Presentation Box Limited Edition 283/500 This exquisite pipe is in immaculate condition, it has hallmarked silver collar and wind cap, the pipe tamper features the 3 French hens, this set is completed with superior quality

www.estatepipeshop.co.uk

 

[Auxsender]

In every craft a trade. I've noticed over the years that instead of developing skills at anything, people look for gimmicks and tool designs to make it so that someone with no skills can make something that sort of looks like they had skills.
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At one time, a craftsman could make a set of Chippendale chairs merely using five or six hand tools that could all fit in a small box. Now, men have to have a garage full of specialized electric equipment with thousands of gadget to be able to make the same thing.
People don't want to take the effort to practice and learn and develop tool skills.

Pipesmoking is also one of those things men go into with a preexisting notion of what they should be able to do right away. However, those that stick with it, have a special quality not found in cigar or cigarette smokers. They practice every day, building skills, and developing good habits.

I use software called Melodyne to make people that are literally incapable of singing sound like they can sing. Not the same thing you’re talking about, but adjacent in that, technology has allowed the talentless to participate.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I use software called Melodyne to make people that are literally incapable of singing sound like they can sing. Not the same thing you’re talking about, but adjacent in that, technology has allowed the talentless to participate.

We’ve entered an era when technological goals are to replace knowledge, skill, craft, engineering, and trades with computer generated crap. AI, digital images, programs, 3D printers, laser carvers, robotics… all replacing human jobs from artists, designers, engineers, even the simple dock workers… even self driving cars to replace taxis and deliver.
What jobs will be left?

When we first set computer technology to work making our lives easier, the corporations decided to replace our jobs instead of making things like folding clothes, washing dishes, and dusting.

I think we all marvel at what technology has been made to do, at the detriment of our ability to make money to be able to afford it. I was probably a apart of the last generation that was able to turn a skill into a lively hood.

 

[anotherbob]

We’ve entered an era when technological goals are to replace knowledge, skill, craft, engineering, and trades with computer generated crap. AI, digital images, programs, 3D printers, laser carvers, robotics… all replacing human jobs from artists, designers, engineers, even the simple dock workers… even self driving cars to replace taxis and deliver.
What jobs will be left?

When we first set computer technology to work making our lives easier, the corporations decided to replace our jobs instead of making things like folding clothes, washing dishes, and dusting.

I think we all marvel at what technology has been made to do, at the detriment of our ability to make money to be able to afford it. I was probably a apart of the last generation that was able to turn a skill into a lively hood.

And yet the human element still makes the difference. Or at least that's my opinion and observation. I remember in the 2000s there was this trend for non artists to make collages and play artist. After dismissing that form I'd run into people that couldn't draw but actually made things that showed creativity, thought, and more importantly expression. Same time saw lots of people trying to be musicians with music programs (computer) and sure a few people actually made worthwhile stuff.
This reminds me of the story of machine made lace. It killed jobs but also made new ones and the people that still make hand made lace started to be able to charge a premium above what they could when all lace was hand made. But people really thought they were at the same point it looks like we are at now.

 

[PaulDM]

Those windcaps look very cool. I don't think I have ever seen one in person.

 

[Choatecav]

Estates is the way to go.
They come up from time-to-time on EBay.

3 Barlings
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Silverware LOOKS nice.
But require maintenance

My goodness, Oz..... Those may be the most gorgeous pipes I've ever seen. They "reek" of elegance and sophistication........ Of course some folks say that about me.... (NOT!). ha.

Seriously, the setting for the photos are great, too.
Are you a professional photographer??

 

[OzPiper]

My goodness, Oz..... Those may be the most gorgeous pipes I've ever seen. They "reek" of elegance and sophistication........ Of course some folks say that about me.... (NOT!). ha.

Seriously, the setting for the photos are great, too.
Are you a professional photographer??

Thank you @Choatecav for your kind comments.

Of course I place the blame on @sablebrush52 for my severe case of pipe envy (Barlings) and PAD

Re: photos
Purely amateur(ish) and taken with my i-phone.
Thanks to advances like photo-cropping and editing

 

[sablebrush52]

I have 4 Barlings with wind caps. They’re beautiful to look at but I rarely smoke them. The wind caps make the pipes smoke hotter when down.

 

[OzPiper]

I have 4 Barlings with wind caps. They’re beautiful to look at but I rarely smoke them. The wind caps make the pipes smoke hotter when down.

Ditto.
All that metal gets pretty hot.

