| Archive for Dr. Grabow Pipes "America's One and Only" |
| Rev. Avery |
Omega PipeHi,I'm new here as of yesterday. Nice to be a part. 
I smoke mostly Kaywoodies and Corn Cob pipes (love the cobs!). Yesterday I won on eBay a nice looking Omega Dr. Grabow. I got it because I wanted to try a Grabow, liked the looks a lot and so ... got it. Does anyone have one of these or know anything about it -- year, patterned after another maker?? I looked on the Grabow site and it listed the pipe as 1975?? and a copy of an Italian pipe. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks. |
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| ozark southpaw |
Welcome Rev. ! Glad you joined us. Enjoy that Omega! | ||||
| Rev. Avery |
Thanks for the welcome. I'm looking forward to getting it. Should be here in a couple of days. | ||||
| ted |
Rev.,. Glad to have you....Copy of a well pipe made in Italy by Federico Rovera (FERO.COM or something like that).
Rovera made several sizes of well pipes for Mastercraft and Grabow copied the pipe and bit. 1975 might be just a "scosh" too early. I'd bet on 79' till the present. Grabow is still making them...ted |
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| BWThomas |
Welcome Rev, happy to have you here! Where do you call home?
You'll like that Omega. They've been a favorite of mine for years. I've had this smooth one in my rotation for at leat 10 years, it has a ABS stem. I just picked up a rustic from Irishlefty. I imagine it has a bit more age on it, vulcanite stem. I've got a third that is pretty rough....awaiting some work. It had a gold colored plating on the band. 
ted, RJ, DrB, when did the switch from vulcanite to ABS take place? |
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| steverino |
Hi RA, welcome to DGCF. Glad to have you here. I hope your Omega will be the first of a long line of Dr. Grabow pipes that you enjoy. I have collected a few, including some Omegas, and really enjoy mine.
Enjoy the forums. |
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| Gig |
Welcome Rev, Omegas are great smoking pipes. Congrats on a fine acquisition and health to enjoy 
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| Rev. Avery |
I appreciate the kind welcomes. Thanks.
I live in AZ. We moved here from NH, but hope to move back to NH in a couple of years. What is a "well pipe" mean? Is there a "well" pipe style or make? Sorry for my confusion. Also I was wondering how to pronounce Grabow. Is it "grab" like to grab something; and then "bow" as to bow down or like a rainbow? Or, is it "gray" and then either "bow" like to bow down or like rainbow? Or some other combination? Hope my Omega gets here Tuesday. |
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| ted |
Rev.. "Gray" sky....rain "bow".
Someone will post a picture of a typical well pipe and description. I didn't find one I thought was good enough...ted |
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| drbridges |
BW wrote:
In the 1960s, DG used some sort of not vulcanite bit material in their WILLARD pipes. This material seems to be similar to bit material used in the VIKING pipes. It is soft, and usually badly chewed in use. In the early 1980s, DG began using ABS for some bits. This was a long and gradual transition. Some vulcanite bits were still being used in pipes in the 1990s. Some of the last bits to become ABS were used in DG shapes #80, 82, 83, and 86. I believe all DG bits now are ABS. If your bit oxidizes badly it is probably Italian vulcanite. ABS doesn't oxidize. German vulcanite is also resistant to oxidation because of its lower sulphur content. |
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| Rev. Avery |
Thanks Ted. I thought it was pronounced as you stated, but I had heard someone on a YouTube pipe video pronounce it differently. However, they stated they weren't sure how to pronounce it.
I hope someone with be able to post a picture of a typical well pipe and description. I never heard of it before. Thank you for trying to find one though. Steverino (or anyone) what would be a good second type Grabow for me to acquire. Any favorites? |
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| BWThomas |
Hi Rev, Bents are my favorites, I don't know why and I don't know why it was the first shape I ever bought. I probably have more bents than anything, but I still enjoy all the other shapes. It will all boil down to personal preference.
