In 1983 William John Ashton Taylor started Ashton pipes and revived the oil-cured briar pipe, the way the Dunhill's used to be until the late 1950's. Every Ashton pipe is oil-cured, a process that ensures no break in and a great smoke from the 1st bowl. Only oil-curing ensures consistency of smoke from one pipe to to another. All stems are made from Ashtonite and all Ashton pipes have no fills or putty whatsoever. This is guaranteed. All Ashton pipes are now made by James Craig. Further Ashton information.

James Craig, learnt the craft of pipe making, in the old apprenticeship system, at Dunhill Pipes Ltd., where he was for many of his over 30 years in the trade. In that past era all the craftsman were trained in all of the pipe making processes and could make a pipe from start to finish.

N.B.
Sandblast = Pebble Grain
Pebble Cut
Bark Pebble Shell = Sandblast & Rusticated
Opened up pipes - all larger Ashton's - LX and up have a minimum draft hole of 11/64", the smaller 3X are opened up a bit less.
We check every bowl to make sure it is properly drilled and passes the pipe cleaner test.