Hand Made?

[mkvillaire]

I am looking to purchase a new pipe. I really like some of those partially rusticated pipes from Winslow on SmokingPipes.com. Are these pipes hand made? How do you know if a pipe is machine or hand made? I am looking to spend about $100, give or take a couple of bucks. I really want to get something nice so I'm trying to do a little research before I jump on one right away. Suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[cigrmaster]

This is from Winslow's site.
" It’s not an easy job to make the final grading of a pipe. A large number of

details determine in which group the pipe will fit into, and you must know,

that the grading system is not made with the purpose of giving the

smoker a way to choose his pipe – but more as a system for the retailer

to organize his inventory after.

I have one overall role that applies to all of my pipes

- from the lowest to the highest grade:

They all have equal smoking capabilities

– and always only the best!

This means that my gradings only has to do with the density and pattern

of the grain of the briar (and the appearance of sandpits) the chosen

finish, and what kind of applications in terms of rings and the like I have

used, if any at all.

This also means that no matter which Winslow pipe you may choose you

will always be certain that you get a great smoker.

So rest in peace and let your hart and valet decide on your next Winslow

pipe.

Sorting and grading

When I get a load of briar I spend a long time sorting the blocks.

I start by sorting into two piles and after the first round I will sub divide

the blocks in the two groups further.

These two groups (and their sub-groups) of briar will all become

handmade pipes in one of my two main categories: “The CROWN of

Denmark” and the “Winslow Handmade”.

Now – this is where I must clear out any misunderstanding: There are the

same amount of “hand work” in every pipe from my workshop and a

“Winslow Handmade” is not “more handmade” then a “Crown of

Denmark”.
I own 5 Winslows and they are fantastic pipes, I would not hesitate buying one of his Crown Viking series.

 

[mkvillaire]

This is the one I've been eyeing.
null

 

[mangers]

Stanwell, Savinelli, Peterson,and even Dunhill are machine made. From what I understand, and I may be wrong, but if a pipe is stamped with a shape number they are generally machine made. Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[cigrmaster]

Great looking pipe, what types of blends are you planning on smoking in it?

 

[cigrmaster]

Most pipes are hand made to a degree, someone has to hold the bowl while drilling. I think the difference you may be looking for is what is the difference between a factory pipe and an artisan pipe. A factory has many people working the pipe where as an artisan does all the work him self.

 

[captainprophesy]

Most pipes are hand made to a degree, someone has to hold the bowl while drilling. I think the difference you may be looking for is what is the difference between a factory pipe and an artisan pipe. A factory has many people working the pipe where as an artisan does all the work him self.

I agree

 

[cigrmaster]

Roth, you are right about Winslow using only acrylic, all of mine have those. For acrylic stems, they are pretty comfortable. I prefer vulcanite like yourself, but I still enjoy smoking my Winnslows because they are such great smokers.

 

[docrx]

Most non-artisan made pipes are machine made.Some of these are then hand finished and some not. At the 100 dollar range most are machine made but hand finished,with lesser costing pipes such as Graco or Grabow are totally machine made.

 

[mkvillaire]

Mangers,

That sounds right.
Cigrmaster,
I really don't know yet. I haven't quite figured out how to pair pipes with certain tobaccos. I guess I'm still exploring different blends. I have been trying some Virginias lately but I think that some of the pipes I've been using are really not good with the flakes that I've been smoking. I have a Peterson Belgique and a Tankard but I think that the walls are to thin?

 

[foggymountain]

The one Winslow I had was certainly hand made, and made not so well. You could feel the irregularity in the area where the bowl & shank met. It should be a smooth transition. It wasn't. It felt like the maker started rasping before the pipe was ready. Additionally it smoked almost well, but only if you didn't smoke it often. A lot of the briar was soft, despite a straight grain. Naturally, I had to get rid of it.

 

[garyovich]

I have a Winslow crown Viking and really love it. It is definitely one of my best smokers. Partially rusticated bent apple and the stain gradually shifts in darkness as yiu go down the shank to the bowl. It's a great looking and great smoking pipe.

 

[cigrmaster]

foggy, that sucks. All of my Winslows are finished very well and they smoke like champs. Hey everyone can make a dud, I am just surprised a WInslow was one for you. I have owned 6 total, the only one I don't still have was a great pipe but my best friend fell in love with it so I gave it to him. I have owned my 5 since 2000 and I have sold a lot better names than Winslow, i.e Balleby, Reiner, Barbi,Matzhold, but I would never sell my Winslow's.
mk, if you are going to smoke flakes, I would recommend an apple, dublin, ball or billiard shape, I don't feel pots smoke flakes very well, but that is just my opinion.

 

[mkvillaire]

Thank you cigrmaster, I will take that into consideration. There is a dublin available as well that has the same partial rusticated look as this one.

 

[mkvillaire]

Specific suggestions? Like I said I am looking to spend $100 give or take.

 

[ejames]

Most non-artisan made pipes are machine made.Some of these are then hand finished and some not. At the 100 dollar range most are machine made but hand finished,with lesser costing pipes such as Graco or Grabow are totally machine made.

Not quite Doc. Grabows are mostly machine drilled and shaped but a lot of the rusticating and all of the sanding and buffing is done by hand.
That is a nice looking Winslow!

 

[cigrmaster]

mk, that dublin is beautiful, that would be my choice for sure. I like a group 5 for flakes because I get a longer smoke that way. I have a few 4's and those are great as well, but they all smoke flake great whether a 4 or 5. The dublin happens to be one of my favorite shapes and I have more of those than any other in my collection.

 

[cigrmaster]

roth, I have read where some people like smaller pipes for flakes as well, that article by Terek Mandaly has been on the net for years and some people consider it gospel. I think it is all a matter of personal choice, my 5's and small 6's smoke flake as well as any of my smaller pipes, they just do it for a longer time. My flakes never get bitter towards the end, just the opposite, they get stronger and sweeter the lower I go. I always smoke them in either a dublin, billiard, ball, apple or tomatoe like yourself.

 

[cigrmaster]

roth, I totally agree if someone is using the fold and stuff method then smaller is better. If you are using the cube cut, then I think small 6's and 5's work great. If I know I am going to be outside I will do a fold and stuff in a smaller pipe.

 

[jpberg]

So, cigr and Rot, a flake smoked poorly in a group two will be .5 less enjoyable than a flake smoked poorly in a group four. Tell me that's not as silly as it sounds.