Artisan Pipes Group 5 or Larger (TONS of photos)

[bigvan]

In a prior thread, Cigrmaster lamented the seeming lack of larger size pipes available from artisan pipe carvers. Though that definitely SEEMS the case, I did a quick check of my collection and came up with these group 5 size or larger artisan pipes (oh, and though it was a nice day out today, I didn't expend much effort on photography today. I just set 'em up and clicked the shutter).
Thomas James (at least a group 6 size)

Sam Learned (another group 6+)

Ron Fairchild

Quad City Pipes (Andy Petersen)

Old Nellie (Joe Nelson) Dublin

Old Nellie (Joe Nelson) Panel-Dog

Michael Parks

American (Mark Tinsky)

Larry Roush

Jaden Hew-Len

Jack Howell

J.Allen (Jeff Gracik)

Dr. Bob (bowl size is HUGE)

Chris Askwith

Charles Cole

Bruce Weaver

Brian Ruthenberg

Andrew Marks

Abe Herbaugh (I'm going to do another post just about this pipe... there's been a kind of 'Before and After' with this one.)

So YES, Harris, you CAN find larger sized artisan pipes.

 

[ghost]

Beauty pipes...but where did you get the mini deck chair for them?

 

[bentmike]

Good Lord bigvan you've got some beauties in your collection! :worship: My favorites: The Sam Learned with the antler tipped shank is awesome, followed closely by the Old Nellie Dublin. Great camera work!

 

[garyovich]

All beauties, lots of lovely Cumberland. The Old Nellies particularly caught my eye. Would love to hear/see more about those.

 

[cigrmaster]

bigvan, wow...those are all gorgeous. I guess you are right, plenty of larger sized artisans out there. It is funny because I have been scouring all the sites and I have only been seeing group 4's and smaller. I guess because they do not crank out that many, there is always very limited numbers to look at. My last 6 pipes purchased have all been group 5's in the 40-60 gram weight category. I have really been enjoying that particular size. I have even been smoking my 2 Dunhills that are group 4's a lot more.
Do all of these makers have real comfortable buttons and do they all smoke cool and dry? Does that Rousch and Parks smoke considerably better than any of the others? I ask because of the obvious price difference those two command. Also when you have commissioned a pipe, how long does it normally take? I have been waiting a month now on my first and don't know if that is normal. Thanks so much for posting these, you take some great pics.

 

[hawk60ce]

I know your into american made pipes cigarmaster, you should check out jake hackert pipes. HUGE bowls, smoke great, and a decent price.

 

[philobeddoe]

I really enjoyed your photos, unfortunately they are going to cost me money, as I now NEED one of those Sam Learned antler pipes. That is one of the best blends of briar and antler/bone I have seen, very nice pipes.

 

[bigvan]

Ghost, the beach chair pipe rest belonged to a friend's late father. This friend said he remembers it next to his dad's chair for as long as he can remember, so it may be 40 years old or so. And no, it's not for sale.
Garyovich, Old Nellie pipes are made by Joe Nelson of Wisconsin. Joe is also a guitar maker, so he's EXTREMELY detail oriented. He's been attending pipe shows for probably the last 5 years and his work has REALLY become well-respected. Check out his web site: oldnelliepipes.com
Cigrmaster, though there are definite differences among them (from the high profile button of Jack Howell, to the nearly non-existent buttons of Larry Roush and Dr. Bob) they're all much more comfortable than your average factory-made stem. Probably the most comfortable stems of the pipes shown above are the Old Nellie Panel-Dog, the Brian Ruthenberg and the J.Allen.
Do the Michael Parks and Larry Roush smoke "better" than the rest (given their higher price point)? Hmmm, hard to say. I guess it depends on how one defines "smoke better". They all have wide open draws, comfortable stems, well aged briar and exact engineering, so beyond that it's a matter of aesthetics and availability. I know that both Roush and Parks pipes cost a bit more because they just don't make very many.
Of the pipes shown above, my favorites are probably the Old Nellie Panel-Dog, the Charles Cole, and the J.Allen. And the Quad Cities. And the Ruthenberg...

 

[photoman13]

Wow those are some great pipes. Do you have a favorite American pipe maker?

 

[keith929]

That is a beautiful collection of Artisan pipes.

 

[bigvan]

That's a tough question, photoman.
I could come up with a Top Ten or a Favorite Five. But to pick just ONE?!
Though it changes regularly, I'd say my current favorite pipe maker is Grant Batson out of Nashville. Like Joe Nelson, he's a guitar maker, too and blends solid engineering with unique shapes.

Hmm, that one's probably a group 5, too. Should have included it with the rest.

 

[galeon]

That Michael Parks is amazing. I've got my first large pipe on the way from Canada from Pipes2smoke. It's an LX Ashton. I'm pretty sure I'm going to fall head over heels when I finally get her in my hand.

 

[photoman13]

I'm in knoxville so that's cool. I'll have to check him out if he has a website.

 

[ejames]

Very nice bunch of pipes! For some reason me and large pipes just don't get along,I prefer a smaller bore 3/4"-7/8".

Really like that "Panel-Dog" !

 

[bigvan]

http://www.gbatsonpipes.com/index.html

 

[cigrmaster]

bigvan, thanks for the all the info. That Baston is also a beauty, I will keep my eye on his site as well. So many people to look at, this is going to be fun.

 

[keith929]

Grant Batson's work is amazing but I was glad to see his work was sold out. PAD struck hard when I saw the pictures of his work. Get thee behind me Satan. :evil:

 

[gwtwdbss]

Great lookin pipes bigvan!

 

[philip]

Those are beautiful pipes, bigvan. Thanks for posting the pictures. :mrgreen:

 

[ssjones]

Fantastic collection Bigvan! I was really desiring a Ruthenberg last year, but never found the right shape yet. Yours is lovely.