Big Ben: Bestseller
Big Ben: All items
Big Ben: Craftsmanship from the Netherlands
To learn more about Big Ben Pipes, one must delve into the history of the company Elbert Gubbels & Zonen. Strictly speaking, Big Ben is just one of the brands originating from the workshop in Roermond, Netherlands. Hilson is the second renowned brand. Elbert Gubbels Senior began in 1870 with a tobacco shop. By 1924, the business expanded into wholesale, importing pipes from all over Europe. When the war made the supply of goods increasingly difficult, the Gubbels family prepared to launch their own pipe production post-war. Since 1946, pipes have been produced in Roermond, initially under the Big Ben label. Later, the Hilson label was added when Gubbels acquired the brand rights from the Hillen family in Belgium in 1980.
The Highlights of Big Ben Pipes
When the factory was expanded in 1972, Gubbels received the honorary designation "royal" and has since been called "Elbert Gubbels & Zonen - Koninklijke Fabriek van Tabakspijpen." Simultaneously, another sub-brand, "Royal Dutch," was created to emphasize its Dutch roots rather than being mistaken for an English brand.
The company has always been export-oriented, with 70 percent of its pipes now distributed internationally. Big Ben pipes are known for their classic shapes, most of which are now fitted with filters. For years, the Barbados series has been one of the best-selling lines from this manufacturer. It is characterized by a compact design, thick walls, and effortless smoking qualities. The Big Ben "Pipo" is also a hallmark model of the brand—a smaller pocket pipe, streamlined, ergonomic, and very easy to smoke. Its style has influenced an entire category of pipes, even from other manufacturers.
Big Ben Pipes: A Masterpiece in Wood
Many pipe smokers believe that Big Ben pipes rank among the best series pipes available. The brand is known for its impeccable and precise craftsmanship. Every edge is sharp and cleanly sanded. Drillings are accurate, and the mouthpieces fit seamlessly with the shank. Gubbels is one of the few manufacturers that uses a spray lacquer to seal the pipe bowl.
This practice has occasionally drawn criticism from "specialists" in the past. However, our own daily experience shows that Big Ben pipes smoke very dry and cool—the wood breathes. The spray lacquer, specially developed and tailored for Big Ben, performs exceptionally well under temperature fluctuations. Moreover, the pipes remain visually appealing for a long time. The mouthpieces are generally made of low-maintenance acrylic, though some pipes are still available with the bite-friendly ebonite mouthpieces.
Why Big Ben Pipes Impress
Worth mentioning is the collaboration with the late pipe maker Rainer Barbi, who designed several elegantly shaped models with and without filters for the Hilson brand. Since production scaled down in 2012, further investments have been made in modern machinery. Today, the workshop ranks among the most advanced production sites for pipes. Gubbels emphasizes that their pipe-making process should never be compared to industrial mass production. The share of manual labor is exceptionally high. For this reason, the company prefers the term "pipe workshop" over "pipe factory." We can wholeheartedly recommend Big Ben pipes. Anyone who takes a closer look at these pipes will appreciate the quality of craftsmanship and enjoy smoking them immensely.
