My One Kaywoodie Drinkless, Interesting

[mso489]

No news here for the Kaywoodie devotees, but maybe worth telling. I have only one Kaywoodie Drinkless, a classic stinger pipe, where the stinger also provides the screw threads to fasten the stem to the shank. This particular series is called the Ruff-Tone, and has a smooth finish with carved vertical grooves adorning the bowl and shank. I'd call mine an author shape, although it wasn't labeled nor sold that way. I bought it new from tabaccopipes.com about four years ago. Surprisingly, the stinger does not impede the draw nor the flavor, which I've encountered with some stingers. It's a pretty nice pipe, with the stinger being easy to clean, and the draw being good. My only complaint was that the bit, as delivered, would not screw in perpendicular to the bowl. This didn't affect the smoking but was an annoyance. A Forums member explained how to heat the shank with a hair dryer until the glue softened and then crank the stem and bit into proper position, which worked like a charm. It's a great old American factory pipe, funky in design like some of those old 1950's cars, and goes great with good old Americana blends. Drinkless was recently discontinued, I believe, but there are plenty around in old inventory and as estates. As I recall, when new, it was about thirty bucks, and a good pipe at that price.

 

[tuold]

Interesting. I went to the SM Frank web page to take a look. I wasn't aware they were still making pipes with the Drinkless stinger four years ago. I think you are right though about the recent change to vulcanite push tenon stems.

 

[pagan]

I have a few Woodies and some Drinkless in there, not a bad smoker in the bunch, A Kaywoodie Bulldog has been my morning pipe for about 5 years, every morning I load it up with EMP and wait for the coffee to finish brewing, the only reason I get out of bed is for this ritual of morning peace ::

 

[mso489]

tuold, it may be true even my Drinkless was just old inventory. The last may have been made well before I bought mine. pagan, I think these old Kaywoodies are made to last; sounds like a good morning ritual. I have a similar one, but I light the pipe a little later in the day.

 

[cortezattic]

every morning I load it up with EMP and wait for the coffee to finish brewing, the only reason I get out of bed is for this ritual of morning peace

Pagan, you're my kinda guy. ::

 

[buroak]

Mso489, I am glad to hear some praise for the much maligned Kaywoodie "fitment". Your Ruff Tone must have a vulcanite stem. I have a late 1960s or early 1970s US-made Kaywoodie with a nylon stem. The nylon stems are not nearly as accommodating of turning the stinger. What your story teaches me is that Kaywoodie went back to vulcanite at some point. Good to know...

 

[mso489]

buroak, yes, I'm reasonably sure my pipe has a Vulcanite stem. In general, I find acrylic/lucite stems good on many pipes, but in this case, it meant a lot to me to get the bit properly positioned. I do have a lot of pipes, so if one has a minor problem, I tend to avoid it. Now I look forward to the Kaywoodie's turn with relish. It's a nifty, balanced little pipe, plenty of bowl, a nicely shaped stummel, and that funky Americana look. It's enjoyable to smoke.