I don't care much about the brand name and present owner or if pipes are made on a CNC copy machine by mr. A or B... The question is who still makes pipes like the best old Britwood of say 40+ years ago. Of which I now only have a few in good condition. Not many British quality manufacturers left. Some British names survived, like Comoy's, but their later Blue Riband pipes were not exactly living up to the past....Not so much the case with Dunhill/White Spot/Ashton. Yet. I hope. Still saving, while I chew through the lovely good old Barling, Comoy's and Dunhill stems, somewhat OK Charatan stem and somewhat too hard ebonite stem of my old Orlik Supreme.
The Ashton Itch?
- Thread starter Law
- Start date
I have Ashtons, Ferndowns and Dunhills but I have to say that I reach for my Dunhills more.
You get a lot of wood for your money with Ashtons and Ferndowns, and the quality is 1st class. I just find the classic lines, elegance and lightness of my Dunhills more to my liking.
You get a lot of wood for your money with Ashtons and Ferndowns, and the quality is 1st class. I just find the classic lines, elegance and lightness of my Dunhills more to my liking.
@Law ,
Pebble and Old Church are San blasted.
Yes, there in a magic oil curing process. Not so much on the pipe
, but in the briar. I think it helps to be lighter in weight. From pipedia:
“The manufacture of ASHTON pipes is based upon an ingenious method first developed in 1915 and improved upon after years of experimentation by William Ashton-Taylor. After the pipe bowls are turned from briar blocks they are heated for eight hours in order that they expand. They are then steeped for an additional eight hours in a mixture composed of three beneficial oils. During this procedure the wood acts like a sponge in soaking up the oils.
After steeping, the oiled bowls are placed on heated brass pegs where they reside for fourteen days. Throughout this period the oil "exudes" from the briar, bringing with it unwanted sap and residue and leaving behind the nut-like flavor for which ASHTON pipes have become renowned.”
Pebble and Old Church are San blasted.
Yes, there in a magic oil curing process. Not so much on the pipe
, but in the briar. I think it helps to be lighter in weight. From pipedia:
“The manufacture of ASHTON pipes is based upon an ingenious method first developed in 1915 and improved upon after years of experimentation by William Ashton-Taylor. After the pipe bowls are turned from briar blocks they are heated for eight hours in order that they expand. They are then steeped for an additional eight hours in a mixture composed of three beneficial oils. During this procedure the wood acts like a sponge in soaking up the oils.
After steeping, the oiled bowls are placed on heated brass pegs where they reside for fourteen days. Throughout this period the oil "exudes" from the briar, bringing with it unwanted sap and residue and leaving behind the nut-like flavor for which ASHTON pipes have become renowned.”
I have been looking at those off&on for some time, and have been contemplating getting an urchin. I suspect my interest in that shape is one of intrigue ("look at this unusual shape") rather than it will ever become a favourite.
I could easily see the newer urchin design being the only pipe I reached for.
Small sample size but I have one Ashton & one (1981) Dunhill & the Ashton is hands down better (I'll post a picture in the other thread).
Although... I was going to say the stem on the Dunhill is better - but it's not. The Dunhill oxidises if I so much as look at it.
But the Ashton mouthpiece is very poorly shaped. It's comfortable, draws great, but it looks like an apprentice made it.
Sooner or later I'll neaten it up. But it's definitely something to be aware of.
Although... I was going to say the stem on the Dunhill is better - but it's not. The Dunhill oxidises if I so much as look at it.
But the Ashton mouthpiece is very poorly shaped. It's comfortable, draws great, but it looks like an apprentice made it.
Sooner or later I'll neaten it up. But it's definitely something to be aware of.
I have several Dunhills and etc… I bought my first Ashton but didn’t get to smoke it because it arrived with a cracked shank. The quality though for the 5 minutes I had it, was sub par; still remnants in the stem. However, it was very light weight.
I think I’ll still buy one, but not online.
I think I’ll still buy one, but not online.
Weird, I think having a cracked shank is not a problem that is common. You should contact Jim craig himself to make you the pipe you want if you are concerned with some websites. Atleast getting something directly from the carver himself is better than third-party websites.
you can contact him via his email (ashtonpipes@googlemail.com)
hope this helps.
I'm a big Ashton fan. I prize the 2X size, which are perfect for my use.
You mention 1X pipes, they are somewhat rare, so don't mull it over too long before making a decision.
Taylor era Ashton prices have held up fairly well on Ebay, Craig era less so.
I've tried several Craig pipes and found them lacking. BUT, the last time I owned or held one was at the 2016 or so Richmond VA show. Craig has a terrible business plan for marketing his pipes (really, a lack of a plan), which in my opinion, hurts his reputation.
KCGhost mentioned Bill's alcohol problem. It was joked about after his passing, but latter era pipes can have build issues. (early 2000's to 2009) So check those high double-digit year pipes carefully. I think at the end, Craig was making the pipes and Bill had little involvement.
This is a pretty interesting read, at the old PIpeSmokersAlt group, following Bill's passing. (Mark Tinsky and Maxim from Pipes2Smoke going at it!)
groups.google.com
You mention 1X pipes, they are somewhat rare, so don't mull it over too long before making a decision.
