What are the Benefits to a Lovat Shape

[brooklynpiper]

I don't own any Lovats but I have been eyeing one of the shape's sexy sisters . . . God willing, someone else won't buy it. Damn SmokingPipes cleaned me out this week. ::

 

[judcole]

I like saddle stems,but it's not the saddle stem that makes it a lovat. It's the saddle stem, combined with other features, as part of the Canadian family. (I've got at least one of all of these shapes except a lumberman.)

 

[mso489]

Jud, I've seen that shape guide for the Canadian family of shapes. I'd say about half the pipes I see identified as Lovats have the long Canadian shank. Most of the others have the billiard bowl and the saddle stem, but often have a slightly shortened shank and stem to make a shorter pipe. I think the Lovat is a shape that has been widely interpreted. If someone sold me any of he other "Canadian family" with a short shank, I'd feel scammed. But it seems the pipe makers just don't agree on this one.

 

[crashthegrey]

I was always more of a billiard fan, but with my Kaywoodie Super Grain lovat, I may become a convert. I love the long shank in hand. I was never sure about it. But now I really want a Liverpool, as I tend to favor tapered stems. Anyone with the classic long shank pipes have an opinion of a tapered stem. Does it just not feel right on the pipe?

 

[mso489]

I really like my proper Candadians -- a Benton Iwan Ries house pipe, a Johs, and a Stanwell. They have the long oval shanks, the billiard bowl, and the tapered stem, per the chart.

 

[crashthegrey]

And you find the tapered stem is just as good as a saddle in this shape? I'll be on the lookout then.

 

[tavol]

The lovat is my favourite shape, in particular the slightly shorter, 5", versions like the Dunhill 4111. They make a sensible sized pocket pipe with classic good looks and the saddle stem means they're comfortable to clench, in many ways the perfect shape.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

I have soft spot for those lovats, especially for the ones seen in the canadian family picture above,also I do like proper canadian but perhaps now when I think about this genre of pipes I might give my preferences to Liverpool and Lovats mainly because usually, those tend to be somewhat lighter in weight.

 

[sablebrush52]

Very interesting thread. Two of the most popular shapes, the lovat and the bulldog, I find ugly. I do have a couple of bulldogs, ancient venerable pieces of Britwood, but lovat? I think I'll leave it.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Bada-bing!

 

[wayneteipen]

I'm not so much a fan of a true lovat for my own personal preferences but I do like a saddle stemmed billiard. They are easy to clench and comfortable to smoke. Saddle stemmed billiards often get erroneously grouped with the Canadian family lovat.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Two of the most popular shapes, the lovat and the bulldog, I find ugly.

I have one of each and can't remember the last time I smoked either. Just not that appealing.

 

[tschiraldi]

I'll admit, I am not a fan of any of the Canadian family shapes. They look unbalanced to me, but , more important, they look like they would be front (bowl) heavy. The added weight of extra Briar as opposed to stem material makes me imagine them as extremely uncomfortable! This said, I have never owned ANY of them and am speaking from impression and imagination alone. Many love these shapes, which makes me think my impressions are wrong. So, am I completely off-base here?

 

[olkofri]

Well, not all of us clench.

 

[jpmcwjr]

A tiny bit off base. As to weight, the briar in place of rubber adds little if anything. More important is the over all weight of the briar, size of bowl, thickness of walls, which can vary much more widely.
I have 3-4 Canadians and like them a lot.

 

[crashthegrey]

As a constant clencher, I can tell you that the added weight of the briar is negligible. I find a lovat just as comfortable as a billiard of similar shape and size, but with the stem material.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Tchiraldi:In regards to Canadian and Lumberman shapes,yes I must agree with your statement,those two seem to be a bit bowl heavy,at least to me,who unfortunaley does clench his pipes more than liked.

 

[bnichols23]

Tschiraldi, I don't think you're off-base at all, probably because I agree with Tom -- the Lovat is one of those shapes that's fuzzier than most. On the large end it can look kind of out of proportion, while toward the smaller end to me it looks like the ultimate "all-business, job's done, ready for the next task." I just finished a really nice everyday little French job, not even 5" long. Just my sense of esthetics, I guess, especially considering my love of the crazy Danish types.
BTW, like your avatar. The Old Guard have always impressed me, tactical mission included. [salute]

 

[snowyowl]

I'm a fan of the Canadian shapes. Having one Canadian (Savenilli) and one Lovat (Parker)... would love more, but 9mm offerings are rare due to the narrow stem it seems.

All the Canadians are light and delicate smokers, in the jaw, I think.

 

[tschiraldi]

Nichols - Thank you. It was an honor to serve in that unit!