Pre-Transition Barlings: Worth it and Where?

[cmferebee]

Hello All!

Was wondering of those who smoke pre-transition Barlings what your thoughts are? Are they really all they're hyped to be? Is there, in your minds, an equivalent? And if they're worth chasing, where should one look? I continually scour the usual places (Ebay, SP.com, even Etsy, among others), and they're either swallowed up quickly, or look a bit dubious (some of the refurbed Ebay examples look so wet that they'd slip out of one's hand -- which makes me question what else has been put in the bowl).

Thanks for any help!

 

[sasquatch]

I have one, I won't buy another. It's a good pipe, a quality pipe in all ways. It's built to a more modern standard than many other classic pipes are, but it's still not as tight a tolerance as most North American artisan pipes, and the airway is smaller than I prefer, though not by much. There are many worse pipes out there. But for 3 or 400 bucks, you can get a hell of a nice pipe new too. So to me it's about the experience, having stewardship of a real neat old pipe while you do.... but there's no revelation coming as to smoking a Barling vs a Dunhill, say.

 

[GCW]

@sablebrush52 should have plenty to say on this.

 

[sablebrush52]

Barlings are kinda my thing, and I have over 100 of them, dating back to 1883. They are exceptionally fine smoking machines. The draw is narrower than modern artisan pipes, but frankly, plenty open enough for me. The stems and bits are first rate. Baring invented and patented the modern thin flat bite zone in 1930.

I used to smoke Dunhills, but once I tried my first Barling, the Dunhills went in the drawer.

They're certainly worth the money to me. I like the old style shaping, and the Algerian briar used, which Barling harvested and cured, was top notch, as was the stem material. Fit and finish was also top notch.

And I also enjoy my contemporary Artisan made pipes.

If your interest is only functional, you will be happy with many makes of pipes. But if you get a kick out of vintage pipes and like the historicity of them, you can't beat a Barling. That's something no contemporary pipe can offer.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Oh great, so now I have to wait another 6 months to start bidding on Barlings again.
Thanks @sablebrush52
It was just getting realistic out there.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Hello All!

Was wondering of those who smoke pre-transition Barlings what your thoughts are? Are they really all they're hyped to be? Is there, in your minds, an equivalent? And if they're worth chasing, where should one look? I continually scour the usual places (Ebay, SP.com, even Etsy, among others), and they're either swallowed up quickly, or look a bit dubious (some of the refurbed Ebay examples look so wet that they'd slip out of one's hand -- which makes me question what else has been put in the bowl).

Thanks for any help!

They are if you think they are. Any well drilled pipe makes a great smoker but if you're wanting the name and history it would be the way to go.

 

[OzPiper]

Pre-transition Barlings, pre-Cadogan Loewes and Comoys, Family-era Charatans and Sasienis - different reasons why they appeal to different people.

I like classically styled pipes, and buy them for that reason. i don't look at a pipe and think "I'm going to get a superior smoke because it's a Barling/Charatan/Comoy etc, or because it's made from a block of 100yo briar".

If you're lucky, it may be a great smoker. But there are so many variables. Being a pre-transition Barling does not, in itself, guarantee that.