how are the New Ashton pipes?

[tarheel7734]

I am working on my 7 day set of Uk large bent bulldogs. I had an ashton that Mr Taylor made for me and it was an amazing pipe. How does Mr Craigs work compare to Mr Taylors? I am going to have a sandblasted bent bulldog in dark stain with brindle stem and silver band made.

 

[docwatson]

I LOVE Ashton pipes.
And have had over 50 of them in the last 20+ years. They are IMO the finest British pipe made today.
I was able to acquire two new ones at the Las Vegas show in November and they are supreme smokers, no different from when Bill was making them.
The Brindle grade is also my favorite, the stain and sandblasting is fantastic along with the brindle stem.
You won't be disappointed for sure, but sometimes the shapes may be a little bit different from the way Bill used to make them. And when it comes to silver work, Jim has been doing that for many years and it's his forte. Congrats on a fine new commission. :cheers:

 

[tarheel7734]

It will most likely be feb when receive it. That's what I hate about commission. Waiting sucks.

 

[monbla256]

It will most likely be feb when receive it. That's what I hate about commission. Waiting sucks.

Don't do it the old fashioned way, get a VIRTUAL ASHTON with a phone APP! That way you don't have to WAIT!! Do it the 21st century way!! Immediate !! :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

 

[MisterE]

It will most likely be feb when receive it. That's what I hate about commission. Waiting sucks.

Don't do it the old fashioned way, get a VIRTUAL ASHTON with a phone APP! That way you don't have to WAIT!! Do it the 21st century way!! Immediate !! :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

? :suspect:

 

[ftrplt]

I own three of Bill's pipes, all bulldogs (XXX or XL-sized). Just great pipes, never had a bad smoke in one. Just picked up another from Marty Pulvers two weeks ago. BTW...I understood that a lot of Bill's silver work was done by Les Wood (of Ferndown fame). :cheers: FTRPLT

 

[docwatson]

I understood that a lot of Bill's silver work was done by Les Wood (of Ferndown fame). :cheers: FTRPLT

That's correct. Jim Craig was working with Les Wood/Ferndown and did most of the silverwork himself.
They no longer have any business interests with one another. Jim does all the Ashton silver work now himself.

 

[ftrplt]

I understood that a lot of Bill's silver work was done by Les Wood (of Ferndown fame). :cheers: FTRPLT

That's correct. Jim Craig was working with Les Wood/Ferndown and did most of the silverwork himself.
They no longer have any business interests with one another. Jim does all the Ashton silver work now himself.

Gotta' learn something new every day!!! I just did Thanx, Doc...FTRPLT

 

[docwatson]

I know how you feel. It's such a fast changing world of pipes and tobaccos. I cannot keep track of all the consolidations between tobacco manufacturers. Drives me crazy, but I have my senior years to use as an excuse for poor memory.

 

[riff raff]

A few years ago, I wasn't happy with the stem work on some Craig Ashtons that I purchased (2010 & 2011). It's not completely clear, but I believe one or more of his sons might also be making the pipes. The pipes I saw at Richmond were much better than the ones on the table in 2013, so it seems Jim has ramped up is QA. He also is now using some interesting stem material, like Bakelite.