I’m curious about horn stems. Are they neutral in flavor and smell? How do they feel between your teeth?Having Cornell & Diehl Pirate Kake in a Ropp Vintage Stout Sandblasted Squat Bulldog with Natural Horn Stem.
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Our good friend, the solicitor, has extolled Lees as though they were an act in a circus. They are worth collecting for all the reasons you mentioned. For many of our dear posters, they are considered a joke or a side show, but no one thinks that of a Kaywoodie or a Grabow. Lee has its place and I am glad the good solicitor has brought attention to them. I appreciate your attention to these pipes as well. There is a legacy out there and keeping it alive is an important work. Pipes, for many, are not just simple tools After all.Those Gold Coasts are a nice set! So were the 3 Lees.
Even as an admitted Lee addict, I think your assessment is accurate. I collect them because they’re an obscure defunct brand with a quirky following and history shrouded in mystery, solid smokers, and for factory pipes, very consistently drilled and true to classic shapes. Based on the ones I have I’d say they compare favorably to the same-era Kaywoodies, and better than most of the other factory pipes I’ve seen. Haven’t seen any 40s-50s Dunhills, for example, so…above average? Sure. Pipe nirvana? Hmm.
They are my favourite stem material. I find them softer than vulcanite, and I don’t get any noticeable flavour from them either. Similar in feel to an all briar stem too.I’m curious about horn stems. Are they neutral in flavor and smell? How do they feel between your teeth?
This stem doesn’t get as slick as some vintage horn stems I have from the ’50s and ’60s; I don’t notice anything untoward. I generally don’t clench, so I can’t report anything regarding the feel between my teeth.I’m curious about horn stems. Are they neutral in flavor and smell? How do they feel between your teeth?