Dunhill Shell Briar Rubdown

[smoker13]

Is it an inherent (i.e. deliberate) feature of this finish to gradually rub away to reveal deep ruby coloring (Bruyere-ish) in the negative spaces of the grain?

 

[monbla256]

Yep ! Been that way since the early '20s when they brought out the first blasted pipe and it was the "Shell" finish, black over a Burgandy base stain. Until the mid '60s they were made from oil cured Algerian Briar and those are the ones you want, :twisted:

 

[Richard Burley]

...and the ridges eventually wear away, after decades of pocket carry--or daily caressing. :heart:

 

[smoker13]

Many Thanks, Brothers!

 

[Lonecoyote]

Youbetcha they do but they can be properly restored to like new condition. I've seen some amazing restorations on Dunhill's



KEEP ON PUFFING!!!.

 

[Corncobcon]

I guess I don't caress my Dunhill Shell Briar enough! The only reddish hue I find is on the bottom of the pipe. Otherwise, the bowl and stem are black.

 

[DrumsAndBeer]

I have smoked and caressed the bejeezus out of my 1966 Shell and it's still black, but like Corncob's it's got a deep burgundy hue on the bottom, especially along the ridge with the nomenclature on it. It smokes beautifully, which is really all the matters.

 

[SpeedyPete]

My 1945 Shell Briar is showing signs of the burgundy coming through in places. I don't smoke the pipe too often because.....well, it's not a very good smoker

 

[Lonecoyote]

My 1945 Shell Briar is showing signs of the burgundy coming through in places. I don't smoke the pipe too often because.....well, it's not a very good smoker

Has your '45 Shell Briar not been a good smoker from the start? Any blends prior causing a ghost? For me the BEST Dunhill pipe is the Shell Briar due to how well they smoke. Have you cleaned your '45 well? My granddaughter's Dunhill I now own needed a retort due to how poorly it smoked. It made a big difference afterwards.



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[smoker13]

Most of my meager collection of Dunhills are Shell Briars (4) and only one is starting to have a LITTLE of that ruby red peeking through in a couple places, the rim and just below in one spot. And Lonecoyote, I tend to agree that these seem to be the best smokers of the lot, although my Chestnut group 4 Dublin is purty darn good as well.

 

[Zeno Marx]

I wonder if it is, in part, due to the oil curing process. I have several pipes that are very old and that I have smoked very often, and none of them show the rubbed, smoothing patina of Shells I've had.

 

[Richard Burley]

I wonder if it is, in part, due to the oil curing process.  I have several pipes that are very old and that I have smoked very often, and none of them show the rubbed, smoothing patina of Shells I've had.

Good point. Can oil occupy the same cellular space as stain in briar?

 

[Lonecoyote]

I wonder if it is, in part, due to the oil curing process. I have several pipes that are very old and that I have smoked very often, and none of them show the rubbed, smoothing patina of Shells I've had.

I've often wondered also if it's due to the way the Shell Briar's are oil cured. For me they are surely the best Dunhill smokers and I also attributed this to the oil cured method. My other Dunhill's I sold in 2011, but I do still have the two my Grandfather gave me. Only smoke them on his Birthday in his honor.
Maybe that's another reason why I prefer pipes made from oil cured Algerian briar, they do smoke cooler... :cheers:



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[monbla256]

I have 3 pre- '66 Shells, one is a Tanshell finish 2 are the standard Shell finish one being a BY 1946 and They ALL smoke fantastically. Besides the oil curing it's the briar they used back then, Algerian which gave fantastic graggy blasts and works well with Oil Curing. Sadly they don't use Algerian briar any more and the 1975 Shell I have smokes not as well as the pre-66 ones even though they still oil cure them. Any older Edwards pipe smoke the same as the older Shells as they to are oil cured Algerian Briar. Like I said, get a pre-66 Shell for the best smoking and looks. JMHO :twisted: :twisted:

 

[Lonecoyote]

monbla256, just like I stated above you^^^^

For me personally I much prefer pipes made from oil cured Algerian Briar. Much cooler and extremely smooth smoking pipes. I've noted this in MANY threads prior.

Also, your correct....if you can get your hands on an older estate Edwards pipe it won't be your last. They are underpriced, just my opinion.



KEEP ON PUFFING!!!

 

[monbla256]

monbla256, just like I stated above you^^^^

For me personally I much prefer pipes made from oil cured Algerian Briar. Much cooler and extremely smooth smoking pipes. I've noted this in MANY threads prior.

Also, your correct....if you can get your hands on an older estate Edwards pipe it won't be your last. They are underpriced, just my opinion.



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All I was doing was adding the fact that it was MORE than the oil curing it was that they were made from ALGERIAN BRIAR back then. BTW, the Bruyere pipes were also made from oil cured Algerian briar back then. !! :twisted: :twisted: I have twenty Edwards that I bought btwn '72 thru '80 and LOVE "EM !! :twisted:

 

[Lonecoyote]

monbla256

Was just agreeing with you about the Dunhill Shell Briar pipes. I'm also aware back in the 60's the Dunhill Bruyere pipes were also made from oil cured Algerian briar. My statement was that for some reason the Shell Briar's smoked cooler and smoother then their Bruyere pipes. I've also commented in prior threads I prefer Algerian briar, oil cured or not.
Just my personal preference.



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[Corncobcon]

monbla256, just like I stated above you^^^^

For me personally I much prefer pipes made from oil cured Algerian Briar. Much cooler and extremely smooth smoking pipes. I've noted this in MANY threads prior.

Also, your correct....if you can get your hands on an older estate Edwards pipe it won't be your last. They are underpriced, just my opinion.



KEEP ON PUFFING!!!

And once again I learned something I didn't know. Now I have to find an Algerian briar pipe! Thanks for the info. This site is definitely a learning experience.

 

[monbla256]

monbla256, just like I stated above you^^^^

For me personally I much prefer pipes made from oil cured Algerian Briar. Much cooler and extremely smooth smoking pipes. I've noted this in MANY threads prior.

Also, your correct....if you can get your hands on an older estate Edwards pipe it won't be your last. They are underpriced, just my opinion.



KEEP ON PUFFING!!!

And once again I learned something I didn't know.  Now I have to find an Algerian briar pipe!  Thanks for the info.  This site is definitely a learning experience.  

Look for some pre-1990 Edward's pipes. You won't be dissapointed. :twisted: :twisted: