The Button And The Bit

[ssjones]

Ah yes, my George Dibos stem button is outstanding. Here's a bad picture. Taking a good shot of a button is difficult!

 

[misterlowercase]

Not a bad pic Al,

looks good to me.
I've always admired how extensive your photography is,

watching the resurrection magic that you've performed unfold with the before/after pix always leaves me inspired!

::

 

[georged]

Partly correct and he did say that some of the Dunhill info was got from Bill Taylor.

For what it's worth, Jesse, I have some hand written, addressed-to-me letters from Bill attempting to explain/describe technical things that make very little sense to anyone. :lol:
Regarding stems and the British pipe industry in general, Neill Roan encountered quite a bit of outright silliness as well concerning what was used and how things were done when researching and interviewing for this Comoy's book. Stems appear to have been a touchy subject back in the day for several reasons, and the "gentle BS" that was handed out to the public then can't withstand the collector scholarship that's being focused on it now.

 

[ssjones]

Stems were definitely the weak point on James Upshall pipes, not uncomfortable by any stretch, but nothing out of the ordinary. And of course, they oxidized at an alarming rate, compared to some of their British brethren.

 

[sablebrush52]

Ah yes, my George Dibos stem button is outstanding. Here's a bad picture. Taking a good shot of a button is difficult!

Al, you have to shave all the hair off of it.

For what it's worth, Jesse, I have some hand written, addressed-to-me letters from Bill attempting to explain/describe technical things that make very little sense to anyone.

George, I'd love to read some of that stuff! BS is an enduring part of the pipe world. And your comment about what is essential makes perfect sense.
I found it interesting that several top tier dealers I spoke with over the years had similar takes on the priorities of the various makers.
BTW, that 1920's Barling that you treated has been coming along nicely. I've been smoking Warhorse ready cut in it and it barely gets warm. Perfect draft.

 

[misterlowercase]

Regarding stems and the British pipe industry in general, Neill Roan encountered quite a bit of outright silliness as well concerning what was used and how things were done when researching and interviewing for this Comoy's book. Stems appear to have been a touchy subject back in the day for several reasons, and the "gentle BS" that was handed out to the public then can't withstand the collector scholarship that's being focused on it now.

Interesting, and a good point.
There was alotta that "gentle BS" going around back then and much of it is still with us today.
Dead root briar anyone?
That myth finally got busted.
Didn't it?

:?

 

[misterlowercase]

...here's a very cool and creative shot of a Paul Bonacquisti stem,

nicely illuminating the funneled airway:

 

[misterlowercase]

Just wanted to note that many of the images that've been used in this thread have been sourced from a few wonderful Japanese blogs

- they have some of the best photography of rare and exotic pipes that I've ever encountered.
If you click these links,

it will thrust you deeply into the realm of orgiastic pipe porn!

:!:

:P
(...and these are only the tip of the iceberg, there's quite a few more out there)

::
:​

http://achi-pipe.blogspot.com/

:



http://west55555.blog21.fc2.com/​

http://the-hex.blog.jp/

:



http://blog.zaq.ne.jp/monpe/category/9/
::​

 

[didimauw]

That's interesting that this came up. One of my Dr Grabow pipes has a button that almost cuts my lips when I pull it out of my mouth. I'll have to try filing it down.

 

[misterlowercase]

Just today I saw this listing:

Beautiful McGimpsey Longshanked Strawberry Magnum #1

and it reminded me of a pipe I used to have by him, it was really well made with good stemwork.

I ended up gifting it to a very kind forum member here, mainly because it was a smooth and just didn't fit in with my collection, but I was pretty impressed with that pipe.
McGimpsey is the brand name for Matt Brannon and I had thought he'd quit making pipes, but that eBay listing pipe is stamped "15" so maybe he's still at it?
I hope so,

he makes 'em good!
His Flikr page is quite nice:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mcgimpseypipes/
Can anyone here confirm that he's still making pipes?
The business end from a couple of his pipes:

 

[mso489]

I'm not much sensitized to bit and button size for pipe selection, but I'm learning from this and earlier threads. My sense of it so far, more from a variety of pipes rather than discussion, is that I don't want an oversize button, true, but with heavier pipes -- and I have just a few of those -- a little more button helps keep the pipe in place when you swing your head around or otherwise change positions. A slightly wider stem also helps stabilize a pipe, either a heavier pipe or for clenching. Vulcanite is softer, for sure, but with lighter pipes, acrylic seems fine for me, and certainly sustains its appearance better and requires less maintenance. I have one P-Lip which I enjoy in rotation, but I wouldn't get another. I'm aware of it in a way that is distracting, and redirecting the smoke doesn't seem to have much benefit for me. Nonetheless, I have really enjoyed this thread precisely because this is something I don't ordinarily focus on much. At least, now I will notice and consider this aspect of my pipes.