Are there any pipe smokers who are familiar with Ratray Pipes?

Charles

Are there any positives or negatives that come to mind?  Is this a decent pipe worth purchasing?  Have had so friends recommend trying this pipe brand but could not offer any specifics.  I have heard the name but have never smoked or owned one.  Looking for honest opinions regarding this type of pipe.  I am familiar with Peterson, Wenhall, Dr. Grabow, Missouri Meersham, Rossi, and  Stanwell.  Thanks you in advance for any opinion offered.

Charles

Seems that since no one has any experience with this pipe brand, it may be best to avoid this pipe for now until I can find out more information.  I would hate to invest money into something that may turn out to be bad.

motie2

@Charles --

http://www.rattrays-pipes.com/

https://www.pipesandcigars.com/shop/rattrays-brand/1701665/

http://www.alpascia.com/pipes/p/find/?filter=----42040---

Once upon a time, Rattray pipes were generally inexpensive and their quality was that of a serviceable factory-made pipe. However, there are more expensive ($200 and up+) Rattray pipes, and they're not all factory-made. In any event, there is no Rattray's factory. Rattray pipes have been made by Butz Choquin http://www.butzchoquin.com and Chacom https://www.pipechacom.com/en/history.htm

Charles

@motie2 Thanks motie2 much appreciated.  Have you ever owned one and if so, how was it as far as smoking?

RockyMountainBriar

I have a Rattray's "Chubby Jackey" with Horn ferrule.  I bought it as an un-smoked Estate from Smokingpipes.com.  It is an excellent smoker.  It takes a 9mm charcoal filter that I forgot it had when I smoked it for the first time.  I generally do not use a filter, but it helped keep the moisture out when I smoked that first bowl.  Fit and finish and briar were all excellent.  I would not hesitate to purchase another.  In fact I was looking at a "MacBeth", a "Butcher Boy", and a "Blower's Daughter", there was another, but I do not remember the series name.  I already have 400 pipes, so I have not "pulled the trigger" on another one as of yet.

motie2

@Charles -- Retired, I have a lot of time for research, but not a lot of disposable income. I have 4 Carey's, 1 Duncan Hill, and 1 Charatan. I smoke Barbados Plantation, Vanilla Custard, Mrs. Hudson's, and a "best of the rest" mixture, all aromatics. And I'm not in the market for another pipe.

ghostsofpompeii

@motie2 How did the "Best Of The Rest" mixture pan out? Pricewise it seems like a geed deal ... but I don't think you can specify a preference for aromatic floor sweepings over Latakia floor blends (or however they describe the extra tobacco making up the blends). I wouldn't mind some conglomeration of aromatic blends ... that might be interesting. But from what I understand is 'you get what you get' no special preference. Am I right? Or can you make a request when ordering?

motie2

@ghostsofpompeii -- No, sorry, I didn't make myself clear: Not the "Best of the Rest" offered by P&C.

I have a jar with a wire and rubber seal closure, and everything goes into it when I'm down to stems and seeds, as it were. So currently, the jar has a mix of Maple Street, Creme Brulee, Molto Dolce, Barbados Plantation, Vanilla Custard, Carey Classic Black Aromatic, and a wee bit of Lane 1-Q. 

Not at all shabby..... Not Mrs. Hudson's, but not at all shabby.

Charles

Thanks gentlemen for your opinions.  As always, they are very much appreciated.  @RockyMountainBriar - I will give Ratray Pipes a try.  @motie2 - gave Barbados Plantation a try and am quite impressed with it.  For me, it was to moist out of the can and had to dry it out some so I could smoke it.  Will be something that I will keep in my tobacco rotation.

motie2

I can't even put my finger on why I like the Barbados Plantation. It's not sweet like the Vanilla Custard and Molto Dolce. I think it might be the aroma and room note: its old timer pipe smell takes me back to Cleveland Ohio, and cousin's Cigar Store's "Aromatic Mixture," which was the only aro I smoked back in my English/VaPer incarnation (approx. 1964-1984). When I was in Cleveland last winter I stopped by Cousin's to chat, but the were out of what might be the modern day version, so I can't be sure......