Why Not a New Lee Type Screw Stem?

[Briar Lee]

A medium apple stamped star era Three Star Lee came in the mail today ($23 delivered) and it has the classic Lee recessed screw stem. The last Lees had stamped stars and the presumably cheaper push stem.

The Lee screw stem is an improvement over push stems. It’s also an improvement on the similar Kaywoodie type screw stem.

This Lee was over clocked from wear, and I took a pair of pliers and clocked it back just a little left of center, as it was when new.

The advantages of a Lee type screw stem are many. The joint doesn’t come loose. You can’t see it when the pipe is assembled. And while it would be possible, I’ve never seen a split shank at the joint of stem and shank on a Lee. And, it’s easily adjustable for wear by the owner, if it’s not been glued up with tars.

The disadvantage is that there are two more parts that must be machined to make the pipe. Three parts, if there’s a stinger.

So, why doesn’t any modern maker use the Lee type screw stem?

Is it just long habit, of making push stems?

 

[Chasing Embers]

So, why doesn’t any modern maker use the Lee type screw stem?

Not cost effective in production and metal tenons like stingers promote moisture build up and gurgle.

 

[Briar Lee]

Not cost effective in production and metal tenons like stingers promote moisture build up and gurgle.

I can see where the extra cost is a factor, but the Lee stinger and the very similar Lee ball head stinger, do trap moisture. You can unscrew the stem and wipe it off, even during a smoke.

All my Lees are usually without stingers, and my Lees don’t gurgle, with or without stingers. But then again none of my many push stem pipes gurgle either. Fifty years of practice piping is the reason, I think.

Another factor is that the best London pipes never had stingers, and the makers prided in producing a well joined pipe.

A customer today, expects a well made push stem.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Another factor is that the best London pipes never had stingers

Dunhill


Comoys

 

[Briar Lee]

Dunhill
View attachment 149532

Comoys
View attachment 149533

Shows how few (as in zero) best London made pipes I own.

But the ones I’ve read about and seen pictures of have push stems.

And I look at new Dunhills today, and they don’t mention stingers.

For $23, and a little grapeseed oil, I have another beautiful Lee Star Grade pipe.


Sometimes you get lucky on eBay, and there’s four more in the mail.

 

[anotherbob]

additionally it's not something most people are asking for while also not being obvious in the shop. So slim chance it will move a pipe and a good chance it will lead to a return when the new buyer finds something he doesn't expect.

 

[didimauw]

The oxidation doesn't bother you huh?

 

[Briar Lee]

The oxidation doesn't bother you huh?

I’m working on it.

I keep a hunk of steel wool and I’ve smoked my new Lee (it might be a Prince, not an Apple) all afternoon.

After each smoke I work on the oxidation with the steel wool. It’s much better now, and it won’t be long before this pipe looks as good as my other Lees.

The first few bowls had a musty odor to them. Now the tobacco is burning all that out.

Lee didn’t cheat his customers.

They paid top dollar, but they got what Lee sincerely tried to make the finest pipe on the earth, right down to the screw stem.

 

[PipeIT]

Another Lee, hmm thought you just got one last week.

Congrats again! ???

Hey you mentioned NOS Lee pipes, where are these?

P.S. My understanding 5 star are the highest quality? Hmm would love to get a NOS 5 Star, if that’s possible? ?

 

[coming to_falling too]

Another Lee, hmm thought you just got one last week.

Congrats again! ???

Hey you mentioned NOS Lee pipes, where are these?

P.S. My understanding 5 star are the highest quality? Hmm would love to get a NOS 5 Star, if that’s possible? ?

Yes, all these Lee threads have me wanting one too, to see what all the rave is about.

 

[Chasing Embers]

new Dunhills

Hasn't been a new Dunhill produced since 2011. They're The White Spot now.

 

[Chasing Embers]

For $23, and a little grapeseed oil, I have another beautiful Lee Star Grade pipe.

That's what I was like when I was collecting Savinelli 904s. Nearly fifty of them and I only paid more than $30 for six of them.

 

[OzPiper]

With evolution it’s “Survival of the Fittest”

In the commercial world, it’s what customers want. At the lowest acceptable cost to the manufacturer.

Who wants a screw device that needs reclocking, results in gurgles and looks like it’s been dipped in shit after a few smokes.

KISS says it all

 

[PipeIT]

Yes, all these Lee threads have me wanting one too, to see what all the rave is about.

I could of sworn in another post he mentioned, something about NOS, and he was going to share where to get them from?

Cough Cough @Briar Lee ? LOL ?

 

[Briar Lee]

I could of sworn in another post he mentioned, something about NOS, and he was going to share where to get them from?

Cough Cough @Briar Lee ? LOL ?

I win my Lees on eBay.

The top price I’ve paid is $85 delivered for a NOS 5 pointed inlaid star era Five Star that was in a five star sleeve inside a five star box with little cleaning tools. That was a real auction, not buy it now.

I might win an unsmoked, brand new Lee every couple of years.

But this was an unusually lucky week for Lee buying. I now have a new Prince (or maybe it’s an Apple) and six more Lees in the mail.

The top price was $27 for a most unusual Lee with stars stamped in the shank, not the stem, with a Kaywoodie type fitment. The rest were less.

By the way:

One Stars are unicorns. They do exist, they were only cataloged part of 1946, and there’s really not a good reason to buy one.

I own one Four Star. They didn’t sell many.

The vast majority of Lees are Three Star grade.

Whrn you do see a Two Star, it’s likely a 5 pointed inlaid star era pipe. Lee raised prices to $5 a star about 1950, and my theory is a few cheapskates bought the bottom $10 Lee, which was then a magnificently made Two Star. Three Star grades then cost $15, and the customer got a better pipe for the extra money.

Flashy, outrageously grained Lees are rare. Most are beautiful cross grains.