I like a medium to large bowl with thick walls on the bowl ...most of the time. I've been smoking a pipe for over 30 years and cannot say where or how I developed my preferences for the shape. Except that with a bent, you can clench it in your teeth while your doing other things and it kind of stays out of the way. But I think most folks will tell you, it is a trial and error thing. You'll know what you like. There is no one better than the other. Make sure you start out with a clean pipe, especially off ebay. A lot of sellers will claim 'ready to smoke', but if you give it a good cleaning yourself, you'll know for sure that it is. A bad experience with a nasty pipe can turn you away from this. |
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| steverino |
RA, it's like Barry said, personal preference should be your guide; however, it may be worthwhile to learn a bit about the different permutations of Grabows that have been made, and this can take on the dimensions of a doctoral study if you don't watch out; indeed, many of us are "earning our degrees".
I'm going to suggest that you take a look at RJ's Dr. Grabow Information Page if you haven't already. Here, you can get a quick but detailed education on the various models of DG pipes. This way, you'll get an idea of what to look for based on what tickles your fancy. For example, I like to collect, in various degrees of intensity, Eldorados, Commodores and Regals, with a few Starfires, Viscounts and Hillcrests thrown in for good measure. With the exception of the Hillcrest, these represent some of the finer pipes DG made back in their heyday of the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s (and the Hillcrest is darn good as well). Then there are what we call the "coupon pipes", and I'll let you do some searching here on the site to learn about those. Suffice it to say that the Westbrook, one of the coupon pipes, is definitely worth acquiring. You are already familiar with the Omega - you could have several of those as your only pipes and be fine. And there are many others I haven't mentioned. I don't want to leave out the pipes in current production. DG is making some very nice pipes which are available at various drug stores, JR Cigars, online retailers and direct from the factory. These are certainly worth a look. Whatever path you decide to take, don't hesitate to ask questions. Someone here will likely be able to fill in the gaps for you. |
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| drbridges |
Rev wrote:
Our illustrious founder, Sir Duke, did that already. There must be a way to embed gallery images, but I haven't figured it out yet. Use Peterson as search term in this forum's gallery, and look for systempipe.jpg. http://drgrabows.myfreeforum.org/...erson&page=1&order=recent [img]systempipe.jpg[/img] [img]301203[/img] [img]http://drgrabows.myfreeforum.org/viewportal.php?component=gallery&id=301203&filter=peterson&page=1&order=recent[/img] 
Hey! The last try worked! That's a well pipe, in cross section. There is a moisture trap, called the well, below the airway. All well pipes I've seen are bent shapes. Don't guess it works in straights. |
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| ted |
Thanks Dr.B. Rev., The trap allows moisture from the smoke and the smoker to collect in one place. Makes for dry smoke. Smoke your new Omega a few times before you start looking for another style. You may want another Omega.....ted |
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| drbridges |
I agree. If you find the OMEGA bit comfortable, you may choose to stay with it. It is distinctly different from all other DG model mouthpieces.
