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Ben.R.C

Lifer
Nov 20, 2022
4,466
97,880
55
North Carolina
Tilbury in a 2023 Ashton bulldog with sterling silver band. I got this pipe at the Chicago show and it smoked great right from the start and has only gotten better and sweeter.

View attachment 219905
Nice looking Ashton! How does the stem feel? I didn’t like the stem on my Jimmy Craig Ashton, but I loved how it looked. Also, curious if you enjoyed the pipe show? It would cost me a good it to fly across the country for one of these and wondering if it’s worth it! Thanks!
 

Hillcrest

Lifer
Dec 3, 2021
3,692
18,871
Connecticut, USA
First bowl today was C&D Match Sunrise in the Vauen Olaf bent egg which is a wonderful durable daily pipe. I would recommend this pipe to any beginner but would advise to sand out the bowl coating first which had a petroleum taste and smell. The pipe itself is truly excellent.

Second bowl was Lane 1-Q which is always pleasant and smooth. I have read some of the reviews and most people taste Vanilla and caramel ... I've only tasted the caramel once or twice... more often I experience a subtle cherry vanilla flavor. At least 2-3 times during a bowl I will taste some cherry flavoring. Probably just me. I like cherry though so its all good. Have a great day !
 

Papamique

Part of the Furniture Now
Mar 11, 2020
792
3,967
Nice looking Ashton! How does the stem feel? I didn’t like the stem on my Jimmy Craig Ashton, but I loved how it looked. Also, curious if you enjoyed the pipe show? It would cost me a good it to fly across the country for one of these and wondering if it’s worth it! Thanks!

I really like the stem on this pipe. The button is larger, just like a Castello but very comfortable as it is ebonite and thin just behind it but enough material that you don’t have to worry about breaking the bit due to clenching. I have many from both “eras”. I put “eras” in quotes because there was such an overlap where Jimmy Craig was doing a lot of the work as Bills illness got worse (and even before) so an Ashton from the Bill Taylor era is no guarantee that Bill made it. Hell, Jimmy has been in the business for over 40 years now starting at Dunhill making pipes when his silversmith skills were not needed (he also used to own a successful jewelry shop but as he helped Bill out more and more he had to close up his own business). IMO Jimmy Craig and his son are master carvers and the details on his pipes (I was able to look at close to 50 of them sitting at the Chicago show) are amazing. Which is why I bought another one (or three 😂)

The Chicago show was my first show ever and I’ve been at this for decades. Never felt a need to go even at the strong encouragement of some friends but I’m so glad I did. I will be going again next year. Maybe the Vegas show too later this year. There were pipe smokers, makers and blenders from all over the country and world there. A treat to meet and talk with them all.
 

Ben.R.C

Lifer
Nov 20, 2022
4,466
97,880
55
North Carolina
I really like the stem on this pipe. The button is larger, just like a Castello but very comfortable as it is ebonite and thin just behind it but enough material that you don’t have to worry about breaking the bit due to clenching. I have many from both “eras”. I put “eras” in quotes because there was such an overlap where Jimmy Craig was doing a lot of the work as Bills illness got worse (and even before) so an Ashton from the Bill Taylor era is no guarantee that Bill made it. Hell, Jimmy has been in the business for over 40 years now starting at Dunhill making pipes when his silversmith skills were not needed (he also used to own a successful jewelry shop but as he helped Bill out more and more he had to close up his own business). IMO Jimmy Craig and his son are master carvers and the details on his pipes (I was able to look at close to 50 of them sitting at the Chicago show) are amazing. Which is why I bought another one (or three 😂)

The Chicago show was my first show ever and I’ve been at this for decades. Never felt a need to go even at the strong encouragement of some friends but I’m so glad I did. I will be going again next year. Maybe the Vegas show too later this year. There were pipe smokers, makers and blenders from all over the country and world there. A treat to meet and talk with them all.
Thank you sir! I’m going to try to make it next year!
 
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