Ben Wade Pipes?

[Pugsley]

I just recently bought a Ben Wade pipe on Ebay, (haven't received it yet), after doing some research I"m confused. I've read that they are decent quality Danish pipes. I've also read that they are English. I've also read that they are seconds marketed under the Ben Wade name by a British and/or Danish manufacturer. The one I have coming is marked "Ben Wade - Hand Made In Denmark - Majestic Designer Series". Does anyone know the real story on these?

[dmkerr]

Originally Posted by Pugsley

I just recently bought a Ben Wade pipe on Ebay, (haven't received it yet), after doing some research I"m confused. I've read that they are decent quality Danish pipes. I've also read that they are English. I've also read that they are seconds marketed under the Ben Wade name by a British and/or Danish manufacturer. The one I have coming is marked "Ben Wade - Hand Made In Denmark - Majestic Designer Series". Does anyone know the real story on these?

Charatan (of London) used to market Ben Wade as their "seconds" but that was many years ago. Ben Wade also used to make high grade freehands, and I think Preben Holm did most of the carving. Preben Holm Private Collection pipes go for many hundreds of dollars on the secondary market these days (Preben is no longer with us). I'm not sure who makes these now but I've seen a couple of examples recently and they look like quality pipes.

In rereading my post, I see that I've not answered your question but what the hey - a little history won't kill anyone.

[ghe]

You should check the entry on Pipedia -- Ben Wade - Pipedia -- always a good source for pipe-related questions.

[Mad Hatter]

I like the ones I've got but its hard to find a traditional shape for a decent price. IMO and my experience Ben Wades are about the best for your mid grade dollar.

[Pugsley]

If I've got the link right this is it.

SUPERB BEN WADE MAJESTIC DESIGNERS SERIES GREAT GRAIN - eBay (item 110447336281 end time Oct-25-09 155:00 PDT)

[Pugsley]

Originally Posted by ghe

You should check the entry on Pipedia -- Ben Wade - Pipedia -- always a good source for pipe-related questions.

After reading that I'm not sure if I'm less confused or more. A very twisted history.

[MarkC]

Yeah, there's a lot of that in the pipe world, so when you ask about the quality of a certain maker, you kind of have to specify 'when' to get a useful answer. For example, I'm always on the lookout for a GBD sandblasted bent bulldog, but it's got to be from the right period (with the gold inlay thingie), or it means nothing to me.