Castello vs Dunhill @ same price point

[jefff]

I may be wrong but I believe Castello employs 6 carvers who do all the carving on any particular pipe. While technically a "factory" it is a very small one.
As far as I know, no one can tell me who makes. or has made. Dunhill pipes for a long time. While they may be fine pipes, and I do own one, I would not be able to pay the current price of a new Dunhill.
It just feels like brand marketing to me. It is supposed to represent a certain elusive quality and I don't buy that.

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

Castellos purchased on eBay are extraordinarily poor smokers and the vendors who peddle them are all crooks.

I'm assuming you're joking. Some of our long time members on this forum happen to be Ebay sellers, and they're well respected by many. I'm sure they've sold a few Castellos themselves, and I doubt they're crooks.

 

[tarheel1]

I'm assuming you're joking. Some of our long time members on this forum happen to be Ebay sellers, and they're well respected by many. I'm sure they've sold a few Castellos themselves, and I doubt they're crooks.

He is trying to steer people away from said pipes so he can score said pipes at a lower price. Yes he was joking.

 

[davet]

Yes he was joking.

Sometimes humour is not so obvious in the printed word, a smiley face helps :mrgreen:

 

[tarheel1]

I agree. His second post made it more obvious.

 

[oldgeezersmoker]

The emoji for the smiley face on my tablet keyboard somehow doesn't work for this forum. I knew that, but posted it anyway. But if someone has misread my intentions and in fact stays off of eBay today, or concentrates on the many screaming bargains to be found in Danish (pipestud has some gorgeous Ben Wade's ending today), oh well.
To weigh in on the OP, I purchased several new Dunhill Shell Briars in the late 90's from James Barber when the exchange rate was favorable. I was buying new Castellos at the same time. I enjoyed them both equally.

 

[mawnansmiff]

For those who claim one brand smokes better than another brand, I wonder if in a blind smoke one could distinguish one from the other.
Given ten pipes, five of brand A and five of brand B (blind smoked) one would expect 100% accuracy but I would wager it would be a 50/50 split.
Just my tuppence worth on the matter ::
Regards,
Jay.

 

[bigpond]

Jay, modern Castello's are supposed to be drilled with a 4.5mm airway while most artisan pipes are made with three and a half or four mm (my three key is sticking) airway, including new White Spots (aka the pipes formerly known as Dunhill).
Most new Castello's don't have a widely trumpeted airway now, White Spots do.
All Castello's are made from air cured briar and the pipes are treated with shellac which leads to a distinct taste not present in White Spots. No opinion on the qualitative impact of this.
I doubt someone could reliable distinguish between pipes on a blind tasting. I certainly can tell the difference between them when they cycle in to rotation.
To the OP: Imo White Spots are more reliable and consistent with respect to QC. Castello falls back on the quality of the briar, which imo is unmatched in current production pipes.
Bottomline: either way you go yo only have right choices to make.

 

[oldgeezersmoker]

I seriously doubt that Castellos are treated with shellac. Source for this?

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

But if someone has misread my intentions and in fact stays off of eBay today, or concentrates on the many screaming bargains to be found in Danish

I do love a good Danish pipe.

 

[papipeguy]

Neither. For the money those pipe command you can get a custom made pipe to your specifications and it will be as good, if not better. I have 3 Dunhills but no Castellos. No doubt they are both fine pipes but I'd rather have a commission for the money.

 

[ssjones]

I could tell by the button. New Castello buttons are much beefier than a new White Spot.

 

[bigpond]

Neither. For the money those pipe command you can get a custom made pipe to your specifications and it will be as good, if not better. I have 3 Dunhills but no Castellos. No doubt they are both fine pipes but I'd rather have a commission for the money.

It may be that the reason you feel this way is because you don't have any Castello's.