I would describe myself as primarily a smoker of English pipes, predominantly Comoy and GBD, but I definitely have a place on my rack for about 10 or 12 Chacom pipes.
About half of those were purchased in the 1980s or early 1990s when I was still managing pipe stores. Two of my favorite are actually Chacom seconds which I believe cost me about $5 each. My favorite fishing pipes!
After a 20 year or so Hiatus from pipe smoking, I started smoking again at the beginning of this year. Having retained my pipe collection during my non-smoking years, I found my Chacom pipes to be very satisfying. As I succumbed to pipe lust I have had added five or six more Chacoms to my pipe racks, all estate pipes, one which was unsmoked.
(This reminds me, I need to crawl up in the attic and find another of my 12 pipe racks. I currently have rack space for 4 dozen pipes that are my daily smokers, and I have an unsmoked French GBD that should arrive in a day or two).
Most of you probably know that the Chapue and Comoy (sp) families, made both Chacom and Comoy pipes originally, or so I have been told. I have seen both names on a single pipe.
At one point I know Comoy moved their production to London. However, I am not sure if they moved their production exclusively to London or if they were still having some pipes made in France. Later on Comoy and GBD were both owned, I believe, by Cadogan. This may explain why I have had both Comoy and GBD pipes stamped FRANCE.
I am working off of memory here, something that is dangerous for me to do. If someone else knows the history, and relationship between these companies and where the pipes were made, please share it so we can all learn. Thank you.