Advice for a Decent Pipe

[tschiraldi]

Estate pipes... never thought of that... I’m a massive history nut... do you have a link to a site that deals in estate piles such as these?

Also Smokingpipes.com and Blue Room Briars.

 

[Country Bladesmith]

…and no balsa garbage to mess with like Savinelli.

Nothing to mess with unless you want to ?‍
I smoke all of mine without the filters or adapters.

 

[Parkland_Puffer]

If you go the Peterson route you need to decide on whether you want a p-lip, a 9mm filter, and what material you want the stem to be.
Sherlock Holmes is a good line if you say yes to p-lip and vulcanite and you can get them either with or without 9mm filter options.

 

[anotherbob]

harder to find a crap pipe then a good one. Pick something ask people what their experience is and you'll be golden.

 

[shanez]

in the $250 range

First things first. Realistically the sky is the limit at that range. There are almost too many good pipes and from good sources for that.

I would really look around at shapes, finishes, sizes, materials, etc. before making a decision.

Pick the pipe you want first and then find it for your price.

We can make better recommendations once we have an idea of your tastes/preferences in pipes.

 

[boston]

Ardor or Rinaldo for minimum break-in. I have more experience with Ardor and never had a dud. Top shelf. Less experience with Rinaldo but the one I have is excellent and experienced pipers I know swore by Rinaldo. At least that was the case when I used to purchase pipes which I now rarely do. Peterson...back then...took longer to break in but they make a solid pipe. Savinelli is a fine pipe, take out the balsa inserts in select pipes if you wish. All good price points new. I agree that the estate market is a solid bet as well but you need not go there at the price you indicated if you want a new pipe.

 

[OzPiper]

If you are after a new pipe, check out Moretti Pipes (on Ebay or direct).

A choice of briar or morta, and even a few from olive wood. Very reasonably priced from @$150 for a 100% handmade pipe. Marco Biagini, the maker, is a gentleman, and responds very promptly to queries.
If you don't see any available that takes your fancy, have a look through his archives. He'll custom make one for you at not much more than what he charges for his available ones.

I have bought 6 of his pipes and have been happy with all of them

 

[captainsousie]

Also consider Mark Tinsky. In my opinion, his pipes are great for the money. He also responds well to questions.

 

[beefeater33]

I'd buy 2 $125 estate pipes...............
A good old Stanwell or GBD will do you good.
Good old briar and will last a lifetime..
Steer clear of them hot smoking, gurgling Peterson pipes.............

 

[Chasing Embers]

Go with meerschaum.

 

[karam]

For new pipes, go with Stanwell (non filter). IMO much better quality control than Peterson and no balsa garbage to mess with like Savinelli.

I have both Petersons and Savinellis, my Savs are not smoked with the balsa for 10 years now since the ones that came with the pipe run out.
I'd buy Savs again, and again, and again. I've only been impressed by their construction and smoking, plus they look good and offer acrylic stems I prefer. My first ever pipe, a Savinelli 106 billiard smokes probably the best of any of my pipes in terms of clarity of flavour. Don't know why, but it is my testing pipe.

Petersons are good, no issues with quality that I saw, but really disliked that gum they coat the chambers with.

 

[jewman22]

Stanwell or Savinelli, can't really go wrong with them. I cant comment on the quality of new Stanwells, both of mine are older, Savinelli is great new or old.
Old Brighams are quite decent smokes as well if you are looking to keep it Canadian. I'd say avoid the newer ones with the plastic tenons.
Ebay is where I tend to get my estates from.

 

[RookieGuy]

I have a couple new Brighams. They're no $250 pipe, either one of them, I won't lie. But they seem to smoke nicely for me. I haven't really given the stem much thought.

If I were the OP with that budget, I'd go an estate Peterson/ Savinelli/Stanwell/ GBD depending on what strikes my fancy at the time I'm ready to buy. Then I'd get a few Missouri Meerschaum cobs. The other $75-100 would go to filing those new pipes!

 

[Aomalley27]

I’m a Pete nut, myself. But have commissioned pipes as well. Some great artisans out there.
I’ve a commission right now with Frank Thunder Pipes, and have done business with Mark Tinsky in the past.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I’ve a commission right now with Frank Thunder Pipes,

Great guy to deal with.?

 

[Sloopjohnbee]

If you go the estate pipe route, just send it to Walker Pipe Repair in Michigan right away. It’s definitely worth the added cost if it’s something you’re going to keep.

I'd add, I am a fan of Mike's work but it's not necessary and overkill for most estates - I only send pipes that need severe overhauls

 

[bullet08]

By now, OP is completely confused and wish he never asked the question. I think the task has been accomplished. Miller time? (Just wait and see how many different beer brand gets mentioned.)

 

[OzPiper]

There is choice and TOO much choice.

I've wandered into a liquor store to get a beer (don't drink much beer, but one of my boys loves beer, and used to brew his own) and walked out without buying any because of the overwhelming choice - too many brands I'd never heard of.

 

[Wolf357]

Wow lots of helpful info...thanks alot
I took it all in... and I came to a conclusion...$250 a bit too much for a second pipe...going from $25 to $250 is a big step... plus the $250 pipes I seen were all on US sites in $USD...as I’m in Canada that’s like $350 with shipping...
So I went with a Stanwell Brushed Black Pipe.. from a Canadian site so the shipping won’t be too bad and the funds will be in cdn $$

Stanwell Brushed Black Tobacco Pipe Model 185 9MM - Victory Pipes

Stanwell was founded in Denmark by P. Nielsen following the Second World War. The brand became serious domestically and eventually an international rival to the English factories that dominated pipe making in the mid-20th century. Stanwell offers Danish interpretations of English classics as...

victorypipes.ca

I also got myself a Zippo pipe lighter... I know some guys don’t like the taste of lighter fluid but I don’t find it fowl it also gives me a retro feel kinda Madman like... it also brings me back to the early 1990s when I was in the Canadian Army and it was almost required kit to have a zippo to burn off frays off your uniform or ..you never know when you needed to start a light even if you didn’t smoke...
Anyways thanks again guys...
It’s Canada day tomorrow I’m going to be enjoying a pipe and whiskey... hope you guys have a happy Independence Day next Week.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

Wow lots of helpful info...thanks alot
I took it all in... and I came to a conclusion...$250 a bit too much for a second pipe...going from $25 to $250 is a big step... plus the $250 pipes I seen were all on US sites in $USD...as I’m in Canada that’s like $350 with shipping...
So I went with a Stanwell Brushed Black Pipe.. from a Canadian site so the shipping won’t be too bad and the funds will be in cdn $$

Stanwell Brushed Black Tobacco Pipe Model 185 9MM - Victory Pipes

Stanwell was founded in Denmark by P. Nielsen following the Second World War. The brand became serious domestically and eventually an international rival to the English factories that dominated pipe making in the mid-20th century. Stanwell offers Danish interpretations of English classics as...

victorypipes.ca

I also got myself a Zippo pipe lighter... I know some guys don’t like the taste of lighter fluid but I don’t find it fowl it also gives me a retro feel kinda Madman like... it also brings me back to the early 1990s when I was in the Canadian Army and it was almost required kit to have a zippo to burn off frays off your uniform or ..you never know when you needed to start a light even if you didn’t smoke...
Anyways thanks again guys...
It’s Canada day tomorrow I’m going to be enjoying a pipe and whiskey... hope you guys have a happy Independence Day next Week.

Congratulations ??