Why not Dr. Grabow?

[zanthal]

I feel like a fool to even asking but whats the deal w/ Dr. Grabow pipes?

It's all I can afford right now I feel like a hack smoking a Grabow because I never see much mentioned about them on any pipe sights. Am I going to be an amature pipe smoker until I get something other than my Grabow.When someone asks me what kind of pipe I smoke I'm Almost embarassed to say a Grabow.

Eh. I totally understand where you're coming from. I'm not a pipe guru or anything but I know enough to know:

• there are people who like to smoke a pipe, and

• there are people who like to be seen, smoking a pipe.

You are probably in the company of the latter when you're embarrassed to mention your Dr Grabow.
I have a Grand Duke and I HAD a Freehand (which I lost somehow when I quit tobacco for a number of years), and they are a great pipe. Very precisely crafted, and made from good briar. The only things I have to say that are wrong with them, is that I can't find anywhere that has a decent selection of their product line (except online), and that they're only made to be used with a filter.
I'm not even sure you CAN smoke a Dr Grabow without a filter, without getting a face full of ashy tobacco bits that may or may not be on fire.
But anyhow, I've smoked my Grand Duke many, many times, and it is still in great shape.
What I like the most about Dr Grabows, is they are fairly priced, of good quality, and thankfully, are machine pre-smoked, which leaves you free of the almost entirely unpleasant breaking in of a brand new briar pipe (which I will go into more detail elsewhere).
In short, smoke what you like and don't let a tobacco snob make you feel under-classed :wink:

 

[juvat270]

and that they're only made to be used with a filter.

I'm not even sure you CAN smoke a Dr Grabow without a filter, without getting a face full of ashy tobacco bits that may or may not be on fire.

Thousands and thousands of us have been doing it just fine for many years. I have to ask though, if your getting a "face full of ashy bits..." how on earth do you smoke brands of pipes that have no filter system?
If youre getting burned by hot ash when not using a filter, you're doing something severely wrong my friend. ::

 

[judcole]

I'm not even sure you CAN smoke a Dr Grabow without a filter, without getting a face full of ashy tobacco bits that may or may not be on fire.

Dunno about Dr G's, but my one remaining drug store pipe, a big old Suffolk, was designed to be smoked with filters and hasn't seen one in over 30 years. It's my sole aromatic pipe, and serves that function well. I might smoke it twice a month.

 

[zanthal]

Well that's easy to answer ... there's a reason why I said "I'm not sure a Grabow even can be smoked without a filter" ... that's because I haven't tried.
It just made sense to me that with a clear stem and nothing to stop the ash it would be very easy to suck up the stuff.
But thanks for the help :wink:

 

[judcole]

It just made sense to me that with a clear stem and nothing to stop the ash it would be very easy to suck up the stuff.

Vast numbers of pipes don't have filters. The ash is on top of the burning tobacco. The draw hole is at the bottom of the bowl. That's where the smoke goes in. You may get some nasties if you draw on a pipe that has gone out, but there shouldn't be much left. :puffpipe:

 

[ontario]

Don't waste a second of your life worrying about what others think,If you like it then that's all that matters.

 

[pipetrucker]

I own a dozen or so Dr Grabows and smoke at least one of them every day. No, they aren't the "best" pipe out there but they are reliably good smokers and a lot of bang for the buck.
If I see a Grabow model I don't yet own I will buy it. Period. Fill a Grabow with some CBW, PA, H&H, or other "OTC" blend, fire it up, and enjoy a good smoke. To hell with the snobs.
Oh, I do remove the filter right away. No need for them and they smoke better without them.

 

[zanthal]

@Jud - that makes good sense.
I'll give the old Grand Duke a filterless try soon.

 

[dbryant]

One of my best smokers in my rotation is a Dr. Grabow Crown Duke prince. There is no shame in smoking a Grabow! I've recommended them to friends who expressed an interest in this wonderful hobby. It's good starter pipe for one to get use to the art of smoking briar. My opinion is that it's the tobbacco blend that makes or breaks the pleasure of smoking one.

 

[portascat]

I enjoy my viscount and my savoy, both non filter.
Both smaller bowls perfect for an aromatic.

 

[drsam]

I have a Grabow "Omega" That is a Military mount with a silver plated bezel on the stem. It seems to be a copy of a Peterson 301 and it smokes very well. I do dislike the almost Plip stem though......Hard to hold with my dentures.

 

[ejames]

I have a Grabow "Omega" That is a Military mount with a silver plated bezel on the stem. It seems to be a copy of a Peterson 301 and it smokes very well. I do dislike the almost Plip stem though......Hard to hold with my dentures.

I don't like the Omega stems either,don't like the p-lip period. I take a hack saw and files to it,end up with a more traditional button.

 

[ace57]

I just stopped at a junk store and there was a DG Free Hand just sitting looking at me so for $2.00 it came home with me. Smokes good and for 2 bucks a good buy.

 

[ejames]

$2.00 !! Good score!!

 

[olderthandirt]

$2 and it smokes, good score indeed

 

[bob1]

I'll be picking up my first filter pipe soon, a Grabow Lark.

Any thoughts or helpful tips?
Thanks

 

[brewshooter]

I like the Lark, have a bent and a straight, but, be aware, it has a very small bowl.

 

[bob1]

Thanks, I like the Aromatics, so the small bowl might just work out for me.

Are DG's good smokers?

 

[brewshooter]

They can be. Like any brand, you could get a dud I suppose, but mine all are good smokers.

 

[nsfisher]

2 bucks wow weeee lucky u, good eye mate and congrats