I did a bit of googling and came up with this:
“Before the latest grading system it was a total free for all. Even Nording himself, I asked, doesn't remember exactly how it went.”
"The stamping of our products was not well organized from the
beginning but I remember that freehands were F, A, B, C + Extra, F
being poorest quality.”
“Nording grades pipes based on an couple of systems. The Danish styled
freehands, are given letters as grades - the lowest of which is the "F" grade. This is then followed by the "A", then "B" and so on.”
We produced a series 200-300-400-500 and 600,
200 being the poorest quality, eg 412 was quality 400, model 12.
“Nording grading system is as follows; 5 (the lowest - sandblasted),4,3,2,1(highest low grade),”
The current / modern Nording Grades:
“We now stamp handmades 11 up to 20, 20 being best quality.
Freehands 1,2,3,4.. with 1 being best quality"
“A, B, C, E (Extra),11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20. Totaling 20 grades.”
“The low grades run opposite of the norm, the "A" thru "E" are as high a grade briar and finish as the double digits in most cases but have military, push-in stems to save time and price to the consumer.”
If any of you can make sense of this, my hat’s off to you.
In any event, I bought the Nording because for some reason the look really appeals to me. I’ve never read a negative review of Nordings. No doubt, I‘ll be quite happy with the pipe. Bottom line is they’re meant to be enjoyed and over-analyzing and critiquing takes away from the enjoyment. I guess the best pipe is the pipe you like best.
