Big Ben Lectura Shape 429 Tan

[mso489]

I have had my eye on Big Ben pipes for a long time. Despite the British name, adopted for export purposes, Big Ben is a Dutch brand made by Gubbels in The Netherlands, and I wanted to add to my international representation. I didn't fancy the small pocket pipes; I have those in a different form more to my liking. Many of the standard size pipes are 9 mm which I didn't especially want, or quite expensive, or repetitious of pipes I have from other nations. At last, PC came up with a straight medium length (8.5 inches) churchwarden with a larger than average churchwarden bowl. It's priced at $79 in the paper catalog, $49.99 online, and was available at a 20% discount for a 24 hour period last week, so I jumped. It matches up with the churchwarden in my avatar picture to fit in a churchwarden case my wife got me for Christmas three years ago.
Mine is the Big Ben Lectura 529 Tan with the sightly canted Dublin bowl. Here's the link:
http://www.pipesandcigars.com/mobile/pipes/92648/big-ben-lectura-pipes/
Just thought I'd share this in case anyone else is on the hunt for a Dutch pipe, or in case it just takes your fancy. I think it's a buy at $49.99; it smokes great, and has a larger than average churchwarden bowl.

 

[hakchuma]

I've been eyeing the Big Ben Barbados 647 all day. Wish it were that cheap!

 

[mso489]

In expanding out my "rack of nations," I also have a Greek briar and Greek made pipe, a PTM Amadeus straight pot shape, as well as a Haitian pipe lined with tin can (interesting but not one I smoke). The Dutch pipe ("Made in Holland") adds another dimension to my numerous pipes from more prolific pipe-making countries.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I have one of their dromedaries that smokes like a champ. Great deal on that churchwarden!

 

[blueeyedogre]

I have the 649 and the 650..... Among my favourite pipes. The 649 is the best clencher I have ever owned.