$400 to Spend on a Pipe

[zonomo]

I recently sold my iPhone 4S to a friend so I now have $400 of free money (ie: not in the budget, not accounted for, etc). I'd like to get a pipe. My nicest pipe so far is probably my $160ish Boswell. What do you recommend? I know its not a TON of money but I am hoping to be able to pick up something nice. Ive been wanting a nice block Meerschaum but I havent found one that I absolutely love. What would you get if you had $400 and assuming you had all the 'Bacca you need right now?

 

[bigvan]

Scott Thile blasted Egg

http://sethilepipes.com/component/k2/item/182-freehand-.html#221-blasted-egg-w/celluloid-ivory-$385
Quad City Pipes Dark Brown Lovat with ivory

http://www.quadcitypipes.com/available%20pipes1.html
Nate King "Epli"

http://www.natekingpipes.com/2013/01/67-13-epli/
Wayne Teipen Duke/Don

http://teipenpipes.com/store/#!/~/product/category=1871448&id=15947627
Rad Davis Black Blast

http://raddavispipes.com/store.cfm?R=0.471649858501
Let us know what you decided on!

 

[05venturer]

enough MM cobs to last me a lifetime and then some. :nana:

 

[uberam3rica]

A Dunhill maybe?

 

[tbradsim1]

Get 2 200$ pipes, The old cajun

 

[tbradsim1]

Try Neat Pipes Estates, you might be able to get 3 damn good pipes for your stash The old cajun. PS the web site is Neat Pipes, click on estates

 

[crazypipe]

Great place for pipes. click on the index page.
http://www.alpascia.com/groupIndex.asp

 

[philobeddoe]

+1 for Nate King, I have one and love it.

 

[cortezattic]

Brad's advice is the most sensible. But if it is truly "mad money", then a Castello -- probably a Sea Rock grade. $364.00

 

[brian64]

Ive been wanting a nice block Meerschaum but I havent found one that I absolutely love.

If you want to spend up to $400 on a meer, I'd definitely recommend a Baki:
http://bestmeerschaums.homestead.com/bakipipes.html

 

[sasquatch]

AT 400 dollars, the world is your oyster in terms of getting a really, really good pipe. Now, it won't buy the most expensive of artisan pipes (S.Bang, Tokutomi, that kind of thing), but you can shop for a LOT of pipe, and there's two ways to do it. Wait, hunt, find exactly what you want from Dunhill, Castello, ... whatever. Or, you poke around, ask around, and get a pipe maker to make exactly what you want. To do this successfully, you want to chat with a few makers, see what they like building, get their "vibe", and if you like that, get the guy to build you a pipe.
Whatever you do, make sure you do your homework. There's some good deals and maybe some not so good deals in this market, but just which applies to you might depend on your preference. For example, a Savinelli Autograph is a pipe that a lot of people will bypass in terms of shaping, but they smoke ridiculously good, so it's all kinda relative to what you like or find important.

 

[bentmike]

An artisan pipe, an estate Dunhill maybe. I'd be happy with anything from that price range. Some good pointers in this thread. If I was you I'd be looking at the black Rad Davis and the brown lovat with ivory that big van linked.

 

[loneredtree]

+1 Bradly & Sasquatch
Try taking a look at Marty's site http://www.pulversbriar.com/index.html

 

[treebarksap]

If you're looking for a nice block meerschaum, I'd check this guy out: http://stores.ebay.ca/meerschaummarket/I-BAGLAN-PIPES-/_i.html?_fsub=1321301011

I got a very intricate eagle claw from this guy and it has been an incredible smoker. Really, I'd drop another $200 on his carving in a second without even thinking about it.

If you don't see something you like and you have a good idea of what you might like, talk to Yavuz from Storient. He offered to get me a custom made pipe from Baglan at a price in your budget. His service is good and the carver is top notch, so I think you won't be disappointed if you provide some sketches and dimensions. I say go for the custom pipe in that price range, you'll be very glad you did and I'll bet it stands out more in your collection than any Dunhill does. Just my personal bias, but I haven't touched one of my premium briars since getting this baby!

 

[dpkrause]

Find a carver you like and commission a pipe that you want. $400 is more than enough to get a great pipe from someone like Growley Pipes or Andrew Staples

 

[cigrmaster]

zonomo, if you could tell me what size pipe you like and what types of shapes, I could give you suggestions based on your likes.

 

[bigboi]

Shoot if I had $400 extra dollars I would get me a new Tattoo and then spend the rest on a nice estate pipe!!

 

[dottle]

Me personaly, I would get 3 nice savinelli's

 

[ohiopuffer]

Since I have a very big soft spot for Ser Jacopo pipes I myself would probably end up with one of them.My Ser Jacs are my favorite pipes and with $400 I can think of atleast 2 on Al Pascia I would buy right now.I guess I also might look into a Dunhill seeing as I have yet to own a Dunhill.I would look around alot though you could get something crazy with that kind of money.

 

[ohiopuffer]

20 free tins?