Jack Howell Bulldog Decision

[ssjones]

I just rec'd this one in the mail, a 2008 Jack Howell Bulldog. I fell in love with the shape and blast (and already love my other Jack Howell pipes) but I didn't ask for a weight on the pipe. A ruler was shown for scale and I was hoping it would come in under 60 grams. Nope, it's a big-un, at 72 grams. I thought that I would just put it up for sale, but after giving it my tune-up, now I'm not sure. Should I take her for a test run before making the call?

 

[fishnbanjo]

Come on Al, you know Jack makes a great smoking pipe and you're going to love it! Glad I could help.

banjo the enabler

 

[Sjmiller CPG]

Test drive.

 

[philobeddoe]

I have a couple of the pipes he did for Neil Archer Roan and they are first rate indeed. Al, you've gone this far.....why not fill her up with some 965 and see if magic happens?

 

[aquadoc]

Test drive. That is a nice Bulldog.

 

[cranseiron]

I have a Howell acorn and while a skosh heavy, it has a great hand feel and is a first rate pipe. Kick the tires and give it a run.

 

[drlpipe]

He cuts a fantastic bulldog and the blasts are so good. I understand your hesitation on the size though. Still, I'd give it a smoke.. you never know if it will be a magic pipe! You can always make room for a few outliers in your collection imo.

 

[ssjones]

@banjo - I already have an enabler, my buddy Dave Jacobsen. He's the one who sent me the link to the pipe. He claimed first right of refusal after seeing the pictures. My summer head cold cleared just enough this morning to give her a whirl. Cranse nails it "a skosh heavy, but a great hand pipe". I guess that I have enough small pipes to satisfy that use. I broke her in with a bowl of MM965 (yep) and she does smoke great, down to a fine ash, one match. This is my fourth Howell, I love his stem work. So, I guess she stays in the case.

 

[voorhees]

Good on you for keeping it. Nice pipe.

 

[papipeguy]

Good call, Al. I don't think that a 0.40 ounce difference from your usual weight threshold would be a huge thing. Lovely pipe and you did good.