Stanwell Royal Briar 88

[mikeysmokes]

I was looking on Ebay and found a Stanwell Royal Briar 88 with a replacement stem. Looks like it was either lightly smoked or already cleaned up. But tbh, I'm still a newcomer to pipes and was curious what anyone knows about this line of pipes. I'd be interested what the original cost was and what is a reasonable price to pay. Would the replacement stem affect anything?

 

[paulfg]

search ebay ,advanced search ,completed auctions will give you an idea

it seems to me 50-100 usd is the price for an estate here in Europe.
not sure if replacement stem has much of an effect at these prices but for me original is better.

danish made registered Stanwell pipes have a good reputation

 

[kurtbob]

I have several older Danish made Stanwells and 2 Italian made Stanwells. The newer 2 are stamped “Danish designed”. I can tell you from a fit and finish perspective, they are light years apart. The Danish made are all perfectly drilled and great smokers. Hell, you can rotate the stems to any position and no mater what, they stay in perfect alignment with the shank. That is not the case with the newer ones. Don’t get me wrong, the newer ones are still decent smokers especially for the price.

 

[Alejo R.]

In the case of a Stanwell pipe, I would look for one with the original mouthpiece. They are an industrial brand and there are thousands. As a brand they have an excellent price / quality ratio.

 

[mikeysmokes]

This one, the bowl looks in pretty solid shape. The description says 1970s-1990s, in the pictures only markings I see are Stanwell, below it Royal Briar and on the opposite side it has the 88 on it.

 

[mso489]

I only own the more recently made Italian produced pipes but have found them good and moderately priced. The Danish made are considered "the good ones," as older pipes from original countries of origin often are. If you go that route, I'd go for all original parts. Otherwise the current new ones are probably good enough and a savings.

 

[kcghost]

If you are just getting a pipe to smoke it doesn't matter where you get your stem provided the person creating it is competent.

 

[mikeysmokes]

If you are just getting a pipe to smoke it doesn't matter where you get your stem provided the person creating it is competent.

That was also my thinking. I was thinking the bowl of the pipe and it's design/functionality would be more important than the stem itself. It might be mismatched and look off, but the function of the pipe as a whole wouldn't be affected. But maybe that's wrong ?

 

[OzPiper]

That was also my thinking. I was thinking the bowl of the pipe and it's design/functionality would be more important than the stem itself. It might be mismatched and look off, but the function of the pipe as a whole wouldn't be affected. But maybe that's wrong ?

If you're buying the pipe to smoke with no thoughts of resale, then a replacement stem should not be an issue. Provided it's done well. The replacement stem WILL lower its resale value.

But why buy a pipe with a mismatched stem ? To me that's plain wrong

Stanwells (though not all shapes) pop up for sale frequently. If you're patient, I'm sure a pipe of that shape will come for sale again - with an original stem.

 

[mikeysmokes]

If you're buying the pipe to smoke with no thoughts of resale, then a replacement stem should not be an issue. Provided it's done well. The replacement stem WILL lower its resale value.

But why buy a pipe with a mismatched stem ? To me that's plain wrong

Stanwells (though not all shapes) pop up for sale frequently. If you're patient, I'm sure a pipe of that shape will come for sale again - with an original stem.

Oh I was just using that as worst case scenario. Like if you had a pipe that smoked amazingly but needed to replace the stem, you might like it enough to overlook the fact it's mismatched if it still smokes the same. Like a car that has different colored doors. The pipe in question, I wouldn't have been able to tell it was a replacement, but it was mentioned in the description.

 

[OzPiper]

I don't have any problems with replacement stems that are done well. I have a few of those.

There are lots of posts of pipes that have been re-stemmed where the pipes look great. Look at some that @georged has done -he's the best in the business.

I'm all for prolonging the useful life of something that is still functional, rather than tossing it out.

But a car with different coloured door ? I see them around, but I'd have that door re-sprayed ?

 

[mikeysmokes]

I don't have any problems with replacement stems that are done well. I have a few of those.

There are lots of posts of pipes that have been re-stemmed where the pipes look great. Look at some that @georged has done -he's the best in the business.

I'm all for prolonging the useful life of something that is still functional, rather than tossing it out.

But a car with different coloured door ? I see them around, but I'd have that door re-sprayed ?

Haha same! The door would still be perfectly functional.... but personally it would bother me after too long. I ended up making an offer on it and it was accepted.

