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The Ashton-Talor [http://www.ashton-taylor.com/ website] | The Ashton-Talor [http://www.ashton-taylor.com/ website] | ||
[[File:Ashton2.jpg|thumb|Bill "Ashton" Taylor at the lathe, courtesy Doug Valitchka]] | |||
=== The Ashton Pipe Story === | === The Ashton Pipe Story === | ||
==== A man makes his mark ==== | ==== A man makes his mark ==== | ||
In 1959 a lad of 15 signed on with Alfred Dunhill Ltd as a capstan-lathe operator. Thus began the career in pipe making of one '''"William Ashton-Taylor"''', maker of the ASHTON smoking pipe. | In 1959 a lad of 15 signed on with Alfred Dunhill Ltd as a capstan-lathe operator. Thus began the career in pipe making of one '''"William Ashton-Taylor"''', maker of the ASHTON smoking pipe. | ||
Now at age 15 one didn't immediately begin to fashion pipes at Dunhill's. There was a long apprenticeship which involved much sweeping up of pieces of briar and vulcanite, and being "tea boy" to the pipe makers. But Bill showed keen interest in learning the craft. Even before he was permitted to attempt to make pipes at the factory he would bring home rejected bowls and mouthpieces in order to experiment. | [[Image:Ashton01.jpg|left]][[File:Ashton.jpg|thumb|Bill "Ashton" Taylor, courtesy Doug Valitchka]]Now at age 15 one didn't immediately begin to fashion pipes at Dunhill's. There was a long apprenticeship which involved much sweeping up of pieces of briar and vulcanite, and being "tea boy" to the pipe makers. But Bill showed keen interest in learning the craft. Even before he was permitted to attempt to make pipes at the factory he would bring home rejected bowls and mouthpieces in order to experiment. | ||
Several of the "masters of the bench" noticed Bill's interest, but these were very serious craftsmen, and each had developed processes over the years which they were loathe to share with each other, let alone the newcomer. Finally Harry Saigrott, having recognized Bill's exceptional raw talent, began to share his expertise which was in the art of making the mouthpiece and mating it to the bowl. In time the others came round and Bill was able to learn all the jealously guarded processes that had made the Dunhill pipe the world's finest. | Several of the "masters of the bench" noticed Bill's interest, but these were very serious craftsmen, and each had developed processes over the years which they were loathe to share with each other, let alone the newcomer. Finally Harry Saigrott, having recognized Bill's exceptional raw talent, began to share his expertise which was in the art of making the mouthpiece and mating it to the bowl. In time the others came round and Bill was able to learn all the jealously guarded processes that had made the Dunhill pipe the world's finest. | ||
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Bill used Calabrian briar for his smooth finished pipes because the wood is both hard and light, coming as it does from a light, sandy soil. Often he took these straight grain plateau blocks and turned them on their sides in order to fashion beautiful cross grain/birds eye pipes which are widely believed to smoke cooler than straight grains. | Bill used Calabrian briar for his smooth finished pipes because the wood is both hard and light, coming as it does from a light, sandy soil. Often he took these straight grain plateau blocks and turned them on their sides in order to fashion beautiful cross grain/birds eye pipes which are widely believed to smoke cooler than straight grains. | ||
Briar from Tuscany is used for the ASHTON sandblast finishes, as this type of briar takes on a rich, deep patina after the soft grain is removed by the sand-jet. | Briar from Tuscany is used for the ASHTON sandblast finishes, as this type of briar takes on a rich, deep patina after the soft grain is removed by the sand-jet. Ashton sandblasted pipes are often compared to early Dunhill Shell pipes, which are highly prized for their deep, craggy sandblasting. While Dunhill seems to have, by and large, abandoned the deep sandblasting technique as time has progressed, Ashton revived the practice, as can be seen on Ashton sandblasted pipes. | ||
[[Image:Ashton8.jpg|center|thumb|400px]] | [[Image:Ashton8.jpg|center|thumb|400px]] | ||
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==== The torch is passed ==== | ==== The torch is passed ==== | ||
