Reviews
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]4/13/2008 - Dock J. Perry
Hi folks,
I'll make this short and sweet as I'm sure you've got better things to do than read my pipe recommendations! About a month ago I purchased my 1st Rad Davis pipe. I don't know what took me so long? I've been looking at them on his site for months. I sincerly believe that Rad is one of the top three sandblasters in the U.S. and his shapes are truly his own. You know a Rad pipe from across the room. Anyway,it arived a couple of days later and I proceeded to load it up with Macbaren's Navy Flake. Guess what folks? No harsh flavour! I smoked down 1/2 of the bowl and it smoked liked a well broken in briar straight off my rack!It was easily the nicest break in of any new pipe that I've ever smoked! I'm 10 bowls in now and a nice cake has been built up. It's a joy to smoke it simply because of the way it interprets my Navy Flake so well. I get the whole broad range of flavours something just not possible with every pipe I own. Also,even though it's a 1/2 bent, it still passes a cleaner with ease. If you don't own a Rad Davis pipe yourself, JUST BUY ONE! If you want to know just how well one smokes, ask someone who already does! You'll hear a very similar experience as mine.....
Sincerly,
Dock J.Perry
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4/1/2007 - LatakiaLover on the Knoxcigar Bulletin Board
My appreciation of American carvers began in earnest in 1990, after discovering Michael Butera's work. Many came before him, but his neo-classic styling and Danish level of precision appealed to me as no American approach had before. Since then, the relative handful of American carvers who are household names (in pipe collecting households, that is) has grown to a couple dozen. A sub-set of that group has become internationally known, as well. The work of one man who is knocking on the door of international recognition is Rad Davis, of Foley, Alabama. A relative newcomer to the carving game, he is demonstrating yet again that a fast rise isn't unusual when the raw talent is there.
The bulk of his work falls on the classic side of the midpoint, not as conservative as Brian Ruthenberg, but nowhere near as whimsical as Lee Von Erck, Tony Fillenwarth, or Will Purdy (when he's not making a standard.) Rad's idea of a pipe is starting to look, well, distinctly Rad Davis-y. Not Danish, not English, not Italian, but Davis-y. Producing work that's identifiable from across a room is as important to a pipemaker reaching the top of his profession as a distinctive voice is to a pop singer's chart success. And Rad is coming on strong.
What finally enticed me to buy a RadPipe---two of them, actually---was his exquisite sense of line and proportion. The shape, balance, and cut of these pipes is so natural and good that one immediately assumes they must be copies of some shape-number classic, but they are not. Greg Pease has a rare Castello that is the closest I've seen, but it's only similar:
Scroll to the bottom of the page, then go back up five frames. It is the bottom pipe in that frame
http://www.glpease.com/Pipes/Collection/castello.html
Among English pipes, a few pre-Lane Charatans also followed the clay pattern aesthetic, and at least one Dunhill prototype ODA Shell exists that's cut along similar lines, but that's about it. It was somewhat popular among inexpensive French factory pieces up through the 1950s, but since most were for domestic consumption few survive. So, why has such a gloriously graceful shape been all but ignored? I have no idea. But that Rad loves it to the same degree I do was what his website fairly screamed at me the moment I saw this pair. He makes several Belge and Belge-inspired designs in several sizes and finishes. And since PayPal was only a click away, PAD explains what happened next.
So. This review will consist of two parts, separated by time. Part 1 will be an engineering/workmanship examination only, and Part 2 an assessment of smoking performance after several dozen bowls. The equivalent of Road and Track's 15,000 mile report.
Before beginning, know that the following approach and philosophy Rules All: Since the pursuit of literal perfection is what drives the vast majority of high grade pipe carvers, that is the standard that will be used to measure their work. Meaning, since it takes a six foot ruler to measure a five foot object, no pipe reviewed (by me) will ever be declared to be flawless. (Some multi-thousand-dollar art pieces probably would be close enough to perfect they'd exceed my powers of flaw resolution, but that's neither what I'm dealing with here, nor ever hope to. People who collect such things certainly have no need to read reviews from the likes of me, in any event.) So, I repeat: perfection is the standard. How close a given piece comes to it is NOT "graded on a curve," or overlooked because of price. Reconciling those is how value is determined, and value is a separate issue. One that I will give my opinion on at the end of the review, but is not something that will excuse flaws during the examination.
