First Briar -- Buy New or Estate?

[rjc149]

Thank you everyone who read my post and took the time to reply. Looks like I'll be getting a brand new briar pipe, leaning toward Peterson due to being half Irish myself.

 

[Briar Lee]

Thank you everyone who read my post and took the time to reply. Looks like I'll be getting a brand new briar pipe, leaning toward Peterson due to being half Irish myself.

Fifty years ago when I bought my first briar pipe I couldn’t afford a Peterson.

Today a desirable Sherlock Holmes “Baskerville” Pete is $136



That’s not just a Peterson, it’s a large special series Peterson, with a P lip and band, which will be a collectible.

How they do that, I don’t know.

Buy the best Peterson you can turn loose of your dough.

You’ll never want your money back, I promise.

 

[Chasing Embers]

If you decide to get an estate pipe I would recommend getting it from a seller that specifies that they are cleaned and sanitized.

Not always a guarantee.

Sanitized and Ready to Smoke :: Pipe Repair and Maintenance

Not always....

pipesmagazine.com

 

[milk]

Often you can get a slightly “nicer” or slightly more expensive pipe for that $100 than what a new one would be. Smokingpipes.com has loads of new and estate pipes in that range. Peterson, Savinelli, Stanwell, and others have plenty of pipes at or less than $100.

Smokingpipes is nice because they give an accurate description of any condition issues a pipe may have as a result of it being smoked. A little rim darkening is no biggie in my book, nor are mild tooth chatter or minor scratches around the bowl. My big no-no’s are charred rim, charring around the airway, and over reamed or out of round chambers.

I’ve bought a few pipes on Etsy and all have been nice and as-described, but sometimes people misrepresent things, or don’t provide accurate descriptions because they don’t know a whole lot about pipes. Etsy can be hard to know if you’re getting a fair deal sometimes.

Find whatever speaks to you and gets you excited! But again, if you’re unsure, it might be better to stick to trusted retailers until you start to figure out what’s what.

I bought a pipe on Etsy that was described as new old stock. It’s has a pit in it that was repaired with some kind of charcoal salve. I didn’t send it back because I live in Japan. It wasn’t worth it. I have one great new Peterson. It’s a shape I love. Petersons are classy and timeless and affordable. On the other hand, I’m addicted to buying estates. Half of them I’ve ended up reselling at a loss. This might sound dumb. I could have put them up for a better price but I just wanted to touch and experience more pipes. I couldn’t afford to keep them all but I kind of paid for the privilege of experiencing them. I’m winding that habit down now. I think it’s good to get a Pete and then later on, get some estates. Reborn pipes has great estates. Read the blog and you’ll know exactly what Steve did to them and their condition.

 

[Sobrbiker]

Thank you everyone who read my post and took the time to reply. Looks like I'll be getting a brand new briar pipe, leaning toward Peterson due to being half Irish myself.

My reason the first non-estate pipe was Peterson, especially since the K in K&P is the Kapp brothers that emigrated to Ireland from Germany (my family’s story).
Almost a shame the Latvian guy’s name stuck

 

[Merton]

I have many estate pipes and you can get a good value at one of the reputable sites. However, for your first briar
I think it best to buy new. Savinelli, Peterson, Rossi, Vauen (many 9mm which you may/may not like) and Chacom all have good pipes in your price range.

 

[UncleRasta]

I've had great experiences with Savinelli and Rossi pipes in that price range.

 

[MattRVA]

I’d recommend getting a Savinelli Roma straight billiard or apple. I think a new pipe will give you the best experience. I hope you enjoy it!

 

[mtwaller]

Thank you everyone who read my post and took the time to reply. Looks like I'll be getting a brand new briar pipe, leaning toward Peterson due to being half Irish myself.

I enjoy Peterson’s, they were the first few pipes I ever bought, and I still have quite a few that I enjoy. Hope you find a nice one, There are plenty of nice 80S (their bent bulldog) out there. I believe the 150 is their straight bulldog. Both are fine looking shapes. Show it off when you find the one!

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Such a decision is very personal, and based on your outlook. Some of us hear, "should I buy new or cheap?" Others hear, "should I buy expensive or affordable?" And, still yet others of us will hear, "should I pick this chewing gum up off the floor and eat it?"
The answer lies within.

 

[carp rides again]

I'd go with new. Probably a Sav. I love Peterson's but they tend to gurgle, unless you're gonna get a system one. Then I'd Def get a Pete

You're gonna get what you want in the end and then some more. So at least you got that going for you.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I am a fan of estate pipes, but for your first, agree with many above. Break it in the old fashioned way. Or not!

I strongly advise against immediately branching in to other forms. Get going with 3-4 briars, and decide later you'd like to try a Meer.

 

[simong]

Fifty years ago when I bought my first briar pipe I couldn’t afford a Peterson.

Today a desirable Sherlock Holmes “Baskerville” Pete is $136

View attachment 284510

That’s not just a Peterson, it’s a large special series Peterson, with a P lip and band, which will be a collectible.

How they do that, I don’t know.

Buy the best Peterson you can turn loose of your dough.

You’ll never want your money back, I promise.

Couldn’t agree more with @Briar Lee (can’t believe what I just said lol).
Or even better, buy a de luxe system from Peterson’s.
I’m 52 now & have been smoking since I was 15. If I knew then what I know now, I’d of bought a natural petersons de luxe for my first pipe. Can’t afford one? Smoke a falcon & save up until you can. With hindsight, that’s what I should’ve done.

 

[Homer]

Buy Tom Eltang.

 

[mtwaller]

Buy Tom Eltang.

Hell, why sell yourself short. Just take out a loan and start off with a Jess Chonowitsch or two.

 

[Homer]

Hell, why sell yourself short. Just take out a loan and start off with a Jess Chonowitsch or two.

And all tobacco that is regular production is crap. Only discontinued tobacco that is at least 200US dollars/tin is acceptable.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Buy Tom Eltang.

He's not for sale, and his pipes are way too expensive to start with! Try a 100 year old Dunhill!

 

[mtwaller]

And all tobacco that is regular production is crap. Only discontinued tobacco that is at least 200US dollars/tin is acceptable.

If you don’t get scalped on Esoterica bags that you only halfway enjoy, can you really call yourself a pipe smoker?

 

[thesmokindragon]

Really nice "New" Pete Bulldog- under $90

 

[alaskanpiper]

Buy a Ropp. They are cheap, well made, lightweight, and have excellent vulcanite stems for a factory pipe.