The Ashton Itch?

[Law]

Good day to all of you.

In the past couple of days I have been eyeing an Ashton pipe. Other than the debatable quality that some have mentioned with Jimmy craigs pipe, overall there have been many praises for both Taylor era and Craig's pipes.

I have seen all of Ashton offerings. They seem not only unique, but very well executed. The Oak series, the Sovereign, Pebble grain, and the Old church all look great. At this point there is an itch, and I need to scratch it.

Please, if you have an Ashton pipe, take a photo and post it. Tell me your opinions on it, and what era it was from. How does It compare to your other pipes? And is the pebble grain just Ashton’s other words for sandblast? Or is there some magical oil-curing process involved to make it different? I am still not sure what series should be my very first Ashton pipe.

Many thanks to all of you.

 

[chilllucky]

Show Us Your Ashton Pipes.

 

[Casual]

I’ve been eyeing them too. I want a magically light billiard.

 

[Law]

Show Us Your Ashton Pipes.

Thanks for the thread, just makes me want them even more

 

[Law]

I’ve been eyeing them too. I want a magically light billiard.

I have seen ones that go under 25 grams, size x or rather group 1. Thinking about getting one now myself…

 

[DangerStranger]

I have these two Pebble Grains from 1988 and 1989. The quality seems excellent. I was preparing to restore them until I read a post in which sablebrush52 made a comment about "clumsy handed amateurs" or something similar. Realizing that I resembled that remark I decided to hold of doing anything to them.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Realizing that I resembled that remark I decided to hold of doing anything to them.

A magic eraser and toothpaste will clean and shine those stems without damage.

 

[Chasing Embers]

And is the pebble grain just Ashton’s other words for sandblast?

Yes

 

[Law]

I have these two Pebble Grains from 1988 and 1989. The quality seems excellent. I was preparing to restore them until I read a post in which sablebrush52 made a comment about "clumsy handed amateurs" or something similar. Realizing that I resembled that remark I decided to hold of doing anything to them.View attachment 83862

Both of these look amazing. The stem doesn't seem to bad, I believe you could easily work them out.

 

[Law]

Yes

Isn’t there some oil curing infused stuff on it? I’ve seen some pebble grain that seem very deep and textured, from my very little experience, maybe a little different than a normal sandblasted briar? Maybe?

 

[mso489]

I like the idea of the old Dunhill crew going on their own and making high end but not outrageously overpriced pipes. I have a Ferndown by Les Wood, from the bountiful generosity of a Forums member. Les Wood was a metalsmith at Dunhill, and later also a carver, who went out on his own and made some elegant pipes for decades. I believe he is retired now, but his pipes are excellent. Or mine is. I often visit Ashtons at SP and admire them. I have too many pipes, no Ashtons, but I enjoy them all. Ashton seem to have a good sense of medium and small pipes, and good finishes.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Isn’t there some oil curing infused stuff on it? I’ve seen some pebble grain that seem very deep and textured, from my very little experience, maybe a little different than a normal sandblasted briar? Maybe?

Not going to effect the blast as much as choice of the block or medium and psi used for the blast.

 

[anotherbob]

Never had a Ashton. But to my eye they look like Dunhills but nicer. When I heard their story I thought that makes sense. The irony is I could see paying Dunhill prices for an Ashton but not a Dunhill. And paying Ashton prices for a Dunhill seems right.

 

[danish]

I also wonder how the new Ashton stems compare to newly made Dunhills of today. How soft/comfortable is the ebonite and are the bits thicker or similar? That would be the deciding factor for me.

 

[kcghost]

Ashton made some great pipes until Bill Ashton-Taylor decided to embark on a one man campaign to rid England of all its beer by consuming it all.

 

[Law]

I like the idea of the old Dunhill crew going on their own and making high end but not outrageously overpriced pipes. I have a Ferndown by Les Wood, from the bountiful generosity of a Forums member. Les Wood was a metalsmith at Dunhill, and later also a carver, who went out on his own and made some elegant pipes for decades. I believe he is retired now, but his pipes are excellent. Or mine is. I often visit Ashtons at SP and admire them. I have too many pipes, no Ashtons, but I enjoy them all. Ashton seem to have a good sense of medium and small pipes, and good finishes.

That is exactly what I have noted too. Ashton has both the capability of making really amazing classic english pipes and have their own flair into them. I have seen some that go out of the norm into a sort of unique/custom pipes. Oh and the rebellious story adds to the name, definitely.

 

[Law]

Never had a Ashton. But to my eye they look like Dunhills but nicer. When I heard their story I thought that makes sense. The irony is I could see paying Dunhill prices for an Ashton but not a Dunhill. And paying Ashton prices for a Dunhill seems right.

The mind is a complex thing, I think dunhill’s tarnished their story (changing the dunhill pipes to Alfred's white spot, removing their name from pipe tobacco, messing with their roots basically ) just won’t sit well with many people who actually enjoy pipes, regardless if their pipes actually match the quality or not.

 

[Chasing Embers]

The mind is a complex thing, I think dunhill’s tarnished their story (changing the dunhill pipes to Alfred's white spot, removing their name from pipe tobacco, messing with their roots basically ) just won’t sit well with many people who actually enjoy pipes, regardless if their pipes actually match the quality or not.

Dunhills look too cookie cutter and machined. Ashtons have a soul to them. Were I still into briar I'd pay Dunhill prices for an Ashton.

 

[mso489]

I agree Ashton pipes have a more artisanal look, more individuality, than White Spot/Dunhill pipes.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

If you're in the U.K. and you want some fantastic sandblasted pipes don't forget to check out the James Barber B-Line pipes: Barber B Line Pipes - J.N. Barber Limited - https://www.smoke.co.uk/acatalog/Barber_B-Line.html#
(Sadly James Barber no longer ships cross-Atlantic, I'm going to relish the few of those pipes I bought before the logistical problems started.)
You can cross check a lot of the shapes with Dunhill, and the sandblasting is top notch despite costing as much as a basket pipe.
The stems are somewhat rough-finished for sure, but if it's good looking Briar you're after these fill that itch in spades.