Hilson

[alexnc]

Are Hilson pipes a respected brand? Finding a few nice estates - want a good smoker of course. Easier to pay for than Dunhills!
Found a 3 yr old thread: http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/hilson
Not sure on dating it - 241 Royal Flyer

 

[huntertrw]

alexnc:
I have a Hilson Splendid Dublin which I purchased new, and it is an outstanding smoker. For some reason the Belgians seem to be largely overlooked as good pipe-makers. Having said that, I do not believe that you may go wrong with a well-cared-for Hilson estate pipe.

 

[alexnc]

may do it - it's inexpensive

 

[pagan]

PULL-THE-TRIGGER!

 

[alexnc]

please stop me & buy it out from under me on ebay

 

[irishearl]

Have 1 Hilson I bought from a B&M decades ago, a large black blasted straight Dublin called the Houston. Quite fond of it and it smokes fine.

 

[pagan]

PULL-THE-TRIGGER! :nana:

 

[Chasing Embers]

Gubbels, makers of Big Ben pipes, bought out Hilson in the '80s. Hilson pipes, both pre and post buyout, are really great pipes for the price.

 

[Chasing Embers]

It does have a "best offer" option, at $55, try an offer of $40 just to see what happens.

 

[pagan]

Seriously, what embers said, throw an offer out there, you never know but Hilson's are good smokers

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

I only have one Hilson, but it's a great smoker. I say pull the trigger.

 

[dkaye201]

I own a Hilson Ranier Barbi that I bought new. An excellent pipe. PULL THE TRIGGER!

 

[foggymountain]

I have 13 Hilsons. All are vintage. The pipes labeled "special grain" are ok. The others less so.

 

[alexnc]

Tracking says it will arrive today. The blast made me do it. Looked great online

 

[alexnc]

Maiden smoke GL Pease Triple Play. Seems to be a good smoker! 49 minutes into trial 1!

 

[pagan]

You picked a great baccy to start off with, congrats on the PAD

 

[huntertrw]

alexnc:
That grain is attractive! May your Hilson become a favored companion.

 

[alexnc]

2 hr trial by fire - it made it! Can't say it doesn't smoke well so far

 

[srkays]

When I was stationed in Germany in the early 1980's and smoking pipes, I picked up a Hilson Solent #305 bent pipe. Stem made for a filter and just ordered a box of 40 9mm filters. I just now started smoking my pipes again (Butz Choquin, W.O. Larson, Ascorti Business, Hilson, and a couple of 'no names), and cleaned/de-ghost all of the pipes using Everclear alcohol. Anything you can tell me about the Hilson pipe would be greatly appreciated. I ordered some Lane 1Q, Kramer's Father Dempsey, and some Russ's Pirate's Cove tobacco. Haven't tried the Pirate's Cove yet...think maybe it will be too 'sweet/wet'. Father Dempsey smokes great as does Lane 1Q. Will be ordering some Lane RLP-6 and Lane LEO next.

 

[mso489]

Big Ben's are Dutch and apparently now own Hilson, which used to be Belgium. I have a Big Ben pipe that's good, and I think the Dutch are precise, careful crafts people. I would expect good things. The Dutch sometimes talk about Belgiums as being bunglers, but I think that is the usual European rivalry, with probably some historical back story. I pay attention to foggymountain not liking some of his Hilsons; he's very discerning. (Admittedly, once when stuck in the Brussels airport, we did not get good English language announcements on times and gates, but we made it all the same, which resulted later in a Dutch person saying this was typical Belgium behavior.)