With that in mind, onward.
Something that can't be seen from a picture is weight, of course, and since perceived weight when smoking can't be expressed as grams or ounces (length, bit comfort and width, degree of bend, balance point, etc. all have an effect), I'll just sum it up that these pipes feel exceptionally light. Put on a scale, they are light for their size (44 and 46 grams), but the previously mentioned variables combine to make these pipes feel almost as if they're made of balsa. Plus, ergonomically, they're a delight---the tilted forward bowl fits one's hand as comfortably as a worry stone, and the bits are hand-cut vulcanite that's very well shaped and finished. (More about the bits later.)
The finish of the smooth pipe was examined under a high intensity lamp using a 10x magnifier, and no residual sanding scratches could be found on either the bowl or mouthpiece. Clearly, no premature jumping up the grit ladder during sanding occurred, and a complete lack of growth ring waviness indicated there wasn't a premature shift to a tripoli wheel to rush completion. A finish of this smoothness, clarity, and that demonstrates such a degree of care, is fairly rare in my experience. The blast is one of the "new breed" of American erosion art, as seen frequently on Jim Cooke's, Paul Bonaquisti's, and Brian Ruthenberg's pipes, where the cutting action is both ruggedly deep and delicately detailed. The only older pipes I've seen that captured both attributes simultaneously were Dunhill's Sardinian briar Tanshells from 1952 through the 1960's (and those aren't usually as deep.) The grain's "thumbprint" is well centered on my specimen, resulting in impressive ring grain down the shank as well as up the bowl. The "take" of the brick red stain used is slightly blotchy for unknown reasons, but typical of this finish for Rad, so is presumably deliberate. While slightly off-putting (to me) on first look, an appreciation of the 3-D effect it creates soon made me a fan, and eager to see how the pipe colors from smoking. The nomenclature on both pipes was clearly struck, and well aligned. My only complaint finish-wise for either pipe is where the blast was masked to create a smooth stamping area and a ring where the shank meets the bit. The razor-like straightness and perfect alignment one would prefer, is lacking. Not by much, but noticeably so when examined with those things in mind. Especially frustrating because it is such an easy thing to accomplish when desired. It is possible that Rad simply prefers a more organic look to a geometrically perfect one in this regard, but judging by the level of precision shown elsewhere on his pipes, it seems more likely to have just been one of those "attention" things.
The axial alignment of both pipes is outstanding. The bits are made of premium German "Cumberland" or "Bowling Ball" vulcanite rod stock, and are extremely well cut and finished. Bits of this quality of material and workmanship are simply amazing to find on a pipe in this price range. Button contour and bit thickness/cross section comfort is an individual thing, but should suit most smokers well. The workmanship shown on the all-important last inch is exceptional, and approaches the finest European examples. The flare from round hole to full bit width is not simply a semi-circular notch, for example, but extends smoothly and deeply into the bit in a V shape, and has evenly curved sides the entire distance. Rad obviously has a set of riffler files, knows how to use them, and takes his time doing so. Only the very deepest part of the right angle formed by the lip/bit junction on the outside of the mouthpiece shows slightly matte instead of glass smooth. A shortcoming that's of absolutely of no account, since that's the first place to show "smoking wear" and wouldn't last past the first day's use if it was glassy, but since perfection is the ruler, it must be mentioned.
The "down bowl" pictures describe the draft hole alignment better than words can. A bullseye both laterally and vertically in both cases. The bowls are also obviously uncoated, and left slightly rough in the manner of providing "tooth" for the cake to grab, as is done for paint. The cross hatching looks to be about "150 grit deep." In my personal opinion, ALL pipes should be sold in this condition. Unstained, uncoated, and the surface gently "broken" to facilitate carbon adhesion. Why they are not is unknown to me. What I do know is that removing stain to prepare a pipe for its breaking-in is a pain, and the taste of some coating mixtures frequently isn't as undetectable as is claimed. Since not performing a step in the making of a pipe can't possibly cost more than adding it, I don't understand why anyone bothers. Leaving it off results in a superior product, and saves the carver time and money. So, hats off to Rad Davis for bucking the trend, and providing smokers with pure wood.
