Product Review: Durable Tobacco Pipe HG-685

Today I'm writing up a quick review of the Haojue (how-jzue) Durable Tobacco Pipe, Model HG-685. We sells these as basic starter pipes for $5.

This was the first non-homemade, non corncob pipe I smoked from. The outer bowl, stem and mouthpiece are all plastic and held together via tension O rings, a metal bowl, and non removable inner smoke "filter". The inner filter is more a tar deterrent than anything else and is meant for tar build up to be easier to clean.

I opened to package to find a poking needle and 2 extra O rings, with I did end up using. I like to bowl base exterior design. Simple and made to look elegant with out the cost. the weight is balanced and does not feel like it is too stem heavy.

I packed a bowl and lit it up. Right away I didn't feel like the draw was very good. I realize the metal bowl was not seated properly and was letting air in around the side.I popped out the bowl with little force, reseated, and it puffed right up. Good draw, even burn. One thing I really like about the pipe is the 5 small holes in the bowl. It makes for a much more even burn versus the one hole like most other pipes.


The bowl is shallow so You can use up 100% of your tobacco easily. I personally dislike wasting good pipe tobacco.

Easy to hold and a never gets too hot. I label myself a "fast smoker". I puff pretty quick on my pipes and cigars, so my pipes get hot, with is irritating. I know that I'm the one causing the heat, but dang it, I don't want a burned hand!!

Many folks talk down at these Chinese plastic/metal combinations, sighting their cost and components. I disagree.for heat dispersion, these cannot be beaten. No, it is not a Butz-Choquin, or Comoy of London, but that is not what we've paid for. I always say that the definition of a good cigar or pipe is one that you enjoy.

I cleaned the pipe after about 6-8 bowls, and will point out that the inner filter holes are difficult to clean thoroughly with pipe cleaner alone. I  replaced the O rings after about 15-20 bowls. I expect this pipe to last about 6 months to a year based on usage. 



OVERALL

A good starter pipe to really get a feel for smoking.

Cost: $5
Quality: 3/5
Durability: 2/5
Worth Purchase: Yes
Re-Purchase: Maybe (based on budget)

Best Weekend so far = a BIG Thank you!

Like the title says. Brothers Fine Tobacco had its best weekend so far, 9 Customers in 2 days!

I know that may not seem like much, but we've just started. and are growing every weekend. I'm sending out a big THANK YOU to all of our customers thus far. Lots of them are returning customers as well, and that is the life blood of any business.

So thank you Barry, Gary, Matt. Keith, John and Luke and those 2 ladies, Those 2 guys, the lady who bought the first Swiss Delights and her husband; You guys keep my dream of a small business owner alive!

-John

New Products! Red Cap Pipe Tobacco

I've gotten in a new Pipe Tobacco that is as good as its name sake. Red Cap Pipe Tobacco. 3 Flavors, Cherry, Whiskey and Natural. The company has been in business for 95 years, and I know why.

1st of all price. We sell a .75oz bag for only $3.75. (That's Cheap)

2nd is the quality, a very smooth, relaxing smoke.

3rd. My first customer bought the cherry and sampled a bowl at the shop. I must say IT SMELLED WONDERFUL! 

I ended up purchasing some (yes, from my store) for a friend whose birthday is this week. I chose Whiskey flavored because he is a whiskey drinker, don't know how that will go, but we'll see. I will definitely be buying cherry for myself at a later date!

Keep those monocle's clear!

The Shop, Is Open.

I have officially Open Brothers Fine Tobacco.

I should say that the idea of opening my own business is not a new one. I've been working (on and off) on BFT for over a year. Many a night I spent looking for good products that I felt people would buy, building pricing models, Market research, licensing, budgets, etc. etc.

I'm finally living the dream!

The dream of working 7 days (I believe in God's day of rest), making sure all the taxes and legalities are taken care of, budgeting, budgeting, budgeting...

I originally planned to open BFT on a shoestring budget (wonder where that expression came from) that was arguably laughable when it cam to launching a business. Then more personal expenses came (did I mention I'm funding everything out of pocket?). I thought that since the door was closed the past 2 times of launching the business, that this surely was a sign of "Not right now" from the all mighty.

And then a small opportunity came open at our local swap meet. I felt like I had to take the chance, for my family's future. So on an EVEN SMALLER BUDGET (less than $800) I proceeded to open BFT... in a pink and purple room.

But its mine. Struggle and all. I've been officially open for sales for 2 days, and I am hungry for more!