My First Real Nose Warmer, From an Unexpected Maker - Pics

[agnosticpipe]

I'm not a big fan of nose warmer pipes, but once in a while I'll get a smaller pipe and see how I like it. This is my first pipe that measures 4 in. in length. I saw this pipe on eBay, and thought it was really unusual for this maker, a Dr. Grabow! I just recently bought a huge 9 in. pipe that I thought was interesting, so I figured I might as well explore the other end of the spectrum.

This pipe is not something I've ever seen from Dr. Grabow, really short, scalloped bowl top, and a screw stem with the typical stinger/scraper I've seen on the Linkman pipes. A tiny lovat if you will. The bowl top had some bad charring, and some varnish still left on the briar, but other wise it wasn't too bad. Age of pipe, who knows. Strangely, for not being a fan of nose warmers, and stingers, this one really smokes nice! I think the stinger helps because of it's short length. Mustache is still intact, so I'm good to go.

 

[voorhees]

That's a nice one.

 

[toobfreak]

Think it is the nicest Grabow I've ever seen, Orley! Congrats!

 

[weezell]

Nice pipe Orley! Maybe Ed will chime in and tell us a little about it...

 

[brian64]

Very cool...great looking pipe. From those first two pics I never would have imagined it was a Grabow.

 

[didimauw]

Wow, I've never seen a Grabow like that one! Awesome!

 

[theloniousmonkfish]

Nice one, congrats. Gave it a thought but passed as I need to downsize. It's small and has a four digit code, likely post war from Linkman's in Chicago, not many examples with a scalloped rim out there.

 

[Chasing Embers]

The first several years I smoked all I had were old Grabows found at yard sales and thrift stores. Never saw anything like that one, very nice!

 

[papipeguy]

That has a great coolness factor. I'm not a fan of nose warmers but this one is a winner in my book.

 

[mso489]

That's worth owning just for the uniqueness to its brand. And in homage to Sparta, N.C., which seems to have the last briar tobacco pipe factory in the U.S. I have a few short pipes, and I think they are especially good for travel or pocket pipes. The compactness and thick shank make them durable for hauling around. That's an extremely elegant finish and a fancy cut brim. I guess the brim would get charred; it would require a expert pipe man or woman to navigate lighting it without singeing the brim a little. But a little char hardly makes a difference in such a handsome pipe. I say you got a winner.

 

[newbroom]

Orley, you've got a great eye! That's a beauty!

The first pipe with a stinger as part of its identity that I found to be acceptable right away, that is, it was not finicky like a Kaywoodie, was on a Grabow Westbrook.

That got me interested in Grabows.

I picked up a Grabow Linkmans and it's got that simple paddle/scoop stinger. It smokes perfectly without special attention.

I think the older briar can be better quality, or that's the impression I have after hours and hours of enjoyable reading and smoking.

 

[alexnorth]

I think that is a beautiful pipe!

 

[dragospiper]

This pipe is a pleasure to look at! I also love the bowl rim, very interesting and beautiful! Hope it brings you many good, relaxing smokes!

 

[ophiuchus]

Gotta love Grabow. I continue to be surprised by old specimens that pop up. That nose warmer is cool as hell! ::

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

I've gotta to agree with toobfreak... that's the nicest Dr. Grabow I've seen. That's a great looking pipe. Enjoy!

 

[rigmedic1]

That is a nice looking pipe. I recently acquired a couple of nose warmers myself, having avoided them because I felt that the stubby length would yield a hotter smoke. Well, I could find no differences between the smoke in a 4", 6" or 12" long pipe. Bet you will enjoy that one.

 

[shaintiques]

Very cool!

 

[seitz55]

Awesome find!!!

 

[cortezattic]

Thanks for posting the pix and bringing this to our attention. I never saw a Grabow like that -- kind of significant. :clap: