Need some help on a Ferndown

tarheel1 · Jan 6, 2015

I have the opportunity to purchase a Ferndown Millennium pipe unsmoked for 420 shipped. I love Ferndown pipes and there were only 40 of these made, but it has a saddle stem. I really prefer tapered stems on bent bulldogs. I am in talks with James Barber about getting a few Ferndowns bespoke, but not sure if Tudor or rot will be an option. Les Wood will not make a new stem for a pipe that he already made, so having one made by him is not an option. Is this overpriced as there are only 40 made?
I guess my question is what would you do? Buy it and smoke it, Buy it and not smoke it, Buy it and have an aftermarket stem made for it or dont buy it and wait till I find a tudor root or root with a tapered stem.

lochinvar · Jan 6, 2015

I would but I like both saddle and taper, so no real issue for me. I love Tudor root, and that looks like a very well executed bulldog. And its only money

papipeguy · Jan 6, 2015

Buy it, smoke it and love it. It's an extraordinary pipe from a master. You'd pay more for a lesser pipe.

tarheel1 · Jan 6, 2015

I know all about Les Wood and have been smoking his pipes since 2005. But again, I really do prefer a tapered stem.

pitchfork · Jan 6, 2015

I'd only buy it if I really liked the pipe -- and it sounds like you're on the fence about it. Especially since you're soliciting advice from this lot. 8O
If you're thinking in terms of resale value or just in terms of "is this a good deal?", I don't think the limited edition "Millenium" aspect is going to matter much. I think new Tudor Root pipes retail for about the same as this one.

buckaroo · Jan 7, 2015

The last time I went through this was with a Dunhill Chestnut bent bulldog. I bought it and I'm very happy but every time I see it out of the corner of my eye I think how much better it would look with a tapered stem and I'm reminded that I still need to get one. If it's rare for you to spend that much I'd probably pass.

drennan · Jan 7, 2015

It seems to me you love the idea of owning this pipe because it's an unsmoked Millennium pipe and only 40 where made, you don't appear to actually love this pipe. Personally I would just wait till you find the exact pipe you want

mso489 · Jan 7, 2015

Since this is handmade and a very special pipe, I'd leave it as it is, a complete work of art. Wait until you

find one that suits you in all details.

tarheel1 · Jan 7, 2015

Thanks for all the advice. I have decided to pass on it. I just cant get over the stem. It is an amazing pipe, but will try to get Les Wood to bespoke one.

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