Maiden voyage for a reworked RONA freehand sitter. Doing some Sutliff Christmas Spice. This pipe is quite a chunk of briar, but light as a feather. You wouldn't think it, but it clenches easily...
I had posted this pipe some time ago in a different discussion. Bought it at an antique mall in the 90's, but never smoked it. Last month I replaced two O-rings and cleaned it up. I loaded it yesterday with "Scotty's College Professor" and soon realized why it isn't in wide use. The Briar Bowl got very hot as did every aluminium part of the pipe. Even if it didn't get hot, it is very uncomfortable to handle(lit or not). I admit that the smoke wasn't hot at all. I assume that the aluminium absorbs all the heat. Its a gimmick pipe in my view. It is the only Kirsten that I've ever smoked, so maybe some shapes are better that others. Love to hear other opinions.
@opipeman I have several Kirsten’s, they smoke well for me. They don’t get hot, slightly warm maybe. I have quite a few different models of different mfg. dates, all of them smoke ok. They are kind of nasty to clean though. The one you have is awesome, the only thing that would make it better is if it had a smooth bowl😉. Your’s has a nice sandblast and finish. I have one with the same bowl angle and stem bend, but it does not have the little foot, only a pointed cap. It is one of the earlier models.
@opipeman Kirsten is definitely not a "gimmick" pipe. Some would even argue that it is the first metal pipe brand as it was in production in the 1936 and was produced during WWII. (Falcon pipes were also invented in 1936 but didn't go into full production until 1949/1950)
Interestingly, the Kirsten was invented by Professor Frederick K. Kirsten while he was working for Boeing. Kirsten was instrumental in the building of the aeronautic wind tunnel at the University of Washington in 1936. The wind tunnel is still in used today I believe. The Falcon was patented in 1936 by the American engineer Kenly Bugg in Chicago (I think). It was produced in the U.S. until the 1964. Production had started in England in 1961. The current Falcon pipe model was introduced around 1977.
I have a Kirsten from the 1950s that is considered a "transition pipe." It was produced with the rubber o-rings but without the metal cup that the bowl now sits in. Maybe it's because its older, but I've never noticed the aluminum getting that hot while smoking it. The bowls I have only get slightly warmer than some of the cheaper briar pipes I own but I think that is due to the wall thickness.
@RockyMountainBriar, @PappyJoe; Thanks for the information on it's history. I have several Falcon pipes and extra bowls, and we get along well. Allow me to rephrase the "Hot" expression, maybe very warm is a better way to say it. If "gimmick" isn't accurate, would you go for the "Edsel" of Kirsten pipes. We all have different tastes in pipes and tobaccos, let me just say I'm not a fan of this model Kirsten, which is the only Kirsten I've ever tried.Too each his own!
@opipeman Every brand has it's less than perfect model or lemon. I don't own a Kirsten like you pictured so there may be something in the design that causes it to get hotter than the straight Kirsten I own.
At the clubhouse doing a bowl of Sutliff Sunset Rum in a repaired GBD bent after 18 earlier today... Had a few good comments concerning the aroma. I received no good comments concerning my round...😏
The wife and I spent the morning shopping and the afternoon gardening. Now I'm enjoying a pre dinner bowl of Father Dempsey and a Vermouth and Sparkling Water.
When @KA9FFJ found that this years St. Louis Pipe Show was cancelled he offered some of his reworked pipes to TPL Brothers and sisters. His pricing was most generous and I bought two. This Paronelli is a beauty and smokes great. I got it around the time I had surgery and finally fired her up today. It was well worth the wait. Thank you Brother.
Yesterday was a good day. Traded in the clown car for Subaru Impezza
which will help with the monthly excursions to the AirBnb’s in the
mountains. Stopped by CVS and did a candy bag/card for Mom and dropped
that off at the assisted living center. Then dinner with the family
and left and tried to have a smoke and find the stem to the spigot was
missing. We drove back to CVS which was the only time I pulled out my
wallet that also had the pipe in the pocket. Girl said oh are you ready
to check out? As i am looking around the register area. I said I was
in here earlier and pulled out the bowl and she immediately handed me
the stem. That was a close one. I thought I was gonna cry. Dropped
the better half off and proceeded to the 1st live poker game with the
vaxxers last night. Smoked Capstan Blue in the Pete. Great to see
friends in person after a year plus.
@Beetleman what I tell folks trying to smoke Virginia's is to sip it like sipping a straw where you pull the liquid up but don't get it in your mouth. When Virginia hits the right burn temp it is magical.
Comments
This pipe is quite a chunk of briar, but light as a feather. You wouldn't think it, but it clenches easily...
I have several Kirsten’s, they smoke well for me. They don’t get hot, slightly warm maybe. I have quite a few different models of different mfg. dates, all of them smoke ok. They are kind of nasty to clean though. The one you have is awesome, the only thing that would make it better is if it had a smooth bowl😉. Your’s has a nice sandblast and finish. I have one with the same bowl angle and stem bend, but it does not have the little foot, only a pointed cap. It is one of the earlier models.
Kirsten is definitely not a "gimmick" pipe. Some would even argue that it is the first metal pipe brand as it was in production in the 1936 and was produced during WWII. (Falcon pipes were also invented in 1936 but didn't go into full production until 1949/1950)
Interestingly, the Kirsten was invented by Professor Frederick K. Kirsten while he was working for Boeing. Kirsten was instrumental in the building of the aeronautic wind tunnel at the University of Washington in 1936. The wind tunnel is still in used today I believe. The Falcon was patented in 1936 by the American engineer Kenly Bugg in Chicago (I think). It was produced in the U.S. until the 1964. Production had started in England in 1961. The current Falcon pipe model was introduced around 1977.
I have a Kirsten from the 1950s that is considered a "transition pipe." It was produced with the rubber o-rings but without the metal cup that the bowl now sits in. Maybe it's because its older, but I've never noticed the aluminum getting that hot while smoking it. The bowls I have only get slightly warmer than some of the cheaper briar pipes I own but I think that is due to the wall thickness.
Thanks for the information on it's history. I have several Falcon pipes and extra bowls, and we get along well. Allow me to rephrase the "Hot" expression, maybe very warm is a better way to say it. If "gimmick" isn't accurate, would you go for the "Edsel" of Kirsten pipes. We all have different tastes in pipes and tobaccos, let me just say I'm not a fan of this model Kirsten, which is the only Kirsten I've ever tried.Too each his own!
Every brand has it's less than perfect model or lemon.
I don't own a Kirsten like you pictured so there may be something in the design that causes it to get hotter than the straight Kirsten I own.
Brother Joe, I appreciate your comments!
Finished Dark Star on a bed of 5100 in the PS Studio. Now smoking Aus de Krater No. 3
Despair……. VBC is foundational.
I almost bought an Imprezza but it felt too low to the ground for my self-comfort. I bought a Forester instead. Love the gas mileage.