Ashton Pebble Grain~125

[thesmokindragon]

Grrrrrrrrrr

 

[numbersix]

Sah-weet!

 

[gwtwdbss]

Ah, that's nice!

 

[brian64]

Grrrrrrrrrr

+1

 

[hunter]

What a beaut!

 

[bentmike]

Now I'd smoke that pipe in a heartbeat but I'd rather see it more Lovat-like with a longer shank and less flat bit. Sweet pipe none-the-less.

 

[ssjones]

That is handsome. I love both of my Jimmy Craig Ashtons. The stem material is more acrylic like than vulcanite (or Ashtonite) and they are comfortable for clenching, but won't show teeth marks like vulcanite.

 

[galeon]

Al, I have a Jimmy Craig Ashton Billiard, and while it's aesthetically beautiful, it's not the greatest engineered pipe in my collection. If I'd known a bit more about pipes when I purchased it, I would have sent it back in, but being the beginner smoke that I was, I went ahead and smoked her. As it turns out, the draft hole is drilled off center by a more than a small amount and the top of the bowl isn't level. It smokes OKAY, but not well enough for the price a paid for it.
However, I have seen some beautifully carved, well-engineered pieces from Jimmy Craig. I guess I just got the one bad apple in the bunch.
And I agree with you on the 'clenchability,' if you will, of Ashtons. Mine has a saddle bit and it's one of my best pipes for clenching.

 

[ssjones]

Steve,I've heard that same complaint from another forum member. I guess that I got lucky on my two internet purchases. I'd have a hard time paying full price for a new JC, they just don't seem to hold their value. My Sovereign grade pipe was less than $150 on Ebay. It is also stamped LX and nowhere near an LX size, more like an XX. I knew the dimensions from the seller and was fine with the size, but he does some odd things lately (don't get me started on his marketing strategy).

 

[ohin3]

My kind of puffer for sure. Love it.

 

[gwtwdbss]

I have a newer Ashton and don't have any problems with it. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase another new one if the right one at the right price caught my eye.

 

[flmason]

Congratulations on your new pipe. I hope you enjoy it.

 

[galeon]

Al, the thing that gets me with Jimmy Craig more than anything is the fact that he undercuts his vendors on EBay. I mean, why would I buy a pipe from a vendor when I can get it direct from the maker for $75 or so less. That being said, when he sits down and focuses on making a quality, well-engineered pipe, he makes an outstanding product.

 

[ssjones]

His internet pricing is curious ($195 for a new pipe???). Plus, his pipe pictures are really, just awful.
I bought one Taylor made Ashton (1998) that was a train wreck to smoke, but after some work to the stem and shank, I made it into a good smoker. I bought a Taylor Ashton at the Richmond show (1999) and it is a terrific pipe, same for the 2000 year pipe purchased from Mklaw Pipes (it's the best of my Taylor made trio).

I probably wouldn't buy another J Craig Ashton without handling it first in person, but I'm quite pleased with these two. The Claret is coloring nicely.

 

[gwtwdbss]

Do most of the Jimmy Craig Ashtons have the JC stamping? The below quote says he often does but not sure how to interpret the term "often". I found the quote on the Smoking Pipes website but then looked at my Twist Billiard and I do not see the JC stamp. I purchased it from Max at pipes2smoke.com at this years NASPC show so I assumed it was a JC Ashton. Now I am not sure.
From smokingpipes.com:

Bill Taylor sadly passed away in September 2009, but Jimmy Craig has since taken over the production of the Ashton brand (and often stamps JC on the pipe in addition to the standard stampings).

 

[galeon]

What year does the date code correspond to? And that is a beautiful shank/stem combo.

 

[thesmokindragon]

I have to say, I have been watch'in when new Ashtons hit

SP, anything pebble grain finish w/army mounts vanish

within an hour or so

 

[ssjones]

Neither of my Craig made Ashtons has a special mark, but his year stamps are three digit, where Taylor made pipes have only two digits.. JC Taylor years start with a 2XX, mine are 210 and 211.

 

[gwtwdbss]

Oh ok so that's what that means. Thanks for the info Al! I thought it was a shape code. Mine is a 211. I love it though. One of my best smokers. Thanks for the comment Steve. The twist pattern is simply stunning IMHO. When I saw it on Max's table at the NASPC show all other pipes faded away. It was love at first sight. ::

 

[gwtwdbss]

Anyone else like this one? I find it very appealing as well. If it had the twist pattern on the shank/stem, it would probably be on it's way to me by now. I really like my white stem Castello and this off white stem Pebble Grain really grabs me. It's just the right size and very sleek looking IMHO.
Ashton Pebble Grain Billiard (XXX)