Charatan Belvedere, lowest smooth grade??

[rmbittner]

Charatans are a bargain on the estate market. If you don't mind large pipes and those hideous double-comfort stems (and very soft vulcanite)..

I like Charatan a lot…but only the pipes with the double-comfort stem. I happen to really like them.

 

[pipingfool]

I used to have a small stable of Charatans a few years ago. They were all great smokers and I liked them, but the overall style fell out of favor with me.

I had Specials and Reliefs (sandblasted), but I had an Executive that had some phenomenal flame grain.

It could also double as a 3-Wood if you found yourself without one on the golf course. Easily the largest pipe I've ever owned.

I sold/traded them all once the Artisan Pipe bug bit me.

Never had a Belvedere. The red stain just didn't appeal to me all that much at the time.

 

[Papamique]

I too like the DC stems, just a pity that I have found Charatan stems oxidize just by looking at them

Yes that would be the softer part of their vulcanite. It adds comfort but at a cost of having to take care of them.

 

[kcghost]

Ratings are usually a load of crap. I mean after all they apply the rating themselves. I have seen artisans put on the highest rating for their pipe and it was a terrible pipe. No independent judging of this exists.

 

[orlandofurioso]

In particular the Special graded ones show a wild variety of graining.
Nevertheless I have quite some that put many Dunhill Root to shame.
Same goes for the "Executives" ; many show excellent straight grain.
While Dunhill was often quite indifferent grainwise, Charatan's are far more pleasing to my eye.
The Countrymen are my absolute favourites. I own a few, unfortunately not one smoothie.
Damn, I miss Ken.

 

[Ben.R.C]

I used to have a small stable of Charatans a few years ago. They were all great smokers and I liked them, but the overall style fell out of favor with me.

I had Specials and Reliefs (sandblasted), but I had an Executive that had some phenomenal flame grain.

It could also double as a 3-Wood if you found yourself without one on the golf course. Easily the largest pipe I've ever owned.

I sold/traded them all once the Artisan Pipe bug bit me.

Never had a Belvedere. The red stain just didn't appeal to me all that much at the time.

I know what you mean about the red stain, I have a red stained Caminetto I like a lot though, something about this finish looks a bit cheap, my Charatan selected has the best grain and finish of any pipe I own

 

[ssjones]

Here's a shape 319 Belvedere that I restored for a forum member. Pretty nice grain for that grade and no hideous DC stem!
I assume Reubens era because no L stamp or DC stem?

 

[Duke of Erinmore]

Here's a shape 319 Belvedere that I restored for a forum member. Pretty nice grain for that grade and no hideous DC stem!
I assume Reubens era because no L stamp or DC stem?

That, or it was originally sold in Europe. The L stamp only appears on pipes sold in the US. And there were also non-DC stems during that period, though less common. Actually more likely than Reuben, because the CP stamp looks more like Lane.