| Archive for Dr. Grabow Pipes "America's One and Only" |
| drbridges |
Dr. Grabow TodayThere is currently a special offer from International Pipes & Accessories LLC to their customers. The offer includes pipes, pipe cleaners, and pipe filters at reasonable prices. Some customers have found inventory of Dr. Grabow products to be limited at their local retailer. IP&A is aware of this, and is preparing a web site to market directly with their customers, and is making this special mail offer.Contact:
PO Box 849 Sparta, NC 28675 Dr. Grabow pipes are no longer "pre-smoked." Pipes were not properly broken in by the pre-smoking procedure, and pipe owners should assure their Dr. Grabow pipes are broken in properly as they would with any other quality pipe. Currently, all Dr. Grabow pipes are filtered pipes. The company has the capability to produce non-filtered pipes, and may do that in the future. These non-filtered pipes would likely be sold through their web site. http://www.drgrabow.net/ Dr. Grabow still has some Viking parts, and may produce a limited number of new Viking and Pacer pipes in the future. These also would likely be sold through their web site.http://www.drgrabow.net/ The Dr. Grabow web site http://www.drgrabow.net/ will hopefully be on line and operating in 4-6 weeks. |
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| Sir Duke |
As we surnised ; )Pre-smoking seemed anachronistic.That expalins the verbage on new packaging: instructions as to how to break in your pipes. I thought it odd that they'd include that on the packaging which already proclaimed it as being pre-smoked. It was an oxy-moron. Now to figure out the bowl coat!!! |
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| drbridges |
Received my order from IP&A today. Much sooner than I expected.
My 2 Golden Duke carved pipes look just like those on the special order sheet, straight pots. So you should expect to receive what is illustrated. The pipes are stamped GOLDEN DUKE (all capital) and Dr. Grabow (upper & lower case). And that's it. No Imported Briar. No Pre-Smoked. No patent no. No Surgeon General's warning. The bowls are still carbonized. No paper slip stuffed inside. Still lacquered too much. Flue holes look ideal. Helluva deal. I'm ready for more! Carton of Dr. Grabow filters is red white & blue with US flag flying beside the white spade. International Pipes & Accessories, LLC is stamped clearly on the back. |
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| Sir Duke |
Were they in blister packs? Boxes?
Interesting that they've omitted the "imported briar" stamp. |
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| drbridges |
They were in loose open-top plastic socks. | ||||
| Sir Duke |
How uncomfortable!
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| drbridges |
The Official Dr. Grabow website is still under construction.
Did anyone else participate in the IP&A Dr. Grabow Special Offer? If so, I would like to know if the pipe you received was the same shape as the pipes shown in the offer. |
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| Sir Duke |
I did and it was! The Bent Bull Dog Royalton. I'm going back for more too! (see fathers day thread) I don't know how "special" that offer was. Just their way of enabling consumers to buy direct. They seem to only mail it out if a) you've inquired about a repair, and b) you've called the factory wanting a pipe. But it is exaclty the void IP&A will be filling with drgrabow.net. Guys like us who want something specofoc- they make it- but we just can't get our hands on it a Wally World or a Drugstore which are all hit-or-miss. Good Luck to Jim, I think the website will be a booming success! |
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| drbridges |
Yes, imagine you want something specofoc like a Pacer Viking, which they don't make anymore, but instead of saying "no" they say, "we can put you on a waiting list, and when we have a Pacer Viking we will contact you." Amazon books has done that for out of print books. Once they contacted me 10-12 months later saying they had located a book I inquired about. Did I want it? Awesome service. |
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| Sir Duke |
My momma always told me. Good things come to those who wait.
Are we there yet, TM |
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| drbridges |
She also told you, "If you don't sit down and be quiet I'm gonna pull this forum over and warm your britches, mister." | ||||
| Sir Duke |
You can not pull over on the information superhighway! |
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| LokoMac8 |
Wasn't up today when I checked either -- says to check back often . . .
I just got the paperwork today -- will be ordering soon. There were several small changes to the paperwork (like web address instead of email address) but only minor. Same pipe shape chart. --RJ-- |
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| drbridges |
Admin, when you have time you might want to move this thread to the Contempory Crebow topic. | ||||
| Rev |
Thanks for the info.
Local Grabow selection very limited |
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| Sir Duke |
Hey Rev. Good to have ya here.
drbridges suggested I move this thread to the "Contemporary Grabow" Section. Sure enough he was right again. Who would have thunk it. Thanks drb, and a warm welcom to you Rev.... (erand)? Tom |
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| LokoMac8 |
I did get around to making that order -- by mail and paid with a personal check to see how that goes. It's been a bit now (sent out on 07-22-2008), but will "report" when the order comes in. Took advantage of the opportunity to order a couple of line names that I didn't have in the lineup in my racks. Stocked up on accessories as well, just for kicks. --RJ-- |
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| LokoMac8 |
New Dr. Grabows
Just received my two pipes, packages of pipe cleaners and the boxes of filters. Free shipping was a nice touch -- the box of stuff mailed for $2.87. Interestingly, the return address on the mailing label WAS "Sparta Indistries", but had an updated sticker stuck over that. I ordered two pipes, and to kill a couple of birds with the same stone, I ordered two name "lines" that I did not have. Here's the "report" -- the good bad and the ugly of it. CARDINAL -- Good stem joint fit and nice shape -- stained sort of a dark reddish color, but not quite like an Eldorado. The holes were drilled perfectly and the bowl had the carbon spray applied. Smoked great on the first smoke, taking care to use a good, known tobacco with good burning characteristics -- in this case, Carter Hall. Oddly enough the bowl had one of those small leaf carvings on it and the flat bowl top had some sort of scribbly carving on it. I saw no obvious fills, but then they take about 20 to 30 years to come out sometimes (when they are done well), as the putty ages differently. I swear I could see sanding marks in the briar and the lacquer almost appears to be brushed on, rather than sprayed. The briar also had several large dents in it from handling -- more than some of my 60 year old estate pipes! The stem is sort of "dull", which I thought was unusual, especially if it is ABS plastic. But here's the kicker -- the stem DOESN'T EVEN HAVE A SPADE. The stamping in the briar is well done, but the only stamping on it is, "DR. GRABOW" and "IMPORTED BRIAR". It has no LINE NAME stamp! The pipe is the shape illustrated, but the shank was a bit shorter than in the picture (the picture also showed a spade on the stem). BIG PIPE -- Another darker stain, maybe a brownish. I should say here that I ordered both pipes in the smooth option -- oddly enough the order form didn't really cotton to that, so I had to modify the form. This pipe also appears to have the holes drilled spot on and a fairly good stem joint fit. This pipe also has the carbon bowl coating but it almost looks brushed on, rather than sprayed. This pipe also has a little carved leaf, this time on the top of the shank. Appears the lacquer is sort of a "flat" finish. Saw no obvious fills, but quite a few dents from handling and one side of the bowl has some scratch type wear on it that appears to have happened while setting or sliding on its side. This pipe also has a very well done stamp in the briar, but the only stamping is "BIG PIPE" -- that's it, no "Dr. Grabow", "imported briar" or anything else. This stem is also "dull" and again, HAS NO SPADE! I haven't smoked it yet, but expect it to smoke fine. It appears to be as pictured in the small B&W chart sent, including NOT HAVING A SPADE in the photo. The boxes of filters were as DRB reported, and the bristle and cotton pipe cleaners were MADE IN CHINA, as were the Lane's version of the DILL'S that I have, so that didn't start with IP&A. Both pipes came in the plastic-type sock as DRB also stated. Also interesting to note that I ordered "0.1 CTN" of Dill's regular pipe cleaners, "0.1 CTN" of Dill's bristle pipe cleaners and "0.25 CTN" of Dr. Grabow regular filters. On the invoice, my BIG PIPE was shown as "LDGBPIP" and the CARDINAL as "LDGCARD". Some of what that may stand for is obvious, but what about the "LDG"? Would that be "Lane's Dr. Grabow"? The question remains now, anyway, did I really buy a IP&A Grabow, or did I get an old Lane's, or something put together out of "transition" parts? I am left with other questions, too -- like, "were CARDINALs ever stamped with their line name?" And, "were the BIG PIPEs ever stamped with Dr. Grabow?" I suppose I had my expectations set a bit too high with the pipes I ordered. They would make good "dollar basket" pipes, but they just aren't what I expected. However, in fairness, these may not truly be representative of an IP&A Grabow. I look forward to seeing what IP&A can do, once they get their feet on the ground and get things going under their banner. The "mechanics" of the pipes I ordered are EXCELLENT, however there is quite a bit of room for improvement when it comes to finish and finesse. --RJ-- |
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| Sir Duke |
I'm sorry to hear of your disappointment. Truely. I believe and respect everyword you said and amazed at some of them.
You gotta have had some bad luck. Mine was wonderful as expected but it was a Royalton. I wouldn't expect much from a cradinal and understand your compulsion to add an example to your collection. Some day I will do the same but most likely not smoke it. Dented though. That is what amazes me. I have thrown briar off the buffing wheel at what i can only guesse was at a speed greater than 30 mph, seen it ricochette around the shop, once off my head and never did it *dent* (the briar not the head, it left a mark!). I have never seen mis-registration shank to stem on any Grabow other than one which was suspect (the Ranger). I know a famous Carver who wrote to IP&A suggesting that the quality of the cleaners has diminshed. It is a fact, but was told that the margins were so low on this product that it "is what is is." Since the number of pipesmokers has also greatly diminished, economies of scale that were once advantageous no longer exists. Anyway.. again, that sucks. It must be a tough industry to inherit a 5+ year stock. By the time its "all your stock" out there could be decades. The sins of our fathers type of thing. I too would expect "special offers" to get special attention. Anyway, anyway, I just wanted to say my "Big Pipe" is not stamped Grabow and is a natural finish. It is stmaped C. Choice which we have covered elsewhere (lanes way of dealing with UST legacy pipes). I am not a businessman and never pretend to be, but I think I'd come up with a different brand name for these legacy items. liquidate 'em somehow especially if they are not stamped or the tems dont have logos... Now if this were Scotch we were talking about, inheriting stock (inventory purchased along witH The companY) I'd want a ten pluys year wharehouse. On the plus side they smoked well as you said and I'm sure IP&A would have made "things right" if you brough it to their attention. Time for my pipe, and your right, time will tell. But in the waning days of drugstore pipes, there aint much time left... |
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| GrabowGuy |
I called them up and requested a catalog, price, and order sheet.
That Royalton Bulldog sounds like me! I can't wait untill it comes in. Yippee! |
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| drbridges |
I hope you don't buy the last one, GG. I want one too!
Sparta, make some more! |
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| Sir Duke |
Thats what my son got me for Father's day. Love it. | ||||
| GrabowGuy |
I recieved the list!
The shapes option seems to be limited for this year. The Royalton Bulldog is one on the list however so I would imagine there are a good # in stock. |
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| drbridges |
Reports from purchasers indicate the shapes shown are the shapes you will receive. That is better than receiving random shapes, but worse than getting to select the shape. | ||||
| ted |
DrB....What shape Royalton (w amber lucite) would you want? I may be able to fill your wish list....ted.... |
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| drbridges |
I believe I can still get an 83 from IP&A. So keep you eye out for a 37 or 47. I like those full bent billiards. | ||||
| ted |
Nope! I just walked out of the factory with what Robert Roten (the shipping department now-days) said was "the last one in the building". But it's not "beaded". Pretty though. You are fortunate that....I keep my promises... The finish and stem color are not what I remember. It has been 17 years since I've seen production so I'm not surprised. They did have several "blond" Royaltons in the displays in the lobby, but they were unstamped. There were no trademarks on any of the "today" Royaltons that I saw. I also found a 37L in case you were wondering....ted |
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| drbridges |
Wow! TD. Wow!
I feel deeply indebted to you. Thank you. Do you have a report on the Sparta factory today? |
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| Sir Duke |
Ted, when you say the Last...
are you meaning no more 83's of any line including Royalton. What a shame... |
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| ted |
Sir Duke..I'm sure he meant the last Royalton 83. I think 83 was in an IP&A offer that Robert picked and shipped. I'm sure some are left in other lines. Unlikely there will ever be another Royalton in 83 though.
No real report on the factory. It happened to be lunch time when I was there. One thing struck me though. The lobby was always a showroon for pipes and related items. It still is, but the beautiful colorful labels on the display cards have been replaced with non-descript black and white labels. Looks like they were computer printed, and make the whole display look cheap. |
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| Sir Duke |
I am glad to hear that you went in, and presumably out, the front door! Maybe the colored labels faded.... Guess I'll cherish the 83 Royalton Eric (my son) bought me for Fathers day! Told him I wanted another one this year. GuessI'll have to change that request! |
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| ted |
The Shakespear line...."screw your courage to the sticking place" and walk right in......ted | ||||
| drbridges |
I just got the purtiest new HLT Royalton #83 (beadless) and #37 you ever saw. Thanks, ted.
