Description
Dunhill Pipe
Cumberland
Rough, sandblasted finishes
• The bowls have had the soft wood on the surface sandblasted off. Any weak bowls shatter under this process. The survivors are remarkably tough and light. A noticeable advantage especially for the larger bowl sizes. The shell briar is usually a little thinner-walled than its smooth counterpart and may need a little more care in building up the carbon layer.
Cumberland
• Dunhill has often been credited with being the first to offer sandblasted pipes (arguably the most popular finish today), and the Cumberland finish further displayed Dunhill’s innovative spirit. The Cumberland’s brindled vulcanite stem became so synonymous with the line that today we all refer to it wherever used simply as a “Cumberland” mouthpiece.
• This finish was introduced in 1980 and how beautiful it is. Rich, polished, oxblood-colour stain brings a glow to the deep sandblasted briar. And, I guess at the same time, a new, brown marbled colour vulcanite was developed to tone with the colour of the briar – they called it the “Cumberland” mouthpiece. With most Cumberland pipes it is the matching of the colours on the two different surfaces that really pleases the eye and feel.
• To accommodate the stamping on a sandblasted pipe it is necessary to smooth and level the base of the stem. A benefit of this (possibly originally unintended) is that most sandblasted pipes, even the bents, can stand on their own.
• Irrespective of shape, size or finish, all Dunhill pipes are of one quality only – the finest.
Why Dunhill:
• The durability and cool sweet smoking of the Alfred Dunhill pipe with its “White Spot” trademark are universally acclaimed. Made from the finest quality briar, the “Dunhill” represents more than 90 separate processes over a period of several months. While there are checks and quality controls every step of the way, the final inspection before each pipe is released onto the market is made by only one person. An indication of the scarcity of fine briar to meet the standards demanded of a Dunhill “White Spot” pipe. These standards ensure that each pipe will smoke perfectly from the start and, with proper care, will never lose its original sweetness. The flawless briars are perfect – no fills, no flaws, no pits; only 5 out of every 100 ebauchons entering the factory leave as a Dunhill. The mouthpiece of every Dunhill pipe is hand-cut from a solid rod of “Vulcanite” – the Dunhill name for a rubber compound which, although tough, is easy on the teeth and does not flavour/taint the smoke. In colour it may be Black, or Cumberland (marbled brown). The Dunhill “White Spot” was the first pipe to carry a guarantee. That little white spot is still a symbol of perfection and style, and the guarantee still holds. Dunhill pipes have an exceptionally long life and are in great demand as refurbished “estate” pipes. They are highly regarded as “Collectibles”.
