I've been smoking pipes for about two years now and have thoroughly enjoyed it, so I am looking to expand my collection. I had a corn cob and a churchwarden pipe that I enjoyed tremendously before they were lost in a recent PCS, but neither were expensive (obviously with the corn cob). Currently I have a savinelli which cost me about $60 and a meerschaum that was a gift from my father-in-law (no idea how much it cost). Here is my question: what's the difference between a $60 pipe from a reputable maker and a $400.00 pipe? Or is it one of those things where once you have more experience, you will have a greater appreciation for the pipes that cost more?
What's the difference between pipes?
- Thread starter FlyingMonkey
- Start date
the Brand, free hand or machine made, materials used... lots of stuff goes into how much a pipe is going to be. My $200 Canadian is a much better smoker than my $60 Full Bent Billiard but my $12 clay is in the middle. For some people if it didn't cost a lot it isn't going to be any good and some people have some cheap rack pipes that are their best smokers. It sort of all depends on what you buy, how much you like it, what you smoke in it. I'm sure other guys will have a much better wealth of knowledge but I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Cheers,
A name, grain pattern, and an expectation of exquisite engineering and perfection in finishing are all that separate a $5,000 ultra-slick artesianal piece from a Dr. Grabow. There are all sorts of tales woven about how companies like Dunhill use special briar; but it's just a marketing scheme - Dunhill DRB, for example - all briar is dead. From what I understand, harvesting burls that have died more than a couple of months after the heath has passed on will result in a lot of work for a piece of wood not suitable for pipe-making as the bugs tend to get at them pretty quick. What these companies do indeed do differently, in some cases, is the actual curing process used - keeping with Dunhill as an example, the oil-curing. If you asked a dozen pipe-smokers if this actually translates into the performance of the pipe, you will get a dozen different answers; but my take is that it becomes negligable after you have properly broken in the pipe.
Expensive pipes don't always smoke well, unfortunately; however you are much more likely to get a quality piece of briar when you shell out a few more bucks - even with the factory pipes. As I look over my pipe-rack on my desk, I would have to say the best smoker isn't the Dunhill, Comoy, or Ferndown, nor is it the Stanwell or Nording, nor even the Tinsky, but rather the cheap little Capri seconds squashed-tomato; at less than $40 it smokes like a champ - but this is the exception to the rule.
Expensive pipes don't always smoke well, unfortunately; however you are much more likely to get a quality piece of briar when you shell out a few more bucks - even with the factory pipes. As I look over my pipe-rack on my desk, I would have to say the best smoker isn't the Dunhill, Comoy, or Ferndown, nor is it the Stanwell or Nording, nor even the Tinsky, but rather the cheap little Capri seconds squashed-tomato; at less than $40 it smokes like a champ - but this is the exception to the rule.
I will be honest with you, I have owned quite a few pipes, and sometimes my $15 pipes smoke as good or better than my $50 pipes. I will admit that the $15 pipes are not always the best looking but it all depends on what you want.
Like it has already been said, with a more expensive pipe you are paying for a name, a quality of briar, a specific look or size..... but in all honesty, it comes down to what works for you. I find that I always get a better smoke out of a smaller bowl pipe. My favorite pipe is actually an estate pipe that I bought for $10. But, with that being said, my $75 peterson has NEVER given me a bad smoke and I would recommend it to anyone.
Like it has already been said, with a more expensive pipe you are paying for a name, a quality of briar, a specific look or size..... but in all honesty, it comes down to what works for you. I find that I always get a better smoke out of a smaller bowl pipe. My favorite pipe is actually an estate pipe that I bought for $10. But, with that being said, my $75 peterson has NEVER given me a bad smoke and I would recommend it to anyone.
Pick a pipe you are comfortable with its price... like the look of it... and feels good in the hand, really it's all you can tell right off the bat till you smoke it... other then the drilling
If you love the 400 dollar on get it... just don't think it will be heads and tales over your other guys
If you love the 400 dollar on get it... just don't think it will be heads and tales over your other guys
A lot of the differences are cosmetic. I've been told that the store I got most of my basket pipes from a decade ago was able to get Dunhill factory rejects due to blemishes in the briar. They went through most of the same processing as the name brand pipes, but got a different name and were sold at discounts.
In some cases the less expensive pipes use a lower quality briar that isn't as absorbent or lacks appealing grain.
I have one basket pipe which has really a truly gruesome attempt at rustication, but it's a good smoker.
Some particular finishes require more work and just aren't going to be available on less expensive pipes. Manufacturers aren't going to put the extra work in a pipe that is going to be sold inexpensively.
In some cases the less expensive pipes use a lower quality briar that isn't as absorbent or lacks appealing grain.
I have one basket pipe which has really a truly gruesome attempt at rustication, but it's a good smoker.
Some particular finishes require more work and just aren't going to be available on less expensive pipes. Manufacturers aren't going to put the extra work in a pipe that is going to be sold inexpensively.
+1 for Peterson. MY first pipe was a Pete St P's Day 999 and have gone full circle with other shapes thinking I "needed" a deeper bowl. FWIW I have just now begun to formulate my own personal preferences. Initially thought bigger deep bowls were right for me since I puff too heavy and coming from cigars like a long smoke. Now realize that a medium bowl works best for me since larger gets too hot after extended smoking and the deeper bowls always seem to have proportionally more un burnt backy as opposed to a nice mid diameter shallower bowl. IMO corn cobs with a Forever stem smoke about as well as all my briars for less than half the cost of an inexpensive briar.
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