Factory Made Pipes

As a guideline please bare in mind that what is termed "Factory Made Pipes" has no bearing on implied quality(s) OF a pipe. By "Factory" we mean just that, a pipe made in a 'factory setting' employing several or many persons whose cooperative efforts combine to produce pipes. A factory may employ several artisans who individually produce finished pipes, or tasking may be divided into what may be likened to an assembly line method of production.

Factory pipes may be "hand made" (one at a time) or "machine made" where strummels and other parts are turned out and fitted together later or any combination thereof. Some factory pipes the division of labor may be an international effort where strummels are made in one country and sent elsewhere for stem fitting and other finishing works are accomplished. Most pipes whether made by a factory or an artisan will be made using "machines" of some sort, lathes, drills drill presses and other machines which make labor intensive (time consuming) tasks easier and have little bearing on the quality(s) of the finished product.

Some factories employ standards and artisans which consistently manufacture fine quality smoking instruments, they are however what we would consider a "Factory Pipe" Dunhill Pipes for instance are among the most collectible of Factory Pipes.

Language should mean something, and the difference between what people call a Factory Pipe and an Artisan Pipe with implicit statements of/about quality(s) and pedigree(s) have always bothered me. Let's please leave the Factory category for pipes produced to varying standards in a factory setting.

kilted1.