I had an epiphany while watching "Fiddler on the Roof". Motel had just purchased a new sewing machine, and was thrilled that now, all of his clothes would be perfectly stitched, no more hand made articles! That was a source of pride for him. Well, Dunhill once extolled one of the virtues of their pipes, that each shape was perfect, every single time. Being machine made was a source of pride, and that every Dunhill billiard was exactly like the last.
The hand made concept that we view as special in these modern times is due to the excellent craftsmanship that many of the artisan pipe makers put into their work. Yet many of us have machine made pipes that smoke excellently. The value for the smoker of Dunhills, I imagine, was having the perfect classic shape, made with quality briar.
I don't think that Dunhills are necessarily worth the prices they demand, but each of us has to make his own judgement in that regard. And just like we know that Peterson turns their bowls in Spain, and we don't know, really, where anybody sources their briar, does it really matter where the pipe "originated". My Duhill shell is supposed to be made from Algerian briar. Does that make it African? Are my Petes Spanish? I have a FeRo bent Dublin that is a perfectly English styled size and shape of a classic English pipe. And Stanwells are now made in Italy. I bet even Tsuge is sourcing their bowls, if not entire pipes, from the same Italian factory, for their low to mid range lines.
Doesn't really matter. If you like the way it looks, and it smokes well, doesn't matter where it comes from. The other option is to go with an estate pipe.
@mso489, is this the style of hardcastle to which you refer sir? If so your in luck. I bought mine for £30. For you living in the states no VAT! So even with the cost of postage, $40 or less.
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