Falcon: Bestseller
Falcon: All items
Falcon: A Whole New Pipe Concept
The history of Falcon system pipes goes all the way back to 1936. It was engineer Kenly Bugg who invented the concept of a pipe with an aluminum stem and a briar wood bowl. He chose aluminum not only for its lightness and durability but mainly for its heat-conducting properties. The idea was to use the aluminum as a condensation surface to dry and cool the smoke. The resulting moisture was to be absorbed by cotton.
From the USA to the UK – Pipes by Falcon
In the 1940s, Falcon pipes were manufactured in the USA and mostly sold on the domestic market. When aluminum – a strategically important material during the war – had to be conserved, production came to a temporary halt. Shortly after the war, production resumed, though the pipes were primarily sold in American military service stores. But by 1954, six million Falcon pipes had already been sold in the USA alone!
To give the brand a more international presence, a separate sales and production company was founded. In 1956, the production site was moved to England, where it remains to this day. During the 1960s, additional facilities were established across England, and production numbers skyrocketed to levels unheard of today. The smallest site alone, in Sheppard’s Bush, London, produced 10,000 pipes per week!
Falcon Pipe System: A British Success Story
In the 1960s and 70s, Falcon pipes were so wildly popular in the UK that you could likely spot a man with a Falcon between his teeth at any time in any town center. Falcon became the symbol of the English pipe smoker.
The concept of interchangeable bowls, making replacements more affordable in case of breakage, seems to fit perfectly with the British mindset.
Anglo-American Flair – Falcon Pipes Today
Falcon has changed owners a few times, but since 2009, production has been based in Hertfordshire and continues to enjoy strong demand. Although production volumes are much lower now and the company has had to scale down, Falcon pipes still have loyal fans who appreciate these originals with their distinct Anglo-American flair.
