Charatan's

[ssjones]

Sounds interesting Mike, get those pix up!
Here's a great looking, Freehand, After Hours on Ebay, a bit beyond my price range:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/160688469792?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

[ssjones]

Those are sharp looking Mike and in good shape, nice grab!

 

[ssjones]

Will Tim restamp the CP logo on the stem? If so, those will look terrific!

 

[ssjones]

Check out this After Hours I saw last night in NYC. The owner, Martin said he as over 100 After Hours pipes and is a very big Charatan collector. This one was huge and beautiful. He had another blasted freehand with him that I forgot to photograph.

 

[mattia76]

Alright Charatan guys,

After 3 years of pipe collecting with no Charatans, I am late to the game.
However, I've a couple of late acquisitions that are coming on strong into my rotation, and I've got some questions for you experts out there.


The top one was my first.


It made me gasp when I saw the straight grain all around the bowl, then weep when I saw the crack that extends half way across it (from the smoker's view). Before I saw the crack I was going to refurbish and sell it. But I decided to see what all the Charatan hubbub was about instead, and this old soldier smokes like a champ! No smoke leaks through that crack at all, either.

I love the angles of the shank and stem. The nomenclature is weak and I can barely see "CHARATAN'S MAKE", but no grade. Any idea on what it would be? I'm guessing Executive. It is Lane Era, the the stem is certainly hand-made, though I can't find any nomenclature attesting to any of that.

Questions: Were all Lane-Era Pipes DC pipes? Did they all sport the CP stem logo?
The next two I just got last week. This is an Executive with some great straight grain.


It is Lane Era, with the "L". It also says Made by Hand. However, the stem may be a replacement. The bit looks a little thick, plus it's a Lane-Era and it's not a DC.

Questions: Is there any chance this is the original stem w/o a DC bit and a CP logo?
The last one is my new favorite.


I believe this one is old. It's stamped CHARATAN'S MAKE SPECIAL grade, has no "L" and the opposite side says MADE BY HAND. The CP is clear on the stem. This pipe smokes great.

Question: Am I right in guessing that this one is pre-Lane era?

 

[ssjones]

A couple of nice Chartans went off on Ebay recently. Both out of my league.
A beautiful After Hours, $185:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/380400252308?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

This freehand surprised me going for $326, with the stem logo buffed off (mint otherwise).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170760657975?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

 

[johninkc]

First post, but with Charatan's Make you need quality information.
You'll need to find it in hardcopy, but Tad Gage's article in P&T is the Gold Standard on the subject. Period. Bob Hamlin of PCCA used to have it up, but it looks like he's closed his entire domain.
Ivy Ryan's article, once published in the NASPC Collector, is a reminiscence, and should be taken with a grain of salt. Even so, it's the reason I collect Charatan's Make now.
As far as the L goes, I've been told the L was to designate the pipe for Lane Limited's US market. No L in the Lane era meant it went to the rest of the world.
Well.
I have Charatan's I've bought new in/from Europe that have the L. I have one that has two Ls. I've bought Charatan's Make pipes in the US without the L that are clearly from the Lane era.
I'm convinced, utterly convinced, the pipemakers of Charatan had grading sessions on Friday afternoons, after a ploughman's lunch and a pint or two at the pub!!
If you're really interested in Charatan's Make, there are specialists who gather at the Chicago show. You have to have at least 5 Charatans (and show them) to get in. I think I don't have to worry about that
Smoke in peace.

 

[hnryclay]

Nice pipes..... I love some of the unique shapes they had, but I am GBD to the end!

 

[docwatson]

Great photos of the Charatan pipes, thanks for sharing. I am also a Charatan aficionado and have been collecting them for many years. The Charatan collector's Society is a lot of fun and will keep you informed of much history concerning the brand. I highly recommend anyone interested in collecting Charatan pipes to join us in Chicago, but you must have 5 Charatans to join the group. I was fortunate enough to be chosen as one of the judges at the Las Vegas show this past November, and got to select some really great specimens for awards. At this event you will see some of the finest Briar in the world, and in all categories from the lowest to highest grades. And as we all know, the stampings do create a lot of controversy.

 

[yohanan]

I like the Distinction the best, Although the Special is a fine pipe too. ::

 

[adam12]

I wouldnt worry about that level of oxidation, it's not going to come out, and may even get worse the more you buff it. I have a Caminetto that won't get any better than those, and I still love it. The bowls look great though! Tim does good work.

 

[ssjones]

I don't think anyone responded to mattia76's question about Lane era pipes. From the Charatan pipedia page:

Charatan records indicate the DC (Double Comfort) bit was introduced in the 50’s, but some report seeing them in earlier production. Still others indicate they were introduced by Lane in 1960. Regardless, the DC bit is not an accurate way to date a pipe because many Charatan’s were made with regular and saddle type bits throughout the “Lane Era”.
I have an After Hours with a DC bit that has no L but is clearly from the Lane era. So, who knows. It's been said that Charatan was a drinking club with a pipe making problem...it's all part of the Charatan intrigue.
Mike: Tim did a great job with those pipes, I bet you are pleased.
My new After Hours bent billiard, just restored. This one smokes like a champ, with a wide open draw. Someone may have worked that, but it works brilliantly.

 

[cajunguy]

iam very unhappy with both stems

Mike, before you send them off, get some Vaseline and Mr. Clean Magic Erasers.
Cover the CP and any other stem marks with Vaseline (go thick). Soak in OxyClean for a good long while. Check them periodically. As time goes on, you should see more and more goop gathering. Wash this off under cool water, make sure your Vaseline is still in tact (reapply if needed), and put them back in the Oxyclean.
After a couple hours, when you check the progress, start rubbing at the heavily oxidized parts with a Magic eraser. Let dry, check how much oxidation you have left, check your Vaseline protection, re-soak. I wouldn't soak any more than eight hours.
If all goes well, when you're finished rubbing away all visible oxidation, the stems should be a dull black color, but still smooth to the touch (Bleach would make them rough - that's why I use Oxyclean). This is the time to start using your microfiber sanding paper.
The only time this method has not worked for me in removing major oxidation is if the vulcanite is scorched. That is a whole different animal.
Hope this helps, Mike.

 

[ssjones]

Mike:

I find that stubborn oxidation spots come back if not completely removed with 1500 grit wet paper, used dry OR a needle file or sharp knife to carefully scrape off the oxidation. On my Charatan refrubs that showed up near the creases a day or two after the initial sanding. I've learned to let them sit a day or two to see if any brown shows back up. Than, once removed, it seems completely, it seems to not return.