Restorations, Uncategorized

New Life for a Stanwell Legend 126

The pipe on the work table today was sent to me for some TLC. Its steward was concerned about the condition of the stem and the fading finish around the upper third or so of the bowl. As you can see from this first series of images, the pipe is Stanwell Legend 126, a shape… Continue reading New Life for a Stanwell Legend 126

Restorations, Uncategorized

Refreshing a Sixten Ivarsson Designed Danish Sovereign 86M

I found this Danish Sovereign pipe, a Stanwell seconds brand, during one of my periodic wanders through the local antique shops. As you can see from this series of pictures, the pipe was rather tired looking, with a crust of lava on the crowned rim, a dirty and faded finish, and a fair bit of… Continue reading Refreshing a Sixten Ivarsson Designed Danish Sovereign 86M

Restorations, Uncategorized

Repairing Stem and Shank Troubles on a Reg’d No Stanwell Brazilia 21

I’ve worked on several Stanwell Brazilia series pipes over the years. The series name and inherent character come from the shank extensions made of, in the early days, genuine Brazilian cattle horn or, more recently, of faux horn made of acrylic. Of the two versions, I prefer the look and feel of the genuine horn.… Continue reading Repairing Stem and Shank Troubles on a Reg’d No Stanwell Brazilia 21

Restorations, Uncategorized

Creating a Churchwarden from a Stanwell Rustic Paneled Horn

I thought I’d squeeze another pipe onto the DadsPipes Store shelves in time for the Holiday buying season. This Stanwell is one of the last survivors of the Danish Lot of 30 or so estate pipes I purchased about a year and a half ago. It had been sitting in the refurb box for quite… Continue reading Creating a Churchwarden from a Stanwell Rustic Paneled Horn

Restorations, Uncategorized

Dressing Off an Ivarrson Designed Scandia Freehand by Stanwell

This Scandia Freehand had fallen to the bottom of my refurb box more than once, as pipes sometimes do, so when I fished it out this week, I decided it was time to give it some loving attention. Scandia is a Stanwell seconds or sub-brand, but as far as I can tell, the only flaw in… Continue reading Dressing Off an Ivarrson Designed Scandia Freehand by Stanwell

Restorations, Uncategorized

Quick Refresh of a Remarkably Well Preserved Stanwell Reg’d No. Handmade 48

The Stanwell 48 is described in Bas Steven’s list of Stanwell shapes as a “Freehand, egg-shaped bowl with rounded rim, long saddle mouthpiece, by Sixten Ivarsson.” As with many other Ivarsson designs, this pipe has a certain lightness and understated elegance to it – I rather like the almost pencil-thin shank that flows smoothly into… Continue reading Quick Refresh of a Remarkably Well Preserved Stanwell Reg’d No. Handmade 48

Restorations, Uncategorized

Repairing a Cracked Horn Shank Extension on a Stanwell Buffalo

Needing a break from all the Brigham and Blatter pipes I've worked on lately, I dug down through my box of estate pipes and came up with this Stanwell Buffalo. It is a Shape # 140, which Bas Steven's list of Stanwell shapes identifies as a "Small freehand, slightly bent, full mouthpiece by Jess Chonowitsch".… Continue reading Repairing a Cracked Horn Shank Extension on a Stanwell Buffalo

Restorations, Uncategorized

Sometimes Easy is Better – Restoring a Worn Ivarsson-Designed Stanwell RegD No Silver S 09

This Stanwell is one of the five additional pipes I purchased from the family that sold me the Danish Lot estate collection last spring. Presumably, these pipes were the go-to companions for their previous owner; keeping them in a quality leather pipe bag indicates a desire to have this selection of pipes close at hand.… Continue reading Sometimes Easy is Better – Restoring a Worn Ivarsson-Designed Stanwell RegD No Silver S 09

Uncategorized

Quick Cleanup of a Stanwell Hand Cut Bamboo Sitter

A lot of estate pipes require a fair amount of effort and energy to move from Thrift Store Decoration to Favourite Smoker or Prime Collectible. Every now and again, though, you stumble across one that seems to clean itself as the restoration work goes so smoothly. This Stanwell Bamboo was just such a pipe for… Continue reading Quick Cleanup of a Stanwell Hand Cut Bamboo Sitter

Restorations, Uncategorized

Pinch Me – Another Stanwell Collectors Piece Pickaxe!

I purchased the estate pipe collection I’ve dubbed The Danish Lot last Spring, and have featured many of the fine pipes from that group here on DadsPipes. The vendors have stayed in touch, commenting now and again on several restorations and offering little details about the pipes and their late Uncle, the former owner. I… Continue reading Pinch Me – Another Stanwell Collectors Piece Pickaxe!