Andy Lowry
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 31, 2013
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I stumbled upon a pipe on Ebay that seemed to good to be true. I bid anyway, figuring that if it was all a lie, I could send it back and get refunded. It arrived today. Here's a photo from the auction:
It's a Wiley Ovation, unsmoked, undented, unscratched, in perfect condition. The grain you see in the photo goes all the way around. It's a large pipe (the squares are inches), but surprisingly light. The first bowl smoked like it was an old pipe that had been broken in for years, which I guess I have to attribute to the very thick walls on the bowl, and maybe the way Randy treats the wood, I dunno for sure. Big open draw, as is common with his stuff.
I've had some semi-scores on Ebay over the years, and a couple of oopsies, but this one really takes the cake. I've always wondered what a high-end pipe smoked like, and now I can know.
I was going to say that I don't mean to brag, but that would be a lie. I'm tickled as can be, and feel a bit smirky. 8) I'm going to start keeping my eyes peeled for an S. Bang that starts at ten dollars and is titled "SBANG pipe, used, don't know what it's worth, picked it up at a yard sale."
$145, brothers and sisters. I have mediocre Petersons that cost that much. Of course, I also have some absolutely fabulous Petersons that cost less than that, but no need to bring up relative values and all that.
Edit to add: Jeez, I'm sorry for the size of that photo. I thought the site would automatically downsize it. My apologies to you!
It's a Wiley Ovation, unsmoked, undented, unscratched, in perfect condition. The grain you see in the photo goes all the way around. It's a large pipe (the squares are inches), but surprisingly light. The first bowl smoked like it was an old pipe that had been broken in for years, which I guess I have to attribute to the very thick walls on the bowl, and maybe the way Randy treats the wood, I dunno for sure. Big open draw, as is common with his stuff.
I've had some semi-scores on Ebay over the years, and a couple of oopsies, but this one really takes the cake. I've always wondered what a high-end pipe smoked like, and now I can know.
I was going to say that I don't mean to brag, but that would be a lie. I'm tickled as can be, and feel a bit smirky. 8) I'm going to start keeping my eyes peeled for an S. Bang that starts at ten dollars and is titled "SBANG pipe, used, don't know what it's worth, picked it up at a yard sale."
$145, brothers and sisters. I have mediocre Petersons that cost that much. Of course, I also have some absolutely fabulous Petersons that cost less than that, but no need to bring up relative values and all that.
Edit to add: Jeez, I'm sorry for the size of that photo. I thought the site would automatically downsize it. My apologies to you!
![[3-Size Set] Copper Pipe Cleaner for Drill, Clean 1/2, 3/4, 1-in Copper Pipes & Tubes for Soldering, 3 Tube Cleaning Brushes, Model InerLok050, 075, 100, w/ Stainless-Steel Wire Bristles & 1/4” Shank](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/419iEer02LL._SL500_.jpg)