Smoking only OMEGA won't exempt you from collecting DG pipes. There are 3 sizes of DG OMEGA pipes. See if you can collect all 3. |
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| ted |
This reminded me of some things. First, the Viking bit was being made at least in 1964 and I was always told that it was "nylon". By the time I was really involved in the process Viking sales had slowed to a point that we never ordered any more bits. So I still think the bits was "nylon". One day I'll remember who made the bits for Willard, but not today. They were cheap and practically indestructable. They were fat at the bite end and "chewy"....soft is a better way of saying it. ABS bits were moulded in a mould that had 16 interchangable cavities. By this method we could order several size bits in the proportions that we needed for production. Omega was only 1 style and 1 size so a special mould was made just for Omega bits. This was done well after most other lines had been changed over to ABS. Omega may well have been the last line that was switched to ABS.....ted |
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| BWThomas |
I have to agree, whereas I am not a big fan of the ABS Omega bit, the vulcanite bit on my recently acquired rustic Omega is absolutely awesome. Three sizes!?!...I didn't know that. DrB, can you post some examples? I just spent the last four hours going through RJs and DrBs collecting notes, pictures and shape charts. I am almost overwelmed by all this. Reminds me of when I was back in school...thinking -this is hard, be easier to just flunk this course and move on. At the same time I find myself wanting to dig deeper and learn more. I thought I was ready to 'publish' the first set of charts this week, but I have come across additional information that I want to stick in there right now. This is your final notice Rev! Get out now while you can....this habit is terribly addictive...not the smoking part.....the COLLECTING! Or just wade in deeper with the rest of us, it's a big pool. ted, Drb, RJ and others are floating (almost walking on the water) in the deep end. I'm still in the kiddie pool and occasionally trying to tread water here. |
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| LokoMac8 |
Definitely nylon, at least on all the VIKINGs I have. The NOS display I have of them and some of the promotional material says, "Bite Proof Nylon Tip". I don't know if they are bite proof, but I will go along with the nylon part.
This is interesting and may also explain the very first HL&T Dr. Grabow bits on the STANDARDs and some other lines -- I think when they fiorst started making them in Sparta, they used this sort of material. IT IS VERY DIFFERENT. If you buff it to hard, the material will actually tend to run or smear and overall, it looks like it has been sprayed with a clear coat -- which was what I thought when I got my first Sparta STANDARD, however, other STANDARDs I picked up later from other sources, as well as some other early Grabows, ALL seemed to have this bit. The bits age very well, are quite comfortable and do not seem to stain or oxidize at all. A couple of specimens I have do show they are susceptable to damage from CHEWING though! --RJ-- |
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| drbridges |
Mac wrote:
Wonder if this is the same bit material I've encountered that appears to soften and smear with alcohol? Alcohol soaked pipe cleaners always come out black, and this appears to be bit material instead of tobacco oil. The bit does appear shiny high gloss. Yeah, I question the indestructible part, since I rarely find WILLARD or VIKING bits that aren't chewed flat and shredded. We discussed the OMEGA shapes somewhere here in the DGCF. ted made me aware they were available in several shape sizes, so maybe he can recall them. I'm guessing they included the #37, #37L, and #47. Perhaps there was a #67 bantam size. |
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| ted |
RJ, David, Now you reminded me of something else.
Willard bits were never buffed at the factory for EXACTLY the reason you said. They would actually melt with the heat of buffing. The mould lines along the sides were lightly sanded off and then lightly buffed, but no hard buffing. I'll wager that the Standard had the same bit. Indestructable to breakage, not chewing. Sometimes the airhole would just collapse, but free in 2 packs of Carter Hall, we never saw them again. Best I recall, methanol would also soften the Willard bits. The three Omega shapes/sizes are #67, #37L, and #47. 67 the smallest, and 47 the largest. Bet the 47 hasn't been made in 15 years...ted |
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| BWThomas |
I guess my Omegas are 37L, as are all my bents, except for the three small ones, a Lark, a Duke and a no name. I don't think I've ever even touched a 47. Is the 47 shape still being made in a non-Omega? |
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| Rev. Avery |
I had no idea Dr. Grabows were so well thought of and studied. Honestly, whenever I heard DGs mentioned they were kind of put down.
