Are Stingers Good or Bad?

[tobakenist]

I'm a Stinger Collector, well I have tins full of them.

 

[smudgersmissingleg]

This dude swears by them.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

They

Like literally everything in the pipe world, it boils down to preference.
I don’t think there are any modern pipes in any price range that are made with stingers so there’s that.

Peterson Deluxe and Premiere System?

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

It took me awhile to figure out the name of these odd inserts at the end of the stems of someView attachment 282425 new estate pipes I just acquired. Apparently, the guy who smoked pipes preferred them, or maybe they were just popular during the era when he smoked. I just wondered if these pieces enhanced or hindered the draw on the pipe. Anyone know?

Those are all removable, and probably should be removed, the bottom three should pull straight out. The top I'm not sure without seeing it up close. Be careful removing them though, they are likely cemented in place with loads of tar and gunk. When they are that filthy they can be hard to get out without doing damage if you don't know what you're doing. Alcohol coupled with freezing and gentle heating will usually loosen them up enough to be removed.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

If it will devalue the collectibility of the pipe, owner snip away, but realize you may have devalued your pipe for later resale.

I don't mean to sound like an asshole, so please understand that i just want to learn something. But, is there a pipe with a stinger that would actually be so collectible that it would get a substantial bid that would warrant keeping the stinger in tact? Like, it the $100's of dollars?

I ask because the pipes that I have seen stingers in are usually the cheapest pipes. My beloved Hilsons came with stingers, but I just toss them. But, usually they ran between $20-50 in the estate Markets. And, I am not so sure people that would buy estate Hilsons even know that they came with stingers, so I am not so sure it would devalue the pipes any further.

I guess what I am ultimately asking is, are there any pipes that originally came with stingers that trade for over $100 in the estate market?
In my mind, Grabows are collectible, but only in sentiment and novelty, not in any resell gain in profits.

 

[Auxsender]

They

Peterson Deluxe and Premiere System?
View attachment 282515

Peterson? Never heard of em.


I stand corrected.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

Peterson? Never heard of em.


I stand corrected.

I think they're fairly new to the pipe game.

 

[Briar Lee]

I don't mean to sound like an asshole, so please understand that i just want to learn something. But, is there a pipe with a stinger that would actually be so collectible that it would get a substantial bid that would warrant keeping the stinger in tact? Like, it the $100's of dollars?

I ask because the pipes that I have seen stingers in are usually the cheapest pipes. My beloved Hilsons came with stingers, but I just toss them. But, usually they ran between $20-50 in the estate Markets. And, I am not so sure people that would buy estate Hilsons even know that they came with stingers, so I am not so sure it would devalue the pipes any further.

I guess what I am ultimately asking is, are there any pipes that originally came with stingers that trade for over $100 in the estate market?
In my mind, Grabows are collectible, but only in sentiment and novelty, not in any resell gain in profits.

In 1977 a buddy and me took a wine appreciation course at UMKC.

What we were taught about corks is the same as removable metal stingers in a pipe, I think.

The advantages of the modern metal screw bottle cap are beyond argument. They seal better. You can reseal the bottle. No corkscrew needed.

But only cheap wines have screw tops.

No prestigious pipe in today’s market I’m aware of had a removable stinger.

Only a high condition Kaywoodie 4 hole stinger with intact stinger has any real collector value.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

I don't mean to sound like an asshole, so please understand that i just want to learn something. But, is there a pipe with a stinger that would actually be so collectible that it would get a substantial bid that would warrant keeping the stinger in tact? Like, it the $100's of dollars?

I ask because the pipes that I have seen stingers in are usually the cheapest pipes. My beloved Hilsons came with stingers, but I just toss them. But, usually they ran between $20-50 in the estate Markets. And, I am not so sure people that would buy estate Hilsons even know that they came with stingers, so I am not so sure it would devalue the pipes any further.

I guess what I am ultimately asking is, are there any pipes that originally came with stingers that trade for over $100 in the estate market?
In my mind, Grabows are collectible, but only in sentiment and novelty, not in any resell gain in profits.

Absolutely, early 4 digit Kaywoodies can and do bring substantial amounts of money. Clip the stinger and its basically worthless.

Kaywoodie Shank Logo Super Grain 5188B 1930s Drinkless Stinger Estate Pipe | eBay

<p>This is a used pipe and has signs of wear. Exterior has been cleaned and polished. Bowl has been reamed, and is ready for the bowl treatment of your choosing since people have their own preference on that. Please see pictures for item condition, and feel free to reach out with any questions...

www.ebay.com

KAYWOODIE RARE UNSMOKED c.1968 "PRIME GRAIN" GRADE BULLDOG ESTATE PIPE | eBay

Hard to fathom how this pipe has not been smoked in over 50 years since it was made! Finish is a gorgeous auburn with ruby red undertones while the grain displays swirling birdseye on the flanks and fine cross grain to the front and rear!

www.ebay.com

Beautiful Kaywoodie Grecian 5183B Super Grain Logo Collector Pipe - Nice Gift | eBay

The body shape is a classic chubby bulldog design is sure to impress any pipe smoker. Whether for display or for use, this pipe is sure to add a touch of elegance to any collection.

www.ebay.com

 

[MattRVA]

Most people seem to dislike stingers but I appreciate them for what they are. I won’t even consider buying an estate Kaywoodie if the stinger is cut.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

The advantages of the modern metal screw bottle cap are beyond argument. They seal better. You can reseal the bottle. No corkscrew needed.

