Amazon Pipe
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My first pipe ever was a JoyOldElf. Worth every penny…. 
So yeeeeaaaahh. They’re not great.
So yeeeeaaaahh. They’re not great.
heard some not so great things. Pretty close to what AcesAndEights said.
I have a pear wood pipe from Amazon. It came with a two pipe case, tobacco pouch, redwood tool, and a few other things for about $30ish.
It's neither bad nor my favorite and smokes well (while looking like a Savinelli 606KS). Now that I have better smokers in my stable, I use the pear wood pipe for events and travel (since it looks nice and I wouldn't be upset if it got left behind or damaged).
Bottom line is whether finding out is worth the price of admission. With my pipe kit, the accessories alone were worth the price of admission.
It's neither bad nor my favorite and smokes well (while looking like a Savinelli 606KS). Now that I have better smokers in my stable, I use the pear wood pipe for events and travel (since it looks nice and I wouldn't be upset if it got left behind or damaged).
Bottom line is whether finding out is worth the price of admission. With my pipe kit, the accessories alone were worth the price of admission.
There’s no fantastic or ‘always’ answer to this question … it just depends. The best teacher is experience.. If someone was starting out with pipe tobacco smoking today, I’d recommend they hang out with Savinelli for a few pipes to get a sort of baseline — their KS size isn’t huge, really, but is adequate and they have some lovely designs. I am lusting after one of their Oceano pipes for instance. But my first was a Sav 606KS and the first is often a favorite.
I have several Savinelli Autographs, one McClary, some Ben Wades, a lovely Brigham or two, and 30 others. I would say that one of the mistakes I made was not checking true dimensions and trusting the photos … which of course can be enlarged. Not that a small bowl is a bad thing!
My son just returned from a vacation in Japan and bought Dad a lovely sandblasted Stanwell in a bent apple shape. I will treasure this.
My only real counsel would be to invest in a high quality block meerschaum at some point. Don’t go cheap on this — go to the Meerschaum Market, reach out to Burak, and get a high grade IMP Meerschaum level pipe. A meerschaum will always reflect the actual tobacco taste better than most briar or other wood pipes, and will not retain tobacco flavoring, and will always smoke ‘cooler’ than a briar. Over time a nice yellowing takes place which you will know is because of you. Not cheap means $350-400 USD, or more if you want a lot of intricate carving.
I mention this company (there are others, like say, Altinay, which are excellent) because on EBay etc you will see a cheaper meerschaum which is not block and has been enlarged and/or does not show the true dimensions. This is a noob mistake, and can be costly.
I have several Savinelli Autographs, one McClary, some Ben Wades, a lovely Brigham or two, and 30 others. I would say that one of the mistakes I made was not checking true dimensions and trusting the photos … which of course can be enlarged. Not that a small bowl is a bad thing!
My son just returned from a vacation in Japan and bought Dad a lovely sandblasted Stanwell in a bent apple shape. I will treasure this.
My only real counsel would be to invest in a high quality block meerschaum at some point. Don’t go cheap on this — go to the Meerschaum Market, reach out to Burak, and get a high grade IMP Meerschaum level pipe. A meerschaum will always reflect the actual tobacco taste better than most briar or other wood pipes, and will not retain tobacco flavoring, and will always smoke ‘cooler’ than a briar. Over time a nice yellowing takes place which you will know is because of you. Not cheap means $350-400 USD, or more if you want a lot of intricate carving.
I mention this company (there are others, like say, Altinay, which are excellent) because on EBay etc you will see a cheaper meerschaum which is not block and has been enlarged and/or does not show the true dimensions. This is a noob mistake, and can be costly.
When I'm feeling like acquiring pipes for a meager sum I hit up pipeonline.it/en/ and see what's new. Not only can you get certain legit European brands for fantastic prices, but each order is packed with a handwritten note from a proprietor - usually Fabio.
