Got a Little Pipe In Honor of the Passing of Butz Choquin.

[agnosticpipe]

I've had some BC pipes in the past but always seemed to pass them on. Nothing wrong with them, I just got bored with them.
I felt bad when I heard of BC going out of business though. They've been around a long time, and as I didn't currently have one of their pipes, I thought I would find an estate pipe in a shape I liked. Found this one for $20, and it appealed to me, and looked like it would clean up fairly easy, which it did. French pipes don't seem to get much notice for some reason, and maybe that's why BC finally gave up the ghost.

Maybe we can start a thread showing off our BC or other French Pipes, just to shine a little light on these historic pipe makers.

 

[augiebd]

That is a nice pipe at a great price! I would certainly be happy to add something similar to my collection.

 

[tobefrank]

The very last pipe I bought was a BC Supermate bent bulldog. This was well before there was any suspicion of BC going down. It’s a great pipe, but needs a bit more breaking in.

 

[cortezattic]

I have a Butz-Choquin D'Accord bent bulldog (1024). Not a bad pipe, but I think it smokes a lot better after I sanded off its lacquer finish, and waxed it with carnauba wax. It's probably just all in my head, but that's OK.

 

[sablebrush52]

That sad bit of news was definitely a kick in the Butz.

 

[mso489]

There seems to be contradictory information on whether BC has closed shop or not. In any case, I have two excellent BC pipes, a bent raspberry stem billiard and a straight billiard with faux Cumberland stem, both fine smokers. I'm a fan of French pipes, feeling they are always well above their price points, with much of that traditional style that influenced the English pipes so much.

 

[Bengel]

I felt the same way, mine was due here Saturday. It is vacationing in Hawaii on the trip from Kansas to Idaho
Pictures when it gets here.
Thanks for starting this Orley, hopefully we can promote some love and pictures for the BC cause. All be it a lost one?

 

[mso489]

I think Forums received mixed messages, that BC has gone out of business, and that it had somehow been saved and will continue. Does anyone have a reliable update?

 

[Bengel]

ETABLISSEMENTS BERROD-REGAD (SAINT-CLAUDE) Chiffre d'affaires, résultat, bilans sur SOCIETE.COM - 646150110

ETABLISSEMENTS BERROD-REGAD à SAINT-CLAUDE (39200) RCS, SIREN, SIRET, bilans, statuts, chiffre d'affaires, dirigeants, cartographie, alertes, annonces légales, enquêtes, APE, NAF, TVA intracommunautaire

www.societe.com

A bit of history for context Labor of love - https://pipesandtobaccosmagazine.com/2013/11/labor-of-love/

 

[mso489]

Hmmm. So by this account (see link in previous post by Bengal) BC has been rescued and joined to EWA. I've been recommending EWA pipes, small but nicely crafted, for years, though I only see them offered by Iwan Ries, at around $40. In any case, buying a BC is a good idea, good traditional pipes done with a flourish, a little old timey like some U.S. factory pipes, but also having their own special style.

 

[Bengel]

Tom, unfortunately the French site (and mine is weak) says he is being liquidated
He apparently had a good run!
My NOS just arrived

 

[agnosticpipe]

Tom, unfortunately the French site (and mine is weak) says he is being liquidated
He apparently had a good run!
My NOS just arrived
View attachment 4290

Bengal, great looking BC Camargue! I had one years ago, but I didn't like the shape. Yours is great, hope you enjoy it!

 

[mikefu]

That sad bit of news was definitely a kick in the Butz

Boy Jesse, you're not Choquin!

 

[renfield]

My very first pipe was a BC. Always a decent smoker. Hopefully they’ll be continuing on in more than just name.

 

[mikefu]

I have several, but here's my favorite- A 4 Square Billiard with interesting grain and swirl stem.

 

[Bengel]

Bengal, great looking BC Camargue! I had one years ago, but I didn't like the shape. Yours is great, hope you enjoy it!

This pipe smoked fantastic right out the gate. Chatham Manor and now smoking Dunhill Ready Rubbed. Clenches effortlessly and has a GREAT hand feel. Very pleased!