Basket Pipes Revisited

[mso489]

Maybe only experienced pipe buyers should look in the baskets, since they know fairly quickly if there is something good in there, and immediately look past the junkers. I sure wouldn't suggest that a new pipe smoker go buy something from a basket. I've acknowledged that a lot of the basket pipes are junkers that no one should buy. But I've picked too many winners out of the junkers not to take a look ... like nice Sav unfinished pipes with few if any fills.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I am squarely sound in only ever suggesting clay pipes for beginners. If they get a thick walled briar or a big ol meerschaum, they will learn to puff too hard, with a cool sided pipe and scorch themselves. But, if they learn to smoke slow enough to keep a clay pipe cool, they will be light years beyond the average lackadaisical pipesmoker. Clay pipes are the true pipe of the Jedi pipe smokers.

Or course after mastering the ways of the clay, they can then move on to fight with the Rebellion using only high grade handmades. ::

 

[mikethompson]

I always forget about clay pipes. I've been meaning to grab one to try out too.

 

[condorlover1]

Clays are great but remember your teeth! I think I commented about baskets pipes on here years ago but I retell it just for anyone who missed out. In London back in the 1980s you could go into any reasonable tobacconist and always see baskets of rejects or seconds. Some where pretty good but a lot where terrible and had filler in them to cover up the terrible wood they were made from and then highly polished. I picked up one for a few pounds and I was sitting in a pub in London with a chum of mine smoking it when there was an almighty crack as a piece of filler shot out the side of my pipe. It was a sight for sore eyes I can tell you. I never rummaged through a basket of seconds or thirds ever again in a pipe shop after that event!

 

[saltedplug]

I wouldn't buy a basket pipe, but then again I'm a pipe snob. But parallel to that elitism I smoked cobs regularly and found much to recommend, especially the price. I've written at length about my conclusion of the profound similarity to how pipes smoke, regardless of price, which would recommend baskets. So I will revise my original statement, then, and say I wouldn't buy a basket I couldn't return. But to be entirely convoluted, I would add another condition, that I'd prefer buying a low cost estate from a proven vendor; better pipe. I did this most of the time when I bought pipes in the last two years I smoked.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I own some seconds, a Charatan and a Comoy, but the basket was a higher class basket, I guess... not so much even a basket, ha ha. And, for full disclosure, I do have a few clays, but I am not quite Jedi material yet. No matter how slow I smoke them, I can’t get the X-Wing to rise up out of the swamp. ::

 

[mackeson]

I've gotten a couple great basket pipes and 0 bad ones. If you know what to look for, you won't get "hot, wet, gurgle" crap . Just like name brands IMHO. Just know what you want and what drilling to look for. Great values can be had, and great pleasant surprises

 

[instymp]

Would look at & pick a basket over a cob.

 

[mikethompson]

I'm just jealous of you guys who can stroll into a B&M and find a basket of pipes. My local one only carries random Brighams hidden at the end of the store.

 

[seanv]

What kind of Brigham’s do they carry? Some of their pipes are very good

 

[mso489]

I don't own a Brigham but I think they're good pipes, from all reports. I don't like the idea of yet another moisture catching device, rock maple inserts, one more item to buy and keep up with, but I've heard the pipes smoke fine without them. I think they make good pipes in a range of prices, and all are dependable smokers.

 

[aldecaker]

I'm thinking a lot of the members here wouldn't know a Preben Holm from a tin whistle if it weren't for the price tag anyway. Hardly seems to matter if it's in a basket or on a velvet pillow.

 

[Waning Embers]

Well that's not exactly true. I got this Holm for $40.

 

[aldecaker]

Those people would take it for a basket junker.

 

[Waning Embers]

:rofl:

 

[seanv]

Mso - my Brigham smokes just as good with or without the rock maple filter.

 

[mikethompson]

No, don't get me wrong. I have a birth year Brigham that is an absolute joy. I use the insert in it, and find it has a nice dry smoke. I merely was commenting on the variety of pipes to choose from - only Brigham, and only a very small sampling of their pipes.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I've had very good results from basket diving. Most of it in NYC decades ago, but also recently in London and Edinburgh. Plus some cheaper Petes that were on display in their Dublin store. (Not officially basket pipes, but reduced price ones)

 

[mso489]

jpm', thanks. Right, the baskets aren't poisoned, and different things get put in there by different shops. It is sometimes worth taking a look. That's all.

 

[cortezattic]

The B&M's countertop pipe basket is like a box of chocolates. Back in the late 60's my dad popped into the local Tinder Box on a Christmas eve to pick up a stocking stuffer for me. He found a nice little Oom Paul that was stamped "The Tinder Box, Napoli". It turns out that pipe was made by a young pipesmith just learning his craft -- none other than Mauro Armellini !