A Birth Year Dunhill Or...
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It depends on who you ask. The quality of smoke that a pipe gives varies from person to person. Some might say they their Dunhill smokes better then all their other high grade pipes, while others say they aren't all they're chalked up to be. I think all pipe smoker should get a birth year Dunhill at some point, just to have one.
For the past couple of months I've been looking at Dunhills. I wanted one each for my own birth year and those of my parents. I decided that I'm not willing to spend the bux needed to get Dunhills, so I'm settling for Kaywoodies that are in the ballpark regarding the years. Although you can't pinpoint the specific year of manufacture of Kaywoodies, you can get within a few years with some models. And Kaywoodies would be more appropriate for us than Dunhills, because me and my Dad were both Kaywoodie smokers back when.
I just pulled the trigger on a Kaywoodie model that can be determined to have been made between 1924 and 1929. That pipe will cover both my parents, being within a year or two for the both of them (Dad in 1923 and Mom in 1927). I'm currently watching another Kaywoodie that's within a few years of my own birth year. I think that they'll satisfy my desire for birth year pipes for me and my parents. Eventually I'll go for pipes for my grandparents, all of whom were born in the 19th Century. British pipes with sterling silver bands have hallmarks, which can be used to pinpoint the specific year of manufacture. Fortunately most of those (like BBB) can be had at reasonable prices. Some Petersons also have hallmarks, but I just can't get excited about Petes.
Sorry for the digression.
I just pulled the trigger on a Kaywoodie model that can be determined to have been made between 1924 and 1929. That pipe will cover both my parents, being within a year or two for the both of them (Dad in 1923 and Mom in 1927). I'm currently watching another Kaywoodie that's within a few years of my own birth year. I think that they'll satisfy my desire for birth year pipes for me and my parents. Eventually I'll go for pipes for my grandparents, all of whom were born in the 19th Century. British pipes with sterling silver bands have hallmarks, which can be used to pinpoint the specific year of manufacture. Fortunately most of those (like BBB) can be had at reasonable prices. Some Petersons also have hallmarks, but I just can't get excited about Petes.
Sorry for the digression.
Finally saw my birth year dunhill on ebay tonight - I may bid:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/EXCELLENT-1969-Dunhill-Shell-CLASSIC-BILLIARD-ENGLISH-Estate-Pipe-AWESOME-BLAST-/200900870926?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ec6a0030e
http://www.ebay.com/itm/EXCELLENT-1969-Dunhill-Shell-CLASSIC-BILLIARD-ENGLISH-Estate-Pipe-AWESOME-BLAST-/200900870926?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ec6a0030e
I got my birth year Dunhill a while back. A 1957 bruyere bulldog. I love it. It definitely gives me my best smoke. My other pipes are estate Stanwell's and Savinelli's. All great smokers. I don't have a $500 dollar pipe of any make. But I will say the $185.00 I spent for the Dunhill was well worth it.
I've got a few Dunhills and fine smokers they are. I am still searching for my birth year Dunhill (and luckily for me, rothnh, that's before 1968) but I agree that its the search that's the most interesting thing about that subject. My favorite pipe is actually a Peterson meer system at the moment. That said, anybody got a 1959 straight billiard for sale? Cheap? 
That's ok roth, I've got a bowl of PS LBF going in an Alden dublin and I'm listening to Pink Floyd "Comfortably Numb", I'm gonna be ok for tonight anyway. Tomorrow, I'll resume the quest for the birth year Dunnie. :D
I cannot speak to artisan pipes, but I have one Dunhill (2001 estate) and it's head and shoulders above my other pipes that are in the $100-200 price range. The only downside is that I am now permanently spoiled by this pipe.
A 1947 model in good shape should be a superb smoker - but it all comes down to condition. Was it over-reamed? Hidden burn-out? etc. etc. This is where spending $500 on an estate can be a little risky.
OK, so from I take out of this, screw the BD crap, a 1967 DH or earlier will smoke better than any $400.00 new pipe & that's what I should consider. Not going to call it a BD pipe, just a "Soon to get SS" pipe.
I can blow $500.00 so easy it is stupid, but to spend it on a pipe is a new experience for me. The boss will have me commited earlier than expected.
I can blow $500.00 so easy it is stupid, but to spend it on a pipe is a new experience for me. The boss will have me commited earlier than expected.
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