Last week I found myself indulging in a bit of PAD-enabling behaviors - mainly cursing Mr. Brog pipes on Amazon and potiential pocket pipes on several of this site's sponsors. I talked myself into a Tsuge (@ SmokingPipes) - arrives later this week BUT as I was seeking to extricate myself from spending more money, I stumbled on a listing on Amazon I just couldn't pass up: A Mr. Brog for $10!!. However, the page had virtually no information about the pipe, not what it's made of, if there is a filter, etc.
Since it was only $10, I decided to give it a go. It arrived today in a nice little box, with a similarly nice bag, and a stand (pictured below).
(Came in a gift box with bag and stand)
The bag is a velvety cotton - I rather like it - and the stand is a cheap plastic. I have another plastic stand from Brog that is much better and actually has their logo on it. The new one is cheap and flimsy, but for $10, who really cares.
I thought it would be a bit smaller than it turned out to be, but it's still small - a little over five inches long, the bowl is about 2ish", the chamber is decent, 1 3/4" deep by 3/4" wide. The pipe feel compact and has a nice weight to it, the balance of it means you need to bite down a bit to hold it up. I am fan of the boxy shank.
(With a quarter to give some scale)
The stem feels like its acrylic, not a surprise coming from using pear Brogs. After removing the stem from the shank, I found the expected stinger - why is it called that? I messed with it a bit, but I am not sure if it will come out, like the one on my churchwarden does.
(stem with stinger)
After refitting the stem to the mortise, I tried out the draw. It seems rather constricted due to the singer. (The draw is fine with the stem off, no blockage in the shank). I wonder again if it will come out. Also, it seems like the drill may have been a bit off, as there is a bit of a well below the draught hole in the chamber. Its fairly shallow, but it's there - the picture below doesn't really show it.
(Chamber may have a bit of a well)
Still, like all Brogs, it's a good looker and it has the right weight to it. And for only $10, I definitely willing to put it through the paces and try out a few bowls. If it works out, a $10 Brog will be quite a deal.
(Closeup on bowl and maker's mark)
I'll update as I try it out. Also, would appreciate any advice on how I can improve the draw - I'll likely give it at least a few bowls in the meantime to see if it will shake out on its own.
Since it was only $10, I decided to give it a go. It arrived today in a nice little box, with a similarly nice bag, and a stand (pictured below).
(Came in a gift box with bag and stand)
The bag is a velvety cotton - I rather like it - and the stand is a cheap plastic. I have another plastic stand from Brog that is much better and actually has their logo on it. The new one is cheap and flimsy, but for $10, who really cares.
I thought it would be a bit smaller than it turned out to be, but it's still small - a little over five inches long, the bowl is about 2ish", the chamber is decent, 1 3/4" deep by 3/4" wide. The pipe feel compact and has a nice weight to it, the balance of it means you need to bite down a bit to hold it up. I am fan of the boxy shank.
(With a quarter to give some scale)
The stem feels like its acrylic, not a surprise coming from using pear Brogs. After removing the stem from the shank, I found the expected stinger - why is it called that? I messed with it a bit, but I am not sure if it will come out, like the one on my churchwarden does.
(stem with stinger)
After refitting the stem to the mortise, I tried out the draw. It seems rather constricted due to the singer. (The draw is fine with the stem off, no blockage in the shank). I wonder again if it will come out. Also, it seems like the drill may have been a bit off, as there is a bit of a well below the draught hole in the chamber. Its fairly shallow, but it's there - the picture below doesn't really show it.
(Chamber may have a bit of a well)
Still, like all Brogs, it's a good looker and it has the right weight to it. And for only $10, I definitely willing to put it through the paces and try out a few bowls. If it works out, a $10 Brog will be quite a deal.
(Closeup on bowl and maker's mark)
I'll update as I try it out. Also, would appreciate any advice on how I can improve the draw - I'll likely give it at least a few bowls in the meantime to see if it will shake out on its own.
