Dunhills

[Falconer]

I have to ask the question. What is it about a Dunhill that makes it so desirable? I've been smoking since 1967 and have never been financially set enough to purchase a Dunhill. Back in the day it sold for over a hundred dollars. That was a weeks pay. Today they are what $800? A weeks pay? What makes them ten times better than a Comoy, Stanwell, GBD or Jobey?
I was told once that they used a special oil treatment that made for a better smoke. I've also read that process was discontinued in 1968 due to cost inhibitions.
Is it just the name? Is it like owning a corvette or a Shelby Cobra? Does it truly perform better? No doubt they're quality pipes but in truth from my perspective they appear to be no different than a Peterson minus the classic silver band.
Tell me why I should invest in one and I'll start saving.
(But don't tell the wife.)

 

[Hermit]

I guess we all have to have at least one.
Everybody wants a birth year Dunhill.
From what I've heard, they don't make
em like they used to, so buy an estate.
You'll spend less and prolly get a better one.
I have two shells. They are great pipes,
and I got em used at a pretty good price.
I'm not lookin' for any more, unless
I see a '52 at an affordable price.
I sure wouldn't pop for a new one.
6101

5103

 

[babysinister]

[...] Is it just the name? [...]

Bingo. Brand name is practically the only surviving vestige of the original product, and the only thing that makes for their current marketability. As Jonathan Swift said, referring to a vacuous orator: "someone who has forgotten the meaning of words, but is an admirable retainer of the sound." I have a Savorys Argyll, which is a Dunhill second, that I bought new in the 1970s for a reasonable price. Excellent briar that you can't find anywhere anymore and from what I've heard, surely smokes much better than any modern Dunhill. They don't make them like they used to.

 

[Hermit]

Bingo. Brand name is practically the only surviving vestige of the original product,...

C'mon, they still gots white dots. :lol:

 

[Kapnismologist]

 

[Anonymous]

Bingo. Brand name is practically the only surviving vestige of the original product,...

C'mon, they still gots white dots. :lol:

Jip, They smoke real well too!
The "WHITE SPOT" is saluted!
For real, it is in the name, but, I have had other pipes that smoke just as well if not better at half the price!

 

[shadrack]

I think the infatuation with Dunhill was due to exceptional craftsmanship and innovation they displayed in their first few decades of business. Over the years, that combined with a certain brand mystique and a dating system just made Dunhill the name to have if you wanted the best regardless of whether they still were the best you could buy. I'll admit, I've been sucked into the Dunhill mystique for as long as I've been smoking pipes and have a few from different points in history. The best smoker of the bunch? A group 5 shell poker from 2003 hands down. That pipe smokes like a charm and is probably from the least well regarded era in Dunhill's history. Go figure.

 

[Hunter5117]

I've got 2 Dunnys both from Ebay and one of them was one of the cheapest pipes (well under $100) that I have purchased from there so you can buy them cheaply if you are patient. Regarding quality, I don't know that they are a guarantee of quality, but both of mine are as nice a pipe as any I own, and especially the fitment between shank and stem. I also like the square-cut stems on the non-F/T models, to me it says classic English, which I also associate with a lot of their classic shapes. I don't ever expect to make a big collection of them, and would never expect to buy one at new prices, but I won't pass up a good deal on one if I find it.

 

[acaciavet]

I have a 1949 Dunhill becuase thats the year I was Born.Today they are just another brand.Bowls turned in France and dip stained. 1966 and Older they were something. I on the Other habd smoke Lane era Charatans.After all they were making pipes before Saint Dunhill.

P.S.
My best Smoker is a 1950 Arlington that my Grand Father Probably paid $3.00 for.

 

[ftrplt]

I have 11 Dunnies; the youngest from 1969. Most are Patents from the 20's -50's. They all smoke extremely well, but I have many other pipes (including seconds) that smoke as well. I have a DH size 5/6 Brandy/Apple made by Mr. Colin Fromm (the current DH manager, I believe) in 2000. It would be a Root Briar; and smokes like a dream. I'm still looking for my birthyear Dunnie; but '46's are hard to find!! Can't see spending big bucks on a current Dunnie. FTRPLT

 

[alfredo_buscatti]

Like most replies above, I think Dunhills have a mystique created by their earlier pipes; but today the their price is more due to tradition than anything else. Buy a Ferndown if you want the best of English pipes currently made, and save your money.

 

[StephenDownie]

It's nice to see a Dunhill Discussion that isn't going up in flames! I agree with most of what has been said I have seen Dunhills that were of superior quality and ones that should never have left the factory. As far as engineering is concerned with current production Dunhills you can get better, if not as good from a Stanwell. That being said, there is something about the lines of many of the Dunhill pipes that for lack of a better word is elegant. It's not something that easily translates from photos, but when it is in your hand you can see it.