So, for some time I decided not to bother with them. But, I found RJ's site and decided to get one and give it a try (the Omega). Also, one of the YouTube pipe video guys I like mentioned them favorably stating he thought they were good smoking pipes. Thank you for the picture of the well pipe DrB. Now it makes sense for the term "well." As far as the three sizes of Omega: is it stamped on the pipe somewhere? I don't know the size of the one I have coming. It's helpful to know what the sizes are so I can ask before I bid on more. I like bents too BW. I only have one so for. It's a Kaywoodie Fine Line. I have my dad's (or granddad's) old straight fine line and really like how it smokes. I'm finding that not all fine lines smoke the same. The bent I got has the stinger cut. I didn't know that when I won it. But, the thing is a great smoker! Hope you guys have a nice Labor Day. |
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| drbridges |
Rev wrote:
Lots of misinfo re DG pipes out there. That is why we are here, trying to set down a truthful record. You're welcome for the photo, Rev, but it was Sir Duke (TM) who actually posted it to the DGCF gallery. I only relocated it. Don't expect to find any shape numbers stamped on OMEGA pipes. A #67 will be small, like a DUKE or SAVOY full bent. A #47 will be large enough you will notice and exclaim WHOA! Anything in-between must be a #37L (although I believe I may have a #37 OMEGA). |
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| Rev. Avery |
Thank you DR. Maybe when my Omega arrives I'll post the demensions and see if anyone can tell me the number of it? Now that I know there are three sizes I'm going to keep my eyes open for more. I'm wathching a couple now on eBay. I can't tell from looking what they size might be. Perhaps when mine arrives I'll be able to judge future models by mine. |
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| drbridges |
ted, did you say earlier that all OMEGA pipes used the same bit?
If they do, then it should be simple to compare the bit to the bowl to determine size. |
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| ted |
Yes, all 3 have the same bit. 90% of what is on ebay are #37L. I think.....think I can tell by a picture. Relationship between the size of the bit and size of the bowl. I'll look more closely and if I spot a #47 or #67 I'll post it......ted |
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| Rev. Avery |
Yes, all 3 have the same bit. 90% of what is on ebay are #37L. I think.....think I can tell by a picture. Relationship between the size of the bit and size of the bowl. I'll look more closely and if I spot a #47 or #67 I'll post it......ted[/QUOTE]
That's good to know Ted about the sizes on eBay. Is there a size chart anywhere that explains/describes the numbers? Also, is there a basic way to tell the ages of these? Please do post if you notice any of the different sizes of the Omega on eBay. I'd like to get one in each size. I'm looking at the Omegas that are there now. There's a red one that I think I'm going to bid on. If I ask stupid questions ... please feel free to let me know.
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| drbridges |
Rev wrote:
How is the DG shape chart coming, BW? |
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| BWThomas |
I had planned to have the '81 and '37 charts ready to print end of last week. I found a few errors in MY work, so I decided to recheck everything. I think I can post jpeg copies on my photobucket tonight, and make high resolution PDFs available via ftp download shortly, probably in a day or so. Members wanting the hi-res pdf need to PM me for ftp access and password. By the end of this week I will have printed the '81 and '37 charts on 8-1/2 x 11 sheets. I am reworking the wall charts. I have ordered the pipes as they appear on the charts, then have added sheets showing pipes ordered by shape number. Anyone wanting copies of the 8-1/2 x 11 'notebook' sheets or the wall charts mailed to them, PM me your address. There is no charge, although donations of tobacco or old pipes in need of repair will be gladly accepted. BW |
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| ted |
If it's the same red one I saw, it's a "jewel". Still think it's a #37L, but a beautiful pipe. Looks like someone re-did it 'cause they never left the factory in that color. Did you notice the price "spread" on the Omega's......ted |
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| Rev. Avery |
I had planned to have the '81 and '37 charts ready to print end of last week.
BW[/QUOTE] BW, you sure are putting a lot of work into this. You're efforts will be appreciated, I'm sure. |
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| Rev. Avery |
If it's the same red one I saw, it's a "jewel". Still think it's a #37L, but a beautiful pipe. Looks like someone re-did it 'cause they never left the factory in that color. Did you notice the price "spread" on the Omega's......ted
Ted, Thank you for looking at that Omega. I was hoping to get some input before committing to it. I did like the color of it. Yes, I have noticed the price spread on the Omegas. I'll just wait for the ones in the price range I want to spend
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| drbridges |
Rev wrote:
Oh, that's a good idea. Wish I had thought to try it. 
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| Rev. Avery |
I don't always do it either DR. 
