$400 to Spend on a Pipe

[jharvard]

Not knowing your pipe smoking history but based on what I have read and gathered; I would be really excited if I was you and explore many different tobaccos instead of buying a high end pipe at your stage of pipe experience. Or the best of both worlds a pipe that suits you for $150 - $225 or so and lots of new tobaccos. Trying new tobaccos is a whole lot of fun! :puffpipe:

 

[augaug]

Chris Askwith in England makes some beautiful pipes in that range...
http://www.askwithpipes.com/about.html

 

[wnghanglow]

With missuri meer grab bag being 30 dollars and there being 10 pipes a bag you have enough for 130 pipes! You can buy/hoard until the cobs run low and sell for a profit! Haha in all seriousness though I have always thought that Bobhayespipes.com looked beautiful although I can't attest for quality I have never owned one, I just like looking

 

[jerry]

I'd get a meer carved by Fikri Baki. http://bestmeerschaums.homestead.com/bakipipes.html

 

[yadan]

I'd ask the folks at Falcon to hire an artisan meerchaum carver to create a few unique bowls for a Falcon stem ::

 

[k9shag]

Wow as you can see with all of the responses this is a bit overwhelming. We all have shapes and styles that we like. So buying a brand for the sake of buying a brand is a mistake. It appears that you like the freehand style of pipe as you indicated above. That being said look at Nording as he make some of the most beautiful freehands most of which are less than $100. Buy one and try it to see if it fits your style. If it does than perhaps get 1 or 2 more to help with the rotation and use what is left to add to the cellar. It took me about sic months to realize that I prefer a large bowl in a straight or 1/4 bend. I went through several pipes to figure this out, so I do not recommend dropping $400 on a single pipe based on recommendations.
As for the Beckers and Boswells I have both of them and like them both. Boswells are incredible for the price. and I picked up a like new Becker estate billiard with deep bowl for less than $200 do not be in a rush great estate pipes are out there.

 

[eibhir]

I would go crazy and buy all the beautiful estate pipes I've seen on eBay. Or I'd buy three of this nice looking Peterson set I saw online. You should have fun and fantasize until you find just the perfect one or more for you. Good for you! :lol:

 

[rmbittner]

You've gotten lots of great suggestions. If you don't already have a higher-end pipe in your collection, then I don't think you can go wrong at all in the $300-400 range.
If you do have a high-grade already, though, you might want to consider stocking up on tobacco -- or splitting your money between a really good pipe and a good supply of tins for the cellar.
Otherwise, given my own tastes, I'd opt for a smooth-finish Castello or one or two estate Charatans. You also have enough to get a pre-transition Barling or several older Dunhills. But if you've never had a brand-new pipe, that would be my first suggestion. Otherwise, you're in a great position to pick up several estates from some of the great eras.
Bob

 

[zonomo]

@rmbittner: I think you hit it on the head. I do have some nice pipes but I dont own a super high end one. Now that I have about $400ish to spend on my new hobby, I'd like to buy one. I've been thinking of a Falcon or Kirsten. (Holy Crap, I just learned that Kirsten headquaters is less then a mile from my house in Downtown Seattle!!!!!)
FWIW - I do have about 20 tobaccos of which about 1/2 I havent even tried yet. So I think I'm good there for now. To me, buying tobacco is like buying groceries but buying a pipe is like buying a TV or iPad.

 

[zonomo]

I think I found my perfect pipe. I love this shape. Not in the budget though.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bens-Mint-Ultra-High-Grade-Dunhill-Root-S-G-2-Two-Star-Freehand-Pipe-/271076121343?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f1d655aff

 

[bigvan]

If you really dig this shape, you should send a link to this video to Nate King or Wayne Teipen and ask if they could make something similar for you.
It's worth a try.

 

[pipenscotch]

Honestly, I'd buy a few Savinelli's or Petersons. I've yet to spend more than $100 on a pipe, don't see any use for spending that much on a pipe. Or, like others have suggested, you could buy a few cobs ...

 

[kris]

My reccomendation would be to try and find a pipe you love for $200. Then spend the other half on something nice for your wife (if you have one).

 

[rmbittner]

Another thought: a Kai Nielsen. I currently own one, a small straight-grain, and it's an absolutely brilliant pipe. Mine was bought as an estate pipe through smokingpipes.com, and it cost $250. (So far, it's the most expensive pipe in my collection.)
Bob

 

[numbersix]

Honestly, I'd buy a few Savinelli's or Petersons. I've yet to spend more than $100 on a pipe, don't see any use for spending that much on a pipe.

I used to feel this way until I bought my first Dunhill. I know @nsfisher will back me up on this.
There really is a big difference between a ultra-high quality pipe and a quality pipe. My Dunhill ODB is the largest pipe in my collection and yet manages to be the lightest weight as well. The draw is impeccable. The fit and finish is flawless. And I can honestly say it is my best smoker, hands down.
I didn't truly expect there to be such a difference.
So I encourage zonomo to go for it. Doesn't have to be a Dunhill. I have been very impressed with Rad Davis' work (not having owned one, but I live vicariously through cigrmaster!). And Lonestar's too btw. I recommend that you take your time and enjoy the hunt.

 

[austinxpipe]

If I had to spend it just on pipes I would have a hard time not buying a couple of Boswells, or a Baronet Bruyere in every shape. But my fiance would know about the $400 and because she's awesome would let me spend probably $50 of it and then the rest towards some financial goals of ours.

 

[rlunderhill]

I couldn't spend $400.00 on one pipe myself. I'd buy a good pipe for around $100. to $150. range and pay down some bills with the left over cash. I can afford it, just can't see it happening.

 

[k9shag]

Here is an example of what $400 can get you
top left

Radice Rind $80 ebay

Radice Rind $60 ebay

Castello Old Antigua $85 ebay
top right

Boswell weathered stone poker $130 Bowsells new

Savinelli Hercules canadian $20 ebay (this price includes having a new lucite stem made for it as it came in a lot of 6 pipes and a stand that I paid $47 for)
still $ left for tobacco
Now the Castello new would have been over $400 by itself

 

[zanthal]

Maybe go for a custom made pipe? $400 should get you there

 

[zonomo]

Ive looked at several estate Dunhills on ebay and I'm liking what I am seeing. I may pick one of those up or I may save a little more and then buy one at P&C and then grab the tins. 8)