The Review of the Pipe Tools

[Haebar]

Clockwise from the top (yellow packaged pipe tool): Yello-Bole pipe tool. I haven't cracked this one out yet; used to have one of these that I used years ago and liked it. It is kind of heavy in the pocket and on close inspection appears to be a Czech tool with a cover/handle that keeps the tools from flopping out. The spoon "reamer is almost useless, like Tobias mentioned about the Czech tool. Don't know if these are still available.

Made in China: This is a shorter and thinner tool than many of the rest. I don't like it because the poker tool is not round and seems ungainly. The reamer is a little more useful than some of the others because it has a flat edge that could be conceivably be sharpened a little bit to be more effective.

Richards Sheffield England: This has a decent quality knife blade and doubles as a pocket knife. If you're careful with the point on the blade, it makes a good field reamer. The poker tool has a point and is great for cigar adjustments. All that said, the tamper fall short... It is rectangular and not very broad across the working end. These are probably not made any more.

Ebay China pipe tool: Saw this on ebay from a Chinese vendor and got one to check it out. It is long, 4 inches! The poker is not round but is narrow enough to be useful for stirring and other tasks. The spoon "reamer" is almost useless, like the Czech tool. The tamper is great. These are available on Ebay.

Mastercraft Italy: The reamer on this one is thick steel with edge sharpened like scissors blades (not too sharp) with a rounded end. This one has a decent knife blade. The poker is not round but is fine enough for most relevant pipe tasks. The tamper is convex and is big enough for the task but I prefer flat tampers. Pretty sure these are not made any more.

[Tobias Lutz]

Clockwise from the top (yellow packaged pipe tool): Yello-Bole pipe tool. I haven't cracked this one out yet; used to have one of these that I used years ago and liked it. It is kind of heavy in the pocket and on close inspection appears to be a Czech tool with a cover/handle that keeps the tools from flopping out. The spoon "reamer is almost useless, like Tobias mentioned about the Czech tool. Don't know if these are still available.