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| Rev. Avery |
I just read on another site about a Dr. Grabow Corn Cob??? Was/is there such a critter? | ||||
| ted |
Yes Rev, there was for several years during the mid 80's a line of Grabow Cobs. They were manufactured for us by Missouri Meerschaum.
Through Grabow's distribution chains we were able to sell more cobs than MM cared to sell us. They quit, and we were stuck with unfilled orders. We even grew a crop of "cob corn" in NC just to see if it was practical. It really wasn't......ted |
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| BWThomas |
That's a shame. I wondered why those things disappeared from the market. I really liked those filtered cobs. |
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| drbridges |
Rev wrote:
Not only cobs, but DG also sold a line of carved meerschaum pipes. This from a 1964 DG publication. 
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| Rev. Avery |
I like the MM cobs that I have. I have several and rotate them. That's interesting that MM made the cobs for DR. G. Those are some really nice looking Meerschaum. Does anybody have one of the DR.G Meerschaum's? If so, how were they? | ||||
| LokoMac8 |
Let's show him the "good" ones, DRB! I wonder if they had ANY takers for these? Seemed way out the Dr. Grabow league. --RJ-- 
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| ted |
I don't remember selling one during 25 years. I think we had 4 of them.....Same 4....probably the exact same 4 that are pictured.
We did sell a few of the less expensive ones....ted |
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| LokoMac8 |
I don't and can't say. I have only seen a few smooth ones on eBay and maybe one carved one like in DRB's post. Trouble is, as far as I know, they are not marked or stamped "Dr. Grabow" (I must correct myself on this -- in adding photos to this post I could make out one that WAS stamped on the BIT) and they only imported them, probably from the same sources everyone else got theirs. For that reason, unless they are with their gift or presentation box, one would not actually know if it was a Dr. Grabow Meerschaum or not, and I probably miss a lot of them because the seller might not know either. I bid on a few that had their boxes with them, but they always went higher than I was willing to pay. --RJ-- 
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| LokoMac8 |
And what, pray tell, might have happened to those four?! --RJ-- |
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| Rev. Avery |
Those are really, really nice. I'm going to be on the look out for 'em 
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| Terry292 |
There's a pipe in an antique shop here that looks an awful lot like the cavalier's head on the bottom right. I'll have to go over there tomorrow and take a closer look. Who knows, it might even be marked.
Terry |
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| LokoMac8 |
EXCELLENT! I'd like an example, but don't really collect them because they aren't really Dr. Grabows and weren't crafted in Chicago or Sparta. You have now just become our official Dr. Grabow meerschuam pipe "expert" and we look forward to seeing you making acquisition(s) and reporting on them here! All in the name of research, you know! --RJ-- |
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| Rev. Avery |
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| LokoMac8 |
Hmm, must've said too much. Well, I am still looking for a single example just for the collection, but I would want it with the box and hopefully stamped on the stem. I rarely run across them, but if I do, I'll check with you to see what your interest is. --RJ-- |
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| ozark southpaw |
Sure would like to run across those four-or even one!! |
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| LokoMac8 |
Now I am excited for you -- can't wait to hear what you find out! --RJ-- |
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| Rev. Avery |
"I rarely run across them, but if I do, I'll check with you to see what your interest is. --RJ--"
Yes, please do RJ. Thank you. -- I hope this doesn't fall into the stupid question but ... do I use a filter with the Omega?
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| LokoMac8 |
It is MADE to utilize the filter -- believe it or not, some people prefer not to use the filter in pipes that were made to take them. Personally, I am not a big filter pipe fan, but I do use them on pipes they were designed to use them. I once cleaned up an old COLOR DUKE Ajustomatic that someone apparently smoked it's entire career WITHOUT a filter. Boy, what a mess that was! Without using the filter, that is a LARGE AREA for gunk to build up in over the years that running a pipe cleaner through doesn't keep clean. Not using the filter can also affect the drag and may require packing the bowl differently to compensate for. The OMEGA would probably work better without a filter than the rest of the filter pipes, though. --RJ-- |
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| ted |
Rev....Splurge for .75 and buy a box of filters. Try it both ways. You'll find the way that suit you.
