$1000+ Pipes

[sablebrush52]

There is a difference between smoking functionality and smoking experience. Just like I’ve never experienced a $5000 watch on my arm, those who smoke $100 pipes can’t understand the experience of smoking a $600 or $2000 pipe.

Which reminds me of a conversation I had with a friend, a Doctor of Pipes, who collected ultra high grade Danish pipes, Nordh, Ivaarson, Chonowitsch, etc. I asked him if these multi thousand dollar pipes really offered a markedly better performance. His response? "Well, I'd say they smoke about as well as my Grabows."

 

[sablebrush52]

I don't regret the purchase though. History has value to me.

And to me as well. There are a wide range of inputs for making choices about pipes to collect.

 

[mortonbriar]

It's not that I would not spend $1000 on a pipe ever, but it is hard to imagine the set of circumstances that would make me feel like I was justified in making the purchase....

I think my two most expensive pipes were purchased by my wife for birthdays and they would be about $150...actually that was when I was working at a tobacconist over a couple of years and my coworkers gave her something like 75% off, so I guess they were not my most expensive anyway...

I understand that everyone has different levels of disposable income, and one thing I really enjoy about pipe smoking as a hobby is that it is VERY inclusive of all income brackets. You can have solid gold tampers, or use your finger (I am talking about pipes still).

 

[Chasing Embers]

I have a few four digit pipes. They were purchased just because I liked them and could afford them. Smoking wise, I've not noticed much difference in a well drilled pipe regardless of price. Example, there is little difference in the smoking qualities of these pipes.



The grain certainly sets them apart.



Being a commission piece, I was excited to be present during its creation.







The acorn even has a cavity drilled out to have a large chunk of lapis lazuli serve as the mortise.

This guy, though made by Holm decades ago, came into my collection unsmoked and remains that way.

Not sure what happened here.?

 

[unadoptedlamp]

The price threads are always interesting. I think a lot of people are just hung up on the item because of the unusual nature of the pipe, and not the price.

For example, it's somewhat regular for people I know to spend $35k-$80k on a car or truck. To me, not being a car or truck guy, I don't get it. I don't yuck their yum, but I also don't pretend to understand why spending that kind of money on a car is a wise investment.

I spend about $5k on a car, in cash, and drive it until it dies. We have very different expectations about what a vehicle is.

If I spend $1,000 on a pipe, I'm still spending far less in a year on "hobbies" or "interests" than the guy with the new car, but I would be perceived as something different because it's a pipe. It's an unusual purchase in comparison. The car is more normalized.

When I spend $100k on a sail boat, there are a number of people who would similarly be put out. It's a damn boat! There are faster motorized boats. How much can you possibly use one to justify the price? It goes on.

But the math is all the same. People spend a lot of money on a lot of very strange, useless, entertaining things every year. The pipe probably just stands out a little more than the usual stuff because it's somewhat unique, compared to say a high end television that also costs $2,000 or more which I have no use for.

In fact, I'd drop $2k on a pipe without worrying about it. But if I was somehow lining up to spend $2k on a television, I'd probably feel the need to get my head checked out. But that's just me.

 

[Chasing Embers]

The price threads are always interesting. I think a lot of people are just hung up on the item because of the unusual nature of the pipe, and not the price.

For example, it's somewhat regular for people I know to spend $35k-$80k on a car or truck. To me, not being a car or truck guy, I don't get it. I don't yuck their yum, but I also don't pretend to understand why spending that kind of money on a car is a wise investment.

I spend about $5k on a car, in cash, and drive it until it dies. We have very different expectations about what a vehicle is.

If I spend $1,000 on a pipe, I'm still spending far less in a year on "hobbies" or "interests" than the guy with the new car, but I would be perceived as something different because it's a pipe. It's an unusual purchase in comparison. The car is more normalized.

When I spend $100k on a sail boat, there are a number of people who would similarly be put out. It's a damn boat! There are faster motorized boats. How much can you possibly use one to justify the price? It goes on.

But the math is all the same. People spend a lot of money on a lot of very strange, useless, entertaining things every year. The pipe probably just stands out a little more than the usual stuff because it's somewhat unique, compared to say a high end television that also costs $2,000 or more which I have no use for.

