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Ashton: Difference between revisions
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m (Dating: Numbering amended up to no. 25 in 2005 - source: two pipes in my possession that were completed in my presence by Bill himself at that date.) |
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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. | ||