Any metal pipe fans?

[haiku44]

I've been only smoking metal pipes since I got my first falcon around 2 years ago. I know they aren't pretty to look at, but I love the cooler smoke I get from them. I got a few straight falcons and one kirsten standing pipe. Thinking I'm going to order one of Elie's pipes in the next week or two. I've been talking with him through email for a while now and I think he finally twisted my arm enough where I've got to try one out for myself.

Any other metal pipe fans out there?

[Senetsomed]

Metal Pipes?














Just kidding, I have been considering getting a Falcon pipe for a while, are they good quality?

[haiku44]

Haha. I never had a problem with one. The worst problem I had buying used ones was clearing the gunk out of it. They feel pretty solid as light as they are.

[OldSaw]

I like a good lead pipe. Especially when trying to get my point across to some disagreeable types.

I've had a couple over the years with the screw on/off bowl. They smoked nice and were easy to clean. I quit for a while and my wife got rid of them.

[ChrisD]

I had both a Kirsten and a Falcon for awhile. They were both pretty good pipes, but I preferred the Kirsten slightly more. The fellow that I sold the pair to commented that he liked the Falcon better, and had since purchased a full 7 day set of Falcons.

Metal can be especially good for traveling, work, or in the car. They are pretty durable, and require less maintenance throughout the day. Plus they do not require tha same resting time as a traditional briar, so they can be used several times a day, everyday.

[haiku44]

The falcon is easier than the kirsten to clean, but I like how the kirsten smokes. But it is looking like it's just me and the mystery person with a 7 day set that really likes them.

[CptBlueBear]

They have a bit of a cult following on other forums - tampandpuff.com springs to mind. I know a couple of older gents who swear by them and don't own anything else. In one case I think I made his year by telling him where he could buy Condor Longcut and a new Falcon online. Estates change hands on eBay Oz for decent money despite not being rare so there must be a decent following here.

I see them as a product of their time (the 1970s) both stylistically and in terms of engineering.

I've smoked one of recent manufacture and it was extremely good all round. Much lighter and more comfortable than expected in the mouth.

The falcon is easier than the kirsten to clean, but I like how the kirsten smokes. But it is looking like it's just me and the mystery person with a 7 day set that really likes them.

[haiku44]

Yeah there is a bit of a following with falcons I've noticed. Guess because they are the last of the big metal pipe makers left. Kirsten or Elie can't compete with them in numbers or price, unfortunately.

They have a bit of a cult following on other forums - tampandpuff.com springs to mind. I know a couple of older gents who swear by them and don't own anything else. In one case I think I made his year by telling him where he could buy Condor Longcut and a new Falcon online. Estates change hands on eBay Oz for decent money despite not being rare so there must be a decent following here.

I see them as a product of their time (the 1970s) both stylistically and in terms of engineering.

I've smoked one of recent manufacture and it was extremely good all round. Much lighter and more comfortable than expected in the mouth.

[CptBlueBear]

I was always afraid a clay pipe would shatter at the slightest nudge. Had the same feeling with a meer I owned a while back too. I'm almost positive I could chuck these falcons across the room and they wouldn't be any worse for the experience. But I'm pretty sure I worry about things breaking way too much.

They are indeed pretty robust and the bit you are most likely to break, the bowl, is replaceable. I understand robustness was one of their selling points.

Yeah there is a bit of a following with falcons I've noticed. Guess because they are the last of the big metal pipe makers left. Kirsten or Elie can't compete with them in numbers or price, unfortunately.

Falcon were mass market in the UK and Commonwealth. I remember them for sale as a kid - they had a distinctive 70s-futuristic look to me, like something out of The Thunderbirds. I'm told Duncan Deltas are probably the best of that era. They (Falcon) are still going in some form.

[haiku44]

The resting period is why I only smoke metals now. If I want to smoke the kirsten twice in the same day I just throw a different bowl on it and puff away. I tend to smoke a lot on my days off.

[jwhite]

I don't have any myself, the aesthetics have always held me back, but I know quite a few who really like them for their practicality and smoking characteristics.

[haiku44]

I don't have any myself, the aesthetics have always held me back, but I know quite a few who really like them for their practicality and smoking characteristics.

Have you ever smoked one before?

[jwhite]

I have not had the opportunity, feel in the hand has always driven my purchases. Some pipes just seem to call out to be held, from there I check engineering. But as I've said people whose opinions I trust just love them.

[haiku44]

Hmmm. Think I might need to get a falcon pass-around started then. Not sure it would be as easy as to do as it would be for a razor though.... Actually I don't know how that would work at all. crud.

[oc_in_fw]

I just cannot dig the aesthetics of them. I am sure they smoke well enough, but function over form is just as bad to me as form over function. For me, if something works well and I like the looks, I am more inclined to use it.

[haiku44]

I can definitely understand that. They all look pretty horrid. I have never taken them outside to smoke where my neighbors can see me. But that's mostly not wanting to explain that I'm not smoking what they think I am.

I just cannot dig the aesthetics of them. I am sure they smoke well enough, but function over form is just as bad to me as form over function. For me, if something works well and I like the looks, I am more inclined to use it.

[oc_in_fw]

I can definitely understand that. They all look pretty horrid. I have never taken them outside to smoke where my neighbors can see me. But that's mostly not wanting to explain that I'm not smoking what they think I am.

I momentarily considered getting a clay pipe for quicker smokes at work. But, I don't find them visually appealing, and people might wander what I am smoking in the break area (which is right outside my boss' window)

[haiku44]

I was always afraid a clay pipe would shatter at the slightest nudge. Had the same feeling with a meer I owned a while back too. I'm almost positive I could chuck these falcons across the room and they wouldn't be any worse for the experience. But I'm pretty sure I worry about things breaking way too much.

I momentarily considered getting a clay pipe for quicker smokes at work. But, I don't find them visually appealing, and people might wander what I am smoking in the break area (which is right outside my boss' window)

[Argonaut]

I can definitely understand that. They all look pretty horrid. I have never taken them outside to smoke where my neighbors can see me. But that's mostly not wanting to explain that I'm not smoking what they think I am.

This is why I haven't tried one. It's the first thing that comes to mind when I see a metal pipe. I hear enough of that crap from the morons around here if I'm puffing on FVF in a Dunhill. That and I think they're uglier than a corncob pipe on it's worst day.

[haiku44]

You wound me sir! Everything looks better than a cob! Haha.
But yeah, they have that look about them for sure. Would never bust it out in public.

This is why I haven't tried one. It's the first thing that comes to mind when I see a metal pipe. I hear enough of that crap from the morons around here if I'm puffing on FVF in a Dunhill. That and I think they're uglier than a corncob pipe on it's worst day.