Grabow Briar Blocks

jmg · Post by **jmg** » 19 Jul 2023, 20:37

I have an affinity for older Grabows, particularly of the Commodore line. Tonight while window shopping on the Bay, I came across this listing that I couldn't pass up on.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/235091878787

Bloodhound · Post by **Bloodhound** » 20 Jul 2023, 14:26

Very cool...can't wait to see what you make of them

Post by **Biff** » 20 Jul 2023, 14:49

Bloodhound wrote: ↑20 Jul 2023, 14:26 Very cool...can't wait to see what you make of them

Pipes, probably.

FredS · Post by **FredS** » 20 Jul 2023, 15:14

Biff wrote: ↑20 Jul 2023, 14:49
Bloodhound wrote: ↑20 Jul 2023, 14:26 Very cool...can't wait to see what you make of them
Pipes, probably.

jmg · Post by **jmg** » 21 Jul 2023, 09:14

I had asked the seller about working for Grabow. Here's what he wrote:

"Hi.

The box size is 5 1/2 X 8 1/2 so you can approximate the size.

I worked at Dr. Grabow (officially known as Sparta Industries) in 1987-1992. I was the Plant Controller. When they moved to there current location in 1976, it employed 300, when I got there in 1987 it was 150, now it's between 10-15 employees.

A guy from New Zealand owns the company. He sold the plant and is renting back half of the building. I'm surprised it is still open.

The old plant is still standing and houses a word working shop, a beauty salon and a bar that has since closed.

If you have any questions I's be glad to answer.

PS-99% of the pipes were never pre-smoked. They'd run about 15-20 pipes a day thru the smoker and that was it."

FredS · Post by **FredS** » 24 Jul 2023, 06:23

Cool history with these JM.

Are you making many (any) pipes these days?

Those block are small. Do you favor smallish pipes? These days, I do.

How does that plateau block look when wetted on both sides?

jmg · Post by **jmg** » 24 Jul 2023, 18:49

FredS wrote: ↑24 Jul 2023, 06:23 Cool history with these JM.

Are you making many (any) pipes these days?

Those block are small. Do you favor smallish pipes? These days, I do.

How does that plateau block look when wetted on both sides?

Well, the dumbdumb sent me the incorrect lot of blocks. He offered to refund my money and let me keep them. I didn't feel good about that though.
I plan on making small pipes from these, though I haven't made a pipe since my last furlough...so over 4 years ago. I hate typing that. I have had every intention to get back into it since I've returned, but trying to start our lives over from scratch at "middle age" has proven to be much busier than anticipated. I hope to be set up by late fall though.

FredS · Post by **FredS** » 25 Jul 2023, 07:27

jmg wrote: ↑24 Jul 2023, 18:49 . . . I have had every intention to get back into it since I've returned, but trying to start our lives over from scratch at "middle age" has proven to be much busier than anticipated. I hope to be set up by late fall though.

I get it.
[unsolicited advice] Try not to wait too long if it's something you want to do. You're going to wake up one day and wonder where the hell the last 15 years went. [/unsolicited advice]