That's a Straight Grain

[NeverBend]

Jim @AlligatorGar, asked about straight and flame grains.

This one was made by James Upshall and is their "X" grade. Grain is quite straight, top to bottom and around most of the bowl.
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTAyM1gxMDc0/z/IRYAAOSweW5VOGA1/$_57.JPG

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTAyNFgxMDEx/z/~~UAAOSwstxVOGA5/$_57.JPG?rt=nc

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTAyM1gxMDg5/z/AHYAAOSwstxVOGA8/$_57.JPG?rt=nc

[MrMotoyoshi]

"That's not a straight, this is a straight grain" :)

[Alligator Gar]

Jim @AlligatorGar, asked about straight and flame grains.

This one was made by James Upshall and is their "X" grade. Grain is quite straight, top to bottom and around most of the bowl.

And by virtue of the straight grain, more desireable? Is X grade high grade? I'm smoking a Monte Double Edmundo right now, so am I even allowed to ask?

[JustTroItIn]

And by virtue of the straight grain, more desireable? Is X grade high grade? I'm smoking a Monte Double Edmundo right now, so I am I even allowed to ask?

How unrefined! ;)

[Alligator Gar]

How unrefined! ;)

Thanks for immortalizing my typo and confirming what everyone suspected: I'm not well red.

[NeverBend]

And by virtue of the straight grain, more desireable? Is X grade high grade? I'm smoking a Monte Double Edmundo right now, so I am I even allowed to ask?

Jim, you can post anytime as long as you're wearing shoes.

"X" is James Upshall's own grade. They actually had/have an "XX" and "XXX" grade but I think I only saw 1 or possibly 2 of each of the multiple X grades and perhaps 15-20 "X" graded pipes.

This pipe was made after my time with Upshall. The background stain appears to be different and the pipe looks like it was entirely made by Barry Jones and so it has a decided Charatan flavor.

What makes this pipe special are several factors:
Clean. No surface flaws and in this case I don't even see any sand pits. The cleaner the greater the value.
Finish. Smooth pipes are actually the easiest finish to make but the trick, certainly at this level, is to remove the flaws from the surface.
Grain. Fully grained (no bald or wash spots) and the grain runs straight and that's perhaps the most preferred way that pipe maker can capture it.
Size. Larger is better at least from a price and often smoker preference perspective.
Shape. A classical shape is more difficult to render (by hand and clean) than a freehand where the pipe maker has a lot of latitude in shaping and running flaws.

The size of this pipe with it's grain running the full height of the bowl indicates a very high probability that it was an old and high quality piece of briar. Given the grain, finish and shape all of the best qualities of a consummate pipe maker are in evidence and Barry is one of the best ever.

[Branzig]

Excellent looking pipe here!

Too bad I am only interested in P and S pipes.

[Alligator Gar]

Jim, you can post anytime as long as you're wearing shoes.

"X" is James Upshall's own grade. They actually had/have an "XX" and "XXX" grade but I think I only saw 1 or possibly 2 of each of the multiple X grades and perhaps 15-20 "X" graded pipes.

This pipe was made after my time with Upshall. The background stain appears to be different and the pipe looks like it was entirely made by Barry Jones and so it has a decided Charatan flavor.

What makes this pipe special are several factors:
Clean. No surface flaws and in this case I don't even see any sand pits. The cleaner the greater the value.
Finish. Smooth pipes are actually the easiest finish to make but the trick, certainly at this level, is to remove the flaws from the surface.
Grain. Fully grained (no bald or wash spots) and the grain runs straight and that's perhaps the most preferred way that pipe maker can capture it.
Size. Larger is better at least from a price and often smoker preference perspective.
Shape. A classical shape is more difficult to render (by hand and clean) than a freehand where the pipe maker has a lot of latitude in shaping and running flaws.

The size of this pipe with it's grain running the full height of the bowl indicates a very high probability that it was an old and high quality piece of briar. Given the grain, finish and shape all of the best qualities of a consummate pipe maker are in evidence and Barry is one of the best ever.

Appreciate the info. I have now decided that I love and admire that pipe.

[NeverBend]

Excellent looking pipe here!

Too bad I am only interested in P and S pipes.

Smart man Brando, better value for sure and the same smoke plus you don't need property insurance to own it.

Here's a straight grain with an ugly flaw (and it could be in a better place) but really nice grain. The brand won't impress your friends but it's a nice hunk o'briar and it's quite cheap (at the moment).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1960S-STRAIGHT-GRAIN-VINTAGE-ENGLISH-MADE-BIG-POT-SMOOTH-STRAIGHT-GRAINED-/361268682086?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item541d4a9d66

Some wear and some small fills but a tight grain on this side.
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/pEUAAOSwPhdVKtcA/$_57.JPG?rt=nc
Nasty flaw and in a bad place but the pipe's been well smoked and there's no burning showing so it's probably ok.
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/YqkAAOSwrklVKtb8/$_57.JPG?rt=nc
The other side, grain is still dense and tight if less straight. This is to be expected on a parallel bowl.
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/GCMAAOSwNSxVKtcX/$_57.JPG?rt=nc
The shank has great grain too and I'd agree with the name, it's a straight grain.
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/4BkAAOSwstxVKtcQ/$_57.JPG?rt=nc