I Refuse to Smoke Any Pipe Made After WWII ...

[admin]

... not really, but there may be some guys out there with this attitude.
Mr. G.L. Pease tackles the discussion of old pipes versus new pipes in his Out of the Ashes column this month.
Every month, I am wondering how is he going to top his column next month, and he still does it every time.
Are old pipes better than new pipes?
Are new pipes better than old pipes?
Here's Mr. Pease's answer in This Old Pipe

 

[markw4mms]

I'll hear guys go on about how cars made back in the 50's/60's were better, but what they don't talk about is how lousy the batteries and tires were! It's all relative I suppose.

I'm not sure how much better they were, but cars from the 50's, 60's,and even into the mid 70's were sure a lot easier to work on.

Hey, I used to be better back then, too!

Weren't we all! :D

 

[chestercopperpot]

I have a yello bole from the 1930's and a GBD Extra (not Xtra) that I think is also from the 30's but I've never been able to find an answer. The yello bole smokes really well, but I'm still a bit of a noob so my opinion doesn't count for much.

 

[olderthandirt]

Agreed, the nostalgia aspect does lend itself to our appreciation of the briar.

Glad to hear your improving with age Paul, I think I'm trending towards vinegar meself (-;

 

[bhpdrew]

I have a Dunhill from the 1930's. It's a fantastic pipe. But, I have other pipes that smoke better. (I am going to pipe hell for saying that)

 

[admin]

Can you guys please comment on the article too? Pretty please with sugar on top?

 

[olderthandirt]

I submitted a comment to the article before you asked this time Kevin.
See how well ya got me trained (-;

 

[pstlpkr]

My reply to Greg's superb article.
Great read as always Greg. Thought provoking article for sure.
I believe you to be "spot on" with your observations about the components of pipes from the past when compared to the pipes of today. Mass produced when compared to artisan pipes, geometry applied individually vs. mass production. Consistency of material quality as well should be considered. E.g. green vs. black and shiny.
I have some mass produced pipes that are a constant struggle to keep the stem black rather than green, and others of the same relative age that shine like the day they were made. Where the stems are concerned; I think it boils down to quality control. In the "old days" material quality (in reality) was highly variable owing to the human element in the manufacturing process. Stem materials were purchased (in all probability) in large lots at low cost. In Artisan pipes quality is enhanced by greater and better consistency of materials afforded by better manufacturing technology and reliably consistent raw materials and again (in all probability) at a higher relative cost of materials.
My oldest pipes probably don't exceed 40 years of age... With one notable exception, most of them fall into the lower quality, mass-produced-smoke-at-your-own-risk category. The exception is a Dr. Grabo that smokes beautifully. Is it an anomaly? Maybe so. Maybe not. It is painted as well.
When compared to my 'higher grade" artisan pipes; the numbers bear out the following... (IMHO) Mass produced: The quality pipe(s) per quantity ratio is very low. Conversely; Artisan produced: The quality Pipe(s) per quantity ratio is very high. 1/15 compared with 33/35, quantifiably near reciprocal ratios. So, I would conclude that "Artisan" tends to be of higher quality materials and better smokers. Taken one step further... Most of my Artisan pipes were manufactured about 35 years ago, generally speaking, the same relative age or slightly newer than the mass produced... with the one notable exception. The Dr. Grabo was produced around 1948 and the best of the mass produced lot, and definitely the oldest of those... Go figure.

 

[pipeinhand]

Very good and as we have been discussing in multiple threads, a good pipe smokes good, a bad one does not get better with age or pedigree. My 3 rules apply, and once you have a good, possible great pipe, you will always remember that 'one' as the best. There are some really nice pipes being made now, and as the article points out fewer produced may mean a better quality than before. I know one thing, for me pipes are more than just smoking, it is art with flavor.

 

[markw4mms]

Can you guys please comment on the article too? Pretty please with sugar on top?

Great article as usual from Greg, and I always look forward to his next installment, and do usually comment on it. BTW, sorry if I kinda hijacked the thread so to speak this morning.

 

[arinbjorn]

Very entertaining artical. I'm always looking forward to GLP's next artical - I respect the man, and his palette must be pretty darn good to develop his baccy blends... so I think he's a perfectly valid voice to listen to.

 

[drsam]

An excellant article. Old pipes are probably as good as new pipes but I wouldn't really know as I havn't purchased a new pipe for about 40 or 50 years. most of my pipes were puechased in the period 1954 to 1965. most of them in Europe. Some of the pipes that I smoke weekly or monthly are made in the 19th century, French, German, Austrian. best old smoker is a rounded glazed clay with a cherry stem and horn mouthpiece.