Just a couple of quick questions...

[monty55]

Hello all,
My name is Monty. Bought and smoked my first pipe in 1982. Was only 24 back then and didn't have the patience for it. Smoked Cigs for 35 years. Quit cigs 6 weeks ago. But still feel addicted to the act of smoking and of course still crave the nicotine. How can I do this ... Pipes! says I. So I have spent the last 3 weeks pretty much all day every day studying about pipes, tobacco's etc. No I'm not lazy, nor independently wealthy, but rather I have spent the last 6 years taking care of my 92yr old father who has alzheimer's. So I got lots of time lol. Anyway I'm so happy to find this hobby. It takes care of so many wants it's amazing. I love wood and to work with and look at wood. I'm a scientist (Geologist) so I'm a bit of a perfectionist. I love art, and I love to sit and ponder. Love the smell and act of smoking a pipe. So I'm a happy camper right now.. and I'll take it however I can these days.
I've started a bit of a collection already. Actually am ready to sell most of the pipes (estate) I bought the first week because I didn't know what I was doing lol. Have since picked up several better pipes. Anyway, while reading and researching and buying I have come across a few terms on multiple occasions but haven't figured them out yet. So I figured a good Pipe forum would be just the place to get answers. Besides, one thing I noticed right away about this is that most experienced pipe smokers are more than happy to help the new guys out.
So,on to the questions:

1) I keep hearing the term "pre-transition" and "post-transition" what does that refer too?

2) When talking about a pipe maker and one particular "line" of pipes (I think) I hear the term "seconds". What does that refer too?
Ok, well that's it for now folks. Thanks in advance for your input and help!

 

[eastwoodaudio]

First of all, welcome to the forums, you've found a great community!
1) I'm not 100% sure, but I think it has something to do with different periods of a pipe manufacturer's history.

2) Manfacturer seconds are pipes that weren't deemed fit to sell as a regular pipe, usually sold at a discount due to excesive fills or other issues. A lot of times they can be great smokers! Sometimes smoke shops will have "seconds" as their basket pipes.
Again, welcome, and don't hesitate to ask more questions!

 

[pruss]

Welcome aboard!
You'll enjoy it down the rabbit hole; you're in good, and engaging, company.
1). Typically these phrases refer to Barling Pipes and refer to pipes that were made before the business was sold and ownership was transitioned out of Barling family hands. I'm grossly oversimplifying this. Here is a link to a wonderful article: http://www.pipedia.org/wiki/Barling There were other classic British pipe companies that were bought up by the Cadogan group in the last half of the 20th century. Sometimes pre and post transition is used in context of these other companies.... Charatan and Comoy to name two.
2) Seconds refer to a sub-line of pipes, usually used to sell pipes that are slightly sub standard in some way. Things like big or multiple fills might lead a pipe to be sold as a second.
I hope that this helps. It is good to have you here.
-- Pat

 

[monty55]

Thanks guys. Appreciate the quick response. Pat I have read that about Barling, but also saw the term used in several other cases. Just yesterday read a piece that said something like "Dunhill pipes are popular with collectors right now, especially pre-transition pipes". I assumed they were refering to some point in time that had to do with a change in the company. But then saw the same with Barling and some others. It seems odd I guess. I thought it was all the same "transition", but I guess not.

 

[loneredtree]

Welcome to the "Hobby"
As the others have posted +

1) This is a common term for several other makers ie Peterson
2) Usually the seconds of a high end maker are of the same wood where a "flaw" is found at the end of the process. The pipe will be as good a smoker as the firsts at a better price.
I have never smoked nails and still do not understand why Lady N is craved. Especially since with drawl is achieved using Nicotine patches. Sorry, I did not mean to seal the thread.

 

[kendodan]

If you have a lot of time I highly suggest the Pipes Magazine Radio Show podcast. Each episode is about an hour long and contains a wealth of information.

 

[sfsteves]

Pre- and Post- transition are terms that are used for a number of different makers where, as noted above, the 'brand' name has been transferred to a different ownership ...
Seconds is a term that applies to a rainbow variety of different products ... for whatever reason, a pipe (or a hat or a shoe or whatever) is deemed to have a flaw of some sort, often something cosmetic or some other generally trivial thing ... one sees it more in high-end products where even a cosmetic or technical flaw can diminish the value of a product that commands a high price and the maker chooses not to dilute the brand with second-tier units ... JC Penny used to offer an in-store brand called Towncraft ... these were products they bought from big-name makers that were in some way 'flawed' ... Pennys sold them under their own brand for far less than the 'big name' maker sold their products ... had they not been seconds, Towncraft hats could have been Stetsons ... Towncraft shoes could have been Florsheims ... etc., etc., etc. ...
As has been said, a second from the user point of view will perform as well as a first ... the best pipe I ever owned was a top of the line Ben Wade that had been deemed a second due to an irregularity in the grain ... had I not broken the whole shank right off from the bowl in an unfortunate accident I'd still be smoking that pipe and it would still be the best pipe I own ...

 

[davidintexas]

Hello Monty. I cannot add to the advice given above, but just wanted to welcome you to the forums. You will eventually find out anything you want to know about pipes and tobacco on this site. There is a wealth of information and most everybody is very generous with their time and information. I have only been at it about a year, but it is due to the people on this forum that I have been enabled to enjoy this craft. Happy smoking!

 

[rmbittner]

Monty:
No, there isn't one general "transition" for the industry as a whole. The phrases only refer to changes within individual companies. However, I've never heard the term applied to Dunhills; to my knowledge, Dunhill hasn't gone through the kind of transitions that Sasieni, Comoy, and Barling have gone through. Some of these have had distinct pre- and post- changes. Others, like Charatan, have had multiple "transitions," so the phrase is fairly meaningless for that brand.
It may or may not refer to quality changes within the affected brands. It's typically used to date a pipe to a specific era. Dunhills don't have this issue, since every Dunhill is hallmarked to indicate its specific year of manufacture.
Bob

 

[numbersix]

Welcome Monty! You have come to the right place.

1) I keep hearing the term "pre-transition" and "post-transition" what does that refer too?

As others have said, this refers to the point before and after a pipe brand changed ownership. The Cadogan Group bought out many different brands (such as BBB). You will often see a pipe listed as "pre-Cadogan", which is a good thing generally speaking.

 

[mso489]

Welcome monty55. Your question, and the answers, clarified my understanding of 'pre/post-transition." Thanks.

I especially recommend Savenelli unfinished pipes as seconds. They come unfiltered, which is good. There is

word they may be discontinuing the line, so act now if you are interested.

 

[foggymountain]

Welcome to the club Monty. Seconds may be pipes that don't quite live up to the maker's standards, or they may be rejects with visible flaws and/or fillings in the wood. Look for fillings if you are considering basket pipes.

 

[monty55]

Thank you all so much for your time. You answered all my questions.
Cheers!