I own one made in Denmark Stanwell, and it smokes like a dream. Since then I’ve bought several other Stanwells, and while they look nice, none have smoked nearly as good as my made in Denmark one.
Well, this year I decided to take advantage of a sale on a 2025 Stanwell POY, and the pipe(s) have been a disaster.
The first pipe I was sent wasn’t even close to symmetrical. The shank and stem were so out of alignment with the bowl, it looked like Picasso got ahold of it. Also, the finish was all over the silver band, and the inside bowl had multiple gashes in it. I was sent a replacement, which was a surprisingly smooth process, but the 2nd pipe is awful as well.
When I received it I thought it just had a bad finish at the top of the shank, and since it was the replacement and a sub-$100 pipe I decided to not fuss about it. Well, what I thought was a blemish turned out to be a hole, which I discovered while smoking
It’s a shame. I haven’t been impressed with the few Savinellis, Petersons (save 1), or post 2009 Stanwell’s I’ve tried.
Looks like I’ll be purchasing pre-2009 Stanwells, Neerups, and exploring hand made artisans in the future. For me, sub-$100 pipes are probably just cobs now. I’m also curious about looking into Meerschaum, I keep seeing them pop up in the “what are you smoking” thread.
Well, this year I decided to take advantage of a sale on a 2025 Stanwell POY, and the pipe(s) have been a disaster.
The first pipe I was sent wasn’t even close to symmetrical. The shank and stem were so out of alignment with the bowl, it looked like Picasso got ahold of it. Also, the finish was all over the silver band, and the inside bowl had multiple gashes in it. I was sent a replacement, which was a surprisingly smooth process, but the 2nd pipe is awful as well.
When I received it I thought it just had a bad finish at the top of the shank, and since it was the replacement and a sub-$100 pipe I decided to not fuss about it. Well, what I thought was a blemish turned out to be a hole, which I discovered while smoking
It’s a shame. I haven’t been impressed with the few Savinellis, Petersons (save 1), or post 2009 Stanwell’s I’ve tried.
Looks like I’ll be purchasing pre-2009 Stanwells, Neerups, and exploring hand made artisans in the future. For me, sub-$100 pipes are probably just cobs now. I’m also curious about looking into Meerschaum, I keep seeing them pop up in the “what are you smoking” thread.
