(Old) Comoy Pipes Air-Cured?

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May 31, 2012
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Arno,

I really do not know, but went looking around.
First, here's a couple of the Fred Hanna articles where he talks of curing processes, although nothing in particular about Comoy's, it's a great read...you've probably already seen them, but here they are,
The Myth of Brand and Maker in Pipesmoking

&

THE MYSTERIES OF THE BREAK-IN PROCESS
Here's a rather off-topic tangent, but of some interest maybe for a new Dutch debate?

LOL

http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/the-breathability-of-briar-wood-what-do-you-think
...no mention of any special technique here,

http://pipepages.com/64com1s.htm
...but here they mention "secret processes exclusive to Comoy's",

http://pipepages.com/64com2s.htm
...and here it says "...family secret processes for giving the briar a delightful nut-like flavor has been handed down from father to son..."

it certainly does suggest oil-curing, yes?

http://pipepages.com/1comfly1.htm
Although this pic on Pipephil.org shows the drying shed of Comoy's, maybe they were simply held onto for a while and slowly air-cured?

chapuisc1.jpg

Maybe it will remain a mystery for the ages and nobody will ever know for sure?
Possibly, for a very experienced pipesmoker, if they found an old unsmoked Comoy's example, could they maybe tell the difference? Supposedly the oil-cured tasted a bit different from air-cured for the first dozen or so smokes. If an old unsmoked example is acquired, do you think evidence of whatever curing process used would be readily apparent? Or would any distinct character have faded with time?
All very interesting questions.
One way to find out may be by contacting Neill Archer Roan, if anybody would know I'd reckon it'd be him,

http://www.apassionforpipes.com/contact/

:puffpipe:
btw

Has any hard evidence of either curing process been offered on your Dutch forum?

Or is it all speculation?

 

kashmir

Lifer
May 17, 2011
2,712
64
Northern New Jersey
Thanks MisterLC.

Great historical info there.

You are definitely the forum site historian - keeper of the books.
You know, when I look at that photo of Comoy's drying barn, I can't help but think that it represents the actual birth place for Comoy block ebouchons. And I'm thinking my vintage Comoy strummels were actually birthed there, right on that floor. Who knows, maybe that block in the foreground became the Comoy vintage pipe warmly resting in my cupped hand; so much time having passed in the history of that particular pipe.

 
May 31, 2012
4,295
34
Thanks Kashmir
Man, I like your thought process, what you wrote made the image more evocative for me, indeed, hard to believe how such a hardy humble material evokes such intense emotion in grown men and pulls the heart-strings --- it truly is a grand thing, just think how many wonderful pipes were birthed from those piles of ebouchons, and as you say, one of them could be the very one you're holding right now!

Thanks for sharing those thoughts.
I was misty-eyed after reading Neill's latest post about how he got that Blue Riband 127,

that's what it's all about, the passion is uplifting and the rewards are many!
The pipe community is a warm ray of sunshine!

 

Dutch Pipe Smoker

(arno665)
Apr 3, 2013
376
120
46
The Netherlands
dutchpipesmoker.com
Wow misterlowercase, that is a lot of info! Thanks!! Some links I found myself but most are new to me. Time to do some reading :mrgreen:

And no, nothing has surfaced on the Dutch forum, that is why I ask it here :wink:

I sent Neil Archer Roan a message, hopefully he knows. I am to deep in it now to let go of the question :P

 

ssjones

Moderator
Staff member
May 11, 2011
18,322
11,091
Maryland
postimg.cc
I've never heard of oil curing to describe Comoys but the "secret process" in the flyer certainly is a little tantalizing. Creative marketing from Comoys to capture a bit of the Dunhill business perhaps?

 
May 31, 2012
4,295
34
I think you're probably right Al,

more than likely it's just a little "creative copy writing" in the catalog.
Much of the early history seems murky though, and it'd seem to me that Comoy's being from the French tradition would have used whatever method had been popular there?
Is that fair to say, that Comoy's is from the French tradition?

The co. is known for making some of the best refined and perfect shapes we've come to know as classic British.
Are the British classic shapes an extension of the French tradition?

The two important B-words, bruyere and billiard, for example.

It's weird how the French briar pipes were so famous and well-developed, but today they're rarely talked about by collectors. I wonder if it's a St. Claude thing? I remember reading an interview with the great French pipemaker David Enrique and he talked about how the St. Claude makers were sort of an inclusive and snotty bunch, I dunno what I'm trying to say really...
...anyway,

hey Arno,

if you find out anything, please let us know too!

Thanks.

 

sablebrush52

The Bard Of Barlings
Jun 15, 2013
19,632
44,859
Southern Oregon
jrs457.wixsite.com
Are the British classic shapes an extension of the French tradition?
In a word, yes. Most of the classic "British" shapes are actually classic French shapes. British marques bought a lot of their bowls from turners in St Claude, which could be described as the center of the briar universe in the 19th and early 20th century. Comoy's has its origins in St. Claude. Their shaping has always been graceful and elegant.
I remember reading an interview with the great French pipemaker David Enrique and he talked about how the St. Claude makers were sort of an inclusive and snotty bunch
That attitude may have had something to do with Barling going into total production of their own bowls, something that the other British makers did NOT do. According to a statement made by Montague Barling, as a result of being caught off guard by the 1906 strike by St Claude turners, the company decided to cease importing bowls from France and to begin manufacturing all of their own bowls in London.
I also find it strange that French pipes are not more highly collected in the US. Genod produced exquisite pipes. One of Genod's shapes is the basis for the famous "swans neck" model 120 Dunhill. Genod could produce such a shape because the French had devised a method for drilling a curved airway which they guarded from their British competitors. So Genod could produce a more graceful rendition than Dunhill.
Perhaps it is the perception of a snooty attitude that precludes American collectors from embracing vintage French pipes.
As for whether the Comoy's product was air cured or oil cured, I haven't any hard data, but given their large seasoning rooms, I would suspect that they used air curing.

 

Dutch Pipe Smoker

(arno665)
Apr 3, 2013
376
120
46
The Netherlands
dutchpipesmoker.com
A message back from Neil Archer Roan!
I have no idea whether Comoy oil cured or not. I am skeptical, because I have found no reference anywhere implying that they did. But I could be wrong.
So... He does not know either.. But since air curing was the standard in those days I presume it was that.

 
May 31, 2012
4,295
34
Sablebrush,

thanks for the comprehensive answer! Good stuff!
Arno,

I agree they were probably air-cured, thanks for the update!

 
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