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.

 

[MilesDavis]

Here's one I just restored. Nothing special about the grain on this one. The stem had a hole in it the size of a kernel of corn. Interestingly enough. the hole was at the bottom of the stem while the top was quite unmarked!

 

[jpmcwjr]

Spiffy resto!

 

[Sig]

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 love the size of Lane Era Chartans and never noticed a difference with the DC stems. And Vulcanite stems are my preference.
We are so lucky in this hobby that there are so many choices and lucky that old pipes hold up so good.
I just wish the same was true for my other passion....1950s-1984 cars and trucks.

 

[captainsousie]

Never had a good smoking Charatan but I respect the brand. Only a sample size of three but the ones I sold them to liked them. Maybe someday I'll find one that smokes well for me.