Dr. Grabow Pipes

Irishlefty · Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 5:57 am Post subject: the real value of DG products

I have been preparing pipes for the next few weeks listings on e-bay and have included some from my rotation - Bari, Savinelli, Hilson, Big-Ben, GBD, Comoy, etc

Why? Well, I've decided that none of them smoke as well as my DG collection and I've found myself keeping more and more DG pipes for myself and adding them to my personal rotation. I'm serious - the only brand that I have personally found to be superior as a 'smoker' to DG on a consistent basis is Sasieni - not Castello, not Dunhill, not Tillshead.

I now have 8 Westbrooks, 2 Freehands, 2 Hillcrests, 1 Riviera, 1 Grand Duke, and 1 Starfire in my rotation along with 5 Sasieni, 3 Petersen's, 2 Weber's, 1 Ehrlich, 2 Custom-bilt's, 10 Brigham's and a motley assortment of Savinelli, BC, Mastercraft and Marxman (and an ancient collection of Wally Frank 'pipe of the month' from the 1970's manufactured by who knows that were my special treat to myself each month for a number of years).

So, my point is.......the most valuable pipe is not the ones you spend the most money on, it is the ones that give you the most pleasure and that means the DG's are a greater value than any other brand on the market, in my not so humble opinion!!!

steverino · Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 11:47 am Post subject:

IL, that's a very interesting take on smokability. I have not been smoking that long so can't make the comparison you have, but I can say that most of my DG pipes smoke as well as anything I've got and that includes Petes, Stanwells and Kaywoodies plus a few strays. I would sure be interested to know, just for curiosity's sake, what makes the Sasieni smoke better. Any idea?

Irishlefty · Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 2:44 pm Post subject:

As I understand it, in 1919 Joel Sasieni Dunhill to start his own company and he thought he could improve on Dunhill's methods. Supposedly Dunhill, Barlings and other good English pipe makers 'air dried' their briar. Sasieni developed a method of oven drying for six weeks, with the briar being wiped dry frequently throughout the process. If all other factors are the same - quality briar, aged curing, etc then perhaps it is the process itself that make them good smokers.

I'm just glad that the 'collectors' have under valued them, leaving them at a more reasonable price for those of us who actually smoke them!

ozark southpaw · Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 6:13 pm Post subject:

You could really ruffle some feathers on the other forums with your last statement Lefty!! As we all know there are those who believe fervently that a "drug store" variety pipe cannot possibly smoke as well as their mega-buck pipes.
Since I have never smoked a high dollar pipe I can't say that my Grabows smoke as well as they do.All I know is that my Grabows give me what I "think" is a very good smoke! I just can't see how an expensive pipe would be any better!
If I ever buy any high end pipes they will be from independent carvers.
_________________
The only thing shorter than my memory is a certain part of my anatomy!

Irishlefty · Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 3:48 am Post subject:

I put pretty much the same material in my e-mail to my subscribers on E-bay. Don't care much what the snobs think - I'd like to get them in a 'blind' test where they would smoke a bowl from a different unidentified pipe (except by a letter that only the judges would know) each night for a week and rate each nights pipe for 'smokeability', coolness of smoke, etc.

Bet a whole lot of them would end up with egg on their faces.

gillywalker · Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2009 3:30 am Post subject:

How'd the sales go? I'm thinking about putting up some savinellis and a stanwell. The Grabows are my favorites.

TheDuke · Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2009 5:07 pm Post subject:

Irishlefty · Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 12:54 am Post subject:

That particular sale went very well - they all sold. A couple sold for $30 - unusual for my items as I start everything at $9.99 and most sell for around $10.50-11.00.

It is 8:45 AM in Manila and I am leaving for the airport and the long 24 hour ordeal home. Because of the time difference, I arrive back in Los Angeles at 1:40 PM Thanksgiving day - still in time for a good turkey dinner at my neighbors!!

I have listing up for this weekend and always have a supply in the store.

Once I'm home I'll be posting more on the forum!

Travers
AKA Irishlefty

ozark southpaw · Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 5:15 pm Post subject:

Welcome back Lefty!!

_________________
The only thing shorter than my memory is a certain part of my anatomy!