Kilroy6644
Smoking a corn dog in aviators and a top hat
Most of my experience with briars is with cheap basket pipes, which can be hit-or-miss. But in the last year or so, I've been picking up some "name brand" pipes, and I've been pretty happy with them. In the $20-30 range, I've got a Yello-Bole and two Dr. Grabows. Dr. Grabows are generally regarded as decent starter pipes. So are Y-Bs, IF you get a briar. The cheaper lines are made from a material called Brylon, which has a pretty bad reputation. But the higher-priced lines ($20-30) are real briar, and they're not bad. At the other end of your price range is Stanwell's Brushed Black line, which P&C has for $49.95, and I really like those. I've got three already, and plan on getting more. They smoke nice and they just plain look sharp. As for non-briar, if you're into history, try a clay. Takes you back almost to the beginning of pipe smoking. Pipeshoppe.com seems to be the place to go for those. Not necessarily the best clays (not bad, but not the same quality as those made by artisans), but the most readily available, and decently priced.Thought so. A Briar pipe is a type, not a brand, right? Is a briar my best bet for a new pipe under $60? I would like to try a non-cob pip and don't want to spend too much. Not confident on shopping for a previously owned pipe yet... Any recommended brands or other non-briar pipes?