Buying My First Life-Time Pipe

[dd50]

Gandolf, you picked out a beauty. To bigvan's point about the range within the brand, I have a $45 Savinelli Varese that is my worst smoker, and bought only because of the Savinelli brand. A number of people are recommending cobs, but for me, there is no beating briar, so I would even suggest a Dr. Grabow....you will get a number of people for and against Grabow's, but it took a number of bowls in my MM cob before I enjoyed smoking out of it, but three puffs into my first packed Grabow, I knew I was going to enjoy pipe smoking.

As far as value, I think Bjarnes are fantastic, and can be had for around $50.
If the $120 is something you are willing to part with, and the pipe "speaks" to you the way it sounds like it does, I say go for it. I spent about that much on a rare Kaywoodie last Christmas, which was a huge sandblasted Dublin that ended up being too big to comfortably smoke from. While disappointed, I love the look of that pipe so much it is proudly displayed in my office, so at least I have a piece of art I enjoy.

 

[kashmir]

Welcome to the forums. And congrats on your new, well chosen, first pipe. May it be the first of many to follow.

 

[gandalfspiper]

Hey guys sorry for the late reply!! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THE REPLIES AND OPINIONS!! I have smoked a pipe before i bought a 20$ from my local tobacco shop and i loved it! However i want t invest in a quality pipe without breaking the bank to much at this point in time! What do you guys think of the 320's? i am tossing up between the one i posted and the 320's.
Once again thank you for the replies, gratefully appreciated. Btw i have heard the frog morton is a great tobacco to try?

 

[jgriff]

The 320 is a pretty popular Savinelli shape. I think you'll hear echoes of the same advice - if you like it, then go for it. It's a good brand and there is nothing funky about the shape.
Even if you tell us you only want to smoke Tobacco X in it, you'll never find a perfect consensus from others about what pipe is best. One of the reasons to spend $100+ on a briar instead of $5-10 on a cob is that there is something about the briar that really appeals to you. If you find it in the Alligator or the 320, then run with it.
(I'll throw my own contrary opinion, while the Baronet Bruyeres are awesome at $60 and I've been looking at the Tortuga's too - but if you really want a great pipe in the $100ish range then I'd really look at an estate from one of the site sponsors. You could get a Savinelli Autograph for about that. I see a couple of $110 Autographs at Briarblues.com)

 

[bigvan]

If you like the Alligator, that's great. But I'd guess that its quality is only moderately higher than your $20 pipe. And Jgriff is right. An estate Autograph is a HUGE step above a new lower end model like the Alligator.

 

[gandalfspiper]

I was looking at estate pipe however, I am the type of person who is fanatic about quality and things being in perfect condition! Do I'll consider it I just hope I can deal with even the minor scratches

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Gandalf - it is a $120 pipe. It ain't the Mona Lisa, and it ain't gonna to be perfect, and even if it is, it won't be for long after you start smoking it. I would just chill with all the "I want to hand this pipe down to the next generation" stuff and just buy something within your budget that you think you might enjoy smoking.

 

[Strike Anywhere]

Can't go wrong with most pipes from Savinelli. Well cured briar. I am smoking one as I type this and own pipes costing several times as much.

 

[numbersix]

I was looking at estate pipe however, I am the type of person who is fanatic about quality and things being in perfect condition! Do I'll consider it I just hope I can deal with even the minor scratches

Estates can be in excellent shape, but to know, you need good photos from all angles, esp the rim. If you don't have that, hold off or ask for more/better photos. I wouldn't buy anything without good pics (plus a good seller with a solid rep).
Your best bet may be brand new if you are concerned about primo condition (which I understand, I am the same way).
I also will disagree with bigvan. With all due respect to his opinion (he's very knowledgable), I feel there is a big difference between a $20 basket pipe and a $120 Savinelli.

 

[quincy]

Meh just get 'em both. I have a 320 and love it but some tobaccos smoke better than others in it because of the wide bowl. The alligator I think you'll find more versatile but you won't go wrong with either one. Just get both. You'll end up doing it anyways! haha!