Taylor era Ashton prices have held up fairly well on Ebay, Craig era less so.
I've tried several Craig pipes and found them lacking. BUT, the last time I owned or held one was at the 2016 or so Richmond VA show. Craig has a terrible business plan for marketing his pipes (really, a lack of a plan), which in my opinion, hurts his reputation.
KCGhost mentioned Bill's alcohol problem. It was joked about after his passing, but latter era pipes can have build issues. (early 2000's to 2009) So check those high double-digit year pipes carefully. I think at the end, Craig was making the pipes and Bill had little involvement.
This is a pretty interesting read, at the old PIpeSmokersAlt group, following Bill's passing. (Mark Tinsky and Maxim from Pipes2Smoke going at it!)
ed; William Ashton Taylor - A Legacy
groups.google.com
Ashtons hit the sweet spot for me. Classic shapes with a fine provenance. Conservative finishes. Expensive yet affordable. A lot of value, in comparison to the stratosphere where the brand has become outrageously overpriced: S. Bang, Todd johnson, Geiger. Dunhill pricing in this regard is farce.
But window shopping gives a very different view than actually smoking the pipes, and my view is decidedly window.
But window shopping gives a very different view than actually smoking the pipes, and my view is decidedly window.
I'm really turned off by Dunhill, and my view is not entirely reasonable, so pls. figure that in when I say except for your support for Dunhill, I agree totally about Ashtons.
Not going to add my piece on the last thread but it is a very interesting read.I'm a big Ashton fan. I prize the 2X size, which are perfect for my use.
You mention 1X pipes, they are somewhat rare, so don't mull it over too long before making a decision.
Taylor era Ashton prices have held up fairly well on Ebay, Craig era less so.
I've tried several Craig pipes and found them lacking. BUT, the last time I owned or held one was at the 2016 or so Richmond VA show. Craig has a terrible business plan for marketing his pipes (really, a lack of a plan), which in my opinion, hurts his reputation.
KCGhost mentioned Bill's alcohol problem. It was joked about after his passing, but latter era pipes can have build issues. (early 2000's to 2009) So check those high double-digit year pipes carefully. I think at the end, Craig was making the pipes and Bill had little involvement.
This is a pretty interesting read, at the old PIpeSmokersAlt group, following Bill's passing. (Mark Tinsky and Maxim from Pipes2Smoke going at it!)
ed; William Ashton Taylor - A Legacy
I completely agree with what you are saying about the marketing issue. I have never really known Ashton existed only when I was searching for cigars. weirdly enough I saw that Ashton sells cigars... and pipes? I realized later on that they seem to be different I guess, I have never really known who owns the brand Ashton. Though my only take of this is that I have never seen Bill advertise his pipes, or if so it was beyond my time. I am note sure if that is how Craig wants it to be, or perhaps Bill too, that Ashton is made like an artisan brand. Sort of like Chris Askwiths pipes.
Good day Bill Ashton Taylor fans. I am a new member of this forum but wanted to contact you regarding some exciting pipes which I am looking to sell.
I have a seven day pipe set made in 1981 by the Ashton pipe company called the "Lincoln Leaf Collection". It is a unique collection with a full provenance including a signed letter from Bill himself. There are 7 pipes (obviously!) all free hand (ie not classical shapes) with leaf shaped bowls. They are called the Lincoln Leaf Collection as the idea was inspired by Frank Lincoln, a craftsman working at the company at that time. They are in a purpose made box and all but one are unused, though some appear to have been filled and lit (I understand by Bob Gregory of Samuel Gawith, who was a previous custodian of the collection). They are of a smooth finish.
I have heard a rumour about a sister collection in a sandblast finish but I cannot find any basis for this rumour. I once heard that this sister set was owned by a collector in Canada but there is no word among the memorabilia I have about a sister set.
If anyone is interested in acquiring this set please let me know. I am still undecided about what to do with them and, to be absolutely frank, I would genuinely prefer to sell them to a British collector as I feel that they are part of Britain's pipe smoking history. I do, however, have to be realistic and consider all my options...
I have a seven day pipe set made in 1981 by the Ashton pipe company called the "Lincoln Leaf Collection". It is a unique collection with a full provenance including a signed letter from Bill himself. There are 7 pipes (obviously!) all free hand (ie not classical shapes) with leaf shaped bowls. They are called the Lincoln Leaf Collection as the idea was inspired by Frank Lincoln, a craftsman working at the company at that time. They are in a purpose made box and all but one are unused, though some appear to have been filled and lit (I understand by Bob Gregory of Samuel Gawith, who was a previous custodian of the collection). They are of a smooth finish.
I have heard a rumour about a sister collection in a sandblast finish but I cannot find any basis for this rumour. I once heard that this sister set was owned by a collector in Canada but there is no word among the memorabilia I have about a sister set.
If anyone is interested in acquiring this set please let me know. I am still undecided about what to do with them and, to be absolutely frank, I would genuinely prefer to sell them to a British collector as I feel that they are part of Britain's pipe smoking history. I do, however, have to be realistic and consider all my options...
I am sorry - I should clarify that the pipes were not made by the Ashton pipe company but by Bill in a previous iteration - Briar Woods of London.
The Ashton Itch sounds suspiciously like a delta variant of PAD.
