Just a shout out and thanks to Ben at TobaccoPipes.com . After years of not owning U.S. machine made pipes, I have
recently added a Dr. Grabow to my stable of pipes, and just ordered a Kaywoodie from tobaccopipes.com. The Kaywoodies
were going fast, and the site was down to three of nine Kaywoodies. After long deliberation -- and I can torture a pipe
purchase with the best of them -- I finally chose the Ruff Tone Straight, for it's unusual design. It was a billiard with deep
dark stained grooves in its bowl and stem. A day or two after I placed the order, Ben called me from the site and explained
that the version of this pipe they had was somewhat different in the shape of the bowl than what was pictured. I asked a few
questions -- he described this as more of an apple. Then he went the extra mile and offered to email me a photo of the pipe
they had. Meantime, rather than ask for a refund, I picked out two alternate pipes, a different Kaywoodie and a Yellow Bole,
that I might accept instead, if I didn't like the available version of the Ruf Tone. However, the one they had was fine, and will
be the only apple in my pipe racks. It seemed to balance the stained grooves nicely. So kudos and thanks to Ben for his help.
Edit: Inserted a link... Hope you don't mind. L.
recently added a Dr. Grabow to my stable of pipes, and just ordered a Kaywoodie from tobaccopipes.com. The Kaywoodies
were going fast, and the site was down to three of nine Kaywoodies. After long deliberation -- and I can torture a pipe
purchase with the best of them -- I finally chose the Ruff Tone Straight, for it's unusual design. It was a billiard with deep
dark stained grooves in its bowl and stem. A day or two after I placed the order, Ben called me from the site and explained
that the version of this pipe they had was somewhat different in the shape of the bowl than what was pictured. I asked a few
questions -- he described this as more of an apple. Then he went the extra mile and offered to email me a photo of the pipe
they had. Meantime, rather than ask for a refund, I picked out two alternate pipes, a different Kaywoodie and a Yellow Bole,
that I might accept instead, if I didn't like the available version of the Ruf Tone. However, the one they had was fine, and will
be the only apple in my pipe racks. It seemed to balance the stained grooves nicely. So kudos and thanks to Ben for his help.
Edit: Inserted a link... Hope you don't mind. L.