New Ashton Old Church vs New Castello Old Antiquari?

[Johnny_Pipecleaner]

Apologies for another one of these threads, but we're mostly here to talk pipes, right?

Cutting right to the chase, I have my eye on two new pipes (as the title suggests). Between a new Castello and a new Ashton, does anyone have any tips they can share which might help me make the best decision? I've never smoked either of these brands.

For example, I've heard Castellos have a very open draw and some folks like to pack them a little tighter to compensate. That's basically all I know, and I'm eyeing these two pipes because I'm attracted to the looks (and the pipe/bowl specs meet my needs). Both pipes are the same price fyi.

I'd appreciate it if folks would back up their advice with a little info rather than simply post "Ashton", etc. Thank you!

 

[Elric]

I'm given to understand that Ashtons aren't what they used to be when Bill Taylor was alive. I've seen pics of recent stems with off-center drilling and suspect finishing. Prior to this, they were high on my list of pipes to acquire. I have a Castello Sea Rock I bought on the estate market and it's a great little pipe. One of the few straights that is light enough to clench. Just my $0.02.

 

[kcghost]

I have an aversion to Ashton which goes back to the final 5-6-7 years of Bill Taylor's life. At that time of life he had slipped into chronic alcoholism and couldn't make pipes that were worth 10 cents. The new guy at Ashton I am told makes an excellent pipe. I like Castello pipes because they consistently deliver the goods. I didn't really notice an open draw on their pipes.

 

[Johnny_Pipecleaner]

Thanks, yeah I have heard some of the Ashton/Bill stories, and it does seem like there are hardly any Castello complaints.

Here are pics of the pipes I'm currently smitten with. The Castello would be this exact shape and finish, but I'm holding out for an KK size, or maybe KKK. The Ashton is this exact pipe/finish, which is LX size, which is as large as I would go. This one has a slight taper to the chamber, which I like, and man I love the color combo of this stem on the Old Church.

 

[Johnny_Pipecleaner]

One thing I've picked up on is the opinion that since Bill Ashton is gone, the Ashton brand shouldn't exist, etc.

While I can understand that thought to some small degree, it's my understanding that Castello pipes are made by a small workshop with a cast of carvers that probably changes over time just as staff does at any company. In other words, there are reputable brands' pipes that aren't made by just one person.

I've read that Jim Craig does not smoke a pipe though, and if this is true, it does concern me. I would not want to buy pipes designed/carved by someone that doesn't smoke a pipe. One exception would be a longtime pipe smoker who had to quit for health reasons, I suppose.

 

[Toast]

Small sample size, one Ashton & two Castellos (both kks). The button shaping on the new Ashton is annoying enough that it's on my pile of pipes to sell. Both Castellos are fine.

 

[cigrmaster]

I only owned one Ashton. It was a group 5 Dublin that was straight. The fucker was a wet smoker and I dumped it. It was a Bill Taylor made one. I have heard good and bad about the new Ashtons. Check out pipes2smoke. Max has some kind of deal with Michael Parks who sand blasts some of the Ashtons for Max.

I would go Castello over Ashton all day every day. I would never buy a shape 55, too fugly for my tastes. Yes I know they smoke great but I can't stand looking at them. My favorite shaped Castello is # 49 which is their version of a Calabash. It is an elegant pipe and to me it just looks like a bent Dublin. I had a KK Fiamatta with the most perfect angel hair grain. I traded a guy a box of Cuban cigars for it. I robbed the guy. lol

 

[Johnny_Pipecleaner]

I would never buy a shape 55, too fugly for my tastes. Yes I know they smoke great but I can't stand looking at them.

Haha I can understand this. The 55 is certainly a unique look.
It seems folks also generally dislike the whole "charred" look of this finish too, but I really dig it.
I've got Luca keeping an eye out for one size KK or KKK, but yeah, if he can dig one up I'll probably bite.



The one plus about that Ashton though, is that it's offered by a USA shop so the return would be easy if I don't like it. Whereas the Castello is almost certainly going to ship from overseas.

 

[Johnny_Pipecleaner]

I am also open to a Castello billiard, but it has to have that perfect triangle look that comes from the tapered stem lining up perfectly with a tapered shank, and with a perfectly flat looking bottom edge, like this...

 

[alaskanpiper]

Ashton’s do have a rather large bit, which can be annoying to some. I have owned both, and never had a problem with either, IMO, you can’t go wrong either way.

If it were me though, I’d go Castello. Just bought a Castello apple in that very same finish.

To your shipping concern, with either danish pipe shop or tabaccheriacorti it will be here in a few days. The aforementioned Castello actually made it from Italy to Alaska in just over 48 hours ?

 

[Johnny_Pipecleaner]

To your shipping concern, with either danish pipe shop or tabaccheriacorti it will be here in a few days. The aforementioned Castello actually made it from Italy to Alaska in just over 48 hours ?

Nice looking pipe! Oh and I'm not concerned with shipping time, just apprehensive about the returns process if the pipe arrives and isn't everything I thought it would be. Seems like USA would be easier since that's where I am, but now that you mention it... it probably isn't a concern either way. Good call.

 

[Morrison Jeremiah]

Never had a Castello, so can't comment on those.
I have an Ashton Cherrywood Quaint that I totally love. Everything about it is perfect. Jimmy Craig definitely has the touch.
Why not go for both pipes, one now, and one later as funds allow.

 

[Toast]

If you do go Ashton get multiple photos of the bit. Mine is cut asymmetric to a level where I can't ignore it. I did get a discount, but I wish I'd returned it.

 

[alaskanpiper]

If you do go Ashton get multiple photos of the bit. Mine is cut asymmetric to a level where I can't ignore it. I did get a discount, but I wish I'd returned it.

You can also sand the bit down if you’re comfortable with it. I know member @PaulTheScandinavian has done so before with his Ashtons if I’m not mistaken.

If you’re averse to the size that is, whatever asymmetrical aspects you speak of may be totally different, just a note.

 

[smokeymo]

Get an estate Ashton. It will be cheaper and you'll likely get better quality.

 

[Johnny_Pipecleaner]

Thanks all. I guess I'll wait and see if Luca (or another shop) can dig up the size/shape/finish Castello I want, and/or if there are any upcoming holiday sales that work in my favor.

 

[mingc]

Get one of each.

My JC Ashton has a much better bit than my Castello. My JC Ashton bit is 3mm thick and funneled. My Castello bit is almost 5mm thick and not funneled. Castello bits have holes that end up in shallow rectangular chambers. Our George Dibos, admittedly a Castello critic, calls it a pseudo slot and I agree. Still, mine smokes OK for me,

Ashtons are still oil cured, supposedly, as far as I know. Castellos have old wood, supposedly, and really wide draft holes.

IMNSHO, Castellos are overrated and new Ashtons are underrated. I paid about the same for both mine and have a slight preference for the Ashton.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Is this all online? Or are you able to get to a proper B+M?
(As in where are you?)

 

[Johnny_Pipecleaner]

Is this all online? Or are you able to get to a proper B+M?
(As in where are you?)

I'm in Oakland, CA. There might be a decent shop within 1-2 hours, but nothing nearby. The only one I know if is Piedmont, which is very nearby, but way overpriced and very little inventory.

So, only online for now. If I could check them out in person this decision would be a lot easier.

 

[Johnny_Pipecleaner]

Anyone know what kind of Black Friday deals I might expect from SmokingPipes and the like? Isn't it 15% off pipes? Perhaps I should try to hold out for a couple weeks.