Are Dunhill Pipes Even Worth It?

[mluyckx]

Nice bump on this thread, whomever did it, even accidentally ;-)
I loved this line

I thought about the BMW analogy too Max, but I was worried that I was being too pretentious already.

How about a Benz analogy :rofl:
But all kidding aside, I think Kevin is hitting the nail on the head. Does a BMW or a Benz drive really all that much better than a good Chrysler, Chevy or Ford ? (note I'm using good, not a Pinto...) Sure it does, on occasion. Does it last longer ? Most likely. Does it feel oh so good to go 100 miles an hour on the highway in a 525 or an E550 ? Absolutely no doubt about it.
But does it have an air of mystique, class, comfort, etc... ? Absolutely ! And that's what I believe the Dunhill's, Ardor's, etc of the pipe world bring to the table. An aura of class, mystique, luxury and just that little notch of extra "something" that makes the experience just that little better.
Of course I have had friends who had a bad experience with their BMW or Mercedes, which rendered the overall mystique somewhat "Bwof"... And I think you'll find those with Dunhills as well.
Personally, I think I'd like one a couple of years down the road. Right now, it's probably not worth the money. For the same reasons you don't give a big BMW or Benz to a brand new driver either.
My two .01's :puffpipe:

 

[recoilrob]

Recoilrob, that pre-trans bent bulldog Barling has it all. Great looks, great maker, rarity, and I'm sure by the look of it, a great feel. And since it's a pre- transition Barling, I'm sure it would smoke like a dream.

To me, that's an almost perfect pipe. If I owned it, I would be torn between smoking it, or finding a museum somewhere to donate it to, so future generations of pipe smokers could see an example of perfection. Where in the world did you find it?

My notes show I got it on eBay in Feb., 2000. The pipe is very light and still has the chuck marks inside the bowl along with some small initial in chalk.
I would love to smoke it but I think it's too rare and have plenty other pipes to defile first..

 

[ssjones]

Faders at the big Towson MD store has a display full of new Dunhills. Everyone I picked up started at $600 and went up. At that cost, I'll take 3 Dunhill estates from reputable vendors. SmokingPipes had a sale on estate Dunnies last year, they were just over $100 to $150 and went very fast.

 

[ssjones]

This lovely Barling was on Ebay earlier this week. It went for less than $100. I don't know if it was pre-transition, so I didn't bid, but I do know it sure is lovely!

 

[pentangle]

I Own 3 dunhills, and they smokes well, but aren't superior to any pipe all around.Barling and charatan from the golden era are usually better.If you want something better and maybe save some money Buy Ardor,Castello and many other Italian carver.If you like the english look at Ashton, Les wood or Colin fromm.Danish pipes are good but why to spend a lot of money for a Danish when Stanwell is probably the best buy of the entire world? Want to spend a little more on danish? then buy Larsen.

And Dunhills?..................next time maybe :D

 

[ssjones]

This thread reminded me to smoke my Cumberland this evening. It sure smokes well. It it were a bent, vs straight Chimney, I'd read for a it lot more often. I almost had a straight trade for a Dunhill straight bent billiard shape, but it didn't work out.

 

[seakayak]

Most of you know I am deeply attached to my collection of pipes. Some have been with me for more than 40 years and all look as wonderful (or better) than on the day they were purchased. I'm especially pleased by the fact that they reflect the work of eight countries. This includes Great Brittain, proudly represented by a Charatain 407DC estate pipe that is among my favorites. The Dunhills pictured are indeed beautiful but, at thrice the price, not a likely future acquisition.

 

[tslex]

Beyond any shape, I love bent bulldogs, for reasons I've discussed elsewhere.
That being so, I will someday have to buy a Dunhill because their bent bulldogs are, to my eye, the sine qua non of bent bulldogs.
But I'm just a simple honest lawyer with a LOT of private school tuition to pay -- so it may be a while.

 

[billinsfl]

tslex: I too am a fan of the bent bulldog shape (diamond shank) and a gree with you: no one has ever made that shape better than Dunhill (current shape #'s 4108 and 5108).

 

[unclearthur]

I only presently own one Dunhill. A Canadian. It smokes well. Would I buy a new one? Nope, Nothing against them . I just prefer Petersons.

 

[admin]

Good one Mick!
I'll update my answer from over a year ago.
Instead of 3 Dunhills, I now have 7. The first three were new, and the last four came from Aaron Spelling's estate, but were practically unsmoked. The guy had 600 pipes, so I guess it took a while to get through the rotation.

 

[ssjones]

The first three were new, and the last four came from Aaron Spelling's estate, but were practically unsmoked.

Kevin: Wow, I was also looking at several of them myself, but didn't pull the trigger. My wife, who usually doesn't overly enthusiastically endorse my pipe purchases was pretty excited about the possiblity to get an Aaron Spelling pipe (she loves 70's television). But, I didn't win one. Lets see those babies if you don't mind!

 

[lordofthepiperings]

600 pipes? I've been instructed by the Mrs. to keep my collection under 50 lol.