I bought one there as well, no harm no foul, but i would hate for you to have a poor piping experience that might taint it for you. Id just go ahead and return that pipe "cheap chinese junk" is a good reason for return. Then buy a MM Cob or a Rossi or something like that if you are set on Amazon for the purchase.
I'm too hard of cobs. I've got plenty of pipes so I'll give this one a go. It should he here today so I'll post back here with my decision on whether to keep it or return it.
Have a look at estate pipes and also look at some Rossies. I have a lot of estate pipes - great way to get higher end pipes for less!
Well the pipe was shit. Cracked tenon. Smoked well but the craftsmanship was less than I would like.
Any of is certainly entitled to buy from wherever we choose, but I’m sure when it comes to wanting to keep this community alive, that a lot of the members buy from and support the Forum Sponsors.
There is certainly enough sponsors to choose from, with a wide variety and all price ranges, there’s no need to buy from a place like Amazon.
Buy a name brand inexpensive Churchwarden from a sponsor next time.
Bettering off spending a little for name brand quality you’ll enjoy for years to come.
And if not from a Sponsor, at least buy from one of the other reputable online retailers.
Cup O Joes
TobaccoPipes.com
Watch City Cigars
The Country Squire Online
There is certainly enough sponsors to choose from, with a wide variety and all price ranges, there’s no need to buy from a place like Amazon.
Buy a name brand inexpensive Churchwarden from a sponsor next time.
Bettering off spending a little for name brand quality you’ll enjoy for years to come.
And if not from a Sponsor, at least buy from one of the other reputable online retailers.
Cup O Joes
TobaccoPipes.com
Watch City Cigars
The Country Squire Online
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Lots of alternatives to cheap Chinese pipes on Amazon
Belgian/French pipe maker Bruno Nuttens sells NOS and estate pipes on EBay.
His pipes arrive in a professionally cleaned state
A couple pipes I bought from him @$25-30 each
Not too shabby
Belgian/French pipe maker Bruno Nuttens sells NOS and estate pipes on EBay.
His pipes arrive in a professionally cleaned state
A couple pipes I bought from him @$25-30 each
Not too shabby
I have 2 cheap Chinese "fulushou" pipes off Amazon. They're not bad and smoke fine. Mechanically theyre perfect. Only complaints might be the stems feel a bit cheap and the briar is fairly lightweight.
In a good pair of hands, garden hose can be used for smoking, maybe. I'm not that good. So, I'll stick with Peterson.
When I was in prison (long story) I made pipes out of playing cards, mailing labels, and a bit of imagination. Had bugler there lol.
Are those Brulor pipes?
I believe he also has a store on Etsy, selling a Brulor brand.
Doesn’t look like anything for sale at the moment, not sure if more of these Brulor are returning. hmm
Brulor - Pipedia
Not Brulor
The nosewarmer is a Courrieu from Cogolin
The straight Prince is a Pipe de Roi by Andre Bourgeois, St. Claude
It has lovely grain on both flanks and a nice stain for a “cheapie”
The bowls on both pipes had the cake removed and were sanded back to bare wood when they arrived. Airways were pristine.
I was tempted by a few of the Brulor pipes on his site
Didn’t pull the trigger as I had enough pipes. And there was always something else more tempting in my sight at the time
I'd search around on ebay for eststes. They can be bought for next to nothing and you know what your getting. Amazon or other Chinese pipes, your not guaranteed what kind of wood it is. They could be selling the pipes for more of a costume piece or display piece and use toxic wood for smoking purposes. Etsy also has good estate deals. English and French estates can be bought for practically nothing and are actually briar. They're also restored and ready to smoke alot of the time. These estates will last forever if you care for them, and I think will make the all around experience better. A better smoke, a better pipe, prettier wood (that's not toxic or coated in anything toxic - don't trust Chinese bowl coatings). They'll also be more likely to resell if you ever decide to. Amazon pipes will not resell.
Just my .02 , YMMV
Just my .02 , YMMV