What Do I Have here?

[pipedreamin]

Hello all,

Apologies for signing up and asking question but it seems there is quite a knowledge bank here. I purchased a vest pocket pipe that arrived today. It has an interesting dry smoke arrangement that I've not seen before. I'm wondering if any can shed some light as to manufacturer or system. Thank you for any input.

 

[mso489]

A number of pipe makers offer these with the stems that fold around to make a tight oval package for the pocket. I have not heard many good reports on their smoking characteristics, though the design is so cute, I think they will continue to sell them forever. Since this one apparently has no stamps at all, it's difficult to say what its origin might be. New these sell for about $35 to $100, depending on the brand. I would point out that for pocket pipes, many smaller bent billiards do as well, and have the advantage of a smoother better drilled airway with practically the same portability. I think most pipe smokers who buy these soon retire them to a drawer. But if you have especially good luck with yours, let us know.

 

[pipedreamin]

The seller made no mention of the dry smoke system But from the pictures I was intrigued and suspected it was something like what I found, for $16 I was able to find out. I too have heard of their purported shortcomings but with the dry smoke set up I'd thought I'd give it a whirl in the name of science. I'll report back. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Cute! I've seen them in person, but never picked one up to explore it. From the pics I am wanting to play with it a tad. Is that a removable bowl, or an ashtray of sorts? Dry system? Cool! Looks like it would provide a good smoke and maybe spark some conversations. Let us know how it smokes for you.

 

[shaintiques]

I've seen lots of pocket pipes but none with the dry smoke system like that. Very similar to the Kaywoodie I Recently posted on.

 

[ericthered]

First of all, welcome to the forums!
Second of all, huge kudos for figuring out how to post pics so quickly! It takes most new members a few tries before figuring out the "intricacies".
If I'm interpreting the pics correctly, the removable briar bowl creates a sort of calabash effect. Do you have to align the draft hole with one of the 4 semi-circle cutouts for there to be a good draw? Also, it appears that the wood between the bowl and the chamber underneath is awfully thin. Do you have any pics looking down into the bowl?
This is the Kaywoodie thread I think shaintiques was referencing. It would be interesting to know if one of those clay/stone filters would fit in the removable bowl.
Did the pipe come with the tool required to remove the base? The two-pin system seems like overkill when it could have been done with a coin slot like the one in the link.
This pipe is quite the conundrum! Thank-you for sharing!

 

[pipedreamin]

Yes, ericthered, The bottom of the bowl is thin around the hole, about a 1/16" Maybe the moisture collecting there will prevent burnout. The cup with the 4 cutouts is a loose fit, it doesn't need to be aligned with the draft hole. You can't tell from the pictures but the white in the base is a mother-of-pearl type of material. A slot would have been more handy but I had just the tool, purchased for old rangefinder lenses. Thanks for the link to the Kaywoodie, that's an interesting set up also, very similar. It looks as if those filters may be too large for this animal.
I took it out to the woods today for its inaugural smoke after wiping on a micro thin coat of warm honey a la R.C. Hacker et al, packed it 2/3 full of Peterson's De Luxe mix. I found it smoked well, drew fine if a little loud and not surprisingly, due to I assume the hole at dead bottom of the bowl, it would gurgle intermittently but never wet at the bit. I was pulling on it more than I should have with an aromatic methinks. It is, as others have said, a "cute" little pipe. Whoever made it put some thought into it.
Edit: Thanks for the welcome!

 

[jkrug]

I can't help you identify it but I must say it's a very interesting design for sure. Keep us posted on any info you happen upon. ::

 

[easterntraveler]

Looks like a pipe to me. Hope that helps. :D

 

[pipedreamin]

It is a pipe and maybe that will have to do! Ran another bowl full of the De Luxe through it today while out for a streamside stroll, bushwhack is more like it. Keeping the balsam branches out of my eyes helped me moderate my draw, the little chunk of briar didn't gurgle at all. I think it's a keeper.