Falcon Negatives?

[5star]

I have one & another on the way. Both are older American models. Other than aesthetics, which is personal, the biggest potential disadvantage I see is for guys with XL big beefy hands. The metal can get hot
& burn fingers if you’re not careful. But on the other hand, this can give
one instant feedback if you tend to puff too hard & fast like a freight train.

 

[burleybreath]

A pox on them. I associate Falcoons with weird old guys wearing bolo ties. Being a strapping youth of 76, I have an image to maintain.

 

[edger]

I’ve never had one get hot in my hand, have never had a glued on stem, and have never found the stems uncomfortable. Just sayin’…….

 

[Twasson81]

A Falcon was one of my first pipes. It smokes fine. That was before I had a better understanding of the importance of stem engineering and a preference for an open draw. I may smoke it again soon to compare with my artisan pipes.

 

[Bob the bear]

I think I’ll give one a go one day….I’ve been on the fence about them. Ill try a meerschaum bowl, because…why not.

 

[Twasson81]

I think I’ll give one a go one day….I’ve been on the fence about them. Ill try a meerschaum bowl, because…why not.

It's so easy to switch out bowls for a different aesthetic or overall experience. And they're not super expensive.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

The negative for me is that the airway and the metal underbowl part of the stem use o get hot

 

[hugodrax]

I can honestly say that the pipe rarely leaves my mouth when smoking, particularly Falcon pipes. They're so light that they just hang there so touching hot aluminum is not a problem for me.

But people seem to either love them or hate them with very little in between. Like everything, they have their benefits and their drawbacks. People will make up their own minds.

 

[Searock Fan]

Pipes made with genuine Alcoa aluminum have a lovely metal flavor, whereas those made of aluminum from China taste like burnt rice.

 

[Sgetz]

One looks so cool smoking a falcon. The ensuing female attention can become tiresome.

 

[mortonbriar]

Yeah, I smoke my falcon occasionally, but if I had the choice I would rather smoke condor.

 

[badbeard]

Pipes made with genuine Alcoa aluminum have a lovely metal flavor, whereas those made of aluminum from China taste like burnt rice.

View attachment 165725

I was gonna say.. especially when new, they can add a metallic flavor. Once they get "seasoned" it seems to subside.

 

[condorlover1]

I have always been amazed how many devoted fans these pipes engender. Considering you are looking at a hollowed out wooden door nob sitting on a body composed of re-smelted Colt 45 liquor can ring pulls. An airway formed from a recycled hydraulic brake cable with a plastic mouthpiece I suppose it is quite a feet of marketing.

 

[Searock Fan]

I have always been amazed how many devoted fans these pipes engender. Considering you are looking at a hollowed out wooden door nob sitting on a body composed of re-smelted Colt 45 liquor can ring pulls. An airway formed from a recycled hydraulic brake cable with a plastic mouthpiece I suppose it is quite a feet of marketing.

Good one!

 

[Searock Fan]

I can't help but wonder of guys smoke these because they have never smoked a really good pipe.

 

[edger]

As a dedicated Falcon smoker for 50 years, most of you who bad mouth these pipes (other than the aesthetics, admittedly) don’t know what you’re talking about. Aluminum taste, my ass. These pipes smoke beautifully if you do the minimum maintenance and they are practical and durable.
Having fun at our expense is one thing (ok by me) but turning newbs away from these pipes is really unnecessary and counterproductive.

 

[condorlover1]

@edger : If anyone accepted the opinion of someone of my limited tastes about these 'pipes' then more fool them. I don't personally care for them either aesthetically or otherwise but I would never discourage anyone from trying one. I suppose Falcon pipes are like certain sexual practices, you either enjoy it or its a pain the arse!

 

[avail]

I have one, never used it. I just like seeing it there sitting on the rack.

 

[badbeard]

As a dedicated Falcon smoker for 50 years, most of you who bad mouth these pipes (other than the aesthetics, admittedly) don’t know what you’re talking about. Aluminum taste, my ass. These pipes smoke beautifully if you do the minimum maintenance and they are practical and durable.
Having fun at our expense is one thing (ok by me) but turning newbs away from these pipes is really unnecessary and counterproductive.

I have had six of them with a variety of bowls. They absolutely do have a metallic taste at first. The OP asked specifically about potential negatives, so don't be surprised when people aren't shooting rainbows from their backsides about them.
If you like it, smoke it.

 

[mortonbriar]

As a dedicated Falcon smoker for 50 years, most of you who bad mouth these pipes (other than the aesthetics, admittedly) don’t know what you’re talking about. Aluminum taste, my ass. These pipes smoke beautifully if you do the minimum maintenance and they are practical and durable.
Having fun at our expense is one thing (ok by me) but turning newbs away from these pipes is really unnecessary and counterproductive.

In this hobby even the 'newbies' are often already grandparents already, or at the very least in their late teens...I would think most people browsing these forums for the first time see a fairly strong flavour note of personal preference and opinion...