Quality Brands to Look for in Older Estate Pipes
- Thread starter maxx
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Of course the hierarchy of current brands applies in the estate market. However, there are a few old brands that don't command the respect they once did. If I remember correctly, I think some of the older Kaywoodies from the 30's rivaled Dunhill in terms of quality and price. Off the top of my head, BBB and Hardcastle are great old English brands that don't bring high prices in the current market, but are by all accounts fine pipes.
I have been a bad boy on eBay this week. Ben Wade, Comoy, Charatain are joining my pipes. I tend to look for pipes I that just look good to me for a reasonable price. The quality of pipes from the 1970s and earlier generally are good compared to today's less expensive pipes, so estates are a hot buy for me at this point.
Bari's are excellent pipes. Also top tier are Castello, Ser Jacopo, Charatan, Comoy, Sasieni, and Dunhill. Prices on older Kaywoodies have been increasing, but they remain one of the best buys in estates. Avoid Barlings...
Kaywoodie and other brands such as Medico from the 30s and 40s all used top quality briar and made quality pipes. I don't think you can go wrong with one from that era. Custombilts from the 40s would also be a good quality pipe.
I enjoy all the top British senconds brands too...Old England(Saseni) andd The Everyman by Comoy are usually a great value for the smoke. I loke for tobacco shop pipes too are many are made from the great marquees if you research....big Belway fan. ANd I shouldn't say this but Ithink that Ben Wade Select grains from the Lane era are one hella of a pipe for the price.
In my not so humble opinion no one makes a better smoking estate pipe than Castello. They are top of the line smokers. Now for pipes under 100.00, I believe Savinelli is a great estate pipe for the money. For my money, no one makes better
I honeest;y belive that the Italiaans make the best estate pipes.
I honeest;y belive that the Italiaans make the best estate pipes.
I started a thread last year. It died out but it might give you some direction.
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/the-state-of-estates-2014
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/the-state-of-estates-2014
Snag:
The thread died but blame Harris. His post talked of grabbing a Castello Collection Occhio Di Pernice for 184 bucks. Most of us estate guys shoot for well south of a Grant on a great buy. Still, there was some fabulous intel shared.
Maxx, when I got serious about smoking pipes I chilled my champagne taste vs. beer budget with this list of production burners: http://www.pipes.org/wp-content/uploads/Articles/Seconds.html
Seconds won't be the prettiest pigs in the pen bet they'll damn well be some of your best smokers. Clean'em up and they'll be excellent trade bait for even better smokers.Just wait and see what you can trade for them.
Best of luck,
Fnord
The thread died but blame Harris. His post talked of grabbing a Castello Collection Occhio Di Pernice for 184 bucks. Most of us estate guys shoot for well south of a Grant on a great buy. Still, there was some fabulous intel shared.
Maxx, when I got serious about smoking pipes I chilled my champagne taste vs. beer budget with this list of production burners: http://www.pipes.org/wp-content/uploads/Articles/Seconds.html
Seconds won't be the prettiest pigs in the pen bet they'll damn well be some of your best smokers. Clean'em up and they'll be excellent trade bait for even better smokers.Just wait and see what you can trade for them.
Best of luck,
Fnord
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