Newbie's next pipe?

[canuckle]

I have a Vauen Basic Briar, and am loving the Brown Leaf!

I'm wondering what I should be looking for in my next pipe? Something that is a step up but not a bank breaker? Ideally looking under $150 US.

Thanks in advance for your help!
Mike

 

[Badmedicine]

Pretty hard to go wrong with an MM cob... They even have churchwarden cobs now. As for a new briar, I would go for Savinelli. The Trevi series 320 is my personal favorite, but I would really advise to get a cob. You won't regret it.

 

[DC_MPA]

savenelli without question. My experience after several dozen owned pipes, there is a ton of improvements on the pioe from the $30-99 range and $100-150 range. From $150 and up, the only thing you'll gain is asthetics in grain. It's like Rolex watches, no one knows you wear a $12,000 Rolex except another Rolex owner. How many of those do you see routinely?


I've bought my share of $400+ pipes and won't do it again. I'll buy a Savenelli anytime without hesitation.

 

[poorboy]

With that budget you could buy 30 MM cobs!!!

Just sayin...

 

[HisDukeNess]

mm cobs, stanwell, or vintage adjustamatic grabows. My grabows from the 60s and 50s smoke great and are not too long of a smoke. IMPO stanwell makes the nicest factory pipe.
but as far as availability...Cobs are great and every pipe smoker should have one. I got the rob Roy cob & a pack of dr grabow filters from walgreens, and a tin of frog Morton as my first set up from my local brick and mortar shop. Still have and use the cob today. I even bent the steam on it.
enjoy.
i like petersons and savinelli, but stanwell just strikes it home as far as fit and finish. Great sandblasting and nice grains in quality briar. Cool Danish designs that date back to sixten ivarsson during WW2.

 

[captaincaveman]

With that budget you could buy 30 MM cobs!!!

Just sayin...

Or 50 MM smokable seconds!

 

[canuckle]

Thanks for all the help fellas, Savinelli it is. Good grief there are a lot of choices. I'm going straight stem but what about other dimensions like bowl, etc. Any thoughts on the specs?

 

[captaincaveman]

Can you describe the dimensions of your Vauen and maybe post photos? Also, can you talk about what you like and dislike about it, what you smoke, how you load, etc?

 

[canuckle]

Well to be honest I don't know enough yet to like or dislike it, as I have no comparison. Here's the pipe http://www.vauen.de/2/productdetails.aspx?pgid=22&lnid=2&pid=402&cid=22&ref=9

I do enjoy it a lot. As for loading, I try to fill the bowl, pack lightly, add more, pack lightly, and continue until it's firm but not tight. I keep a pipe cleaner inserted until finished packing then remove and check the draw.

I will say I like the feeling of a bigger pipe in the hand.

Sorry, I don't know if that's very helpful!

 

[captaincaveman]

That is a nice looking, classic pipe IMO.

In your situation, I would not spend $150 on another pipe. It seems like you don't know enough about your own preferences to make a really good decision. To me, $150 is a lot to spend in the situation. It might make sense to buy some inexpensive estate pipes to get a feel for how one compares to another and how that affects you in particular, so that your next $150 pipe can be well-chosen.

You might be able to get some direction out of reading these:
http://www.apassionforpipes.com/nei...-that-magic-fit-between-pipe-and-tobacco.html
http://glpease.com/BriarAndLeaf/?p=7
http://glpease.com/BriarAndLeaf/?p=22

 

[DC_MPA]

Here's what I would do - bump up your spending by $10 and get two Savenelli's for rotation.

http://m.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/savinelli/index.cfm

smokingpipes.com is having a nice sale on Savenelli's and just so happens the first page is sharp looking $80 straights from a $160 list price.

 

[Senshi]

You could probably get two pipes for that amount. Maybe a new Savinelli and an estate Peterson or Stanwell off of smoking pipes.com

You don't have to use all 150 on one pipe. Just saying

 

[Riff Raff]

To jump on the band wagon, you should also look at estate pipes. You can get some very high quality pipes for relatively lower prices. That is unless you don't want an estate pipe. If you want to buy new, then buy new.

 

[alpster]

To jump on the band wagon, you should also look at estate pipes. You can get some very high quality pipes for relatively lower prices. That is unless you don't want an estate pipe. If you want to buy new, then buy new.

I agree whole heartedly with this^^^.

I have over 40 pipes and have never bought a new one. Estate pipes are easy to restore and smoke as well or better than when they were new. I am also a big fan of Savinelli. If you like big bowls (and I do) the 'Hercules' series is awesome. I have 4 Hercs and they are among my very favorite smokers.

 

[Riff Raff]

I agree whole heartedly with this^^^.

I have over 40 pipes and have never bought a new one. Estate pipes are easy to restore and smoke as well or better than when they were new. I am also a big fan of Savinelli. If you like big bowls (and I do) the 'Hercules' series is awesome. I have 4 Hercs and they are among my very favorite smokers.

My best smoking pipes are estates, bar one. The B&B LE 2014 Tinsky.

 

[canuckle]

OK pulled the trigger today, and here's the prize! Got a smokin' deal too. Good sized chamber, and I love the look of it.

http://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/savinelli/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=168160

 

[simon1]

Great!!! Savinelli makes some quality pipes. I think you'll be happy.

 

[canuckle]

Thanks Simon, can't wait to give it a go!

 

[Senshi]

Nice pick up. Pot shape is a favorite of mine.

 

[canuckle]

Why is that Senshi?