**DISCONTINUED** Hardcastle Crescent British Made Briar Pipe 121

Unfortunately, this pipe is no longer available. We have left the listing on here for historical reference and interest.

• Overall Length: 144mm
• Overall Height: 95mm
• Bowl Height: 48mm
• Bowl Diameter: 39mm
• Bore: 21mm
• Weight: 48g
• Cloth Pipe Bag
• Gift Boxed

Hardcastle British Made Briar Pipes: Are Hardcastle the beginning of the British revolution in pipe making? We sure do hope so as UK pipemaking has dwindled over the last decade and The black Swan Shoppe is behind them all the way. The Hardcastle brand was founded in 1908 by Edmund Hardcastle before Alfred Dunhill fell in love with the brand and bought it in 1936. This gives the brand a priceless heritage which the company is using to their advantage by reviving the traditional British methods, techniques and shapes. The pipes are made on the original 1900's Lathes that were custom built for the world famous Duncan Briar pipe factory. Only three of the original 6 lathes remain as the others were lost in a bombing raid. Unfortunately the original craftsmen of the 1900's are no longer with us but they do have a Master Craftsman at the helm with over 20 years experience working his apprenticeship under the legendary John Duncan himself followed by periods in Murray frame and love and Ben Wade factories.

Hardcastle Crescent British Made Pipes: The Hardcastle Crescent are a very British pipe made to true British standards with a passion for 1900's British style that is highly desirable but not achieved by many modern pipemakers. They are made from a high grade of Spanish Briar with stunning rustication finished in a deep rich brown stain with a lighter brown on the raised and smooth areas. The bowls are stained not sprayed like many modern pipes which is more labour intensive but ensures they will never bubble with heat. The mouthpieces are made from a premium Italian Vulcanite stem which is softer on the teeth and is the stem of choice for Alfred Dunhill pipes.

Vulcanite stems: Vulcanite was the material of choice for pipes at the 1900's and still is on premium pipes such as Alfred Dunhill who solely use Vulcanite. Vulcanite is a hard rubber rather than plastic which is softer on the teeth, and easier to make an impression in, making it more comfortable to grip. It can be made thinner and is generally more versatile. In the modern pipe smoking era it has lost favour as it oxidizes so require polishing more regularly to keep looking new and is generally only available in Black which doesn't follow the modern trends of colourful and flamboyant stems.

Unfiltered: The British are renowned for smoking unfiltered pipes when you get the full flavour from the tobacco and the Hardcastle have been designed for the true British traditionalist without a filter in sight.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a generic image that we have taken from a random selection of this pipe model from our stocks. It is unlikely to be the exact pipe you will receive. Due to the nature of the raw material used and this being a handmade product there will be some variation in grain, colour and finish. There could also be a slight variation in the dimensions provided.