I'm like RJ, No filters in anything except a cob. The filter in the cob seems to lengthen their useful life by absorbing moisture that would collect in the shank...ted |
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| Rev. Avery |
Well ... I got my Omega and am thrilled with it I smoked it this morning (with a filter) on the way to work. It smokes really, really well! I'm wondering how much better a pipe can smoke? In otherwords, do the more expensives, well-know pipes smoke much better? And if so, how so? Do "better" briars smoke better? Is it the way the holes are drilled? I really am interested in knowing this because if all Grabows smoke this well and there's not that much difference between a Grabow and the more expensive brands ... I'd just as soon get more Grabows? Does that make sense??
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| LokoMac8 |
Man, you have just stumbled upon questions with no truly correct answers and one that pipe smokers, inventors of devices and gimmicks and pipe makers have all pondered since the first pipe. If there WAS a single answer, all pipes and pipe designs (other than asthetics) would be exactly alike. Obviously, NO ONE has found that single profound "truth". My favorite saying is "accidental design", implying that almost by accident, and by all things coming together in a manner that no one can yet define, one pipe is liable to smoke better than another. One problem is, seldom do any two people agree with the results of another on the same pipe, whether good or bad. So many little factors are involved that range from relative humidity and type of tobacco smoked, to the smoker's technique that in the end, the pipe may play less of a part than all of the other factors combined. That insures that inventors can keep inventing and pipe manufacturers can keep making pipes and keep "competing" with one another. The more experience that I have gained smoking pipes and tobacco, the more that I am convinced that if there is a problem with a particular pipe, it was probably ME with the problem and not the pipe. I am somewhat hesitant to say, that I used to have several pipes that were bad actors, but with time, I now cannot identify a single one of them! Why? Because the more I smoked and gained experience, the less "thought" I gave to what I was doing. It became more natural, and almost unconsciously, I started to ADJUST different aspects of my process (from loading the bowl, tamping, lighting, rate of puffing, etc.) without even realizing it until I could secure a decent smoke from any of my many pipes. Kinda like a bad golfer that keeps blaming his bad scores on his clubs and keeps buying new sets or different individual clubs instead of actually learning how to play with the ones he has, I suppose (I KNEW a golfer like this!) -- anyway, he NEVER considered the problem might be HIM. Now, all this is not to say that pipe design and accuracy of drilling, etc. don't play a part, because accidentally, there is probably a pipe out there that would give EVERYONE that smoked it a good, dry, enjoyable smoke. It would be a rare one and hard to duplicate. Some pipes may have the flue hole off a little bit, i.e., too high or off to one side, but I have found that sometimes can HELP as much as hinder. The most important thing, I believe, is to keep the pipe CLEAN inside. Buildup of residues, even slightly, can adversely affect the taste, and ANY restriction almost always results in moisture building up and accumulating in the wrong places. Of course, filter pipes, as a rule, GO A LONG WAY IN HELPING THERE. I'm sure that it makes it much easier if you ALWAYS smoke the same tobacco, wherein you learn its characteristics completely, mostly by osmosis, and that would further be simplified if you always smoke the same handful of pipes. Different tobaccos WILL smoke differently in different pipes. Different pipes may be more suited for one type of tobacco than another. I smoke everything in anything, with no dedicated pipes for certain tobaccos. Of course, I believe if one always smokes the same tobacco in the same pipe, it probably would enhance the flavor even more, rather than always having a bit of a "ghost" from a previous smoke affecting the flavor to one degree or another. I still haven't reached that "wine taster" ability to pick up on that or worry about it. So in a nutshell, I find Dr. Grabow pipes to smoke as well as anything else I've tried. Of course, I've only owned about two upscale pipes and neither of them cost me more than $100. They smoked no better and after some use, they certainly looked no better, than the common Dr. Grabow. You CAN spend a lot more money for less, and having spent that money you CAN convince yourself that it