Do any of you Forum members have Hilson briar pipes? If so, then what are your opinions concerning them as smokers? Please let me know.
Hilson Pipes
- Thread starter huntertrw
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I have a Hilson Bolero that was my grandfathers. It smokes great. I wouldn't mind having another.
I read somewhere that a Texan bought the rights to Hilson, and along with that he acquired tons of precut briar from old company. So when you buy a "new" Hilson, it's actually decades old briar. That's a rough paraphrasing of the article I read about a year ago.
I read somewhere that a Texan bought the rights to Hilson, and along with that he acquired tons of precut briar from old company. So when you buy a "new" Hilson, it's actually decades old briar. That's a rough paraphrasing of the article I read about a year ago.
I got a couple of old Hilson Dromedary pipes about 7 months ago, but I don't know how old they are. A little odd looking, but comfortable to hold and they smoke great!
The older ones are stamped made in Belgium.
I have had about 6-7, both new and old. I traded off three but they are great smokers. The remaining two old ones smoke really dry and they are very light. IIRC the same company that makes Big Ben used to manufacture them at one time. I plan on keeping them for a bit and I rotate/trade my pipes quite a bit.
I have had about 6-7, both new and old. I traded off three but they are great smokers. The remaining two old ones smoke really dry and they are very light. IIRC the same company that makes Big Ben used to manufacture them at one time. I plan on keeping them for a bit and I rotate/trade my pipes quite a bit.
All:
Thank-you very much for your comments. I just purchased the unsmoked Belgium-made Hilson Splendid shown in the image below, and am now eager to try it! With the exception of the slight forward cant of the bowl its overall style is reminiscent of those of my Merchant Service Special and Wilmer Bel-Air billiards.
Thank-you very much for your comments. I just purchased the unsmoked Belgium-made Hilson Splendid shown in the image below, and am now eager to try it! With the exception of the slight forward cant of the bowl its overall style is reminiscent of those of my Merchant Service Special and Wilmer Bel-Air billiards.
Foggy swears by them, P&C had some New Old Stock pipes and they were snatched up quick. Sorry to say the only Hilson I have is an old Meer lined briar that is on the smaller size, group#3 , is a wonderful little smoker. Hunt your pipe is a Classy one.
tbradsim1:
Thank-you, Sir! I so closely associate Foggymountain with Dunhills that it is hard for me to imagine him smoking anything else. Having said that, if, Hilson passes muster with you both, then, combined with the other comments above, I feel confident that I made the right decision to purchase this pipe.
Thank-you, Sir! I so closely associate Foggymountain with Dunhills that it is hard for me to imagine him smoking anything else. Having said that, if, Hilson passes muster with you both, then, combined with the other comments above, I feel confident that I made the right decision to purchase this pipe.
sparks:
As an unabashed Crosbyphile, one of my greatest joys as a piper is smoking Cornell & Diehl's Crooner blend in my Merchant Service Special. The combination gives me an idea of what Mr. Bing might have enjoyed, and how he might have enjoyed it, when he lit his pipe.
As an unabashed Crosbyphile, one of my greatest joys as a piper is smoking Cornell & Diehl's Crooner blend in my Merchant Service Special. The combination gives me an idea of what Mr. Bing might have enjoyed, and how he might have enjoyed it, when he lit his pipe.
I've heard only good things about Hilson pipes, though I don't own one. Most of them seem to be
from inventory left over when the factory closed. I can't tell if someone bought the brand and is
making new ones, or if they are all decades old. I haven't heard any complaints about them.
from inventory left over when the factory closed. I can't tell if someone bought the brand and is
making new ones, or if they are all decades old. I haven't heard any complaints about them.
The current Hilsons are made by the Royal Dutch factory (Big Ben). The Hilson Vintage and Crown Achievement pipes were turned before 1980 but weren't finished until a few years ago, in the Netherlands, so even though they were turned in Belgium, they're still considered as products of Holland.
Russ
Russ
I have a Hilson Giante Canadian and a Virgin Deluxe in a shape that, appropriately enough, is generally called Belgian. Both are Belgian production pipes. The grain on both pipes is nothing to write home about and the Canadian has prominent fills, but the engineering is impeccable.
Just bought my first Hilson and my first horn shape. I'm very happy with it so far. Not bad grain on this thing for a bargain level factory pipe. Now Have to see how it smokes.
I have one Hilson. Smokes like a dream, so I'm not sure why I've never purchased another. Lovely pipe, Tuold. Enjoy the heck out of it :clap:
I bought 2 unsmoked Hilson Pipes on Ebay which I'm pretty sure came from the seller who's link and description I am providing below. They are supposedly 40-50 year old pieces of algerian briar and are unstained natural. I've smoked and broken in one of them and it is an absolutely fabulous smoker. At $70 each they are an amazing bargain. The bent apples are absolutely gorgeous as well
http://www.thebriary.com/Hilson-Pipes_c_32.html
Hilson Pipes
Exciting bent pipes made by the Hilson company in Belgium. Hilson closed in 1980 and was sold to the Royal Dutch Pipe Company. These pipes were made in the 60's - 70's era.
Recently these pipes were finished in Holland. They are natural with no stain. Most of these pipes have air holes that are curved which is most unusual for a mass production pipes. Assorted shapes.
http://www.thebriary.com/Hilson-Pipes_c_32.html
Hilson Pipes
Exciting bent pipes made by the Hilson company in Belgium. Hilson closed in 1980 and was sold to the Royal Dutch Pipe Company. These pipes were made in the 60's - 70's era.
Recently these pipes were finished in Holland. They are natural with no stain. Most of these pipes have air holes that are curved which is most unusual for a mass production pipes. Assorted shapes.
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