Any Ideas Why Europe Out-Produces U.S. In Factory Pipes?
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It's simple, briar. With briar there is no way to do it cheap. If you buy selected high-quality briar you reduce the discard but it is very expensive, if you buy in bulk without selecting you have a lot of discard and it is also very expensive. And the transfer to the USA is expensive. Another thing is that in Europe they are much more tolerant with the consumption of tobacco. What I think you are wrong about is the labor costs, in the countries that manufacture pipes, Spain, Italy and France (because I doubt that the Petersons will continue to be turned in Ireland) the labor costs are much higher than in the USA. Without the slightest intention of being offensive, worker in American is practically a day laborer compared to the European.
Curiously I am totally opposite. I'm a big fan of the cheap, mass-produced products of post-war Europe. The Mini, the Citroen 2cv, the Piaggio Vespa, the Fiat 500, etc.
Why do you doubt Peterson will stay in Ireland? They seem very proud to be Irish, though I know most of their current carvers are Italian or from Eastern Europe and Bruken works closely with them. I certainly wouldn't want a Peterson that wasn't made in Ireland, just as I wouldn't want a Stanwell made in Italy and not Denmark. Nothing against Italy, I wouldn't want a Savinelli made in Denmark either.
Simply because no factoty Made brand manufactures in a country where there is no briar. I'm not saying the pipes aren't made or finished in Ireland, but I'm pretty sure the bowls are turned in Spain, Italy or France.
America doesn't make much of anything anymore except malcontents and cupcakes.
Americans see foreign pipes as more exotic and put a higher value on them, whether that is true or not….
What does turned mean? I always did think it was odd Ireland doesn't really have any other makers besides Peterson and their factory seconds, not even any artisans that I know of. Contrast with Italy which has a ton, probably because they grow briar
I certainly do, though given the choice between an American artisan pipe and a foreign factory one I'm picking the former
But You do boys,very Fine HandGuns, beautifully constructed Cowboy boots that no one can copy in the EU and fine four felt and straw hats in addition.
Sorry guys, but I like my inexpensive Dr Grabows. I like that some families in Sparta benefit, too.
I read that Stanwells are made by Barontini in Lovorno, Italy --- hand made by Sylvia and Barbara and Cesare as are some Vauens that are Barontini designs. "Unconfirmed rumor" has it that Barontini sold Peterson the briar "heads" for the Sherlock Holmes series but signed an NDA. --- read in comments on an Italian pipe forum.
edger, I too revere the Dr. Grabow line, especially the Royalton with acrylic stems. I have a few up-market pipes including a Ser Jacopo, a Caminetto, and a Ferndown, but appreciate that, if you shop selectively, you can find pipes up and down the price scale that give an elegant and savoring smoke.
Whoever turns those Royalton bulldogs is an artisan, whether he or she works in a factory or not. If those were artisan pipes, we'd well admire that exquisite shaping.
A few years ago, Sparta, N.C., and the Dr. Grabow factory was rattled by a rare earthquake in the area. That Sparta factory crew was up and producing in weeks. It's a tough crew, with pipe making in their veins.
Whoever turns those Royalton bulldogs is an artisan, whether he or she works in a factory or not. If those were artisan pipes, we'd well admire that exquisite shaping.
A few years ago, Sparta, N.C., and the Dr. Grabow factory was rattled by a rare earthquake in the area. That Sparta factory crew was up and producing in weeks. It's a tough crew, with pipe making in their veins.
Nothing wrong with that, I love my MM and wouldn't mind getting more. I definitely want to get one at some point. Either an estate or from a drug store for the authentic experience. I've never been to a drug store that sold pipes or even pipe tobacco (unless you count stealth RYO), so I always found the terms "drug store blends" and "drug store pipes" jarring. I have seen plenty of people say their local drug stores have them so it must be a regional thing.
I think it's confirmed Stanwells are at least made in Italy now, I didn't know a particular maker was known. Didn't know that Vauen or Peterson also had at least some of their stuff made in Italy, that doesn't surprise me. Like I said Bruken makes stuff for Peterson too. I love my Bruken estate, I got it for $30 US. Had it been a Peterson estate it probably would've been at least twice that from what I've seen.
Without reading any comments, I’ll venture it’s that older countries have a better innate ability to revere tradition and separate it from the whims of public fixation on whatever the current “thought” is.
I’m old enough to remember seeing eggs go from bad to good to bad then back to good, etc. Not a straight analogy of course, but we as a country and a people are young, and have short memories.
Look around at how deeply revered values regarding our rights and freedoms have been so easily abandoned by so many over such bs in the past five years.
Plus the obvious fact that American businesses have developed a penchance for tossing reputation and pride for quarterly earnings.
I’m old enough to remember seeing eggs go from bad to good to bad then back to good, etc. Not a straight analogy of course, but we as a country and a people are young, and have short memories.
Look around at how deeply revered values regarding our rights and freedoms have been so easily abandoned by so many over such bs in the past five years.
Plus the obvious fact that American businesses have developed a penchance for tossing reputation and pride for quarterly earnings.
