Butera Pipes

[searock]

Just an observation: In looking at some pipe related stuff on the web I came across something about Butera pipes. Out of curiosity I did a search on this forum to see what had been said about them. I was surprised at what I found... or didn't find. Unless I missed it, there is no mention of him or his pipes anywhere. There were some posts about his tobacco line, but not the pipes. Considering all the hoop-la that has been made about his work I find it amazing. I'm not making any judgement, just passing along something I found interesting. I thought about Buteras because of the thread about what a pipe is really worth.

 

[maxpeters]

I suppose that might be because Butera's pipes have been been absent for longer than this forum has been in existance. Just a thought.

And there are really not that many out there for sale, so you just don't hear about them much anymore. Those that have them, tend to hold onto them, for whatever reason.

Except me, I guess. I gave mine away. I don't collect pipes per se, although I have a good accumulation of them around here.

 

[hilojohnny]

I've been into pipes for over 50 years and I've never seen a Butera pipe....I've heard of them, I guess....must be I've led a sheltered life..... :?

 

[searock]

You can search Google if you're interested.

 

[kcvet67]

There's one on ebay now:
http://cgi.ebay.com/HERMIT-BUTERA-CLASSIC-00J-SABLE-4-91-W-SLEEVE-CLEAN-/230567339380?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35aee26574

 

[searock]

Interesting. Do you think it's worth it? It's a long way from being one of his best but I would bet it will go for a lot more.

 

[maxpeters]

I don't believe Mike would have put out a pipe unless it was his best. That's one reason why his pipes were in such demand. He was a perfectionist.

Just because it's rusticated, and not smooth, doesn't mean it was necessarily of a lower grade. He did have grades of pipes, but all of them were just about perfect in their own right.

If I were going to pick up one of his pipes, I would expect to pay around a thousand dollars. They are certainly worth that on the collectors market. I just don't happen to be a collector.

 

[searock]

I don't believe Mike would have put out a pipe unless it was his best. That's one reason why his pipes were in such demand. He was a perfectionist.

Just because it's rusticated, and not smooth, doesn't mean it was necessarily of a lower grade. He did have grades of pipes, but all of them were just about perfect in their own right.

If I were going to pick up one of his pipes, I would expect to pay around a thousand dollars. They are certainly worth that on the collectors market. I just don't happen to be a collector.

Interesting perspective. I have one of his "seconds" I keep out in my workshop. It's a decent smoker but a long way from perfect. I didn't designate it a second, he did.
As to the pipe on ebay, the nomenclature tells a lot. Notice the "4" and the year. The rustication is not very interesting. However, it's still a nice pipe. No maker makes a perfect pipe every time, some are always better than others.

 

[pstlpkr]

There's one on ebay now:

It's interesting... good shape, but I don't see anything special about it.

Why would he rusticate the bowl then use a wire brush around the rim?... It doesn't match.

As to "What the market will bear"... I suppose someone that collects them will stick a crowbar in their wallet. :|

 

[searock]

Why would he rusticate the bowl then use a wire brush around the rim?... It doesn't match.

I don't understand your comment Lawrence. I don't see any evidence of a wire brush being used around the rim... do you mean the top? I'm sure he wire brushed the rusticated area before the final finish though. Can you elaborate?