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.
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.
A mark makes a career
In the early 1980's Bill strongly felt the need to form his own company in order to return both pipe making and the finished product to the very high standard formerly held. From the time the first pipe bearing his name was made to the present, ASHTON pipes have been manufactured of the best materials and with the utmost skill. And because no one today knows more about the criteria for making fine briar smoking pipes than William Ashton-Taylor, there is no more convincing guarantee for the high quality of ASHTON pipes than the man himself.
Due to Bill's unique knowledge of pipe making and the seasoning of briar, he has been granted a British patent for his method of manufacturing. This special process results in pipes that are 12- 14% lighter in weight than comparable pipes of other brands. About his handmade pipes Bill states: "For us, both parts of the pipe are equally important- bowl and mouthpiece. In both cases the best material and perfect finishing are essential." Each ASHTON pipe, therefore, offers quality from bowl to bit.
Wood makes the pipe
The purchase of selected briar wood is the most important pre-condition for the manufacture of high-quality pipes. Thus Bill insists upon selecting the wood for ASHTON pipes himself. This is a privilege very few pipe makers enjoy today. Bill travels to Italy twice yearly in order to select and purchase wood. And he has developed such a special relationship with the briar saw mills in that country that only he can command the truly huge pieces of briar that are required for the ASHTON "magnum" pipes so prized by collectors worldwide. Bill uses 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 will take
these straight grain plateau blocks and turn 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.
The method makes the difference
The manufacture of ASHTON pipes is based upon an ingenious method first developed in 1915 and improved upon after years of experimentation by William Ashton-Taylor. After the pipe bowls are turned from briar blocks they are heated for eight hours in order that they expand. They are then steeped for an additional eight hours in a mixture composed of three beneficial oils. During this procedure the wood acts like a sponge in soaking up the oils.
After steeping, the oiled bowls are placed on heated brass pegs where they reside for fourteen days. Throughout this period the oil "exudes" from the briar, bringing with it unwanted sap and residue and leaving behind the nut-like flavor for which ASHTON pipes have become renowned.
Bill Taylors legacy continues and today all Ashton pipes are made by James Craig. 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. From 2007-2009 much of the stemming and finishing was done by James Craig who had been working with Bill, (preceding his demise Sept. 2009), learning the secrets of oil-curing. He has since taken over the production of all Ashton pipes. All pipes stamped with a "JC" have been completely made by him working with his two sons Dean & Grant.
Production is now around 600-700 pipes a year so we are pleased to able to offer these superb British pipes. If you have not yet smoked an Ashton we encourage you to experience the incomparable pleasure of smoking one.
Jimmy is carrying on the Ashton tradition using the same techniques and processes that Bill Taylor did while bringing fresh ideas, shapes, and finishes to the make.
