klause
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2012
- Messages
- 116
- Reaction score
- 1
I've got four of these. The oldest has no markings whatsoever on it, the next is an early L'atlantide, then a Sparkless with the rusticated finish, and finally a bang up-to-date Malteese version.
The two oldest ones are simple elegance, and as such object of some beauty - it's not just the lovely lines and craftsmanship, but the ageing process has coloured the briar beautifully.
The sparkless is a little 'chunkier', but none-the-less a lovely object in its own right. A different beast. The halves screw together on a wooden thread, where the other two simply slot together. The Sparkless is hefty enough to be used as a club to maim a small mammal. Should imagine it wouldn't be the most comfortable clenched in the teeth.
The last one, from Malta, was acquired as part of a winning bid on ebay. It's really a piece of tat. The wood feels thin and fragile. The metal work (cap at end to protect briar from flame while lighting) has all the appearance of some tin-foil double folded and shaped. But, apparently, Malteese fishermen seem to swear by them. I can can see how this would be the case.
I have smoked the two older pipes - after all that's what they are for, right? It takes a bit of getting used to - packing is kinda back to front - lighting is not the same as lighting a standard pipe - you can't tamp, so packin is essential to get right - rotate the pipe every few draws to keep an even burn - don't expect it to last long - about 15 minutes or so.
It can be a frustrating experience, but like a standard pipe, that magical moment when it works is just super. Why bother? Why not? I see it the same as trying to get a standard pipe right, it's just another form of pipe, a different smoke to master, just another tool. It is a very attractive tool.
The early ones do look a little like Zeppelins, or maybe torpedoes. The Sparkless looks like a stubby, fat, zeppelin, more of a blimp. The Malteese one is just ugly - but functional. By choice, purely because they are more elegant rather then for any superior smoking qualities, I prefer the older pipes.
I like 'em. I wouldn't go out of my way to spend a fortune on the new Vauen Zeppelin pipes, as gorgeous as they look, as the older ones can be picked up for a lot less. However, if one pops up for a good price I'd certainly pick it up - to add to the collection.
These are interesting pipes, and definitely worth trying to master. Failing that, they are just lovely to look at, hold and contemplate.
The two oldest ones are simple elegance, and as such object of some beauty - it's not just the lovely lines and craftsmanship, but the ageing process has coloured the briar beautifully.
The sparkless is a little 'chunkier', but none-the-less a lovely object in its own right. A different beast. The halves screw together on a wooden thread, where the other two simply slot together. The Sparkless is hefty enough to be used as a club to maim a small mammal. Should imagine it wouldn't be the most comfortable clenched in the teeth.
The last one, from Malta, was acquired as part of a winning bid on ebay. It's really a piece of tat. The wood feels thin and fragile. The metal work (cap at end to protect briar from flame while lighting) has all the appearance of some tin-foil double folded and shaped. But, apparently, Malteese fishermen seem to swear by them. I can can see how this would be the case.
I have smoked the two older pipes - after all that's what they are for, right? It takes a bit of getting used to - packing is kinda back to front - lighting is not the same as lighting a standard pipe - you can't tamp, so packin is essential to get right - rotate the pipe every few draws to keep an even burn - don't expect it to last long - about 15 minutes or so.
It can be a frustrating experience, but like a standard pipe, that magical moment when it works is just super. Why bother? Why not? I see it the same as trying to get a standard pipe right, it's just another form of pipe, a different smoke to master, just another tool. It is a very attractive tool.
The early ones do look a little like Zeppelins, or maybe torpedoes. The Sparkless looks like a stubby, fat, zeppelin, more of a blimp. The Malteese one is just ugly - but functional. By choice, purely because they are more elegant rather then for any superior smoking qualities, I prefer the older pipes.
I like 'em. I wouldn't go out of my way to spend a fortune on the new Vauen Zeppelin pipes, as gorgeous as they look, as the older ones can be picked up for a lot less. However, if one pops up for a good price I'd certainly pick it up - to add to the collection.
These are interesting pipes, and definitely worth trying to master. Failing that, they are just lovely to look at, hold and contemplate.
