Description
*Stanwell pipes are special *They are different *They look great and are a delight to handle and smoke!
That is what Colin wrote many years back, and “It seems that the Danes have a flair for innovative design without compromising functionality. So it was many years ago with Paul Stanwell and his team of pipemakers, and to protect themselves from piracy each Stanwell shape is registered. If you would like a pipe away from the classic English pinstripe suit, yet one that still performs and handles like a Rolls Royce, Stanwell is it.”
Stanwell was fortunate to have a good team of pipe designers. Most important was Sixten Ivarsson who created radical new designs which contributed to the success of Stanwell. He was followed as chief designer by the equally creative Tom Eltang. Many other top Danish designers have contributed to the range of Stanwell shapes which are now classics in the field and treasured by many collectors. Models were made of these designs so that the pipes could be produced, several at a time, on machines, and then finished by hand. This made superb pipes at prices affordable to most smokers.
It is not only the designs that made Stanwell pipes great. In time Stanwell added acrylic mouthpieces which don’t oxidise as easily, and developed the use of glass beads for sandblasting. These are used at a lower pressure, more time-consuming but less aggressive to the briar,
Stanwell – the sad news
Stanwell was bought by Scandinavian Tobacco Group who around 2010 moved production to Italy, and who have now decided that they won’t be supplying smaller markets any longer. They will concentrate on the USA.
We contacted Stanwell to ask could we place a last order for the 9mm shapes we usually get.
The reply:
“Unfortunately, when the decision was made for the brand to transition from Denmark to the United States the conversation was to reduce and eliminate certain lines, several of which you are requesting. 9mm pipes are not wildly popular in the US therefore again we are selling through what is remaining.”
and
“With the transition of the brand to the US we will not be producing additional units at this time.”
I received the impression that they would be opening an office in the USA, but that the manufacture would remain in Europe. No more recent confirmation either way.
On an Internet search I see that Chris, who worked for Stanwell for many years, confirms that the USA market will take precedence; that other markets, including Europe, won’t be serviced.
This means that Stanwell pipes are now discontinued except for the American market.
We have been closely associated with Stanwell for many years. We even had a range of pipes made for us by Stanwell in 1976. We called it “Roskilde” after the nearby town where Paul Stanwell took us to visit the Cathedral.
I remember vividly Colin and I sitting in the office of Mr Paul Stanwell many years ago, doing the English text for their Bamboo Shank pipe. And a lunch in Umhlanga Rocks (I think) when Paul Stanwell visited South Africa.
it really feels like the end of an era for us
