Beyond the sum of all factors...

[pipingfool]

For me, I have a few marques/makers that I really like. So I will usually peruse their offerings first. Mainly because of the connection that I have with them for one reason or another.

After that, it's about finding something that catches my eye. Shapes, finishes (sandblasts usually) accents, etc.

Then it's dimensions. Anything weighing over 50g is usually out, and I typically like pipes under 6" long but that's not a hard and fast rule.

But I don't purchase pipes all that often. Maybe one or two a year these days, but I'm usually thinning the herd as I acquire pipes. I like to keep my stable of pipes below 30.

Happy Hunting!

 

[camaguey]

In over 1000 different pipes i have ever smoked , i found that only a few where really bad smokers. Having said that , i have to add that i can adjust to their characteristics. For too open pipes you can compensate with a slower draw and a slow burning tobacco. Just the opposite with rather tight draw. There are several compensations you can do. Different pipes calls for different ways to smoke.

 

[vosBghos]

Craftsmanship, Balance, Will it pass a cleaner built? I find myself buying whatever Ser Jacopo catches my eye as I have yet to find one that doesn't click all these boxes.

 

[NC TX ID pipeman]

First in a line is a shape of the pipe..I prefer bent apples,brandys or rhodesians or oom pauls..in 95% it need to be smooth with decent grain..than it need to be somewhat special or rare(historicaly for example)...not a pipe you can get every day or anytime(few exceptions apply)..I prefer bigger pipes but usually size does not matter too much..Weight does not matter neither..I started to look at canadians lately but all of them I own are old rare cheap ones from antique stores but usually do not care for straight pipes..Good drilling is a must..I never spent more than 650$ on a pipe but usually price is from 100-350$..But have several in 450-550 range and several from 10-50$ range

 

[warren]

If a pipe doesn't catch my eye hanging on the wall or in a display case. that's it. But, if a pipe passes each of my criteria in order then. it has to smoke well within a few bowls. That's it! Into the trash and away it goes. Easy peezy.

Neither price nor brand enter into the process.

 

[NC TX ID pipeman]

If a pipe doesn't catch my eye hanging on the wall or in a display case. that's it. But, if a pipe passes each of my criteria in order then. it has to smoke well within a few bowls. That's it! Into the trash and away it goes. Easy peezy.

Neither price nor brand enter into the process.

You throw your pipes in a trash?I would atleast use it as a firewood or something more usefull

 

[Searock Fan]

Interesting question. I guess I note the maker first and if it's one I like then it's just a matter of if it appeals to me. I tend toward Italian made, carved or blasted, medium size and no more than half bent.

 

[The Clay King]

I'm a wet smoker so have always gone for Peterson's System Standards, a full bent rustic is my preferred, I do have a collection of freehands that I occasionally smoke.

@tobakenist Clays all the way for me; @The Amish Tyrant calls me the Clay King

 

[LEP7cv]

@tobakenist Clays all the way for me; @The Amish Tyrant calls me the Clay King

never tried clay pipes, but very curious to one day get some! for sure

 

[The Clay King]

never tried clay pipes, but very curious to one day get some! for sure

@LEP7cv I like your avatar; an old illustration of a C18 man smoking a clay churchwarden. I like the churchwardens but they're too long and likely to get broken
Yes I recommend you get some clays and then you can become one of us (Brothers of the clay)

 

[EvertonFC]

99% - the look of the pipe
01% - how long it's been since i bought a pipe

 

[LEP7cv]

@LEP7cv I like your avatar; an old illustration of a C18 man smoking a clay churchwarden. I like the churchwardens but they're too long and likely to get broken
Yes I recommend you get some clays and then you can become one of us (Brothers of the clay)

I'll sniff around the internet for some dealers, if you have any suggestions hit me up!

 

[The Clay King]

I'll sniff around the internet for some dealers, if you have any suggestions hit me up!

@LEP7cv Smokingpipes.com carry the Markus Fohr (Old German Clay) and Old Dominon pipes or look on eBay for used / vintage clays. I'm sure you'll find something you like!

 

[woodsroad]

The sum of all factors is the deciding criteria for me. Aesthetics first, then overall size, bowl size, wall thickness, stem shape, condition, maker...not necessarily in that order.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I have a few carvers I trust and I have tended to stay with them. I can't point to just a couple of things. Weight and bowl ID are two big ones as I clench 90% of the time. I prefer Rhodesians and Bulldogs but any shape might catch my eye, I don't question it.

 

[huckleberry]

The pipe has to appeal to me. I really like a smooth pipe that has the "Birdseye" grain, and some rusticated are also top notch. Lately I've been interested in bent Dublins, (like a Stanwell Plateaux, and a Barling 1821). It is preferably between 5 1/4 to 6" and Must be drilled correctly. Weight is sometimes important, but it depends on the overall total dimensions. It has to "Look" proportional.

I have some pipes with small bowls all the way to large bowls, depending on my mood, and whether I'll be doing something while smoking or just relaxing

All this is subject to change on a whim, without any reason...

In a nutshell, the pipe has to strike my fancy!

 

[Chasing Embers]

You throw your pipes in a trash?

A dud is a dud. I've tossed several that didn't meet my criteria, they're just pipes and there are better ones to be found.