 

[OzPiper]

Haha same! The door would still be perfectly functional.... but personally it would bother me after too long. I ended up making an offer on it and it was accepted. View attachment 140060

Congrats on your new pipe.

That stem looks well made and fits well. May it smoke well for you.

I have quite a few pipes with missing stem logos - either from too enthusiastic buffing or the stems may be replacements.

I'm not too bothered because a they were bought for my enjoyment rather than with a view to resale.

 

[mikeysmokes]

Congrats on your new pipe.

That stem looks well made and fits well. May it smoke well for you.

I have quite a few pipes with missing stem logos - either from too enthusiastic buffing or the stems may be replacements.

I'm not too bothered because a they were bought for my enjoyment rather than with a view to resale.

Thank you! That's basically what I was thinking. I have a rotation of pipes, not a "collection" in the sense that they're all high end or made by notable artisans, but solid and functional. I'm too new to head down that route just yet and so far I only have 1 pipe I splurged on which was a brand new Savinelli, just around the $100 mark.

 

[OzPiper]

Thank you! That's basically what I was thinking. I have a rotation of pipes, not a "collection" in the sense that they're all high end or made by notable artisans, but solid and functional. I'm too new to head down that route just yet and so far I only have 1 pipe I splurged on which was a brand new Savinelli, just around the $100 mark.

Most of my pipes are estates, mainly because I love old Britwoods.

But I also like the Danish-era Stanwells.
The Danish Pipe Shop has a good selection of estate Stanwells.
You'll be pleasantly surprised at some of the prices.
And Shipping is fast and cheap.

 

[mikeysmokes]

Most of my pipes are estates, mainly because I love old Britwoods.

But I also like the Danish-era Stanwells.
The Danish Pipe Shop has a good selection of estate Stanwells.
You'll be pleasantly surprised at some of the prices.
And Shipping is fast and cheap.

Nice, I'll have to check them out!

What brands are you partial to?

 

[OzPiper]

Nice, I'll have to check them out!

What brands are you partial to? A

I love ALL old Britwoods - BBB, GBD, Comoy, Loewe, Barling. Charatan, Dunhill, Bewlay, etc

I love Stanwell pipes - designer shapes at factory prices. The pipe equivalent of pret-a-porter clothes ?

I have only one Georg Jensen pipe (which I have had since late '70s). It is probably my most smoked pipe. Another well priced marque.

I have a few pipes by Danish makers, but frankly I find their prices a bit rich. I got them to satisfy an itch - much the same as people who wonder if Dunhills are worth it. I buy estates when I find them.
I love the aesthetics of Danish design eg furniture, homewares, etc. I just baulk at the price.

 

[mikeysmokes]

I love ALL old Britwoods - BBB, GBD, Comoy, Loewe, Barling. Charatan, Dunhill, Bewlay, etc

I love Stanwell pipes - designer shapes at factory prices. The pipe equivalent of pret-a-porter clothes ?

I have only one Georg Jensen pipe (which I have had since late '70s). It is probably my most smoked pipe. Another well priced marque.

I have a few pipes by Danish makers, but frankly I find their prices a bit rich. I got them to satisfy an itch - much the same as people who wonder if Dunhills are worth it. I buy estates when I find them.
I love the aesthetics of Danish design eg furniture, homewares, etc. I just baulk at the price.

Saw a few good looking ones on Ebay. The more I hear about Stanwell the more my curiosity is piqued and am glad I bought that one.

Story of my life, always identify top tier goods without realizing... and then I see the price. On to plan b I guess ?

 

[OzPiper]

Story of my life, always identify top tier goods without realizing... and then I see the price. On to plan b I guess ?

I got into trouble with my mum when I was 7 or 8yo for choosing an expensive chocolate bar.
Her: "why do you always choose the most expensive item ?"
Me: "I didn't look at the price. I was going on quality, not cost"

And I'm still doing it 60 years later

 

[mikeysmokes]

I got into trouble with my mum when I was 7 or 8yo for choosing an expensive chocolate bar.
Her: "why do you always choose the most expensive item ?"
Me: "I didn't look at the price. I was going on quality, not cost"

And I'm still doing it 60 years later

There's definitely things that the quality just speaks for itself and you can't help but pull the trigger. I tend to be someone that looks and compares for most things and will go with the best I can afford. Depends on what it is, but if I'm already spending x amount of money and the next level is reasonable I'll go with the higher quality option. Buy once, cry once... and be all the happier in the long run.