Merry Christmas... Now Bend Over

[rockymtnsmoker]

Reading forum chat on the Hilson series of Vintage pipes made from bowls that were turned 30 years ago and recently finished, I suffered a major PAD attack (thanks Foggy!).
My Hilson Vintage Oiled 092 arrived today (just 4 days after ordering via FedEx) and I was blown away, both by the pipe and the packaging from Al Pascia in Torino, Italy. It was just like Christmas. First the pics, then my little surprise.

I'm tickled by the pipe and it is literally my Christmas present to myself. The bend over bit was the somewhat larger than expected duties and taxes of $25, plus the $10 customs clearance fee FedEx dinged me for. Kind of pushed the pipe from the reasonable to unreasonable for me. Anyway, lesson learned.
Now, think I'm going to load 'er up and take her out for a spin.

 

[fitzy]

Wow beautiful pipe you have there.

 

[pruss]

That's a beauty Hilson. But I have to say, I don't order from ANYONE who uses FedEx as their shipping agent of choice. $10.00 is, in my experience, the minimum brokerage fee that you'll end up paying on receipt of your parcel.
Enjoy the new addition to your rotation, though. It's a lovely pipe.
-- Pat

 

[lincolnsbark]

Beautiful pipe, I even love the Hilson "H" marking on the stem.

 

[phred]

Gorgeous pipe! Sorry about the surprise charges - I've had that happen with international orders before, with no real warning, just a note in the mail that my package was being held up at customs... :evil:

 

[mrjerke]

I thought this was a thread about things NOT to say to the wife on Christmas...
In any event nice looking pipe! And yes UPS is a pain for shipping.

 

[rockymtnsmoker]

I thought this was a thread about things NOT to say to the wife on Christmas...

:rofl:

 

[northernneil]

Great looking pipe Steven!!! She looks to have a beautiful straight grain!

 

[rockymtnsmoker]

She does Neil, thanks. Was thinking of you earlier in the week and your fondness for French pips and longer stems. Got my first Ebay win delivered this week; Edward's algerian briar made in France in the 70s. Cost me less than $7, plus delivery. Smoked my first bowl yesterday and it was very nice. Could be a good way for to go for you, too.

 

[numbersix]

Congrats rocky - that is a beautiful pipe and the packaging makes it all the nicer! I have major PAD envy right now! :evil:

 

[rockymtnsmoker]

Cheers Six. Unfortunately, PAD is contagious

 

[andypandy]

It's a very attractive pipe. Enjoy it. :puffpipe:

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

Nice looking Hilson I hope it smokes like a dream.

 

[northernneil]

Steven, you're right, that prince fits my tastes perfectly. And for $7, how can you go wrong. Sounds like a good week for ya brother congrats on both pipes!!

 

[rockymtnsmoker]

Thanks Duckfat. Until Foggy mentioned Al Pascia in his Hilson post I hadn't heard of them. Service was great and the packaging was a treat. Christmas, like I said.
As a Canadian, I had been lulled into a false sense of security on "international" shipments from US merchants and usually opt for Pony Express (AKA USPS ground) which take 2 - 3 weeks. Not sure if pipes slip under the radar, But I haven't been paying extra taxes or duties on those orders.
The extra hit on this European order was a surprise. I was feeling more bent over by my government than FedEx. That said, we have just negotiated a new trade deal with the EU so things may be looking up.

 

[kcghost]

Al Pascia has a number of great articles on their site. Good outfit.

 

[petes03]

That's a beautiful pipe! Enjoy it and congrats!

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Yeah, I bought a pipe from them once and had a similar experience. I wish they shipped snail mail.
That's a stunning pipe though.

 

[flmason]

I have not bought from Al Pascia yet. I live in FL and do not know the extra costs involved with Customs and shipping.

 

[tennsmoker]

Rocky: That is a lovely pipe, with quite nice straight grain. I know it will be a fine smoker.
Also, I can tell you that I own several Edward pipes that I purchased back in the dark ages of the 1960s. All Algerian briar. All wonderful smokers, still to this day. Would not trade them for anything. I even have a Prince from Edwards that is a beauty of a smoker.
Enjoy those pipes!