Ben Wade Martinque

[Growley]

This Ben Wade was my 2nd pipe. I used to scavenge antique stores for anything interesting. It's odd how many old pipes you can find in an antique store. But you've got to look in the deepest darkest crevices.

My experience is that most antique stores don't really know what they're worth. They're just something they picked up from an estate sale most likely. I had no idea what this Ben Wade was worth when I saw it. So, I went to the local tobacco store and asked, "Hey, I found a Ben Wade in an antique store for $25 bucks, is that a good deal?" He quickly responded saying that if I didn't buy it he would. So, I went back and bought it for $25 bucks, original stem and all. Oh, and it looked like it had only been smoked a handful of times.

She has a nice deep conical bowl which will smoke for hours, but she also gurgles like a baby in a bathtub. Now that I make my own pipes, I know I could fix the gurgle, but I'd rather keep it original, so I'm going to leave it alone.

Take a look:

 

[Ocelot55]

Did you have any clue what a step up that was from your King's Cross? Quite a find. I'm constantly scouring to find cool estate pipes. That's how I got most of mine. I have still not picked up a freehand, though I have one on my short list.

 

[Growley]

Did you have any clue what a step up that was from your King's Cross? Quite a find. I'm constantly scouring to find cool estate pipes. That's how I got most of mine. I have still not picked up a freehand, though I have one on my short list.

Only somewhat. I was told once that it might have been a $250 pipe, but really have no idea. The two odd things are that, 1. The Ben Wade cost me less. 2. The King's Cross smokes better. I don't know how old the Ben Wade is, but it's draw is not open at all. If I opened it up properly, it would probably be a great smoker, but I hesitate to do that.

 

[BuckeyeBoy34]

I love the stem on the Ben Wade. You got a deal at $25 bucks. Out of the Kings Cross or the Ben Wade wich one is more prescious to you?

 

[Growley]

I love the stem on the Ben Wade. You got a deal at $25 bucks. Out of the Kings Cross or the Ben Wade wich one is more prescious to you?

It's odd, the Kings Cross, being my first pipe should be more precious to me, but it's not. Out of my small collection of pipes which I didn't make, my Ben Wade really is my favorite. It's large, it's freehand and I love the plateaux. I too love the stem. Too bad it smokes so terribly I don't ever smoke it any more.

 

[Leyte]

Very nice Ben Wade, excellent find.

 

[PipeLeisure]

Excellent find indeed, you scored on that one...that pipe is freakin gorgeous. I love everything about it, the grain, the stem, the overall freehand shape...everything.

 

[ITSETTLE]

Wonderful looking Pipe!

 

[onabullit]

Very Nice. Hell of a score for the second pipe in your collection. Alabama should offer a wealth of estate sale, auction, and antique finds. I just scored this Martinique off ebay last week for $66! and I am thrilled at how nice the grain and shape is.
Looks just as nice as some of the higher end Preben Holm's in my collection

 

[onabullit]

As far as gurgle... what tobacco are you smoking out of it? Do you run a pipe cleaner through it once or twice while smoking? Do you take your time and refrain from drooling into the pipe?

All of these can contribute to gurgle. If I want to open the airway, the screw bit tool on the end of my Senior Reamer always does the trick.

 

[Growley]

As far as gurgle... what tobacco are you smoking out of it? Do you run a pipe cleaner through it once or twice while smoking? Do you take your time and refrain from drooling into the pipe?

All of these can contribute to gurgle. If I want to open the airway, the screw bit tool on the end of my Senior Reamer always does the trick.

I've tried several tobacco's in it. The gurgle is clearly from restricted airflow. I've learned how to fix this in making my own pipes, but I just don't have the heart to "mess" with someone else's work and open it up properly. The fix would only take me about 30 minutes, but then I wouldn't have an original Ben Wade.

I don't know...that might be silly, but I'm kind of nostalgic like that I guess.

I've just come to terms that it will sit and be admired for it's beauty and not it's functionality.

 

[onabullit]

I just smoked out of mine. 35 year old tin of Dunhill Light Flake which was on the drier side.

My Wade also gurgled, and it was hard to get a cleaner all the way into the stem.

But regular swabbing kept it smokeable. Theyre pipes to enjoy on special occasions anyway.

 

[lab1dobie]

I have 2 Ben Wades and they are great smoking pipes. That one you got is very nice! Congratulations on your find!

 

[smokinbriar]

Wonderful score.

 

[smokeyjay]

very nice pipe. Hope to add a Ben Wade to my newbie collection soon.
SmokeyJay