Dunhills?

[mso489]

Dunhill caters to what used to be called the carriage trade, back when rich folks rode around in carriages, and the people who aspired to be in that company. In that segment, people would prefer to pay considerably more for whatever they buy, in order to distinguish them from the common folks. Whence comes the $3K suit and the $300K automobile.

A joke: An ambitious young supplicant asked his grouchy old tycoon boss where he got his ties, and the old coot snapped back, "I already have my ties."

 

[Davy Jones]

Alfred started his selling career with automobile accessories, many he invented. He got into pipes because they were away which allowed drivers to smoke more or less safely, particularly in vehicles without a roof.

Pipes and tobaccos were simply an expansion to his sales of auto accessories. Pipes became his primary source of income in the 1900's.

I knew he was involved in the automobile industry but did not know that he was specializing in accessories. His getting involved is something you read about or is it your own deduction? In any case it's quite interesting how he ended up in that sector.

 

[warren]

Biographies on the net and his monograph, still in print. "The Pipe Book"

 

[leonardbill1]

The is also the Michael Balfour book "Alfred Dunhill - One Hundred Years and More".

 

[LeafErikson]

I should probably add, Kaywoodie still makes a fine pipe at a notably reasonable cost, a true bargain in quality briar.

I can attest to this Kaywoodie praise. I recently purchased two new Kaywoodie Standard pipes and they smoke every bit as cool and dry as my Savinelli. I will be purchasing more Kaywoodies in the future.

 

[Eye-level]

Dunhill pipes are velben goods...like Rolexs, Leicas, and Ferraris. And blondes, brunettes, and red heads. lol

 

[Eye-level]

Veblen goods. Sorry.

 

[Davy Jones]

It is their business and shouldn't they do what they think is in the best interest of their company? We don't have to like it or them and frankly I bet there is a good chance they are douche bags but changing their company with the times isn't an indication of that. That said at least they're not pretending they didn't used to have pipes as part of their history. Just not something they want to continue forward with, which frankly to most people is going to make them seem like a not forward thinking company (in terms of their place in the world) which part of being a luxury brand is following a lot of silliness and stupid little details can make a company seem stuck in the past. I wouldn't be surprised to say there are legit things to criticize them for (assumption, but still a good bet) but not holding on to part of their business that only us weirdos care about isn't one of them.

I agree, mate. Considering that Dunhill has been owned by non - family members for a while (which I did not know at the moment I wrote my post), and considering that pipes & tobacco was obviously not their preferred target, it came with the acquisition and they did not want it, I can understand they separated themselves from it simply because their interest was in luxury clothing & accessories. A business is a business and the aim is profit.
And I'm quite cool with that.

 

[judcole]

I was under the impression it was the other way around?
Alfred Dunhill was in the building construction business, then patents, then he got into the pipe & tobacco sector.
It would make sense that none of the Dunhill descendants is part of it. It would explain keeping the luxury department only and selling the rest.

I was gonna say something in response, but it's all been said.

 

[marconi]

As someone born not that far from the factory I have always wanted to own a Dunhill.
My problem is I prefer filtered pipes and from what I have seen Dunhill does not seem to make 6mm pipes and their 9mm pipes are fat and just plain butt ugly IMO.
So my money goes to Savinelli,Vaun,Peterson etc who manage to make attractive filtered pipes.If I didn't smoke filtered pipes I would pony up for a Dunhill Root briar without hesitation.
I have a Duncan zulu 9mm pipe a small attractive pipe which urban legend says Duncans are Dunhill seconds from the same factory Iam happy to go along with this although I know its totally untrue.

 

[Davy Jones]

I was gonna say something in response, but it's all been said.

Yup, that certainly was cleared up! I'm gonna go to bed smarter, tonight.

 

[Davy Jones]

I have a Duncan zulu 9mm pipe a small attractive pipe which urban legend says Duncans are Dunhill seconds from the same factory Iam happy to go along with this although I know its totally untrue.

Duncan, Hardcastle and Ben Wade are brands owned by Simon Jackson which is also the owner of My Smoking Shop UK. He personally confirmed this to me in an email exchange when I was enquiring about them.
I am not sure, however, if the pipes are made in the Dunhill factory or elsewhere in the UK so the legend remains.

 

[shane1]

If I can find one that is 9mm with a price I am comfortable with, I think I will give a try.

 

[augiebd]

If I can find one that is 9mm with a price I am comfortable with, I think I will give a try.

Good luck in finding a Dunhill you like.