Birthday Coming Up! Recommend Me a Pipe

[jewman22]

So, I'm turning the big'ol dirty thirty here in a couple weeks, and am looking at getting myself something nice.
Been looking at some Savinelli Autographs, Ser Jacopo, Cavicchi, Castello, Radice, Mastro Geppetto, Mastro de Paja and a few others.
But this is really the only occasion where I can justify spending a few hundred bucks on a piece of wood.
I'm leaning Savinelli, since I've got plenty experience with them and never a bad unit, but also think I might splurge and finally go for a nice hawkbill, Or cheap out and get a Geppetto or a Sav Elegenza 320KS.

Anybody got any thoughts that might help?
Keep it below 500$ USD by the way. And no Meerschaum.
Thanks,

 

[tobefrank]

With $500 you can get a pipe commissioned, or spend it on a Castello that draws your eye.

 

[jmg81]

Im in the same boat but mine is the big four oh. I recommend getting a commission.

 

[Chasing Embers]

big'ol dirty thirty

but mine is the big four oh

Dang, young fellas.

getting a commission

Yep

 

[DanWil84]

+1 on the commission idea.
This may sound like a broken record, but I wouldn't spend the budget on a pipe, buy a "cheaper" commission or a higher grade off the shelf pipe for example and spend the rest on tobacco. It might seem al that special reaching 30 and the urge to buy a pipe is understandable in that regard, but that pipe is worth zip if you can't fill it.

 

[jewman22]

+1 on the commission idea.
This may sound like a broken record, but I wouldn't spend the budget on a pipe, buy a "cheaper" commission or a higher grade off the shelf pipe for example and spend the rest on tobacco. It might seem al that special reaching 30 and the urge to buy a pipe is understandable in that regard, but that pipe is worth zip if you can't fill it.

True enough, but i'm sitting on many pounds of tobacco, so no worries on running out any time soon. I keep comming back to the Elegenza for some reason, like it's calling my name.

With $500 you can get a pipe commissioned, or spend it on a Castello that draws your eye.

I have considered it, but I'm very impatient and also am not fond of the idea of fronting money for something that I may not be overly fond of upon completion, maybe it's cuz i dont really know what I want. 500 is really a high end, I would much like to keep it below that, like well below, but will go that high if I'm drawn in.

 

[kcghost]

Any number of guys will make you a very good pipe for $400. Nate King, Andy Petersen, Alex Hasty, etc.

 

[JOHN72]

Castello, Ardor, Ser Jacopo......................

Ser Jacopo-Rusticated Calabash (R1) (B). SP............I am in love with this pipe, 312 $​

 

[Ahi Ka]

Commission, or if you don’t have any old britwood already, why not look for a pipe from 1921.

 

[FurCoat]

I would be inclined to look at Jose Rubio pipes. Don Warren makes some unique pipes too.

 

[scloyd]

True enough, but i'm sitting on many pounds of tobacco, so no worries on running out any time soon. I keep comming back to the Elegenza for some reason, like it's calling my name.

My vote is for the Savinelli Eleganza 320 KS (nice pipe). If it's calling your name and you keep coming back to it...go for it. Also, it's only $150.

 

[lonepiper]

I’m with DanWil84 on this. If you end up opting for a less expensive pipe avoid Rossi in my opinion. I have a few and the bowls burn hot and there’s always a wheezing coming from the stems. I bought them because they were billed as being just as good as a Savinelli for a better price. Caveat emptor I suppose.

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

A commission to celebrate your bday seems the way to go. Given the maker a few personal parameters, the maker will likely provide a gorgeous pipe that you will reflect on for years to come. ?️

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Get a Jack Howell for around $335, he's a member of this forum and carves great looking and smoking pipes. Here are a couple he has carved for me.

 

[Grangerous]

Life is short guys! Don’t pee in his wheaties! My first thought too was buy a MM Country Gent for $10.99 and spend the other $489.01 on Tobacco. The Sky is Falling!

Honestly, treat yourself on your 30th to something special! Enjoy it and look back on that time of your life each time you smoke it.

My suggestion? I’ve been admiring Jesse Jones work from Blue Room Briars and he’s right at your price point. His carvings are beautiful!

This one in particular grabs me.

 

[Johnny_Pipecleaner]

If I had $500 to spend on a pipe… oh wait, I just did exactly that. For my 40th bday. I bought one from Jose Rubio, and after spending plenty of time with it I can honestly say it was worth it. 426 EUR, with express shipping from Spain. Here are some pics of other pipes he recently had available for sale.


And here’s mine…

 

[mso489]

Thirty? Forty? You children shouldn't be smoking at all! But when you grow up, I'd direct you toward a Ser Jacopo, one of their more traditional designs, only because I bought one (on an extreme sale with SP, at a price I'll never see again in new or estate). A commission also sounds good, for a big birthday, but give the design a lot of thought so you get something personal as well as special. Now, back to your video games and PBJ's.

 

[Bengel]

This is what I bought for my 60th, paid about 1/2 of your budget.

 

[jttnk]

+ umpteenth time, go commissioned pipe. It is a great experience. The carvers named are all pros and will make what you want how you want it, with their style and skill applied. The entire process is part of the fun and gift. Many will send images as they go, selection of stem colors they have, shapes they have done etc…

My 50th birthday, I had Joshua Ronish of Dragon Briars make pipe of my choice. It was something he didn’t really make many of, and liked the idea. During our conversations I learned he was also a metal smith, so of course we had to add a hand made band. The end result is a one of a kind, Foursquare style billiard with his great blast and stain, hand hammered brass band, and perfectly color coordinated German ebonite stem. (I selected from a plethora of choices he showed me from his shop). The pipe smokes well and looks really great, but it is really special because it’s exactly what I wanted.

My guess is that Joshua or many of the others mentioned can give you the same experience.

Lastly, if none of that floats your boat, Walt Cannoy Suede Finish pipe! They look amazing!

Best of luck, and Happy Birthday!

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

So, I'm turning the big'ol dirty thirty here in a couple weeks, and am looking at getting myself something nice.
Been looking at some Savinelli Autographs, Ser Jacopo, Cavicchi, Castello, Radice, Mastro Geppetto, Mastro de Paja and a few others.
But this is really the only occasion where I can justify spending a few hundred bucks on a piece of wood.
I'm leaning Savinelli, since I've got plenty experience with them and never a bad unit, but also think I might splurge and finally go for a nice hawkbill, Or cheap out and get a Geppetto or a Sav Elegenza 320KS.

Anybody got any thoughts that might help?
Keep it below 500$ USD by the way. And no Meerschaum.
Thanks,

Congratulations, I figured you to be much younger. Well, I’d recommend a Peterson 408 since you like author shapes.