Ashton Poker

[Harlock999]

Ashton LX Poker. Among my pipes, this one has a unique flavor. I don't know how else to describe it, other than it tastes "nutty".
Bill Taylor was right on his game when he carved it, no quality control issues. I think some pipes can actually better your technique, and I believe this one made me a more competent pipe smoker. There is just something about the feel and the draw of this pipe that made me slow down and appreciate the experience and the flavors. I've been enjoying it since last December, and it keeps getting better.

 

[docwatson]

Thanks for the photos. That is indeed a special pipe made by the master himself. Bill made the finest British pipes ever. RIP
Doc

 

[MisterE]

Wow man, you´re out with a vengance this month!

Looks awesome and fits nicely into the roll of Cumbalands. :cheers: :cheers:

Your going to HAVE to pop a tin of something new to break it in though. English pipe. I´d say fish out the Nightcap and keep it Anglais- like the pipe. :lol!:

 

[Zeno Marx]

On of my all-time favorite pipes was a large Ashton sandblast straight saddle brindle stemmed poker. It was phenomenally light for its size, and that isn't hyperbole. Not quite a Magnum and light as a tiny group 2 or 3 pipe with unusually good balance. Nice grain. Would love love love to have that pipe back. Handled thousands of pipes, and it remains a standout.

 

[Harlock999]

On of my all-time favorite pipes was a large Ashton sandblast straight saddle brindle stemmed poker. It was phenomenally light for its size, and that isn't hyperbole. Not quite a Magnum and light as a tiny group 2 or 3 pipe with unusually good balance. Nice grain. Would love love love to have that pipe back. Handled thousands of pipes, and it remains a standout.

I think I know what you mean. There is just something about this one that sets it apart from the rest of my rotation, and it sounds like yours was the same. Now I'm curious to weigh this pipe...

 

[hobie1dog]

 

[Schacht]

I like this one, the sandblasting, its color, that mouthpiece - just beautiful.

Congratulations, Greetings
Thilo

 

[hobie1dog]

Dangit........now I'm searching all over for another one like it. :suspect:

 

[Harlock999]

Here's an Ashton LX Billiard. This one has some construction "idiosyncrasies" going on, but is still very enjoyable to smoke.

 

[Cody V]

Gorgeous man! I know what you mean about it improving technique. I got a Sovereign SG at the auction last weekend, and it just happened to be a birth year pipe. That thing is amazing!

 

[riff raff]

This is the post that ignited my need for a Cumberland stemmed pipe! I had my Ashton Rhodesian at the beach all weekend am now enjoying my Dunhill Cumberland on the patio.

 

[Schacht]

Applause and congratulations, Chris! This is a really beautiful Ashton billiard, indeed!
Could you reveal to us, what construction idiosyncrasies you´re talking about?
I like sandblanst, color and grain on this pipe, and the beautiful stem as well. Is this new or is it an older pipe?

One thing, I always enjoy on your photos is, how the natural sunlight translates colors and contrast. That´s really a way to show details without putting too much artificial light on the object.

With kind regards
Thilo

 

[Harlock999]

Could you reveal to us, what construction idiosyncrasies you´re talking about?

Well, I've had the pipe for about a year, but it was made in 1997. The stamping on this one is a little odd. The number 17 that should follow "Made In England" is kind of floating off on it's own, and was stamped upside down. The tobacco chamber was drilled very slightly off center, and the stem has a bit of a loose fit (and whistles a little tune). These idiosyncrasies actually seem to be somewhat common on Ashton's, at least according to some sources. The blast is really nice though, it's light in weight, and like some other pipes that I own that cannot boast of meticulous engineering, it smokes just fine.

Thanks again, Thilo,
And cheers!
Chris.

 

[Schacht]

[…] The number 17 that should follow "Made In England" is kind of floating off on it's own, and was stamped upside down. […]

This is hopefully not a satanic symbolism.

[…] the stem has a bit of a loose fit (and whistles a little tune). […]

Major or minor? OK - just kidding, no offense! I own only one Ashton - an 1992 Apple Souvereign and this one´s handcrafted flawlessly.

After I ruined the stem of my first pipe - a Vauen - by trying to heat and stret the tappet I ripped the whole thing apart, Nils Thomsen was friendly enough to rescue the stem. He plated the tappet with teflon and dragged it down until it fitted perfectly (the picure shows the result). This Vauen whistled a little bit as well. Thomsen drilled a 4mm canal (it has been approximately 3mm before), now it´s silent and smokes better than ever before.

(please don´t hesitate to tell me, if you find that the picture is inappropriate in your Ashton Poker thread, I´ll remove it instantly)

With kind regards
Thilo

 

[docwatson]

Harlock,
That is one special billiard. Beautiful pipe despite any so called flaws, remember that Bill Taylor doesn't make pipes any more. At least not for us down here. RIP

 

[Harlock999]

[…] the stem has a bit of a loose fit (and whistles a little tune). […]

Major or minor? OK - just kidding, no offense! I own only one Ashton - an 1992 Apple Souvereign and this one´s handcrafted flawlessly.

It's a bit of a melancholy sound, so I'll say minor key! :cheers:
And please feel free to post as many photos as you'd like! I love your photography, and I love looking at pipes!

 

[Harlock999]

Harlock,
That is one special billiard. Beautiful pipe despite any so called flaws, remember that Bill Taylor doesn't make pipes any more. At least not for us down here. RIP

Thank you Doc!
You know, I really wouldn't describe these as flaws. I like to think of them simply as "idiosyncrasies". In other words, charming and gentle reminders that this is a pipe made by hand, by a man who loved what he did, not a robot on an assembly line. I think the pipe and it's idiosyncrasies give us a glimpse at the maker's personality.
Chris.

 

[Schacht]

[…]|I like to think of them simply as "idiosyncrasies". In other words, charming and gentle reminders that this is a pipe made by hand, by a man who loved what he did, not a robot on an assembly line. […]

Thats a point I really like about pipe smoking: the answer to the question "what´s the perfect pipe" is, that a good pipe can nearly have something alike an own personality - how it smokes and tastes depends on many qualities and and it seems to me, maybe sometimes it depends even on the right time.

Kind regards and a wonderful friday to you, Chris - and the other brothers of briar.