Can anyone tell me if Lane Era Charatan Pipes are great smokers? I believe they are terrific but have never had one before.
Charatan Pipes, Does Anyone Know?
- Thread starter nsfisher
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That is cool then, there is one and maybe 2 on the way. I bought them from John, sight unseen because I know if he says they are great pipes, I am completely sure they are. One is a Lane Era Belvdere and the other I am not sure but it is also a Charatan.
I have an old Charatan, I don't remember when I got it but its got to be 25 years old. Big bowl but on the thin side. Consequently, it tends to smoke hot.
Its always said price dont make the pipe. I got several baskets that smoke great I got a estae petersen not so good. And an estate Ben Wade that just sucks. Its a crap shoot. But i gave the Ben Wade to a friend and its his best smoker. Different strokes for different Folks. I can agree Cheritan are quility built but have never owned one personally.
They are my #1 collectible and great smoking pipes. They may be a bit expensive when you get into the higher grades but nothing can compare to the fine straight grains they made years ago. Most Charatan pipes hold their value over the years, and the different shapes that they made are endless. The lower grades of authentic, perfection, and belvedere can be had for reasonable prices for someone starting out in collecting/smoking Charatan Pipes, and they will smoke as well as any higher graded Charatan, I recommend them highly.
I have two, Lane era "After Hours" and they smoke wonderfully. The straight billiard had some wicked ghosts that took 5-10 bowls to banish, but once did, is a great pipe. The bent billiard is a new acquisition/refub and it is amazing (big, thick, heavy). I prefer bent pipes, so this one is a favorite.
Good looking pipes Al. I really do like the Free shape Charatans but they can get outrageous. They seem to be one of the original free shape English pipe makers, kind of a tighter free shape than the dutch. The Lane Era pipes did not really suffer that much in quality, from what I have heard, unlike my beloved GBD after they were bought out.
I'm watching this one now, I love the freehand blast Charatans and they are always large in size. This one will blow past my budget, so bid away....
Interestingly, the Double-Comfort stems are not reported to be much loved, but I find mine to be very comfortable. That straight stem DC has the best feeling Vulcanite of any that I own (most of my pipes are Vulcanite). It just has a soft, rubbery feel that is amazing. The stem on the bent billiard is a little more firm but still excellent.
Well, I bought mine from John Manytrees, he says there great and I believe him, I think he discribed the other one as a cross between a poker and a billiard so I will be surprised when I get it.
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