How Much Have Pipes Changed in the Last 50 Years?

[sablebrush52]

I would have to say that the biggest single change is the rise and proliferation of artisan pipe carvers. 50 years ago, the scene was dominated by factory makers and it was primarily the meerschaum market that followed individual carvers.
Also, there wsn't much of an "estate" pipe market. They were just used pipes and didn't sell for much.

 

[armonts]

We must not forget that 50 years ago, pipe smokers did not hide on their balconies , often they were people who smoked a pipe while working, walking or otherwise.

Sometimes during a small pose, and so they could keep it in the mouth.

(I saw last week at a secondhand shop a lot of French pipes of 40/60 years, all small models, often shaped "Haiti")

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

The French Model name of Haitis correspond to English shape name Bulldog, Love those French squat Bulldog/Haiti shapes,truly classic looking pipes yet versatile.Then there were those paneled models back then in abundance in France.

 

[armonts]

Yes, on the other hand the wood thickness of the fireplace was at the time also thinner, it was generally 4 or 5 mm,

no big piece of wood like now.

The old ones did not burn nervously their pipe, they had time ... ::

 

[mso489]

crash, I know there are some pipe makers other than Dr. Grabow, but the last six or eight years of pipe shopping have shown alternate brands like Edwards, Yello-Bole briars, Medico, and various others, may be still making pipes, but their availability suggests that the volume is way way down. Places online that used to carry quite a selection often don't have them at all, or rarely. I believe Brylon pipes are no longer made. I think the places that used to produce briar pipes in Florida and Texas are at very low production. So BriarWorks and others are keeping the doors open, but in terms of high volume pipes widely distributed, Dr. Grabow is "the last man standing," or close to it.

 

[mso489]

Along with Dr. Grabow in Sparta, N.C., up near the Virginia border, there is Missouri Meerschaum, of course, that still does major volume in the best corncob pipes made in the world, in Washington, Mo., just west of St. Louis. I'm glad to hear BriarWorks is also a going concern making excellent briar pipes. I'd be heartened to hear of anyone else. U.S., Canadian, and other artisan carvers are keeping pipe designs fresh and original, right on. Blatter and Blatter in Montreal does some fine handmade pipes at attainable prices.

 

[mso489]

... I'm always intrigued when a pipe maker discovers or buys a quantity of completed pipes or stummels they complete as pipes from days of yore. These really show you what pipes were like fifty years ago. The bowls were smallish, and the draw might be somewhat tight. The designs were usually traditional, but beyond that, very conservative, not much unique shaping or merging of shapes. Some unusual ones exist, six-sided bowls and bent sitter pots.

 

[beefeater33]

They really haven't changed at all, still 2 holes, one bigger than the other, that's where the tobac goes. Light her up and let her rip.......... :D

 

[snagstangl]

I don't think Brylon's have stopped being made, any place you got that info?

 

[cigrmaster]

In my short years(20) of buying pipes I have noticed that the stem work has gotten better especially on artisan made pipes.

 

[mso489]

Someone on Forums reported that Brylon manufacture had ceased. I guess I accepted it because for years I have wondered who buys these. Can anyone affirm or deny this report? We actually have a few members who own and smoke these, and several who own but don't smoke them.

 

[crashthegrey]

Brylon was still being produced but I have heard that the source for one of the main Brylon pipe makers has dried up and will cease to be made.

 

[mso489]

Brylon pipes are heavy for their size and burn hot. One of the few real fans of Brylon on Forums likes it for its durability and for being easy to clean, so it is smokeable at particularly grimy work sites. I think their sales is based on the low-low price, about $20, but I think they discourage buyers from continuing pipe smoking.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Brylon pipes are heavy for their size and burn hot.

I've never found either to be true. Light as a feather and will only get hot if smoked like a freight train.

 

[dottiewarden]

There are still lots of traditional shapes and sizes available. My Grandad would be quite pleased with my modest collection.
The advent of the acrylic stem, however, is what strikes me as the defining hallmark of the modern pipe.

 

[foggymountain]

They have changed very little. Some fads are gone, such as the two hole bit. Overall there are less bad tasting stains. The biggest change is the price. For instance in the 1950s a Dunhill #4 panel cost me $22. Now well over $400.

 

[craiginthecorn]

More attention is given to the airway than in the past. For example, today’s best pipes have smaller gaps between the end of the tenon and the bottom of the mortise and there is more emphasis on reducing turbulence by smoothing transitions along the airway. Modern pipes often have a larger diameter airway overall, but particularly in the mouthpiece. On the other hand, i don’t believe most carvers today worry too much about the age of their briar.

 

[crashthegrey]

I still prefer vulcanite.

 

[kola]

less cob smokers !
and more thousand dollar pipes that I wouldn't want to hold a match to !
and then you have Boswell Grizzly monster pipes that easily pack 4 ounces in a bowl. (leather mask included)

 

[mso489]

'Embers, your testimonial post and photo on Brylon is noteworthy. You sparked a serious reassessment of Mixture 79, and now Brylon. I'm a sucker for Americana factory pipes, but so far I've resisted Brylon. In briar, I do have a Kaywoodie Drinkless. a Yello-Bole Checker, and two Dr. Grabows. I think of them as being like American cars from the 1950's, a certain easy spacious simplicity and brash style ... something like that. Brylon, huh? foggy', ah those $22 Dunhills; $22 was serious money in those days, but not $400 serious. At that point, weren't Kaywoodie among the high-end pipes, above Dunhill?