 

[Slow Puffs]

I've got six dunhills that I bought brand new and one LB that I picked up for $5.00 and LL restored for me.

They are all fine smokers. Sometimes I regret the price I paid for them. I wish I had discovered this canuk pipemaker then:

http://www.downiepipes.com/

 

[Eric]

I have a collection of 14 Dunhills, all purchased new, which you can see from my www button on this post. I've collected a bit of Dunhill paraphernalia as well.

I'm a bit agnostic though as I've smoked enough other pipes, in the past, to know the various types of joy that one can attain through owning and smoking a pipe. I have had, in the past, collections of Stanwell, Savinelli and Tinsky/American. Even when I started collecting Dunhill, I have never said Dunhill is "thee best" or that you can't get better for far less money (and I won't start now). I'm sure there is a basket pipe, somewhere in the world, waiting for me now which will smoke better than any Dunhill I could purchase. However, I like 'em. They do smoke differently than any other pipe I've owned/smoked, and you do get what you pay for... they are guaranteed to arrive in a flawless state - no sand pits nor anything else detracting from the finish. I have noted that it doesn't mean you get "the best" grain in the world, just that whatever grain you get is flawless in that its free from pits, etc., and if its not the pipe is returnable at any reputable store.

If you look at other pipes of equally flawless briar, not the oddball but the pipes sold has having a flawless finish, the ones you can order off the 'net without first inspecting, the prices are about the same. The only way you get flawless grain for less is by a really odd fluke or from an up and coming carver that is struggling to establish himself/herself - however you don't see that too often either as most carvers know what they have when they end up with something flawless and they sell it as such.

 

[daveinlax]

I have a collection of 14 Dunhills, all purchased new, which you can see from my www button on this post. I've collected a bit of Dunhill paraphernalia as well.

I'm a bit agnostic though as I've smoked enough other pipes, in the past, to know the various types of joy that one can attain through owning and smoking a pipe. I have had, in the past, collections of Stanwell, Savinelli and Tinsky/American. Even when I started collecting Dunhill, I have never said Dunhill is "thee best" or that you can't get better for far less money (and I won't start now). I'm sure there is a basket pipe, somewhere in the world, waiting for me now which will smoke better than any Dunhill I could purchase. However, I like 'em. They do smoke differently than any other pipe I've owned/smoked, and you do get what you pay for... they are guaranteed to arrive in a flawless state - no sand pits nor anything else detracting from the finish. I have noted that it doesn't mean you get "the best" grain in the world, just that whatever grain you get is flawless in that its free from pits, etc., and if its not the pipe is returnable at any reputable store.

If you look at other pipes of equally flawless briar, not the oddball but the pipes sold has having a flawless finish, the ones you can order off the 'net without first inspecting, the prices are about the same. The only way you get flawless grain for less is by a really odd fluke or from an up and coming carver that is struggling to establish himself/herself - however you don't see that too often either as most carvers know what they have when they end up with something flawless and they sell it as such.

Solid take Shell, I agree with you! I enjoyed looking over your fine photo's. :shock:

 

[Hunter5117]

Since we are on the topic of Dunhills, maybe one of the wiser heads here can help me with a riddle that I have with one of mine. It is a straight apple shape group 4 very similar to the one shown above. Date year is 12 which would make it 1972. It is a Redbark finish, clearly marked Redbark R/B.

The Dunhill dating website says that the Redbark finish was not started until 1973. So what do I have? Is it common for Dunhill dates to overlap like this or is mine possibly a prototype of some sort?

Just curious.

 

[daveinlax]

Since we are on the topic of Dunhills, maybe one of the wiser heads here can help me with a riddle that I have with one of mine. It is a straight apple shape group 4 very similar to the one shown above. Date year is 12 which would make it 1972. It is a Redbark finish, clearly marked Redbark R/B.

The Dunhill dating website says that the Redbark finish was not started until 1973. So what do I have? Is it common for Dunhill dates to overlap like this or is mine possibly a prototype of some sort?

Just curious.

Loring has the Redbark listed as 1972?/1973 -1987 discontinued.
I have a great looking '72 oda 843 Redbark in my collection. :shock:

 

[Hunter5117]

Thanks Dave, that explains it. Yes, it is a nice finish other than I find it hard to keep the rim clean.

 

[MisterE]

I think that, yes, better smokers can be found at a fraction of the price of a new Dunhill these days. I personally like them a lot, and will continue to collect them even if there are better things out there. Some people collect Kennedy half dollars even if two quarters can purchase the same thing and are more readily available. It's just what you're in to...

 

[Eric]

Solid take Shell, I agree with you! I enjoyed looking over your fine photo's. :shock:

Thanks for the kind words Dave. I hope to get some of the Dunhill tins, jars/tampers/trinkets and such up there as well, before the new year.