A Bit More

 

The above pipe lists for $114 on the Smoking Pipes website.  Barling is the pipe company and has been in existence since 1812 by Barling and Sons.  The family took over the business in 1906 and in 2020 the company has been owned by the Ropp pipe manufacturing company.  The company began in the Marylenon district in London from which this particular pipe gets its name .  It is fashioned in a similar style from a pipe made in 1814.  

Obviously the pipe is more up to date than it was back then.  The stem would have been fashioned from wood instead of the Vulcanite used in most of today's pipes.  The finish is a sandblast finish, which again is different from that of a pipe from that era.  There is a very small lion's head fashioned from silver which is inlaid in the stem.  While the style is reminiscent of that era, the pipe is very modern.  There is nothing about this pipe that would have been what it was in 1814 except for style..

From the photograph, one can tell it has not been carbonized and would require some breaking-in.  Some pipe smokers prefer a carbonized bowl, but breaking in a pipe is relatively easy.  Breaking in a pipe requires a few half bowls that are smoked relatively cool.  Then a bowl at about 3/4 and it's pretty much ready to be smoked as a regular pipe.  Many old time pipe smokers prefer to break in a pipe.  They can see the inside of the bowl and notice if there are flaws carbonization might hide.  

Generally speaking the flaws are on the outside and not in the bowl, which is why these days it doesn't matter.  Pipe manufacturing has such high standards that one needn't have to worry about a pipe with flaws.  

I don't need a new pipe.  Believe me when I say this.  While I like fine wine as a gift, a pipe as a gift is certainly welcome.  And I'm giving ideas to others in case others are interested in the hobby.  Once in a great while I might stumble on a more expensive pipe, but many pipe smokers won't ever own a Dunhill pipe, for example.  Often a most expensive pipe for any collector won't be more than $150.  

There are interesting pipes that cost less than $150.  A Dr. Grabow pipe can be had for about $50, which is a good starter pipe.  But as about $30 is a price for good wine $100 is a good price for a pipe.  And a pipe is reusable.  Once wine is consumed it's gone.  My price point for wine is $20.  But good wines can be had for less than $15.  Pipes are relative.  Simply don't pay more for anything you can't afford.  Just like wine, pipes are affordable.  It's more about the tobacco than the pipe.  

So, there you have it.  Just another very affordable good pipe with 200 years of history behind it.  I'm smoking my Tim West pipe this morning with some Gambler pioe tobacco.  Thank you for your time and Peace to each onebof you.

Dave