Rhodesian vs bulldog

[buster]

I only have bull dogs.

 

[bphilli75]

Bulldogs are very nice. Rhodesians are even just a little bit nicer.

 

[zekest]

I can totally understand the confusion with carvers "breaking the rules" to be "creative" and "artistic" and "different".
Just look at the Peterson "Sherlock Holmes" series for example, lol.
I myself and me only acknowledge squares that have curved sides, and circles with two or more straight sides.

 

[surlysoul]

I think in the old days , a Rhodesian was pretty much a squat bulldog in the eyes of many makers.

This agrees with what I have been finding and hearing. The shape was determined by the angle and height of walls on top. Using this, most bents are Rhodesians because it looks better. Invicta briars and Northern Briars both still have rhodesians with the diamond shank, or is it a square?
I don't think it matters what you call your pipe unless you can get it to come to you when you call it. However, it is fun to discuss sometimes.

 

[eightywon]

What's in a name... my resolution is to call it my 'rode dog'

 

[davidintexas]

Well that answers my question. I had picked up a Kaywoodie at a antique mall for $10 and figured it was one of the two but I don't know pipes very well. I leaned toward a bulldog. It has a diamond-shaped shank. So, thanks for answering that question.

 

[ravkesef]

This is an amazingly long red for a question that had such a prompt and simple answer.

 

[jarit]

You Norteamericanos have it easy. The shank's profile is the deciding factor, and I sort of agree with this taxonomy.
But like misterlowercase's examples show, the shank's shape has not always been the divider. And still isn't depending on where in the world you happen to be smoking.
I've noticed that here In Europe the bowl's dimensions seem to be more important factor, pipes with taller bowls are called bulldogs and squat ones are rhodesians -- no matter of the shank's shape. Especially the Italians adhere to this grouping.
Just a couple examples from an Italian pipemonger: Radice Bulldog and Radice Rhodesian.

 

[ssjones]

The Italian makers seem to tweak all of the classic shapes.

 

[jarit]

The Italian makers seem to tweak all of the classic shapes.

They do, don't they. I personally like their versions a lot.
The point I was trying to make with those two examples was that the bulldog/rhodesian divide is completely different in Italy.

 

[ssjones]

I got that jarit. I was thinking at what point does a pipe change and not become a classic shape. I guess that is super-subjective and 100 pipe-smokers will have 100 different answers!

 

[eightywon]

Radio show episode 5. Just started on the series. If only I had started a little sooner I wouldn't have had to start this thread. Interesting input though, thanks friends.

 

[frankenstein]

I recognize a straight pipe with a diamond shank as a bulldog. But if it has a bent stem it's a rhodesian - if Peterson makes it, for example their 80s shape. Otherwise by any other maker it's a bent bulldog. But their 999 is a rhodesian of a more pure breed. Straight rhodesians isn't very common, not to me anyhow, so I just ignore their existence.

 

[ssjones]

I don't care much for straight stemmed pipes, but I do love the straight stemmed Rhodesian. Here's a couple of my favorites:
Peter (Pre-Republic, no shape stamp)


Comoys 498 Extraordinaire


Jack Howell (Comoys 256 shape)


Kaywoodie "Atlas"