[[File:Ashton army mount.jpg|thumb|Recent Army Mount, Courtesy Chip Fadeley]]William Ashton-Taylor passed away on September 16, 2009. Jimmy Craig is the only person we are aware of that carries on William's traditions in crafting pipes the “Ashton” way and this can only be verified by you, the pipe community as you experience his work. It is hoped that Jimmy will continue William's legacy, as the art of crafting smoking pipes is now a very rare skill indeed. Ashton-Taylor Pipes hopes that you agree that the quality of Jimmy’s work is indeed that of William, for William was very proud of the work that Jimmy was producing for him in 2008 and 2009. | [[File:Jim-craig-ashton-pipes.jpg|thumb|left|Jim Craig, who is carrying on the Ashton tradition, courtesy, [http://pipesmagazine.com/ pipesmagazine.com]]][[File:Ashton army mount.jpg|thumb|Recent Army Mount, Courtesy Chip Fadeley]]William Ashton-Taylor passed away on September 16, 2009. Jimmy Craig is the only person we are aware of that carries on William's traditions in crafting pipes the “Ashton” way and this can only be verified by you, the pipe community as you experience his work. It is hoped that Jimmy will continue William's legacy, as the art of crafting smoking pipes is now a very rare skill indeed. Ashton-Taylor Pipes hopes that you agree that the quality of Jimmy’s work is indeed that of William, for William was very proud of the work that Jimmy was producing for him in 2008 and 2009. | ||
You might also enjoy listening to Brian Levine's interview with Jim Craig on the [http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/radio-talk-show/the-pipes-magazine-radio-show-episode-9/#more-6319 Pipes Magazine Radio Show] | |||
=== Dating === | === Dating === | ||
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[[Image:FirstYearAshtonPanels.jpg|right|thumb|A Pair Of 1983 Ashton Sandblasts (Pre-Pebble Grain - Image Courtesy of Mike Ahmadi]] | [[Image:FirstYearAshtonPanels.jpg|right|thumb|A Pair Of 1983 Ashton Sandblasts (Pre-Pebble Grain - Image Courtesy of Mike Ahmadi]] | ||
[[Image:FirstYearPanelsTopView.jpg|center|thumb|A Pair Of 1983 Ashtons (Note The Fantastic Sandblasting) - Image Courtesy of Mike Ahmadi]] | [[Image:FirstYearPanelsTopView.jpg|center|thumb|A Pair Of 1983 Ashtons (Note The Fantastic Sandblasting) - Image Courtesy of Mike Ahmadi]] | ||
The first pipe was made in 1983. From this year and at least up to 2002 pipes were stamped with a suffix number after the origin "Made in England". It starts with no. 3 in 1983 and continues | The first pipe was made in 1983. From this year and at least up to 2002 pipes were stamped with a suffix number after the origin "Made in England". It starts with no. 3 in 1983 and continues counting up to no. 25 in 2005. First year pipes were stamped with simple block lettering and did not include a finish stamping. The origin on first year pipes was stamped "MADE IN LONDON ENGLAND". There were only 31 pipes made in total in 1983, which means they are quite rare and sought by Ashton collectors. | ||
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<gallery widths=215px caption="Circa 1998 EXL Sovereign, courtesy Doug Valitchka"> | |||
File:Ashton Billiard01.jpg | |||
File:Ashton Billiard08.jpg | |||
File:Ashton Billiard09.jpg | |||
File:Ashton Billiard13.jpg | |||
</gallery> | |||
=== Finishes & Grading === | |||
'''Ashton Pipe Finishes & Grading:''' | |||
*1: Sandblast - | |||
**a. Pebble Grain (Pebble Grain) - dark | |||
**b. Old Church - Natural (OC) | |||
*2: Claret & Gilt Edge - smooth with a burgundy to gold burgundy color | |||
*3: Oak - dark smooth | |||
*4: Sovereign - smooth natural | |||
*5: Sovereign SG - smooth natural straight grain, # 1- 5 | |||
*6: Achievement - pipes that have some unusual work on them, spiraling, bamboo etc. | |||
*SIZING: X, XX, XXX, LX, ELX, Magnum | |||
<center><gallery widths=250 heights=185 caption="Various examples and details, courtesy Doug Valtichka"> | |||
File:AshtonOldChurch01.jpg|Old Church | |||
File:AshtonOldChurch07.jpg|Old Church Detail | |||
File:AshtonOldChurch09.jpg|Old Church Detail | |||
File:AshtonPebble Grain01.jpg|Pebble Grain | |||
File:AshtonPebble Grain07.jpg|Pebble Grain Detail | |||
File:AshtonPebble Grain08.jpg|Pebble Grain Detail | |||
File:AshtonPebble Grain11.jpg|Pebble Grain Detail | |||
File:AshtonSovereignB01.jpg|Sovereign | |||
File:AshtonSovereignB07.jpg|Sovereign Detail | |||
File:AshtonSovereignB08.jpg|Sovereign Detail | |||
File:AshtonSovereignB10.jpg|Sovereign Detail | |||
</gallery> | |||
<br> | |||
<gallery heights=300 widths=280 caption="Ashton Old Church 215 XXX by Jimmy Craig, courtesy Dennis Dreyer Collection"> | |||
File:AshtonOldChurchJade01.jpg | |||
File:AshtonOldChurchJade03.jpg | |||
File:AshtonOldChurchJade04.jpg | |||
File:AshtonOldChurchJade06.jpg | |||
</gallery> | |||
<font size="1">Photos by Chance Whittamore</font> | |||
</center> | |||
=== Off site links === | === Off site links === | ||
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=== Ashton pipes are available from === | === Ashton pipes are available from === | ||
<revive zone="6" align="right" caption="An excellent selection of Ashton pipes is available at Pipedia Underwriter, Pipes2Smoke.com" /> | |||
<revive zone="7" align="right" caption="An excellent selection of Ashton pipes is available at Pipedia Underwriter, lepipe.it" /> | |||
[http://www.lepipe.it/en/pipedia.asp?utm_source=pipedia&=utm_medium=pipedia&=utm_campaign=pipedia lepipe.it] | |||
Pipes2smoke.com: [http://www.pipes2smoke.com/Ashton.htm pipes2smoke.com] | Pipes2smoke.com: [http://www.pipes2smoke.com/Ashton.htm pipes2smoke.com] | ||