The cleanliness and precision of the bit/shank junction is the only significant flaw found, and on only one of the pipes. The smooth was perfectly aligned and executed, and the joint impossible to detect by feel (except by texture change). The blast, however, had a gap of .003 inches (.08 mm) at its widest point, along the top and down one side. I've seen many such gaps on older pipes (Dunhills are notorious for them), but was surprised to find one on a pipe of recent manufacture. Such a thing can only occur from a change in the wood's dimensions after the mortise is drilled and the shank faced. There is no doubt that Rad uses only well-seasoned wood of high quality for his pipes, so the most likely explanation is that moisture from his hands just before the mortise was cut swelled a portion of the wood a few thousandths, and then it shrunk back afterward. I've read that many of the Danish masters allow the wood to rest and dry after handling for two weeks or more before the mortise cutting step precisely to avoid this.
The fit of the bits in tightness terms was excellent---glassy smooth and snug---and considerable attention was paid to airflow mechanics at the junction. The tenon/mortise gap was about as small as it can be reliably made, slightly less than a millimeter, and both ends of the draft hole were well chamfered and polished. The shank was drilled 5/32" and the bit an odd size (metric? numbered?) slightly larger than 9/64". Those aware of the "open draw" concept will recognize those numbers as being at the higher end of the range for a production pipe. Such an airway promises an extremely easy draw, and a pipe that's easy to keep lit; the downside being that fast or hard puffers can easily generate too much heat and scorch the bowl walls. Slow and easy "sipping" is the ticket when smoking pipes with free-flowing airways.
Two miscellaneous observations: the smooth had no specks that were visible to the unaided eye, and only a few that could be seen with 10X magnification. The evenness and coverage of the graining on both bowl and shank was also exceptional. The virtually identical cut of the two pipes is astounding. Even frazed factory pieces of the same shape number usually show more variation between specimens. Rad either has eyes and hands with built-in micrometers, or has developed a computer controlled, laser milling process he's keeping quiet about.
Finally, the matter of value. Assessing them only physically---the smoking review comes later---are they worth the price paid? ($260 for the blast, $350 for the smooth) In my opinion, the nearness of their approach to perfection in materials and execution makes them worth considerably more. Arguably, a delrin tenon, polishing away the micro-crease of dullness at the button, straightening the blast's stamping mask, and re-facing the shank of the blast would make them more valuable, but two or three times more? Because that is the price a number of carvers whose work is only that much better get for it. So, is the work of those carvers over priced? Not in my opinion. Those men don't price their work, the market does. That is what it costs to own virtual (not literal) perfection in execution, and the physical instantiation of their ideas. Meaning, Rad looks to be well on his way to joining the four-figure club for his prime pieces. What he is selling today is significantly underpriced not because it lacks intrinsic value, but simply because the Fame Factor hasn't entered the picture yet. Clearly he has the chops to be ranked among the best. I'd guess that another year or two tweaking a few processes and details, coupled with the further, inevitable refinement of his "style identity" is all it will take.
Bottom line: Anyone who has admired Rad's pipes to date, and put off acquiring one, had best be about it. All the ingredients for true greatness exist today, either wholly formed or nearly so, and his work will not be available at its current price level much longer.
In a month or two, I'll report back on the smoking characteristics of these same pipes as an addition to this first part. Until then, Peace and Great Smoking.
----------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: Rad came across this post and immediately emailed to say he'd be glad to re-face the shank to eliminate the space between it and the bit, if I cared to have it done. This is worthy of mention, I think, because he came to me, I didn't have to contact him. That's class. (And while we're on the subject, something needs to be put into perspective since that photo of the gap guage "chopped" into the space looks pretty dramatic: Three thousandths of an inch is too small for even a thin, glossy magazine page to fit into... the tempered foils on a gap guage get way down there. Unless the pipe is held dead square to a very bright light, the space is literally not noticable. The only reason the whistle was blown is because perfection was the "ruler.")
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1/20/2006 - Art Rupelt of MingKahuna Tamps
Does Rad Davis Make Pipes?
You bet he does. Man oh man, this guy can make pipes. My first Rad Davis arrived yesterday, and to say that I am thrilled with the pipe would be a great understatement. For those of you who haven't read Erwin's review of his Rad Davis pipe you should do so.