They're stamped with the HLT shield and Royalton in script. No Dr. Grabow. No spade emblem. Both tampon filtered pipes with cross grain. |
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| Gig |
Well show us, dont just talk about it 
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| drbridges |
ROYALTONThis is the #83 new Royalton:
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| drbridges |
ROYALTONThis is the #37 new Royalton:
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| drbridges |
I didn't show them disassembled, but the bent bulldog 83 uses a black filter holder, while the bent billiard 37 uses a silver one.
I would be interested to know if there is any rhyme or reason behind this, or if they randomly select the filter holder. |
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| Gig |
Both great looking pipes drbridges, congrats and enjoy each puff in good health but I really like that #83 Bulldog, it's beautiful
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| Gig |
Both great looking pipes drbridges, congrats and enjoy each puff in good health but I really like that #83 Bulldog, it's beautiful
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| Rev |
Arrived TodayRoyalton bent bulldog as already pictured.Mail order at pre 10/1 price. Took about a week to arrive. Plan to fire it up later this evening with MacBaren Navy Flske. |
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| drbridges |
Hopefully there will be more 83 Royaltons, Rev. The world will be a bitter place without them. | ||||
| ted |
Dr.B....When I went by the factory a few days ago.....I saw a "bunch" of Royalton #83's in production. Probably 200 or so. Just bet we can get some more... | ||||
| drbridges |
This statement makes me believe Sparta isn't making pipes in 3600 unit lots (or 1800 unit half lots) any longer. Is it true? |
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| ted |
Dr.B...I only saw one box. There may have several more. I think the Royalton #83 is an "offer", but can't say for sure.
Anyway.....There will be more...... |
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| drbridges |
The Dr. Grabow website is coming Soon!!
I read it on the web!! |
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| ozark southpaw |
NO!!! Really? Where'd you read that? | ||||
| Sir Duke |
I think he's being facitious. : ) (I "Broke" that news LOL many many months ago. ) I think IP&A forgot about it or has simply given up the ghost. They can't possibly be working on it. |
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| drbridges |
No, I'm certain they are working 'round the clock on the new DG web site. We just can't imagine the wondrous things it will entail. That's why it is taking so long. |
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| Sir Duke |
your right
again seems the delay is Fire Fox |
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| drbridges |
Yeah, that's the story.
The new DG website will be fully compatible with all known internet browser applications, past browsers, current browsers, and even future browsers we can't even imagine today. ... Giant Siberian Sand Browsers ... that's the ticket ... |
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| Mike Leverette |
It is up and running.
http://dr-grabow-pipes.com/ However, the continued page says the company was purchased by the "Levitas" family. Isn't it "Lavietes" family? |
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| drbridges |
That isn't the URL we have been given by Sparta, and I wonder if this is the real DG website we've been waiting for. It appears to be a TOP HAT Tobacco page.
I'll keep hoping for something more in January. |
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| ted |
Guys....I don't think this is the "official" Grabow site that Rick promised. Different web designer, and TOP HAT appears to be a "jobber". Also, If Rick proof-read this he would have gotten the Lavietes name right.
I could be wrong, but I'm waiting till January.........This appears to have a lot of Mac's site in it.........ted |
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| drbridges |
The historical information on this web page perpetuates much of the misinformation we've seen before.
Louis B. Linkman's obituary that ran in the Jan. 14, 1957 Chicago Tribune says he founded the company in 1892, not 1898. According to Dr. Grabow's grandson, THE Dr. Grabow was a medical doctor, not a dentist. His brother, or son, was a dentist. Dr. Grabow Pipes have been long associated with the Pre-Smoked idea, and maybe it was the foundational IDEA behind Dr. Grabow Pipes. But when Linkman filed to copyright the trademark Dr. Grabow in 1947, the document says Dr. Grabow was first used in 1930. And when he filed to copyright the trademark Pre-Smoked in 1947, the document says Pre-Smoked was first used in 1937. So Dr. Grabow pipes were available for the first 7 years without claiming they were pre-smoked. The website's history says Linkman first pre-smoked his pipes in 1933, 3 years after Dr. Grabow pipes went on the market. Either way, I don't see how pre-smoking was the innovative IDEA behind Dr. Grabow pipes. And as we have recently discovered here, Dr. Grabow went to the Lavietes family in 1953, not 1955. |
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| ted |
Dr.B....One thing that will be of interest to you......My association with Grabow and the historians I met there was a wonderful experience.