In fact, I'd drop $2k on a pipe without worrying about it. But if I was somehow lining up to spend $2k on a television, I'd probably feel the need to get my head checked out. But that's just me.

That's what I think too. I know people who will drop $1500 for a phone, yet I've never owned one that costs more than $60. A phone is too disposable to me to warrant more than that.

 

[litup]

Which reminds me of a conversation I had with a friend, a Doctor of Pipes, who collected ultra high grade Danish pipes, Nordh, Ivaarson, Chonowitsch, etc. I asked him if these multi thousand dollar pipes really offered a markedly better performance. His response? "Well, I'd say they smoke about as well as my Grabows."

Doesn't this prove that, at least for some collectors, it's not about function at all and that's okay? Here you have someone that has bought multiple pipes over $1,000 and keeps buying them in spite of knowing that they don't smoke drastically differently than less expensive pipes. There's an aesthetic value that people place on buying high priced pipes.

 

[didimauw]

I purchased two pipes that costed 120.00 each. I ended up selling them cause they didn't smoke as good as my grabows. 100.00 is my max. And I'll probably never spend that much ever again.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I purchased two pipes that costed 120.00 each. I ended up selling them cause they didn't smoke as good as my grabows. 100.00 is my max. And I'll probably never spend that much ever again.

If I was reduced to only my MM Reverse Calabash pipes, I would be a happy smoker.

 

[didimauw]

If I was reduced to only my MM Reverse Calabash pipes, I would be a happy smoker.

Yes sir! I thought about only buying cobs from now on. Two at a time, when/if one goes bad.

 

[luigi]

The biggest amount I spent for a pipe was around 200$.
I think talking about a superior briar which puts a price higher is often a lie these days.
If spending thousands makes you happier and if you can afford it, why not.

 

[BROBS]

The biggest amount I spent for a pipe was around 200$.
I think talking about a superior briar which puts a price higher is often a lie these days.
If spending thousands makes you happier and if you can afford it, why not.

I agree. But an “experience” from one is mainly the feeling of elitism bestowed by price. Which is fine!

 

[jpberg]

I’ve never met an adult who doesn’t have a weak spot for something, something that they either have too many of, or have spent more than necessary on.
Trying to discuss pipes in a vacuum is difficult.

 

[luigi]

I agree. But an “experience” from one is mainly the feeling of elitism bestowed by price. Which is fine!

It reminds me of an "elite" lady with luxurious clothes and extreme make-up while she was hurrying to a toilet. I really enjoyed knowing that she was going to take a dump. ?? The darker side of elitism, reminding that after all the money spent we are still humans and somehow equal, smoking cheap cobs or the most expensive pipes on the world.

 

[anotherbob]

at the end of the day. It's your money and your pipe. If I had no pipes and had to start again. I'd spend the 1000 on a couple pipes, but at a more well rounded collection suddenly to want a pipe it's got to be more special then just nice and a good smoker. Bottom line I'am happy with what I've spent on my pipes from the cobs to the one beast.

 

[Chasing Embers]

But an “experience” from one is mainly the feeling of elitism bestowed by price.

For me it's knowing that the pipe was made specifically for me.

 

[jpmcwjr]

<< Snipped bits out >>

I'll be happy spending $1,000 on a pipe (akin to my fountain pens) only if I'm 100% they'll appreciate.

Then you'll never buy a $1,000 pipe!

 

[BROBS]

Then you'll never buy a $1,000 pipe!

or apparently fountain pens either because in a few years no one will ever buy one.

 

[anotherbob]

Then you'll never buy a $1,000 pipe!

they'll gain once the carver dies

 

[laniromee]

I own a couple of higher grade pipes priced around $300-400. I enjoy the experience of comissioning a pipe or of coming upon the perfect artisan estate pipe. The pipe themselves are usually more carefully built in fit, finish and design and I believe they are worth the purchase for me. Stems are a big thing for me and nothing beats a well handcut ebonite with thin button in my eyes.

But I'll admit that the pipe I reach out the most for is a billiard with an acrylic premold that cost me $80. What a killer pipe.