I could adopt Erwin's words and observations almost word for word. Like Erwin I started watching Rad when he was introduced by Mark Tinsky. I also didn't expect more than the typical stem in a block freehand, but even then I saw a flare in his shapes that kept me coming back for a look. And each time I came back he had made a quantum leap. First he inset those tenons that were previously sticking out. That was a big relief as to my eye that is Exhibit A for an amateur. Then there were some flush stems followed by some brandy shapes and scoops. And then handcut stems quickly followed by Cumberland, which had me cheering. I think it was just before he went to Cumberland that I tried to acquire my first Rad, a small blonde horn, that maybe had a Cumberland stem, now that I think about it. Not surprisingly the pipe was sold, but I was finding more and more pipes on his site that I would be glad to own.
Shortly after that Rad and I started talking shapes and I was fortunate enough to see many of his new shapes beforehand, able to offer my two cents, for whatever it was worth. His internal design program was set on overdrive, something that I can quite identify with, and it was a pure joy to watch his shapes evolve. Having had a good look at his pipes in Chicago I knew that his construction, craftsmanship and detailing was right were it needed to be, far in excess of his pricepoint, so the evolution of his shapes was especially meaningful.
Having been through a year of mind-numbing expenses, other than the Chicago show I have only bought one pipe, a Barbi back in June. So, towards the end of the year, I decided to give myself a bonus for my toils for Ming 2005. Or, that was the excuse for buying a pipe that I saw on Rad's site that just knocked my socks off. It was a 1/3 bent rusticated squash tomato with a saddle Cumberland stem. It can be seen here:
http://www.ming-kahuna.com/moreinfo.cfm?Product_ID=693&CFID=524678&CFTOKEN=54954667
The rustication, most unique, is sort of a straight grain pattern running from the top to the bottom of the bowl. To my eye the proportions, balance, and flow of the piece was perfect.
So, after scraping together some discretionary funds, a good trick this time of year, the pipe arrived yesterday and I've smoked my first bowl, and am now part way through the second. Again I'll refer you back to Erwin's review, but I could not ask for a better first bowl. Further, the construction and detailing of the piece is right where I would want it to be. Fit, finish and craftsmanship are top notch. The stem work is especially nice with a superb finish. For a grand total of $175 (and $230 to $285 for a smooth) I have a pipe that offers what one would expect in a high priced premium pipe. What Rad has created is a lower priced premium pipe with the only difference from its higher priced brethren being price. Based on my experience, I see Rad's pipes as offering the best values in the pipe world today. It hasn't been since discovering Jorn Larsen pipes that I have considered putting together a seven day set, but I can really see seven Rads as a goal for 2006.
I'm very happy for Rad that he has achieved so much in such a relatively short time. That to me takes a lot of talent and intense effort. It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.
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1/1/2006 - Mike Glukler of Briar Blues
Review - Rad Davis Pipe
It has been a long time since I have reviewed a pipe and I am very pleased to write this one.
First I should say that I currently sell Rad Davis Pipes on the Briar Blues site. When contacting a pipe maker I would like to work with there are a few criteria they must meet, before I even think of asking. First; they must be honest and easy to deal with. Second; the end goods must be a fair, good, or excellent value for price. Third; their pipes must smoke well for me. Rad meets all three of these with ease.
I have owned two Rad Davis pipes. The first was a straight billiard. It smoked very well from the first bowl. The fit and finish on the pipe was excellent. Hard to believe Rad has been making pipes for such a short time with these results. I did sell the pipe as my preference is for sand blasts.
Now the pipe in hand was one of four I purchased from RadÂ’s site. The four pipes all struck me for their style. Danish with an American flair. All four sport hand cut Cumberland stems and all are priced under $300.00 US. Think about that for a moment. Hand made pipes, with hand cut stems, that IF made by a well known Danish maker would carry a price tag of $500.00 US minimum.
