So I just got a Falcon....

WookieeJake

As the title states, I just picked up my first Falcon.  I had no clue what it was when I saw it, but I knew I had to have it.  I've heard these can be dated by the number stamped under the bowl.  However, I've seen conflicting information.  Any help with this would be appreciated.  Also, do the stems come off of these or are they permanently attached to the metal shank?  What is the best way to clean and shine the metal shank without affecting the tobacco's flavor?  And lastly, is there a way to tell if this is the original bowl?  The guy I got this from had another Falcon with a cob bowl.  I've seen on Falcon's website that you can order replacement bowls, so I'm just curious.

motie2

@WookieJake -- You might begin by checking out the three page folder right here at TPL beginning at 

https://thispipelife.com/us/tpl/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/86/falcons-and-such/p1

Then be sure to check out these resources:

http://www.falconpipes.com

https://pipedia.org/wiki/Falcon

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/falcon-bowl

http://www.meerschaumstore.com/Falcon_pipes_bowls.asp

and the wonderful infographic at 

http://www.tobaccopipes.com/blog/falcon-pipes-guide-create-your-own-set/

dbh1950

WookieJake,

Had a Falcon many years ago, it did not survive the move, not certain where it ended up. Acquired a new Falcon a few months ago, the bowl was selected from one of several available. No date on the bottom of the stem, just Falcon, Made In England. As to the stem being attached, I believe it is meant to be a permanently fixed. As to cleaning the aluminum, I would check with the Falcon pipe people, certain cleaners or polishes can actually create corrosion on aluminum. 

If you intend to smoke the Falcon, the Falcon company has special circular absorbent filters that fit in the bottom of the aluminium stem where the bowl attaches. I cut some pipe cleaners down, bent in a circle, there it is.

Well, enjoy your new acquisition. 

WookieeJake

@motie2 you find some of the most amazing resources.

@dbh1950 I appreciate the tip about aluminum corrosion.  Hadn't thought about that.  Time to delve into the research.

motie2

@WookieeJake -- Yeah, some restorers have shined 'em up so they look like chrome.

Woodsman

Early Falcons were made in the USA, I believe it says Falcon on the bottom without the made in England. the stem is permanently attached and is near impossible to reattach once it has been taken off.

Woodsman

With the pipe cleaner circle in the Humidome Falcons are some of the driest smoking pipes I've ever used.

motie2

@WookieeJake -- Ooooooh, shiny!!!!

thebadgerpiper

Normally I'm not a fan of gold colors, but that gold Falcon looks snazzy. The coloring on the bowl is a nice fit to the gold stem.

WookieeJake

@thebadgerpiper I'm with you.  I don't think there's an ostentatious bone in my body; but those are some damn nice pipes.

WookieeJake

@Woodsman do you know when they made the transition across the pond?  Mine only says "Falcon."  Nothing about "Made in England" is present.  So here's to hoping its American made.

Woodsman

Sopmetime" to early 70's I think, let me get back to you. 

Woodsman

60's to 70's

Woodsman

Falcon moved to England in 1968. The FALCON alone on the bottom is indeed an American made one.

The pipe was patented in 1936 by an Engineer named Kenley Bugg in Fort Wayne, Indiana. There is also a Falcon made in Ireland that is marked in the same place as the English ones.

WookieeJake

Pre '68?  That pretty awesome.  Thanks for the info @Woodsman.

drac2485

I've been wanting to get one for a while now.  Anyone have a preference to bent or straight and why?

motie2

Here's a new Falcon with a meerschaum bowl.
Too expensive for me....
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Falcon-Pipe-W-Billiard-Bowl-Block-Meerschaum-New-Handmade-W-Case-1067/264229390818

RockyMountainBriar

I am not a fan of gold, or Falcon pipes, but that shiny gold and well colored Meerschaum looks awesome.

BobbyG

@WookieeJake What an interesting pipe never seen that make of before. Let us know how you like it.

PappyJoe

@BobbyG

The metal Falcon pipes date back to the late 1930s and have been popular since after WWII. Some people claim it was the first aluminum metal pipe produced but that is an unsettled question as the Kirsten pipes made in Seattle has an older patent number. I personally prefer the aesthetics of the Kirsten and I have one that was made in the early-1950s. Several other companies produced metal pipes since the 1940s but they were mostly knock-offs.

The biggest selling point for both the Falcon and the Kirsten is they are easy to clean after smoking. I will give points to the Falcon because the bowls are threaded and screw into the base. The Kirsten has a patented screw that holds the bowl onto the stem. I would give the points to the Kirsten on ease of cleaning though. 

motie2

https://www.tobaccopipes.com/blog/falcon-pipes-guide-create-your-own-set/

motie2

Radiators, Falcons, and Kirstens...oh my!

https://www.badgerandblade.com/forum/threads/radiators-falcons-and-kirstens-oh-my.514789/

motie2

The Metal Pipe Movement

http://www.chesapeakepipeandcigar.com/?page_id=2952

ghostsofpompeii

@WookieeJake   Just be sure to unscrew the bowl and clean the metal reservoir (or what-ever it's called), because that thing can really stink after several smokes. When my wife saw and got a whiff of that stinky gunky tar build-up in the bottom of the metal reservoir it put her off to me smoking. She assumed it was what I was breathing when smoking a pipe. And I had to assure her I wasn't inhaling this junk ... and what she was seeing in the bottom of the bowl was mainly my slobber. It didn't make it sound any better ... but at least she didn't think I was ingesting the stuff each time I smoked a pipe.     

motie2

motie2

Guide to Falcon Pipes

https://www.tobaccopipes.com/blog/falcon-pipes-guide-create-your-own-set/