40th Birthday Pipe

[disinformatique]

This August 30 I turn 40. I have been concentrating on getting my estate purchases restored/cleaned etc apart from 1 or 2 odd pipes a year. Would love your recommendations for my 40th Birthday pipe (Shape, Finish, Pipe Maker).
Honestly, I dont know what I want. Help a brother out, will ya !!
Cheers,

Chris

 

[daniel7]

Poul Winsløw has very special, unique pipes, but a Dunhill or Castello could be also festal enough. Or, if you would like to remain young, then a Caminetto. :wink:

 

[Chasing Embers]

I'd skip Dunhill altogether, it's just overdone. Get a Ken Barnes and smoke some McClelland 40th Anniversary in it.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Randy Wiley, bent dublin, smooth or rusticated, ehhhh. I just mention it because I know that you like his pipes.

I hope you have a great birthday!!

 

[tschiraldi]

Jesse Jones Bent Billiard!

 

[fishnbanjo]

Check out Jack Howell Pipes, jwh.fastmail.fm, I have 2 of his pipes a Dublin and an Acorn both just fantastic smokes and lovely workmanship. Here is a shot at one of his smooth Lovat Dublin shapes from his gallery.

banjo
Here is my Acorn by Jack,

and here is my Dublin from him I purchased for my 43’d wedding anniversary.

 

[mau1]

Fishn', you're one pretty sharp fellow, buying yourself a pipe on your wedding anniversary. I had to laugh when I read that. I didn't see a pipe listed as the traditional anniversary gift for the 43rd year! Keep it up buddy, we live vicariously through your pipe purchases.

 

[npod]

August is plenty enough time to do a commission piece. That would be great option in your case. And very personal. But you also couldn't go wrong with a classic factory/workshop pipe like a Castello.

 

[mso489]

Commission with the carver of your choice. Good recommendation on these posts. I'd get something medium size in a traditional shape but done with the carvers own original touches, discussed with him/her in advance, and maybe share a photo or two and maybe a sketch of how you'd like it different, and leave the door open for the carver's own ideas. I think blast would be excellent, but so would any other finish if well done.

 

[mothernaturewilleatusallforbreakfast]

Roush sandblast. I'm not sure about shape?

 

[didimauw]

Missouri Meerschaum Legend.
Yeah you read that correctly.

 

[bnichols23]

Missouri Meerschaum Legend.
Yeah you read that correctly.

Did Didi say something? [grin, duck, & run like blazes]
B

 

[odobenus]

It's a big F-ing day, man! I got this Northern Briars for myself on my 40th this year, and I love it.

Also this NOS Old England, which I love even more than the Northern.

 

[mso489]

If commission prices are steep for you, keep shopping around. Talented new carvers and good but lesser known carvers have a range of prices. You need to make it worth their time, but you don't have to go to the top price carvers with national/international names.

 

[kcghost]

Jesse Jones, Nate King, or Andy Petersen. Or any other American carver.

 

[ophiuchus]

40th birthday? How about a morta pipe by Davorin Denovic?

 

[disinformatique]

Thanks gentlemen for the comments and suggestions. Please keep them coming. My budget is around $1200-$1500.
There are so many talented pipe makers its hard to choose one. One of my very good friend Adam Sheehan has grown to be an awesome pipe maker !!
As I said, I have no freaking idea as what to get, I am relying on you guys. August is quite far away so no hurries
Cheers,

Chris

 

[newbroom]

$1200 - $1500, eh? Some guys will come to your house and make one for you for that. Serious money.

Here I was just thinking how much I enjoy smoking my MM Pride 2nd for the last 4 yrs and that maybe I should just get about a half dozen or so more (first quality!) and thin my other pipes out/down/gone.

Crikey, talk about a difference of approaches.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I have a big birthday coming up, and hadn't thought of gifting myself a very nice pipe.... Thanks for the idea! I may go ritzy estate, Barling preferred if Jesse hasn't got all of them!

 

[disinformatique]

A small update and my thoughts on the topic.
@didi Already commissioned bespoke 7 day Legend smoking set :rofl: :rofl:
A major of us smokers prefer classics for milestones. I too, thought the same for a long time, but it would be just another pipe for just another guy from an extremely talented pipe maker whoever they may be. I realized today, I do not want to be that guy. I love classics but the designer in me wants something more, unique.
So, the search continues........even if it takes a longer time than August, I just want to choose the maker and request them to choose a block on or before my birthday (Aug 30) and then wait for them to do their magic.
What are your thoughts?
Keep it smokey !!
Cheers,

Chris :puffpipe: