Which Root Briar Should I Keep?

lightmybriar · Mar 23, 2018

Happy weekend, all!
Being in need of a little extra money, I've decided to part with one of two of my Root Briars. I'm having great difficulty because they are a perfectly complimentary set. One is tapered, one is a saddle bit. One has straight grain, the other is covered in birdseye. One has a narrow chamber, the other is wider. One is dark, one is light. One is from 1962, the other from 1975.
I would be swayed a little more toward one or the other if I knew one was of more value than the other, but I wouldn't know very well how to price either one. Some Roots seem to sell for $500, others for $250.
If you were in my predicament, which would you keep, which would you sell, and why?
Thanks for the advice,
Steve
1962 331

1975 423

Side by side

peckinpahhombre · Mar 23, 2018

I know very little about Dunhill, but would guess that the 62 is worth more. Pre-68 DUnhills go for more coin than newer ones. Why? No idea, lol. But I am sure others will tell us. Maybe it's the briar or just general level of craftsmanship.

seacaptain · Mar 23, 2018

I like darker finishes and not a fan of straight saddle stems, so I's keep the '62.

jaytex1969 · Mar 23, 2018

Which provides you the more enjoyable smoke?

lightmybriar · Mar 23, 2018

Thanks guys. It's been an annoying rollercoaster in my mind so far going back and forth haha. The more opinions I get and can add to the balance, the easier it will be for me to choose (or at least that's the idea...haha!).

lightmybriar · Mar 23, 2018

Good question, Jay. Unfortunately, like every other quality, they both are great and unique individually. The more narrow chamber on the '62 is great for a flake and keeps some of the tobaccos that I like a little moister burning nicer, while the wider chamber on the '75 handles other stuff equally as well. This may be a personal problem of always looking on the bright side of everything...I can't find a flaw in either one of these!

mso489 · Mar 23, 2018

Before I read the other posts, I chose the 62 as the keeper, just because it is a more classic design and seems a little better balanced design. peck' says it is likely worth more which would have settled the question otherwise. With luck, foggymountain might weigh in. He's a Dunhill devotee and knows the line.

workman · Mar 23, 2018

If I were you, and I liked both the same, it would depend on the money. If you need lots, sell the more valuable one, if you need less, keep the gem.

lightmybriar · Mar 23, 2018

Thanks for the opinion, MSO. The value would only sway me if one were a good $100 or more above the other, I think, so it isn't unfortunately as easy as that haha. I'm famously indicisive, so I'm trying to stack up as much positives for each one as possible and hoping the scales tip enormously toward one or the other. Most of this contention, I'm starting to see, has more to do with me liking both too much haha.

lightmybriar · Mar 23, 2018

That's cold hard logic, workman, and it seems like I could use a little more of that in my decision process haha. Thanks for weighing in.

johnbarleycorn · Mar 23, 2018

I am a sucker for saddle bits and also live Birdseye so I was going to say the 75 but before I could type that I realized that I actually like the shape and length of the 62 better. So I don’t really know what I would do. That helps a lot huh?

jazz · Mar 23, 2018

Hmmmm, perhaps you should look into shifting a kidney instead. That's not a decision I would wish to make. I have never been able to part with any pipes of mine. Even the ones I deem to be lesser smokers or less attractive. I think I'm just a bit of a sentimental sap when it comes to such things.

workman · Mar 23, 2018

Before you know it, your indecisiveness has carried you beyond your imminent financial troubles with both pipes still there.

josephcross · Mar 23, 2018

I love the birds eye on the 75, but the 62 has a nicer shape altogether. I vote keep the 62!

oldtoby · Mar 23, 2018

I agree with jazz. Sell something else. Maybe a couple tins of McC? :wink:

skydog · Mar 24, 2018

To my eye the 62 is perfect in a lot of ways. I love saddle stems as well but if it were my choice I'd keep the 62, regardless of which is worth a little more.

lightmybriar · Mar 24, 2018

Thanks for weighing in, everyone! Looks like the '62 is getting the most votes. I will safely tuck him away and do my best to start the process of saying goodbye to the '75 haha.

PaulTheScandinavian · Mar 25, 2018

Both those beautifully represent the classical Dunhill shapes, Liverpool ?And Lovat, I have Stanwell version of both of these and perhaps in your position I'd opt to keep that 62 Liverpool

tobaccojoe · Mar 25, 2018

Since Dunhill briars will forever be out of my range, I would keep them all and smoke them until I went to the big cellar in the sky! LOL

pipesticks · Mar 25, 2018

Keep them both and sell your snowblower for the money. You likely won't need it for 7-8 months and won't miss it, but you will miss the pipe.

Which Root Briar Should I Keep?

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