I smoke my windcaps with the lids raised to facilitate tamping.
You risk scorched digits opening and closing the caps

The underside of the caps blacken if kept down during a smoke and is a pain to keep shiny

Reminds me of a motoring show I watched some time back featuring a beautiful restored vintage roadster.
Taken out of the garage for a run only if the weather is perfectly fine.
With a car following behind with all the fixings, should it fail to progress
at any stage

 

[Choatecav]

Thank you @Choatecav for your kind comments.

Of course I place the blame on @sablebrush52 for my severe case of pipe envy (Barlings) and PAD

Re: photos
Purely amateur(ish) and taken with my i-phone.
Thanks to advances like photo-cropping and editing

We can lay a lot of the blame for our love of Barlings at the feet of Sablebrush52.....

As to the photos... I am continuously amazed at the quality that these phones create with their built-in cameras. My wife just got an Iphone 16 and the quality is just off the chart.

But, even with that said, you may not be a "pro," but you have a really good eye for setting up the picture and the background colors. I loved those fall leaves in first picture.

 

[InWithBothFeet]

In every craft a trade. I've noticed over the years that instead of developing skills at anything, people look for gimmicks and tool designs to make it so that someone with no skills can make something that sort of looks like they had skills.
View attachment 345807
At one time, a craftsman could make a set of Chippendale chairs merely using five or six hand tools that could all fit in a small box. Now, men have to have a garage full of specialized electric equipment with thousands of gadget to be able to make the same thing.
People don't want to take the effort to practice and learn and develop tool skills.

Pipesmoking is also one of those things men go into with a preexisting notion of what they should be able to do right away. However, those that stick with it, have a special quality not found in cigar or cigarette smokers. They practice every day, building skills, and developing good habits.

I would argue that it isn't no skills, it's different skills. That guy with the handful of tools wouldn't know what to do with a CNC wood carving machine, and he would take 2 days to produce what the cnc does in 2 hours. The old by-hand skills are romantic and cool and useful for producing one-off and custom items but modern methods are much more efficient if your goal is to produce a quantity of mostly identical ones for sale. Each has its place.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I would argue that it isn't no skills, it's different skills. That guy with the handful of tools wouldn't know what to do with a CNC wood carving machine, and he would take 2 days to produce what the cnc does in 2 hours. The old by-hand skills are romantic and cool and useful for producing one-off and custom items but modern methods are much more efficient if your goal is to produce a quantity of mostly identical ones for sale. Each has its place.

Maybe, but it took me only about 15 minutes to figure out a CNC carver, and milling machine. CAD... Phhht, a 12 year old can use it. Different maybe, but definitely easy peasy. I also have a studio full of woodworking equipment. I don't know how much genius you think it takes to mill a table leg, but it is a far cry from handtools.

 

[InWithBothFeet]

I messed around with google sketchup and quickly moved on. Too much for this rotten old brain.

 

[recoilrob]

These are either 1970s or 1980s Dunhills, I'd have to check the stampings.
At the time Dunhill was known for making a lot of nice pipes with wind caps.
They are both sterling with a gold wash. They're more ornamental than functional, too much to carry outside in the wind.

 

[Ahi Ka]

I have two pipes with fixed wind caps. One is a silver capped Pete, the other is an Orlik hurricane and the windcap is made from briar/Bakelite.

I smoke the Orlik in the rain from time to time, but invariably I find I mainly use them to pre load a bowl and carry the pipe with me ready to be lit.

Neither are domed, but I think the flat top looks really nice on the Pete. My favourite wind cap was on this Charles Maas but I gave it to a good friend for his 60th

 

[sablebrush52]

Title edited for caps. Please see Rule 9

I really want a good quality pipe with a sterling silver wind cap, preferably domed. However it seems like there are none on the market anymore. Is this just a lull in the market or did they stop making them for the most part in 17 or so?

Take it from someone who owns 4 of these. Owning one of these is like bedding a beautiful woman who's lousy in the sack. Looks great, performance is much less than optimal.

Spend your money on something that will enrich your life.

 

[Snook]

No answer, but the title of your post made me think of this guy:

 

[anotherbob]

No answer, but the title of your post made me think of this guy:

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if you run in certain circles you know this guy. or at least run into him sometimes.

 

[justscience]

I wish I could find my source, but I read that windcaps were required in Germany at one time to prevent forest fires. Many old school german pipes (porcelain, tassels, etc.) have them.