Dunhill Shells

[milk]

Looking at pictures of Dunhill shells, I marvel at the cragginess of the early patent ones. I wonder how they got the effect they did and why they changed. I am supposing that they wanted the tighter sandblasted patterns that you see on the later specimens? I just love the look of the early patent pipes. I wonder if it’s a certain kind of briar that does that and if any pipe-makers are trying to get this effect.
Here are are some patents (the first is unsure, they say ‘30 but it might be ‘40; the second is ‘32):

Compared to a ‘61

 

[cynyr]

I don't care for rusticated or carved pipes, but a nice sandblast is a beauty. It enhances the natural character of the wood, IMO, the same way a smooth finish does.

 

[lraisch]

Prior to about 1963 Dunhill used Algerian briar for the Shell finish pipes. The softer wood allowed the gnarly blast of those earlier pipes. After the revolution they were not able to source that wood any longer, or so I understand.

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

I’ll take a shot here…Outside of the briar sourcing related to the Algerian revolution…could the difference be different folks/blasters and possibly not as well attended requirements or specifications? I’m sure more experienced Dunhill historians would know. ️

 

[Sigmund]

I woud not leave out the possiblity of a change in fashion and tastes. Money moves markets, especially luxury markets. The rustic look may have fallen out of favor or the other looks market tested better. I really doubt it happened just because briar sources. They have the ability to make what they want. Being a luxury brand also positions them to decide what will be fashionable. Clearly they have been good at that.

 

[mikethompson]

I would have to agree with @Sigmund, probably just a change in what was fashionable at the time.

I will say that a good blast can really bring out character in the wood.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Skill, type of media used, evolution of sandblasting wood, quality of wood used, etc.

How to Read your Sandblast - Pipedia

pipedia.org

 

[milk]

Skill, type of media used, evolution of sandblasting wood, quality of wood used, etc.

How to Read your Sandblast - Pipedia

pipedia.org

I would have to agree with @Sigmund, probably just a change in what was fashionable at the time.

I will say that a good blast can really bring out character in the wood.

I think these add up. I’m interested in the fashion/aesthetic angle. Does any particular modern pipe maker come to anyone’s mind in terms of the aesthetic? Or how about contemporaries in the ‘20s and ‘30s? I’ve seen a little of what other English brands were up to and I have some 30s Kaywoodies (but they’re not this craggy).

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

I have some 30s Kaywoodies (but they’re not this craggy).

 

[Chasing Embers]

Does any particular modern pipe maker come to anyone’s mind in terms of the aesthetic?

Bruce Weaver

 

[milk]

Bruce Weaver

View attachment 286888

This looks very modern to me. It’s nice, maybe too nice.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

JT Cooke is probably the most well known for sandblasts in the artisan pipe world.

 

[Chasing Embers]

This looks very modern to me. It’s nice, maybe too nice.

You did ask for modern. That one was made in February 2014.

 

[MattRVA]

There is something magical about those old craggy pipes, like they are barely hanging on… I love the look, I always have and when I think of a pipe I think of an old gnarly billiard hanging out of a grizzled face.

 

[daveinlax]

I think these add up. I’m interested in the fashion/aesthetic angle. Does any particular modern pipe maker come to anyone’s mind in terms of the aesthetic? Or how about contemporaries in the ‘20s and ‘30s? I’ve seen a little of what other English brands were up to and I have some 30s Kaywoodies (but they’re not this craggy).

Michael Parks has the best natural looking blasts. IMO nobody comes close to his work. His blasts reminds me of the great Dunhill blasts of old.

 

[solideogloria86]

2020 Foundation by Musico

 

[bluegrassbrian]

Yorgos Mitakidis has a penchant for the classic shapes, and his blasting is upper tier.
This is one of mine:


Here are some others from his IG:

 

[milk]

2020 Foundation by Musico
View attachment 286941View attachment 286942

Yes, this has a bit of that old time blasted look.

 

[milk]

This 70s/80s Poul Hansen I got from an auction this week has a nice craggy blast.
But nothing beats those old Patent pipes for that very craggy look.

 

[milk]

I see there’s a Reuben era Charatan on Etsy that has a bit of the look I’m talking about: