Help getting a briar pipe

[Left Coast DJ]

I've been smoking a Missouri Meerchaum corncob for a past few months to get my pipe chops. Now I feel I'm ready to step up to a briar. My budget is about $75. I've been cruising cupojoes.com, smokingpipes.com, and iwanries.com. I've been eyeballing these:

Bjarne Skagen Virgin Pipe #03

Stanwell Majestic (45)

Peterson Sterling Silver 608

Any other recommendations? I'd prefer a new pipe to an estate one at this point.

 

[The Expanding Man]

They all look like fine pipes, but you won't know for certain until you smoke it

I have a good 40 or so briar pipes. Out of the entry level pipes, you pretty much can't go wrong with Stanwell, Peterson or Savinelli.

If I had to rate one of these manufacturers over the others, I would plump for Stanwell (but it is close).

Despite your original post, there is nothing wrong with estate pipes. It is pretty easy to sanitise the mouthpiece, and if you eat at restaurants, how many times has your fork been in other people's mouths?

IMHO, the best entry level briar pipe is one of these:

http://www.zemanpipes.com/pipeslist.php?pipecat_id=5

They are superb smokers. They have been modified by Jan to smoke well. They might look a bit rough compared to some of the shiny pipes out there, but they equal the smoking qualities of pipes costing 4 times the price.

I own 4. The Beach is one of the best smoking pipes in my collection.

 

[DavyRay]

I have a Sasieni Four Dot briar. It was not very expensive, but is a good pipe, IMO. I have enjoyed it. I have had it for several years, so I do not know if it is available new.

 

[The Expanding Man]

I forgot to mention - if you do decide to get into estate pipes (and there is something magical about keeping these old briars smoking well for another generation) a good manufacturer to look out for is GBD.

Excellent quality English pipes that seem to be undervalued in the estate market (although their price seems to be on the increase, due largely to GL Pease singing their praises).

 

[KnoxPhil]

Loads of pipes here in the KnoxPhil house, and I can honestly say that Bjarne is my favorite. Over the last ten years or so, the quality of Stanwell has been variable, in my experience. As with all things, YMMV.

 

[MarkInVA]

IMHO, the best entry level briar pipe is one of these:

http://www.zemanpipes.com/pipeslist.php?pipecat_id=5

They are superb smokers. They have been modified by Jan to smoke well. They might look a bit rough compared to some of the shiny pipes out there, but they equal the smoking qualities of pipes costing 4 times the price.

I own 4. The Beach is one of the best smoking pipes in my collection.

I'll wholeheartedly agree that Jan's Latitude 41 pipes are great smokers. I have two and they're both in my regular rotation. Jan is also a fine gentleman and a pleasure to do business with.

 

[Gaston]

I am always happy with a GBD. I get good pipes and not-so-good ones with other brands in that price range, but a GBD will be exactly as I expect it to be.

 

[AlexAD]

Stanwell - a brand known for the quality. I have 2 pipes Stanwell. Both of them are well smoked

 

[andrew98]

I really like my Stanwell poker, which is modern/new-ish, and I'm sure you can't go wrong with a Zeman pipe. I was recently (and generously) given a Mario Grandi, and it's a great smoker and a beautiful pipe. You can find those on the bay, and many of them should be in your price range.

-Andy