It Is Official... Rad Davis Has Retired

[cigrmaster]

The guy selling the Rad bulldog states clearly, no returns accepted, I personally would never do business with someone like that.
My 19 are not going anywhere, I won't be selling them at any price. I believe prices will go up a bit in the short run and then stabalize to where they normally have been.
peck, I always knew you were a closet Rad lover, how many do you have?

 

[austinxpipe]

cigmaster,
I was hanging with a local pipemaker who told me Rad retired - the first thing I thought was "Oh man, Cigrmaster from the pipe forum is gonna be bummed out!"
And then I remembered this forum exists still, and hopped on tonight :D (I've lived in a smoke free building the last two years as well as being busy as hell with College/Grad school, haven't had much time to hang out here. Luckily there is summer break!)
I'm also a little bummed as I never have had the pleasure to try a Davis. Perhaps my time will come someday... 8)

 

[foggymountain]

A fine pipemaker. Good luck to him. I am too old and lazy to photograph my one Rad.

 

[cigrmaster]

austinxpipe, every now and then, I will see an estate Rad on ebay so you might want to keep an eye out for one. The prices are a bit high but not ridiculous as of yet.

 

[cigrmaster]

bubble, that pipe is gorgeous, I have never seen that shape from him before, love it.

 

[instymp]

Good for him!

Hope he enjoys his retirement!

One contract negotiation away from retirement myself.

Hope I join him (in retirement).

 

[Perique]

Peck. That smooth Zulu. Wow.
Holy shit.

 

[saltedplug]

I always liked Mr. Davis' work but not enough to part with the shekels. But sooner or later I will cave for the overall quality of his pipes, especially his finishes that are at the same time colorful and beautiful but find strike a balance with an elegant restraint.

 

[fitzy]

I know this is an old post and I'm bringing it back from the dead. After years of wanting to commission a pipe from Rad I'm finally able to get around to do it and find he's retired. I hadn't seen this post until after I got an email back from Rad saying he's retired from pipe making.
Harris not sure if you'll see this but any chance you want to sell me one of your Rad Davis pipes? lol

 

[pruss]

Fitzy, there are unsmoked and estate Rad's showing up on eBay with regularity at prices which are consistent to marginally higher than new pipes from Rad were prior to his retirement.
Keep a weather eye out, you'll find what you're looking for.
-- Pat

 

[clickklick]

Check you pm

 

[sablebrush52]

It Is Official... Rad Davis Has Retired

What? Again? He's having more retirements than Sinatra...

 

[fitzy]

Thanks pruss and click.
He's been retired all along sable I just was out of the loop for a while and found out recently. lol
Sorry for the zombie topic.

 

[fitzy]

Oh while were at it. Does anyone have an american craftsman that does comparable work at the same price level?
I see plenty of american pipe makers but they seem to all be far more expensive.

 

[clickklick]

Although not american, I'd talk to Chris Askwith.
Otherwise there are a TON of up and coming American Carvers doing great blast work. In the 300-500$ range for the most part.

 

[fitzy]

Thanks Click. I'll look into it.
Maybe I should start a new post for Rad Davis alternatives.

 

[tarheel1]

Its a sad day when we loose a great pipe carver whether to retirement or to other reason. I just hope we get enough new carvers to compensate so pipes do not dwindle to impossible to get. A lot of the British makers are semi retired or full retired and will be hard to get any of their pies. I dont have a Rad Davis pipe as of yet and fear I might not get one with his retirement.

 

[edgreen]

You could always try Zach or Ryan from these forums. Abe Herbaugh and Nathan Armentrout are also young, talented American carvers. To me, for sandblast, you still can't beat Bruce Weaver.

 

[clickklick]

Russ cook just got a new blaster he just posted a Facebook pic tonight and it is a great craggy blast.

 

[twoonefive]

I had thought Peck was BSing us about prices of retired pipe makers dropping, however I just picked up this estate Rad Davis on Ebay for what I feel is a pretty good deal, sub $200.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/381443978747
Certainly possible that this particular pipe is not as desirable to pipe smokers, or just that I got very lucky and others missed it. Rad has been on my list of American pipe makers since I started in this hobby, so I am pretty excited to finally own one.