I recently purchased a Kaywoodie Campus Pipe, predominantly just to smoke while working, fishing, running around, ect......I know that Kaywoodie is similar to that of a Dr. Grabow. However, I have never smoked a Kaywoodie. I don't expect it to have superb smoking qualities, but I have heard people say that they are decent pipes, not very impressive yet they offer decent smoke for the money. Anymore insight would be appreciated!
Kaywoodie
- Thread starter mrhooker93
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I am a fan of kaywoodies and grabows they all have smoked well for me. Everyone will have their own oppinion on what smokes better but my 20 buck no name smokes just as well as my 200 buck Nording. Ive noticed very little difference between brands but thats just me.
Never had a Kaywoodie, but I have 3 Grabows and 2 Briar Yelloboles that smoke as well as my Petes and Savs. The only problem, if you want to call it that, is that the stems discolor quickly and dont look very attractive after awhile. Not a problem if they are knockarounds, but you'd have to clean em up for the opera. :rofl:
Mr. Hooker, some of my best smokers are Kaywoodies. I only have estates tho, nothing recent. I leave the stingers intact. Make your own determination as to what smokes well and what doesn't. I don't think they are all that similiar to Grabows, especially modern versions. I love estate and modern Grabows. I love estate Kaywoodies, but am not a fan of modern ones, at least what I've seen. Too small for me and no stingers anymore. Just my opinion, based on what I've seen and touched.
I have one I restored 2 weeks ago and smokes great, it's just that with one of my tobaccos it gets really hot fast but with the other it's nice,cool and smooth....I do get the similarity now that you mention it even though my Grabow is newer
I must correct my ignorance(see quote), as it appears that Kaywoodie does indeed continue to offer stingered pipes. In fact, they appear to offer quite a variety of pipes in style, quality and price. As such, I have decided that in all fairness, I must now purchase one and give it a try. :puffpipe: My earlier statement troubled me, as it came off as an authoritative, informed opinion, when it wasn't. In my defense I did say it was based on what I had seen and touched(ie, in person). While no one called me out on this, I felt I should call myself out! I will now adminster the self inflicted punishment of buying a new pipe! Poor me!
I recently purchased a Monterey Mission Briar Specimen Grain at an antique store. Apparently Monterey was an offshoot of Kaywoodie during WWII when American pipe makers were looking for a replacement for briar (it's made of manzanita burl). I tried it with the stinger on and it didn't do well for me but as soon as I removed the stinger (it screws into the tenon) it smokes fantastically. I'd recommend trying it with the stinger to see if it fits your smoking style and if not, try and remove the stinger without damaging the pipe. I've heard people on both sides of the fence of stinger removal but I'll say I'm infinitely satisfied with my newest acquisition especially since it was a whopping $10.
And an awesome 2 cents it is! I am going to try a new one out (I'll be going with the stinger) so I can have first hand experience. I hope it's great. I don't want to be one of those folks who hate something with no good reason for it. Do you have a pic of yours? Also, why the difficult break in?
Check out the Kaywoodie Compendium and Greyfoxonline.com for new and estate Kaywoodie info. You will find new Kays from the mid $20s to the $200s!
http://www.grayfoxonline.com/compendium.html
I heard from a local Antique store proprietor who seems extremely knowledgeable about pipes that vintage Kaywoodies (pre 1950s) were of a very high caliber. He referenced the company's buyout in the 50s, claiming this caused their decline in quality and becoming more of a drug store variety. He said if you're lucky to get one pre 1950s they are awesome smokers and in his opinion in the realm of Dunhill.
And he's a friend of orionpyoung!
I had one come in the mail a few days ago, a nice snipe from eBay for $5ish. It's in great shape and smokes well.
TLDR; From what I've heard from a good source Kaywoodies can be great especially if you get an older one. Just got one and I love it.
And he's a friend of orionpyoung!
I had one come in the mail a few days ago, a nice snipe from eBay for $5ish. It's in great shape and smokes well.
TLDR; From what I've heard from a good source Kaywoodies can be great especially if you get an older one. Just got one and I love it.
I'm always hunting for old Kaywoodies. I have a 60s white briar, a 50s Super Grain (neutered. Would have been 4 hole stinger) and a 48-55 flame grain. I prefer the stingers on, but they smoke fine without. The new ones get mixed reviews but the 1940s and 50s ones were competition to Dunhills in their day! Been tryin to get a meerschaum bowl one lately.
I have a Kaywoodie I bought new in '72 at the Navy Exchange. I believe I paid $4.50 American
and still smoke it once in a while. Smokes as good as any pipe I have, will never give it up.
and still smoke it once in a while. Smokes as good as any pipe I have, will never give it up.
I am a huge Kaywoodie fan. I have about 20 of them. ranging from the 30's to the 80's. I agree the older ones smoke better, but I don't have one that smokes bad. One of mine as best I can tell is from either 1935 or 1936, it is a flame grain stamped above Kaywoodie, and rivals my Dunhill as an excellent smoke.
I do prefer to remove the stingers, but have a few that that have the stinger made on, and I refuse to cut it off for some reason. I can't say it really hurts anything as far as the smoke, but it does complicate a good cleaning.
I do prefer to remove the stingers, but have a few that that have the stinger made on, and I refuse to cut it off for some reason. I can't say it really hurts anything as far as the smoke, but it does complicate a good cleaning.
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