More on Craig Era Ashtons:First smokes and First Impressions

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Well here they are,two Pebble Grains XX by Ashton, I will keep these my Initial impressions short, after a two partial bowls in both I can say these perform very well, pretty open draw,no flaws to be found, drilling and stem fitting are spot on, general appearance is somewhat rugged,can't say these are refined pipes, color is reddish black, I think these might be pretty good companions while in travel or driving since these aren't heavy, and now the drawback which is eventually getting on my nerves,is that how the stem bites are finished, let me put it this way, I could have done it better by myself,am I considering buying another Ashton?As for now,I doubt,,

 

[brian64]

Nice Ashtons...sorry to hear you find the buttons uncomfortable.
Below is my only Ashton...it's hard to tell from this pic but the button is actually not nearly as pronounced as yours appears to be in that bottom pic (not sure if that is what you're disliking about it) but I find mine to be very comfortable.

 

[Briar Baron]

That button is nearly as pronounced as a dental bit that came on my 1957 Dunhill. I find it a bit uncomfortable but it was original to the pipe so I forgive it.

 

[ssjones]

I'm not a fan of Craig era Ashtons, but I've only had the earlier models. Curiously, those didn't have any button issues (my complaint was with the stem/shank fitment)

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

@ SSJones, thanks for the info,when it comes to draw, drilling and stem fit,these mines are perfect, I will see what I got to do with these bites.

 

[mso489]

I've spent some time flirting with Ashtons. They're a bit up market, but I like the classic traditional aspect, without going over the moon on price. I agree I don't want to be particularly aware of the bit on a pipe. I have one P-Lip and enjoy it, but don't need another. If I were aware of the bit, I'd be annoyed. Handsome pipes though.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

@Mso489, Thank You Sir,Yes these Ashtons look pretty uncomplicated and traditional, especially I like the reddish black coloring and nice blast,+ that they are lightweight, just checked estate offerings on Ebay, and noticed that even these Craig era pipes retain them resale value fairly well,But yes,now I have to figure out how to proceed with these bites,there are three options out there now, the very first being, leaving the stem button zones as they are and sell the pipes, second option, keep the pipes and start modifying the stem buttons to meet your preferences,and the very last,and most expensive, would be to have a brand new stems done and keep the original ones as in reserve.I have had few Petersons with P Lip, and I recall those bites were more comfortable to me.Can't help wondering,Why on earth they can't do thinner bite zones on the stems as like it was back in the days.

 

[alexj52]

Sorry it didn't work out for you. Like Brian, my Canadian has a less pronounced button and is yet to irritate me. Every other aspect is sublime IMO. Thanks for the recommendation to smoke Burley blends - my tin of HH Burley Flake is running out pretty quick :lol:

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

@Alex, Yes This is very nice pipe,after two-tree of initial smokes I can say both my Ashtons performs very well,however I may choose to replace this Ashton Canadian with other Canadian from Castello Collection line.My Time is pricey and so are the pipes.

 

[danish]

@Paul, I am sure I would share your disappointment with the bites, since these Ashtons are otherwise very attractive. According to my first 'pipe teacher', Olrik, whose pipe book I read many years ago and still go back to (a gift from my mother 35 years ago), a perfect bite height, for most of us, is around 3 1/2 mm and max 4 mm, due to the resting position of our jaws. According to Olrik, a too high bite will result in less comfort and can result in wet smoking. I agree with Olrik but I have not measured the exact bite heights of my preferred stems. Most of them are from 'back in the days', as you mentioned.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

@Danish,Yes Sir, could not argue here,

 

[elpfeife]

I have an Ashton with the large button and found over time you just get used to it. Sort of like a p-lip. It is good for clenching with a good sized pipe. My recently purchased Ashton does not have the large button. Craig must make them both ways.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

@ Elpfeife Thank You for this information, so it seems buttons shaping on Craigs Ashton does vary.

 

[bazungu]

I read somewhere that some of his stemd are pre moulded vulcanite? I am not sure this is true. I also believe it is a team of craftsmen under his lead, so oerhaps it also depends on who is doong the stels that day. So far on what I can see online, there does see to be some slight variaton going on with the size of the button/bit.

 

[ssjones]

I read somewhere that some of his stemd are pre moulded vulcanite? I am not sure this is true. I also believe it is a team of craftsmen under his lead, so oerhaps it also depends on who is doong the stels that day.

I've not heard that he uses pre-molded stems. Based on the ones I've handled, that seems unlikely.
But, who the "team of Craftsman" are is the big question. Jimmy Craig does no advertising, doesn't have a website, so very little is known about his current operation. In the early years, I heard his sons were doing a lot of the work, no clue for these days. Jimmy was selling his pipes at auction, via his Ebay name. Sometimes those went for very low prices and many felt this de-valued his work. He appears to have stopped that practice. But he is apparently still selling pipes for resale to some ebay vendors (I believe Great Estates and one other power pipe seller often has new Ashtons)