Are Ropp Pipes Good?

[Old_Newby]

Hello I have been smoking on and off for about 2 years. Enjoying it but mostly own MM cobs. I do have 1 Grabow Grand Duke and an unknown gifted small pipe (4 inches with tiny bowl). I use my Cobs majority of the time and am happy.

That said I am wanting to get a light weight briar (1 oz). I know I want a simple Billiard or Dublin but nothing expensive or fancy. I found Ropp pipes for $50 and I like the look but was curious if anyone has had them and if so did you like or dislike them?

 

[TheIronMonkey]

I have both old and new Ropp pipes from the 1800s to the new-ish Etudiant line using older stummels. I enjoy them all. The Etudiant pipes that are priced around $50.00 are a bargain—but be aware they’re smaller than you might think.

 

[SBC]

Ropps are very good, and especially for their price. Many consider them one of the most bang-for-buck new pipes you can buy today.
Ropp is one of the oldest names in briar pipes, and is now owned by the original maker of briars.
Sykes Wilford (founder of smokingpipes.com) once said in an interview that when he smokes a Ropp, he wonders why he ever buys anything more expensive.
I think you'll see a lot of love for Ropps from many here.

 

[Ghines04]

Ropps are very good, and especially for their price. Many consider them one of the most bang-for-buck new pipes you can buy today.
Ropp is one of the oldest names in briar pipes, and is now owned by the original maker of briars.
Sykes Wilford (founder of smokingpipes.com) once said in an interview that when he smokes a Ropp, he wonders why he ever buys anything more expensive.
I think you'll see a lot of love for Ropps from many here.

This is helpful, I've been wondering the same thing as the OP. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Old_Newby]

Ropps are very good, and especially for their price. Many consider them one of the most bang-for-buck new pipes you can buy today.
Ropp is one of the oldest names in briar pipes, and is now owned by the original maker of briars.
Sykes Wilford (founder of smokingpipes.com) once said in an interview that when he smokes a Ropp, he wonders why he ever buys anything more expensive.
I think you'll see a lot of love for Ropps from many here.

Yes good info and thanks. The measurements are a little smaller than my Grabow Golden Duke (I stated Grand but meant Golden). However not much smaller and some of them have deeper narrower bowls which is what I am seeking for Virginias. Thanks

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Greg Pease has posted a few of his Ropp pipes on his Instagram and reviewed them. If they are good enough for Greg...

 

[canucklehead]

I like them.

 

[Old_Newby]

I like them.

View attachment 223453

That pipe was one i am considering. I think that’s the J05. I like it and the J04 and J07.

 

[verporchting]

I have a couple of the Algerian briar superior line and quite like them.

 

[Pooh-Bah]

I own a Vintage 428B. It's handsome, I like the horn stem. Smokes pretty well.
Just don't use it very often on account of the bowl being "too narrow" for my liking. Won't even fit a penny.

 

[kcghost]

If you get good one, it will be a good smoker.

 

[SBC]

I own a Vintage 428B. It's handsome, I like the horn stem. Smokes pretty well.
Just don't use it very often on account of the bowl being "too narrow" for my liking. Won't even fit a penny.
View attachment 223457

I have that exact pipe. I broke it in with 40th Anni and I think I've smoked red VAs in it ever since. I love it.

 

[Davy]

Bought one with the horn stem when they were first released on the U.S. market.
It didn't matter what I put into it, it smoked awful.
I suppose this makes it a not so good experience.

 

[bobpnm]

This newer Ropp is great for flakes! It is small and light.

 

[greeneyes]

You can find ~100 year old Ropp pipes on eBay for less than $50. I've got two (photos later) that rank up there alongside my British classics.

I had a new Ropp that I sold. It was well built and lightweight. No flaws, good value. But being naturally attracted to things that have historical value there are old Ropps out there going for a handful of dollars and they were built better and with better briar than today's pipes across the board.

 

[mso489]

French pipes in general are above their price point in quality, because of the long tradition of pipe making in France and the competitive pipe making community there.

I have a bent poker that is compact, light weight, and has a larger chamber than you would expect from a pipe of its size. It's fit and finish and smoking characteristics are those of a pipe twice or more the price.

 

[AroEnglish]

I’ve been wanting a light, bent pipe and was thinking of grabbing an Etudiant but am worried that the bowl will be too small.

 

[tobakenist]

Most Ropp pipes used to be made out of fruit wood, I have a few in my collection, crude looking but surprisingly good. Never tried a Briar Ropp.

 

[augiebd]

I have an etudiant and it is a great smoker. I wouldn’t hesitate to get another Ropp.

 

[fightnhampster]

Nothing really new to add, but, I like them, good pipes for the money.

They are smaller than you might think, but thankfully SP let's you filter by size.