Dunhill Bruyere with Viewable Pit

[evanmdetwiler]

I just recieved a brand new Dunhill Bruyere with an obvious fill on the front of the bowl. To my knowledge and according to many sources Dunhill Bruyere bowls should be flawless without any blemishes or fills. In addition the White Spot is off-center on the stem. Has anyone else had a similar experiance? I know there is massive debate on whether or not Dunhills have fills? I have attached photos. I think this settles the debate.

It's customary to include a clear shot of the nomenclature. Either you're using flash or your lighting is way too glaring. Too many burned out highlights.

Sorry for your disgruntlement!

 

[bluegrassbrian]

I had an '85 Shell Briar that had a way off center dot.

 

[georged]

That's not a fill, it's a pit.

A fill is when imperfections are removed "dental style" like tooth decay, and the resulting depression filled with some variety of putty or glue.

It still shouldn't have passed QA, though. (All briar contains flaws---it goes with the territory---it's whether they are noticeable to the naked eye by someone with 20/20 vision that's the decider).

An off-center dot is not, and has never been, uncommon.


PS --- Dunhill will definitely set things right with you. It's a matter of policy. The shop you bought it from should be able to get things rolling.

 

[evanmdetwiler]

That's not a fill, it's a pit.

A fill is when imperfections are removed "dental style" like tooth decay, and the resulting depression filled with some variety of putty or glue.

It still shouldn't have passed QA, though.

An off-center dot is not, and has never been, uncommon.

Thanks for the clarification, I did not know the difference. So you're saying that a Bruyere shouldn't have a pit either? To me with paying $650 for a pipe, the bowl should be flawless.

 

[georged]

Thanks for the clarification, I did not know the difference. So you're saying that a Bruyere shouldn't have a pit either? To me with paying $650 for a pipe, the bowl should be flawless.

That is correct.

Dunhill policy for a century has been no fills on smooth pipes. No exceptions.

Those bowls which have non-critical flaws are sent to the sandblast department (so to speak), so there is nothing to be gained by them for breaking their own rule.

It's just a case of "shit happens". The final QA guy missed it.

 

[evanmdetwiler]

That is correct.

Dunhill policy for a century has been no fills on smooth pipes. No exceptions.

Those bowls which have non-critical flaws are sent to the sandblast department (so to speak), so there is nothing to be gained by them for breaking their own rule.

It's just a case of "shit happens". The final QA guy missed it.

Thank you again for the wonderful insight. Again, I am just a bit peeved because I buy Dunhill pipes so that I dont have to worry about checking for such flaws, but I thankfully saw this before I smoked it.

 

[PaulRVA]

Thats very disheartening but I can see it happening. I have encountered off centered dots though.

 

[Chasing Embers]

To my knowledge and according to many sources Dunhill Bruyere bowls should be flawless without any blemishes or fills.

Those same sources probably tell you that Dunhill used real ivory dots on their early pipes too. I've seen crooked dots and very bad drilling.

 

[LeafErikson]

Just waiting for @Chasing Embers to post his Dunhill planter.

 

[bullet08]

I don't know. Fill and pits are more or less natural part of the briar. But Dunhill said their smooth finish should be flawless, so send it back. I expect to see occasional fill and pits on my Peterson pipes. I think they add characters.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I don't know. Fill and pits are more or less natural part of the briar. But Dunhill said their smooth finish should be flawless, so send it back. I expect to see occasional fill and pits on my Peterson pipes. I think they add characters.

I would've thought them to blast something before filling it.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Just waiting for @Chasing Embers to post his Dunhill planter.

Nah, I've had enough of them to know that their standards aren't what I look for. I do keep a '75 billiard as a glove box pipe though.

 

[anotherbob]

Thanks for the clarification, I did not know the difference. So you're saying that a Bruyere shouldn't have a pit either? To me with paying $650 for a pipe, the bowl should be flawless.

yeah at a lower price point I'd consider it fine at that price no way.

 

[Lucashly]

yeah at a lower price point I'd consider it fine at that price no way.

Absolutely

 

[minerLuke]

I have a 4 Dunhills, although mine are blasted. If I was into Bruyere or other smooth finish money I would expect it to be perfect as well.

A lot of factories will turn out almost perfect pipes for a small fraction if that price.

 

[LeafErikson]

Nah, I've had enough of them to know that their standards aren't what I look for. I do keep a '75 billiard as a glove box pipe though.

Yeah that’s what I was referring to. Didn’t you use one as a planter or something? Haha. I think I remember you posting a pic of a Dunhill with a plant inside the pipe as a joke.

 

[PipeIT]

Where did you buy the pipe at?

Anyone possibly thinking a fake?

Post a pic with the stamp at the bottom...

 

[evanmdetwiler]

Where did you buy the pipe at?

Anyone possibly thinking a fake?

Post a pic with the stamp at the bottom...

I bought it from The Danish Pipe Shop, definitely not a fake. They are very reputable.

 

[evanmdetwiler]

Here is what the shop wrote back to me when I showed this to them;

"Being in the pipe business personally for 40 years I have to comment on the fact that Bruyere series pipes from Dunhill all have flaws, spots etc. Some hidden better than others. So I don't think you will be ever satisfied with this product. We have to rely on Dunhill's quality control so if they pass it on to us we have to trust that. I think one have to buy DR (Dead Root) grade to trust its flawless, but even on those I have seen natural spots." - The Danish Pipe Shop

The sent me a return label so we are all good, Good shop, like someone said before, stuff like this just happens. I still love Dunhill Pipes, and will buy many more.

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

That's unfortunate about the pipe. Glad you're able to work things out with the pipe shop.

My friend has several Dunhill pipes, and while they look nice, I don't think they're worth $600+ dollars he paid. I think my Savinelli Fiammata pipe is just as nice if not nicer than his Dunhill's. The Fiammata line are the seconds for the Giubileo d'Oro line of Savinelli pipes as they have a small flaw. Mine has a very small fill on the bottom of the bowl. Which no one ever sees. My Fiammata was 1/3 the price of my friends Dunhill's.