Brigham Pipes

[Ksigel]

I recently purchased a Brigham Klondike (medium bent billiard). Most of my pipes are Petersons and a variety of Danish makers. I clean the day after each smoke and they clean up quickly. I just smoked the Brigham for the first time yesterday evening. It was ok. Today when I went to clean it, it was filthy! Far dirtier that any of my other pipes. Had to fight to get a pipe cleaner through the hole and into the bowl. Does this have to do with that wood filter? Is this common for this brand with the wood filter? Smoked Barclay Rex Maravilla, one of my favorites. I am just starting my deep dive into pipe smoking and curious if this is to be expected or not with the Brighams.

 

[Rob NC]

I'm no help to you, but I'm a little disappointed to hear this. I've always liked the look and design of some of their pipes, and have toyed with the idea of getting one (even though I don't ordinarily do filter pipes). I hope you get some more useful responses!

 

[LotusEater]

I smoke a Canadian era Brigham Dublin quite often and I don’t find it to be any “dirtier” than my other pipes. I never use a filter though.

 

[Ksigel]

I smoke a Canadian era Brigham Dublin quite often and I don’t find it to be any “dirtier” than my other pipes. I never use a filter though.

Interesting I will try without the filter. When you say "Canadian Era" is that an older pipe? I bought mine new a few months ago. On another point, the Brigham has a very glossy finish. I prefer the smoother, deeper finish of my Petersons and Stokkebye. What's the finish on your pipe?

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

I recently purchased a Brigham Klondike (medium bent billiard). Most of my pipes are Petersons and a variety of Danish makers. I clean the day after each smoke and they clean up quickly. I just smoked the Brigham for the first time yesterday evening. It was ok. Today when I went to clean it, it was filthy! Far dirtier that any of my other pipes. Had to fight to get a pipe cleaner through the hole and into the bowl. Does this have to do with that wood filter? Is this common for this brand with the wood filter? Smoked Barclay Rex Maravilla, one of my favorites. I am just starting my deep dive into pipe smoking and curious if this is to be expected or not with the Brighams.

You could probably take the stem off and solve the riddle, but I'd guess it's tough to get a cleaner past a balsa wood filter if that's what it in there but I'm not looking at it.

 

[Ksigel]

You could probably take the stem off and solve the riddle, but I'd guess it's tough to get a cleaner past a balsa wood filter if that's what it in there but I'm not looking at it.

I did that. I broke the pipe down. The the tenon was really dirty. The filter was actually pretty clean. That said, I will try without the filter.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

I did that. I broke the pipe down. The the tenon was really dirty. The filter was actually pretty clean. That said, I will try without the filter.

You'd think if it didn't impede the airflow you could get a pipe cleaner through there - looking at pics of their "system" I can see your concern.

 

[Talon]

I have a couple Brighams and I smoke them both without the filter after giving it a few honest tries. I find they smoke great. I can say that the filter does get gummed up after a couple bowls. I love the way they both smoke but did have to trim the tenon on my "newer" Brigham pipe and have had no issues with my 1950's era one.

 

[olkofri]

You could probably take the stem off and solve the riddle, but I'd guess it's tough to get a cleaner past a balsa wood filter if that's what it in there but I'm not looking at it.

Brighams do not use a balsa filter, but a maple filter of their own design. This filter is hollow, so it's quite possible to run a cleaner through it.

Our System

Visit the post for more.

brighampipes.com

What is not possible is to run the cleaner all the way to the chamber in most of Brigham's bent pipes, because the metal head of the filter goes into a receptacle of sorts. See below for the rough schematics of Brigham's drilling:

 

[LotusEater]

Interesting I will try without the filter. When you say "Canadian Era" is that an older pipe? I bought mine new a few months ago. On another point, the Brigham has a very glossy finish. I prefer the smoother, deeper finish of my Petersons and Stokkebye. What's the finish on your pipe?

By Canadian era I mean when they were still made in Canada (1970’s)
Here is my Dublin
The diffence between mine and yours is that mine has an aluminum tenon yours has a composite tenon. Also the dots on mine are actually brass pins.
Loads of info on
Brigham here:
https://pipedia.org/wiki/Brigham_Pipes_–_A_Closer_Look_at_Dots,_Dates_and_Markings

 

[seanv]

I smoke my nearly 30 Brighams with and without filter. I have bought some of the new pipes and have not had a bad experience yet. Smoke another bowl and post photos if you have any more issues.

 

[seanv]

I have a couple Brighams and I smoke them both without the filter after giving it a few honest tries. I find they smoke great. I can say that the filter does get gummed up after a couple bowls. I love the way they both smoke but did have to trim the tenon on my "newer" Brigham pipe and have had no issues with my 1950's era one.

Try rinsing the filter under hot water and let it dry. It comes out very clean

 

[seanv]

Interesting I will try without the filter. When you say "Canadian Era" is that an older pipe? I bought mine new a few months ago. On another point, the Brigham has a very glossy finish. I prefer the smoother, deeper finish of my Petersons and Stokkebye. What's the finish on your pipe?

The Klondike is one of the most heavily glossed finishes they have.

 

[Ksigel]

All, thanks for the tips. Great to hear from Brigham smokers. Will try again in a few days

 

[North Pole piper]

All, thanks for the tips. Great to hear from Brigham smokers. Will try again in a few days

Dido to all the above. I have a few Brigs and none gum up anymore than other brands. I smoke them without the filter. You could also try a different tobacco. Good luck!

 

[romaso]

Here is my Dublin

Is that a shape 47? Does it have a shape number?

I like it! Thanks!

 

[LotusEater]

Yes it is shape number 47

 

[JKoD]

I have a couple Brighams. Have no problems with them. The inexpensive straight apple mountaineer ($50ish) I have is a fantastic pipe ?.

I don’t mind the maple filters, they don’t obstruct flow for me. After smoking, I polio out the filter. Use a paper towel and rub the outside off with one or two pulls and - leave it out to air dry. Then put back together in a day or two. I also have no issue getting a cleaner through the straight pipe - but, do with the bent - won’t work as described above.

I’ll add more Brighams to the line-up over time. Likely straight only.

 

[olkofri]

The inexpensive straight apple mountaineer ($50ish) I have is a fantastic pipe ?

That shape is amazing. I wanted one but the vulcanite stem broke the deal. ?

 

[JKoD]

That shape is amazing. I wanted one but the vulcanite stem broke the deal. ?

Meh - it’s actually not that bad. Perhaps I’m not experienced enough to notice, but I’m likely not going to care too much unless it’s an estate pipe. New is fine. Old is…well…risky.