Well, the madness continues. Two new pipes arrived today . . . picked them up at the post office just before it closed for the weekend festivities - Labour Day!
I've been breaking in the Falcons. Great Success now . . . almost there. Same with the two Brigham entry level Tundras. They're coming along great, too.
Here are the two new little fellas - at the urging of our amazing moderator, didimauw, he urged me in a pm to investigate the Ropp line. Here are the two new arrivals, and are they sweet! A J07 Sanblasted, then the J05 smooth:
They are modestly priced, but the fit and finish is first rate. The smooth above has one of the nicest briar bowls I've seen in a pipe of only $60 US. I've been breaking in pipes for the last month and my tongue feels like a cat scratched it, bit it, and the peed on it with acid. But I couldn't resist trying a 3/4 bowl of Pirate Kake, about the only thing I can handle at this time lol!! Man, does it smoke sweet!. Even though it's not broken in, it has no bowl coating, and so I'd imagine the break in time will be shorter - that's been my experience with the non-coated McQueen pipes I have a bunch of, both miniature and larger sizes.
In spite of the small dimensions of the R07, I got a full 45 minutes of pleasurable smoking in before I elected to stop about the beginning of the dottle stage. Enough is enough. Tomorrow (I guess today now), is a day of rest.
Comparing the quality of the Ropps vs. the Brighams, the latter are not as well finished, and the tolerances of stem to pipe are not as good. A tiny space is there in both of them They're also sandblasted and finished dark, so I'd imagine that the briar isn't as well figured. But you know what? They are great smokers, and the Rhodesian bowl Tundra will become one of my go-to pipes when it's full broken in - probably another four or five smokes. The cake is there. If you want a great pipe to take where others fear to tread, you coudn't do better than these Brighams. I'd certainly buy another.
With respect to Ropp's trim little offerings, I really don't know how they can put out a pipe of this quality for the price they are charging. Absolutely amazing!
I've got one more Ropp (and perhaps two if I push the button again) coming in about 2 weeks . . . it's on its way, but this is Canada, and our postal service is a bit slow at times. I'll update the progress of all of this stuff in a few other posts. Still have a bit more rifle range stuff and fishing to do . . . . and hares are open now. Scarce, though. I've heard it's a down cycle. I may go for an oatfield bear, but that'll be September end or mid to late October, depending on weather. Cheers.
I've been breaking in the Falcons. Great Success now . . . almost there. Same with the two Brigham entry level Tundras. They're coming along great, too.
Here are the two new little fellas - at the urging of our amazing moderator, didimauw, he urged me in a pm to investigate the Ropp line. Here are the two new arrivals, and are they sweet! A J07 Sanblasted, then the J05 smooth:
In spite of the small dimensions of the R07, I got a full 45 minutes of pleasurable smoking in before I elected to stop about the beginning of the dottle stage. Enough is enough. Tomorrow (I guess today now), is a day of rest.
Comparing the quality of the Ropps vs. the Brighams, the latter are not as well finished, and the tolerances of stem to pipe are not as good. A tiny space is there in both of them They're also sandblasted and finished dark, so I'd imagine that the briar isn't as well figured. But you know what? They are great smokers, and the Rhodesian bowl Tundra will become one of my go-to pipes when it's full broken in - probably another four or five smokes. The cake is there. If you want a great pipe to take where others fear to tread, you coudn't do better than these Brighams. I'd certainly buy another.
With respect to Ropp's trim little offerings, I really don't know how they can put out a pipe of this quality for the price they are charging. Absolutely amazing!
I've got one more Ropp (and perhaps two if I push the button again) coming in about 2 weeks . . . it's on its way, but this is Canada, and our postal service is a bit slow at times. I'll update the progress of all of this stuff in a few other posts. Still have a bit more rifle range stuff and fishing to do . . . . and hares are open now. Scarce, though. I've heard it's a down cycle. I may go for an oatfield bear, but that'll be September end or mid to late October, depending on weather. Cheers.
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Salut!