is far superior, but in the end I think that's what a lot of people do -- convince themselves their pipe is better because they spent $250 for it. If someone spends that much money (or thousands) for a pipe, then I hope the artistic value and looks is all they are really willing to pay extra for. Enjoying your Dr. Grabow as you are, I will say this -- not all Dr. Grabows are created alike. They are created the same way in great numbers, but there are some that come off the line that are just way better than the others -- again, mostly just in appearance. There may be perfect straight grains or ones loaded with bird's eye that you'll find -- they are the ones that seemed to slip through that are just absolutely beautiful works of art and beauty that you just can't believe it come off the same assembly line! And they sold for the same low price! In general, though, they are all good smokers. Quality sometimes varies, depending on the era the pipe was produced, but even the crudest looking, perhaps hastily turned out Chicago VPS "Specials" I have all smoke fine -- they just don't look great. Just enjoy that OMEGA, bottom line. I didn't like that P-lip bit, or whatever it's called, and had set most of mine aside UNTIL DRB modified the bit on one and sent it back to me. That did it for me! I now enjoy that Omega often (a #37 bowl) and it remains one of my favorite pipes in rotation. --RJ-- |
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| ted |
RJ......WELL SAID......
I'll only add a quote from a real old-timer and mentor who said the good ones were "Touched by the finger of GOD"....ted |
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| Rev. Avery |
Thank you RJ. I've wondered about the same thing ... that once you spend a lot on a pipe it HAS to be better than the "cheaper" ones. I wonder what pipe a person would choose if in a blindfolded test? That would be intersting.
I am very pleased that my first smoke with the Omega was so enjoyable. After hearing so many negatives about DG's I wasn't sure what to expect. I'm not sure but I don't think it was smoked much if at all. There are absolutely no marks on the bit. But either way it's in great condition. I won my second Omega on eBay. It was the nice looking red one. Can't wait to get that one now
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| Irishlefty |
Rev. - I'll take my DG Westbrooks, Hillcrests, Belvedere's, and Starfire's over any other pipe brands hands down. The only other brand I have had consistent great smokes from are Sasieni and I have several of those as well. For the price difference, I say find a DG line that you like (or several) and stick with it. | ||||
| Terry292 |
No joy on that pipe, guys. When I went in to look at it, the owner told me he'd sold it a couple of weeks ago. It has been about a month since the last time I was in the place. Now, we'll never know. Terry |
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| steverino |
RJ pretty much summed it up. The only thing I would add concerning an expensive pipe over a cheaper pipe is this: I get good smokes from most of my Grabows. I get good smokes from all of my Petersons. So that is to say that a more expensive pipe may be able to provide a consistently good smoke, whereas the cheaper pipe may be hit or miss. And it all depends on the individual smoker. I would hasten to add that I have several Grabows that smoke every bit as good, every time, as my Petersons; but I also have some that don't. This is strictly my opinion, but I believe that you don't need to pay more than $100 to $150 to obtain the best smoke possible (and maybe way less). The $200 and higher pipes provide an element of personal satisfaction that has little to do with smoking. Edit: Changed "nothing" to "little" in last sentence. |
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| Rev. Avery |
I can see where the higher end brands could/would provide a consistenly good smoke. I guess I'm excited to find that my first DG is as fine a smoker as it is.
I read this in an article and was wondering if someone could help me understand what the Grabow Alpha?? line is. Here's the quote: "At this point, the first grading occurs the best bowls are set aside to become Alpha pipes instead of Dr. Grabows. The grading determines not only the final brand name but the price within that line, because the size of the bowl will also be a factor, in addition to the presence of minute surface flaws and more or less desirable graining." Is there an Alpha line of DG pipes? All the input has been so helpful. This is really a great group. |
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| ted |
Terry will get this one..ted |
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