I don't want to derail this thread with a sideline argument over wine corks. But, you are right and wrong. They seal better for short periods of time. Two years is the longest I would keep a bottle with a screw top, but corks allow micro oxygenation, which aids better wines in aging, converting smaller chains of sugars into more complex chains.

Only a high condition Kaywoodie 4 hole stinger with intact stinger has any real collector value.

early 4 digit Kaywoodies can and do bring substantial amounts of money.

You two answered my question. Thank you! That is awesome.

 

[tobakenist]

I don't mean to sound like an asshole, so please understand that i just want to learn something. But, is there a pipe with a stinger that would actually be so collectible that it would get a substantial bid that would warrant keeping the stinger in tact? Like, it the $100's of dollars?

I ask because the pipes that I have seen stingers in are usually the cheapest pipes. My beloved Hilsons came with stingers, but I just toss them. But, usually they ran between $20-50 in the estate Markets. And, I am not so sure people that would buy estate Hilsons even know that they came with stingers, so I am not so sure it would devalue the pipes any further.

I guess what I am ultimately asking is, are there any pipes that originally came with stingers that trade for over $100 in the estate market?
In my mind, Grabows are collectible, but only in sentiment and novelty, not in any resell gain in profits.

Yes, I have a Davidoff pipe with a black stinger and would probably be worth less if it wasn't all original, it was a present many years ago and only smoked twice, once with the Stinger and once without, not a good smoke and sitting in it's box ever since, I will be down sizing soon and getting rid of the ones I don't collect and that will be one of the first to go.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

Most people seem to dislike stingers but I appreciate them for what they are. I won’t even consider buying an estate Kaywoodie if the stinger is cut.

Same, I won't even consider a KW if its been clipped, and if I gamble on one and it shows up clipped I pass it along. They do not bother me in the least.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Yes, I have a Davidoff pipe with a black stinger and would probably be worth less if it wasn't all original, it was a present many years ago and only smoked twice, once with the Stinger and once without, not a good smoke and sitting in it's box ever since, I will be down sizing soon and getting rid of the ones I don't collect and that will be one of the first to go.

I didn't realize that Davidoff pipes were as collectible as they seem to be. EBay does show that they ask well into the $100's. Thank you

 

[Briar Lee]

I don't want to derail this thread with a sideline argument over wine corks. But, you are right and wrong. They seal better for short periods of time. Two years is the longest I would keep a bottle with a screw top, but corks allow micro oxygenation, which aids better wines in aging, converting smaller chains of sugars into more complex chains.


You two answered my question. Thank you! That is awesome.

During the decades of the thirties and forties the USA pipe industry alone, produced about 30 million briar pipes a year, and KB&B made and sold over 10 million a year, probably all with metal filters, which is what stingers were marketed as.

During World War Two aluminum was a highly rationed and scarce metal.


Kaywoodie shrunk the size of their aluminum ball.

Who knows who killed the stinger?

The 6mm paper filter had a role, I think.

A metal stinger became the sign of a cheap pipe.

Today if a pipe takes a Dr Grabow filter the makers besides Dr Grabow and Missouri Meerscahum don’t seem proud of it.

 

[King Bulldog]

I don't use them. If a pipe has one, I remove it. Just a personal preference.

 

[ParkitoATL]

I've also read that some will buy these older pipes and get rid of the stinger. These stingers look permanent. At first, I thought they were removable and took some pliers to one. Nope.

Soak the stems in some hot water. They can be stubborn but will pull loose. Tar is sticky stuff. Might also try a little flame.

Personally, I hate stingers and rarely smoke anything without a charcoal filter. When I smoke an unfiltered pipe I use meer chips.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

I don't want to derail this thread with a sideline argument over wine corks. But, you are right and wrong. They seal better for short periods of time. Two years is the longest I would keep a bottle with a screw top, but corks allow micro oxygenation, which aids better wines in aging, converting smaller chains of sugars into more complex chains.


You two answered my question. Thank you! That is awesome.

I think Dunhill inner tubes the same in terms of collectibility.

I have an old Pete somewhere that is a "rare" shape and has a "stinger" - it really seems beyond restoration but I've left it as is for now, and apparently left it somewhere I can't find it, lol. Got it for $30, but it is in a lot rougher shape than I'd hoped.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

I don't mean to sound like an asshole, so please understand that i just want to learn something. But, is there a pipe with a stinger that would actually be so collectible that it would get a substantial bid that would warrant keeping the stinger in tact? Like, it the $100's of dollars?

I ask because the pipes that I have seen stingers in are usually the cheapest pipes. My beloved Hilsons came with stingers, but I just toss them. But, usually they ran between $20-50 in the estate Markets. And, I am not so sure people that would buy estate Hilsons even know that they came with stingers, so I am not so sure it would devalue the pipes any further.

I guess what I am ultimately asking is, are there any pipes that originally came with stingers that trade for over $100 in the estate market?
In my mind, Grabows are collectible, but only in sentiment and novelty, not in any resell gain in profits.

The earlier Longchamp pipes had stingers; by the ’70s I think they may not have been released with them. Some of the more exotic skins for the wraps used command in excess of $100.00 depending on condition.

I have purchased ones missing stingers on occasion, but I prefer getting the pipes complete.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

I think Dunhill inner tubes the same in terms of collectibility.

I have an old Pete somewhere that is a "rare" shape and has a "stinger" - it really seems beyond restoration but I've left it as is for now, and apparently left it somewhere I can't find it, lol. Got it for $30, but it is in a lot rougher shape than I'd hoped.

LOL, used that search function @OzPiper! Searched for myself as part of the search term, which has to be a first for the search engine and found a pic of the pipe that I can't find, lol. The "flat grip"!