'New' Vintage Dr. Grabow Pipes
- Thread starter badbriar
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I have a couple of Grabows. This one is my favorite. A Royalton bulldog.
Two color dukes and a viscount
. If it’s my understanding that means it was a sub par pipe, but it sure cleaned up and restained beautifully.
I think the lack of customer service reflects the limited number of employees. There are special edition pipes, I've heard, that don't get marketed at all, but are sold to the people who know to ask. I think pipe shops and online retailers would carry them if they had more of a marketing program, but I think they have balanced demand with production, so they don't push it too hard. IMHO the new pipes are solid and good smokers.
Yeah I’ve called a couple times to try to get a new stem for a golden duke. They never get back to me.
About three years ago, the Dr. Grabow factory in Sparta, N.C., took some earthquake damage that knocked around some of the machinery in the work area. They seemed to rebound pretty well, and I haven't noticed any lack of inventory.
Dr.Grabow / International Pipes & Accessories
PO Box 849
Sparta, North Carolina 28675
336-372-5521 - info@drgrabow.net
You call this number? Try emailing, it's just Debbie there, might have better luck that way. Specify if you want Vulcanite as they might still have some old stock on hand that fits, they use ABS plastic but can accommodate Vulcanite on some pieces. Last I remember it was $10 per stem and $3 return postage, doubt it's gone up much if at all. If you still have trouble getting through I have another email address for them that will not be posted publicly.
MSO, Grabow doesn't advertise as they sell their own pieces for the same or less than retailers carrying them. Get on the email list for limited editions, or email them for a forum to order direct.
A lot of people would be surprised to learn how many Sparta produced pipes they have. Plenty of Grabows out there and most under the radar as they were sold under many different names. Made for shops, coupon offers, etc...
I'm a huge fan of the old ones. I have two of them with vulcanite adjustomatic stems.
The abs stems on the new ones have given me problems in the past, but I'm pretty hard on my pipes.
The old ones are built tough, and I traveled hard with one of them for a long time. I'm smoking it today, in fact. One of the best pipes I've ever owned. It was $5 at a flea market. I found it in the bottom of a toolbox full of old, r
usty tools.The new abs stems leak and crack. I wouldn't trust one on the road away from home.
The old vulcanite stems are built like tanks, in my experience.
I believe all the new production with abs stem and metal tenon is 100% defective.
I used to own around 30 of them.
If they work for some people, I'm glad, but I did not find them to be serviceable.
I have a 60s Belvedere and and pre-patent linkman’s dr grabow. I really enjoy smoking both. A few patent era pipes passed through my stable recently on their way to a new home. 
Maybe some of you guys in the NC area could do a factory tour & post photos & info for the rest of us!
They're just not set up for online ordering, despite having a website. They only accept money orders or paper checks, having not yet abandoned the 1950's mail-order business model.
Love their pipes, though. I have two of their Excel pipes, and two of their Eagle '69 pipes (those both 1-year-only special-offer models of recent years), in addition to a collection of many variations of their Freehand offerings over the years.
Love their pipes, though. I have two of their Excel pipes, and two of their Eagle '69 pipes (those both 1-year-only special-offer models of recent years), in addition to a collection of many variations of their Freehand offerings over the years.
I have their bent-stem Omega model, with the military-style bit which I enjoy very much. It's smaller than my Peterson of similar shape/style; but, it is feather-light in terms of weight, and, has the Dr Grabow version of a Peterson-inspired P-lip on the end of the mouth-piece, which makes the pipe a champion 'hanger' - very, very comfortable. Great travel pipe, too. - Sherm Natman
A Briar pipe is a chunk of briar, plus a rod of vulcanite, add labor.
As the little boy said “Howdy do it know?” which hands made it?
As the little boy said “Howdy do it know?” which hands made it?
I have a few that I smoke regularly. They're handsome, well made, and smoke very well, all of them.
Royalton prince:
Berwyck dublin:
Golden Duke pot:
I have a NOS Starfire bulldog incoming, and also a large Hillcrest bent dublin that I've yet to smoke.
Royalton prince:
Berwyck dublin:
Golden Duke pot:
I have a NOS Starfire bulldog incoming, and also a large Hillcrest bent dublin that I've yet to smoke.
WV Smokeshop carries the largest inventory that I know of online. I have three Grabow's and wouldn't hesitate to buy another.
My first pipe in 1980 was a Dr. Grabow Billiard. I still have it. I have several, but like the Grabow Freehands the best. in fact i smoked one of my Grabow Freehands this afternoon.