There's also a tiny "GOLD " stamp on the underside of the stem where it meets the shank.
Is that a golden dot ?
Show Us Your American Made Pipes
- Thread starter cigrmaster
- Start date
Is that a golden dot ?
Is there a list that's updated for US made pipe makers? A lot I have searched all point to dead sites and 404 errors.
I’m a simple man. 2 grabows, the Dublin is an eldorado bought from @Peter - CCB. Wonderful pipe and beautifully restored.
Unfortunately, a lot have stopped producing in the past 4 years or so.
People accuse me of being a fan boy of Pipes by Lee, and I object to not being acknowledged as the Disciple Lee Loved, instead.
But maybe about half my embarrassingly large hoard of pipes were made by Lee.
While overall a Lee Star Grade is the highest expression of American factory pipes after World War Two, every Lee I’ve ever seen compares sadly for the beauty of the grain used in the very best Pre War American pipes, such as this Weber Golden Walnut, which retailed for only $5.95.
But maybe about half my embarrassingly large hoard of pipes were made by Lee.
While overall a Lee Star Grade is the highest expression of American factory pipes after World War Two, every Lee I’ve ever seen compares sadly for the beauty of the grain used in the very best Pre War American pipes, such as this Weber Golden Walnut, which retailed for only $5.95.
picked up a new to me '14 Blowfish from Grant Batson. very cool little pipe:
This thread illustrates the prolific production of U.S. artisan pipe carvers. I think U.S. factory-made briars, and other wooden pipes, are on the wane. I would guess that Dr. Grabow, in their little factory in Sparta, North Carolina, in the western part of the state, in the mountains, up near the Virginia line, is the largest briar pipe maker in the U.S. by volume. Kayowoodie/Yello-Bole/Medico still makes pipes, but I've heard it is has a one-man full-time staff with some assistants.
It seems the English, Danish, Italian, and French briar pipe factories continue to roar along if not at the pace of earlier decades. The Danes may have contracted out most of their pipes to France and Italy. I wonder if U.S. artisan pipe production exceeds that of U.S. factory pipe production. It might be true.
It seems the English, Danish, Italian, and French briar pipe factories continue to roar along if not at the pace of earlier decades. The Danes may have contracted out most of their pipes to France and Italy. I wonder if U.S. artisan pipe production exceeds that of U.S. factory pipe production. It might be true.
I think from one of the colonies we have kicked ass. You guys have been making quality pipes for years that look better and smoke better than any country I can think of, even the Danes.
Our tastes in pipes is exscusite , no country can compare. There is only one issue I do have a problem with and that is price. As a businessman for 27 years I get maximizing profits and getting as much money as I could back in the day. However a 4-500,00 American made pipe smokes better than all the other artisans such as Former , Rainer Barbi, Kurt Balleby , Matzhold .to name a few are priced 4 plus times the cost of American made pipes for similar size. shapes, addons and stems.
Yes they do know grain, I will give them that, but I have yet to see how grain makes a pipe smoke better. I do however understand how their shaping with fantastic grain are a huge draw. I once owned 6 Formers with amazing grain and the pipes smoked ok. The shank dimensions for my tastes were too tight. Also that crap Water Glass they coated the bowls with was a pain to sand off.
You are thinking to yourselves where he is going with this and the answer is simple. I would rather own 4 400-500 American artisan pipes than 1 high end Dane pipe. That is my preference and if I thought I would get a better smoking Dane pipe, I never would have sold my Formers and other high end Danes.
Our tastes in pipes is exscusite , no country can compare. There is only one issue I do have a problem with and that is price. As a businessman for 27 years I get maximizing profits and getting as much money as I could back in the day. However a 4-500,00 American made pipe smokes better than all the other artisans such as Former , Rainer Barbi, Kurt Balleby , Matzhold .to name a few are priced 4 plus times the cost of American made pipes for similar size. shapes, addons and stems.
Yes they do know grain, I will give them that, but I have yet to see how grain makes a pipe smoke better. I do however understand how their shaping with fantastic grain are a huge draw. I once owned 6 Formers with amazing grain and the pipes smoked ok. The shank dimensions for my tastes were too tight. Also that crap Water Glass they coated the bowls with was a pain to sand off.
You are thinking to yourselves where he is going with this and the answer is simple. I would rather own 4 400-500 American artisan pipes than 1 high end Dane pipe. That is my preference and if I thought I would get a better smoking Dane pipe, I never would have sold my Formers and other high end Danes.