Until this year, when I met Mac, and found this Forum, I WAS ALWAYS TOLD THAT HE (DR. GRABOW) WAS A DENTIST. I know now that was wrong, but there are a lot of people in Sparta that'll never believe it. Even in the few articles that I sent you, when I was interviewed, I said he was a dentist...... Not hard to make "believers" out of those that want to believe. Guess that's how Jim Jones got it done.....ted |
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| Sir Duke |
No that sites been up for sometime. Not the official site.
Just some dude pimpin pipes and cigars. I would expect more from J.B. and am sure he will deliver. Herbie Wants to be a DEntist! A DENTIST! |
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| drbridges |
Good News!I just bought a 3-box blister pack of DG filters from Walgreens, and on the back it says:If you want to know more about DG filters or the DG range of pipes and our other products or where to purchase them, please contact us at: www.DrGrabow.net Apparently they're really going to do it! Reaaaal soooon. |
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| steverino |
You know, the owl is cute and all, but doesn't it look like they'd have put great big letters on that page saying something like "Dr. Grabow Pipes web page coming soon". | ||||
| TheDuke |
While surfing for info on my pipes I stumbled on that page from a link and thought-WHAT THE HELL? 
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| LokoMac8 |
Well, in all fairness, for years there just wasn't much information out there -- period! You sort of latch on to what you can get until such time as you can prove differently. You do that a lot in this business of Dr. Grabow history, and TED, you know how difficult it is to get us to see the light and change some of our long held "theories" or "speculations"! As odd as it may seem, the truth often isn't as glamorous and sometimes the actual facts simply defy all logic and almost seem unbelievable. And, yet, those are the facts or the real truth. It's funny now, but I even personally tracked down Dr. Grabow's grandson and sort of grilled him as to the validity of one version of a story going around. Come to find out, the story was legit and that was the first bit of truly verified information I found. I posted the story EXACTLY as he sent it to me. Anyone out there have a good set of the old PIPE LOVERS MAGAZINE? There is supposedly an issue from 1946 that has a "Dr. Grabow History". I am still looking for a copy, but I am getting closer. I've had to pay some pretty outrageous prices for some of these old issues, but it would be worth it to me to find this article, even though the article might be a great disappointment. It sounds like it has potential though -- a history written when Dr. Grabow pipes were still being made in Chicago and Linkman was still a part of it. The Linkman era is still an area we are weak in, so hopefully the article would include some great information. --RJ-- |
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| Terry292 |
Mac, I have a complete run of Pipe Lovers; don't know about the 'good' part. My set is a Xerox of what appears to be a Xerox copy. It's sometimes hard to read in places. Send me a PM with your address, and I'll find the article and send you a copy. I can't guarantee how readable it will be, though.
Terry |
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| LokoMac8 |
Re: New Dr. Grabows -- CARDINAL
Updating this old "report" with some photos. Looks as though the name stamp was done AFTER all the buffing and finishing to me. --RJ-- 
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| drbridges |
HOW PIPES GET MADEWe have several discussions currently going on here about current DG shapes. This illustration is from the mid-1950s, but it should give you an idea how DG makes their pipes.
Several of the older DG pipe shapes seem to have disappeared from production. All of the Gracen Lucas' and Jimmy Jones' X-Series Continentals for instance. The #81 Bullmoose/Author. The #84 Canadian. The short Sportsman series. The TR Triangle shank series. I imagine there are more, but I don't have a current catalog of DG's entire inventory. Wonder what has changed in Sparta? |
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| slowburn |
I do not like DG's that have those leaf carvings all over the bowls. I would rather have the flaw or sand pit in the finish. I will not purchase a DG that has those leaf carvings. I have returned many over the past year. | ||||
| drbridges |
I do not object as strongly to the leaf carvings, but I have urged Mr. Burns to make us a natural DG pipe without the stain, lacquer, & fills. I prefer natural waxed briar with all it's flaws.
And you see how much Mr. Burns listens to my requests. 
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