Bought a stanwell

[Jevverrett]

I purchased one of the vario line they recently released in the 107 variation (lovat). It should be coming in next day or so. I have read they are a decent pipe, for the money. Anyone here who can speak for their character?

 

[Brewdude]

I have 2 Stanny's. The first one is a Legend 19 that is from Denmark production. Think I got it new from SP. Fine in all respects, and is dedicated to 5100. Very much a Danish design and have had it for many years. Nice piece of briar.

The second is an estate I got it semi-recently from kaitlyn. It's a Danish Star, again made in Denmark. 1/2 bent apple. Only put a couple bowls through it so far but can see that it'll be a go-to in due course.

I've read that recent production Stanny's (Italian?) aren't up to the same standards as Denmark production but have no experience of this. So I'm sort of on the lookout for estate Stannies from Denmark production.

Think Puff Daddy has a bunch of experience with Denmark Stannies. Maybe he'll weigh in here.



Cheers,

RR

 

[Richard Burley]

Old, Danish-made Stanwells are great. I think they're a cut above Petes and Savs, to compare similar price ranges. I had a bad experience with a Stanwell a few years ago--the q.c. was crap--so I tossed it and swore off Stanwells. That lasted a couple of years until I felt the need for a beater pipe to knock around, and an Italian-made Stanwell current production caught my eye. It's one of the best pipes ever, one of those you can smoke garbage in and it tastes good. So what else can I say...?

I know!...I think old Stanwells are underpriced. I wasn't planning on sharing that bit of wisdom, if that's what it is, but I figure I've got enough pipes already, so take it as ye may, and the devil take the hindmost, or something.

 

[Hermit]

My favorite "factory" pipe.  I have a dozen of em.
All of em are older, so Danish.

 

[Old Nate]

Jev, I've had my eye on an estate Stanwell for a while now... I don't own one, but something tells me they would be a very solid pipe. I have some cheap pipes, a few higher end pipes, and several mid range pipes (to me these are Savinelli, Peterson, etc.) and the mid range smokers are by far my favorite... just great everyday pipes that smoke well and are very durable.

This post makes me want to go out and get that Stanwell! My wife will not be pleased... :shock:

 

[Jevverrett]

I mostly bought it for a work pipe, so it just needs to smoke well.

 

[Puff Daddy]

I've owned quite a few. I think the last few years of the Made in Denmark Stanwells were the best factory pipes ever made, given the price. These pipes had excellent draws and quality, comfortable acrylic stems, and they had style. The new Italian made Stanwells are not bad, I've got a couple. They smoke well, better than the Savs and Petes at the same price. They just lack that something special the Denmark Stanwells had.

 

[Jevverrett]

I actually just got it now. Not bad. It is pretty cool insofar as the finish. Kind of a half blasted black and tan look. It does lack something just to feel it in hand. It's lighter than it looks maybe. However, the draft hole is big and the drilling is straight. Comfortable it too. I'd say it'll do what I need it to.

I generally smoke the life out of one pipe all day once it's broken in. Work pipes anyway. Then, it gets a week of rest. This ought to be able to do that for awhile. I'm a bit of a murderer when it comes to work pipes. But, that's what they're for right?

 

[Old Nate]

I actually just got it now. Not bad. It is pretty cool insofar as the finish. Kind of a half blasted black and tan look. It does lack something just to feel it in hand. It's lighter than it looks maybe. However, the draft hole is big and the drilling is straight. Comfortable it too. I'd say it'll do what I need it to.

I generally smoke the life out of one pipe all day once it's broken in. Work pipes anyway. Then, it gets a week of rest. This ought to be able to do that for awhile. I'm a bit of a murderer when it comes to work pipes. But, that's what they're for right?

Yep! Hammer it!

 

[Jevverrett]

Having smoked it all day. I'm gonna say it remind me a lot of the savinelli one starter kit pipe I got once, minus the sourness I had before removing the bowl coating. It reminds me a lot of a sav. Which may make sense if they are made in Italy now. Good pipe though, I would recommend them if somebody was asking. Would make a good xmas gift for a pipe curious friend.

I will admit my narrow minded view on them. Probably bc of the price, sadly for me. Opened my eyes a bit to other possibilities. Thanks for the info fellas.

 

[Richard Burley]

In defense of current production:

I bought a new Italian Stanwell from some guy on Ebay that was selling them cheap to use as a beater pipe. I liked the shape, kind of a 1/4-bent apple. It's what I smoke and leave in my car. I abuse it. I rarely clean it, I light it with a Zippo, and generally just don't take care of it. It has the mortise drilled for large filters, which I don't use. Well, the pipe turned out to be one of the best smokers I own. The wood tastes good, if you know what I mean, so it was aged properly. Nothing wrong with stem fitment or anything. On the rare occasions when I clean it I am amazed by the lack of gunk on the inside. I expect my beater pipes to fight back, but this one just takes it like an affable hound. Tempted to relegate it to my upper rack (as in upper shelf), but don't want to ruin a good thing. Might as well keep abusing it.

Just sayin', as they say. :star: :star: :star: :star:

 

[user 2031]

In defense of current production:

I bought a new Italian Stanwell from some guy on Ebay that was selling them cheap to use as a beater pipe. I liked the shape, kind of a 1/4-bent apple. It's what I smoke and leave in my car. I abuse it. I rarely clean it, I light it with a Zippo, and generally just don't take care of it. It has the mortise drilled for large filters, which I don't use. Well, the pipe turned out to be one of the best smokers I own. The wood tastes good, if you know what I mean, so it was aged properly. Nothing wrong with stem fitment or anything. On the rare occasions when I clean it I am amazed by the lack of gunk on the inside. I expect my beater pipes to fight back, but this one just takes it like an affable hound. Tempted to relegate it to my upper rack (as in upper shelf), but don't want to ruin a good thing. Might as well keep abusing it.

Just sayin', as they say. :star: :star: :star: :star:

Good review, Richard. I'm all about bargains, especially when they perform so well. 8)

 

[Jevverrett]

I have to say, it’s not a bad pipe at all for the money.

 

[KevinM]

I have quite a few Danish made Stanwells and would say, at the prices they sell for on the estate market, these are an absolute great choice for value pipe consumers. The new ones look and feel as if they were “made to a price,” but they’re very smokable. Enjoy.

 

[Lonecoyote]

I have to say, it’s not a bad pipe at all for the money.

But is it a good smoker??

I've yet to smoke a Stanwell that didn't smoke well. Sounds like a marketing jingle..



KEEP ON PUFFING!!!

 

[Jevverrett]

Haha. Indeed. Too bad they don’t advertise on tv or radio.

 

[MisterE]

I am currently Stanwell-less. I gifted a bro my last one a few years ago . I might have to change that coming up...

 

[smoker13]

smokingpipes.com had a "vintage" Stanwell blast a couple months ago. I bought the 2003 pipe of the year, designed by Tom Eltang, for just around a hundred bucks. Smokes like a dream and looks cool. It's a beater with class.

 

[Stinger4me]

When did Stanwell change production from Denmark to Italy?

 

[Richard Burley]

When did Stanwell change production from Denmark to Italy?

Brand & factory were established in 1942 by Poul Nielsen.

The company has been owned since 2000 by Nordisk Tobaks Kompagni A/S.

The factory in Borup crafted all Stanwell pipes from 1965 until 2009.

From 2010 on the pipes are crafted by Barontini (Italy) except for the limited editions.

Production (2007): 115 000 Pipes/year.