The pipe that decided it needed to stay with me is a smooth, flame grain squat tomato, with hand cut half saddle stem. The tobacco chamber is about a group 3/4 size. The fit at the shank / stem junction is perfection. All the way around it is flush and smooth. No light gap. No ledges. The finish color is even. The bowl is well sanded and offers no sand paper marks, even under scrutiny with a loop. This I check on all pipes and it lets me know how much care a maker takes in the final finishing stages. I have found a whole list of makers that do not make the grade in this facet. The drilling is top notch. Dead center and precisely at the bottom of the bowl. Not just close I mean precisely at the best possible spot. When you get to the bottom of the bowl and the pipe goes out, you offer a pipe cleaner. As soon as it enters the bowl it shifts what ash remains and that falls out with ease. THAT is how you can tell if it is drilled perfectly.
The stem is thin and comfortable. It is wide enough to fit the mouth well, yet not being something you notice. The button fits my teeth as very few other pipes do. When I visit my Dentist I always bring an empty pipe. After whatever maintenance needed to be done is complete, I check his work with the pipe. This will be my "take to the Dentist Pipe".
Now none of the above matters if the pipe does not smoke well. This pipe has stepped up into my top 4 pipes! The first bowl was cool, dry and smooth. Only the slightest hint of briar on the last few puffs. Impressive for a virgin tobacco chamber. I emptied the ash and inserted a pipe cleaner. It came out with only a tiny amount of moisture. No un burnt tobacco and no areas of the tobacco chamber that showed wood. The tobacco burnt evenly and smooth. This all boils down to the engineering. I have now smoked the pipe a half dozen times and I find myself constantly reaching for it.
The more pipes I see made by Rad Davis the more and more I find myself suggesting him as a maker for my clients to try. I know the quality is very high and the end pipes result in excellent smoking machines. I also suggest that in the current state of pipes as relative to prices that Rad's pipes are an exceptional value and investment. Surely the prices asked will start to creep up and those that purchase early get the advantage of these low prices. As Rad's following grows and demand increases these pipes will hold their value. Also if Rad goes the way of some previous makers that only created a limited number of pipes or retire, then these high quality pipes will become highly collectable.
Regards,
Michael J. Glukler
Jan 01, 2006
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10/30/2005 - Review by Erwin Van Hove
I'll admit it: when Mark Tinsky introduced on his website the work of Rad Davis, what I saw left me utterly indifferent : yet another carver making wild, anything goes 70s freehand's. No sense of style whatsoever. Oh well. After a while, occasionally I would notice a Davis that looked better. Rad began to show more control. Since then I watched his work regularly to see how he was evolving. It was obvious he made a lot of progress in very little time. He began to make nice interpretations of classic shapes, he even started to experiment with shapes of his own and to hand cut his stems. His fit and finish were getting better and better. He didn't leave me indifferent anymore. At that time, Rad began to send me pics of shapes he was experimenting with. He wasn't looking for a minion who would tell him he is the next Bo Nordh. He wanted me to give him honest feedback. As time went by, there wasn't much to criticize anymore. It became obvious Rad had evolved into an interesting pipe maker who had mastered the craft. It was time to buy my first Davis. It was delivered this week. So here are my first impressions after three bowlfuls. It is a beauty : elegant shape, excellent proportions, nice grain, beautiful stain, attractive mirror-like finish, fit beyond reproach. The bit is flat and very comfortable, the button has a pleasant mouth feel. A great bit. Balance is good. Time to have a look at the engineering. The draft hole is where it should be and the air way is well drilled. The opening in the tenon is conical and its length is perfectly well adapted to the length of the mortise. Though the bit is very flat, the airway is more than wide enough to deliver an effortless draw. When I draw on the pipe, there isn't a whistle whatsoever. A pipe cleaner passes with ease from button to bowl. Nothing to complain about. I decided it would become a VA flake pipe. I filled it with some aged Blackwoods Flake. Now, let me tell you : when I hear and read all the time these comments about pipes that taste great from the first puffs on, I have this skeptical smile and I think : yeah, right. This prince delivered a sweet, smooth taste from the first puffs on. Cross my heart. Actually, during the last third of the bowl, the Blackwoods Flake began to sing, producing a deep, complex taste. Impressive. The next two smokes only confirmed this impression. This is a fantastic piece of wood ! The pipe cost me $235. I can be brief about this : the price/quality/pleasure ratio of this pipe is quite unbeatable. So brethren of the briar, do yourself a favour and get one before this Rad dude becomes aware of how good he really is and raises his prices to a more realistic level !
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