Vintage Versus Modern Factory Pipes

[Casual]

I recently had an inaugural Virginia flake in a little NOS Chacom apple, which I was informed was likely made in the 1950s. I bought it because I like light pipes (but without thin walls), simple finishes, and unobtrusive bits. I am inexperienced with the properties of vintage pipes, and it got me thinking.



Factories during the golden age of fountain pens were capable of making thousands of competent pens made for everyday use. There were stinger-like “improvements“ that were gimmicks, but mostly the construction was functional and sound, made for everyday rigours. Modern pens are often made for collectors and hobbyists, more style and less substance.

It strikes me that the good vintage pipe factories would likewise turn out a great number of plain but functional pipes, designed to give good service and generate few returns to the retailers. This Chacom seems to fit the bill, minus the stinger anyway. Many of my modern factory pipes have fancier finishing but are heavier, with less attractive shaping, inconsistent drilling, and importantly with a poorer bit.

I‘m generalizing from a criminally small sample size, so I’d like to hear opinions. Are there recognizable differences in the factory pipes of old compared to now, and which side do they favour?

 

[Hillcrest]

In my limited opinion, over the last 40 years we have moved into a highly disposable society with an emphasis on ensuring continued future sales. In the old days things were built to last, That's why some fountain pens still work perfectly 100 years later and the Parker 51 is still a fan favorite, in fact the ink sac was space age and won a design award. Note however that gold nibs are highly expensive and cost prohibitive today and we have discovered ways to polish stainless steel as smooth as glass (like gold).
The shame of fountain pens are idiots who harvest the gold to meltdown not realizing the pens they are destroying are worth tens times the gold price to collectors and users.

The same can be seen in pipes in some ways but not all. Some mass produced pipes are excellent and some crap. There will always be room for vintage and artisan but at an increasing cost.

The same in firearms: Once hand cut/grooved was preferred but now we have million dollar German laser guided CAD machines that can produce the same or better ballistics as hand cut by a master craftsman.

Quality always survives ... just harder to find.

 

[AJL67]

I recently had an inaugural Virginia flake in a little NOS Chacom apple, which I was informed was likely made in the 1950s. I bought it because I like light pipes (but without thin walls), simple finishes, and unobtrusive bits. I am inexperienced with the properties of vintage pipes, and it got me thinking.

View attachment 148759

Factories during the golden age of fountain pens were capable of making thousands of competent pens made for everyday use. There were stinger-like “improvements“ that were gimmicks, but mostly the construction was functional and sound, made for everyday rigours. Modern pens are often made for collectors and hobbyists, more style and less substance.

It strikes me that the good vintage pipe factories would likewise turn out a great number of plain but functional pipes, designed to give good service and generate few returns to the retailers. This Chacom seems to fit the bill, minus the stinger anyway. Many of my modern factory pipes have fancier finishing but are heavier, with less attractive shaping, inconsistent drilling, and importantly with a poorer bit.

I‘m generalizing from a criminally small sample size, so I’d like to hear opinions. Are there recognizable differences in the factory pipes of old compared to now, and which side do they favour?

Stupid new guy question, would you group Dunhills into this “factory pipe” category?

 

[Casual]

Stupid new guy question, would you group Dunhills into this “factory pipe” category?

I have no idea how to classify the various manufacturers. Surely clay pipes are the closest to industrial factory production, and lots of “factory“ pipes are just a bunch of expert craftsman under a single roof.

 

[Terry Lennox]

There are factories still turning out good pipes. Savinelli, the St. Claude makes, etc. I wish Stanwell's Danish factory were still in business. But my issue is style of pipes sold has changed from simple, small to medium and lightweight pieces to larger, heavier less elegant pipes. Buyers want stubby and beefy shaping with adornments like bands and such. Not my cup of tea. I really appreciate the simple old English or French smoke shop budget pipe (seconds?). You can find them in estates if you look hard.

 

[AJL67]

I have no idea how to classify the various manufacturers. Surely clay pipes are the closest to industrial factory production, and lots of “factory“ pipes are just a bunch of expert craftsman under a single roof.

I actually was thinking machined Vs handmade so my bad.

 

[Casual]

I actually was thinking machined Vs handmade so my bad.

I think all briar pipes are one some continuum of machines to handmade. Much of the stummel can be turned on a lathe with a programmed pattern, but the heel and transition seems to need work by hand.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

There are factories still turning out good pipes. Savinelli, the St. Claude makes, etc. I wish Stanwell's Danish factory were still in business. But my issue is style of pipes sold has changed from simple, small to medium and lightweight pieces to larger, heavier less elegant pipes. Buyers want stubby and beefy shaping with adornments like bands and such. Not my cup of tea. I really appreciate the simple old English or French smoke shop budget pipe (seconds?). You can find them in estates if you look hard.

Just what I wanted to say ,

 

[Waning Embers]

While collecting Savinelli's 904/914/9004/9005 shape, excluding the introduction of acrylic stems, pipes from the 1950s to their modern iterations were virtually identical.

 

[anotherbob]

I recently had an inaugural Virginia flake in a little NOS Chacom apple, which I was informed was likely made in the 1950s. I bought it because I like light pipes (but without thin walls), simple finishes, and unobtrusive bits. I am inexperienced with the properties of vintage pipes, and it got me thinking.

View attachment 148759

Factories during the golden age of fountain pens were capable of making thousands of competent pens made for everyday use. There were stinger-like “improvements“ that were gimmicks, but mostly the construction was functional and sound, made for everyday rigours. Modern pens are often made for collectors and hobbyists, more style and less substance.

It strikes me that the good vintage pipe factories would likewise turn out a great number of plain but functional pipes, designed to give good service and generate few returns to the retailers. This Chacom seems to fit the bill, minus the stinger anyway. Many of my modern factory pipes have fancier finishing but are heavier, with less attractive shaping, inconsistent drilling, and importantly with a poorer bit.

I‘m generalizing from a criminally small sample size, so I’d like to hear opinions. Are there recognizable differences in the factory pipes of old compared to now, and which side do they favour?

i think there whese just more including crap. Of course time has filtered out many of the lame pipes that ended up in the bins. Frankly i think the only real change is that there are fewer smokers. So the raw material has a higher baseline for quality. Burnout isn't common for example. Immature nasty briar isn't getting carved.

 

[justscience]

Most of my pipes are over 50 years old, many over 75. They are indeed lighter and thinner. I have to maintain cake on them and smoke slower to keep them cool. I don't know if the briar itself is less dense and if so, whether that is a fault. I agree, simpler is better. Tooth benders are not my thing.

 

[OzPiper]

Most of my pipes are over 50 years old, many over 75.

^^^^^ DITTO
While I have a lot of old Britwoods, I lack their modern counterparts, so have NO direct comparison between old and new production pipes

I wish Stanwell's Danish factory were still in business.

All my Stanwells (and their second lines) are from their Danish era and I love them.
So much so if I were to start a new collection afresh, I'll collect Danish Stanwells

Are there recognizable differences in the factory pipes of old compared to now

My Petersons are the only new factory pipes in my stash. I won't repeat the failings (or not) of modern day Petes.
Suffice to say I am generally happy with mine which I bought because I love their looks.
I do have one post-WW ll Pete Bulldog which I love, but will not say categorically is a cut above its younger siblings