Chacom Pipes - Your Experience

[PipeSmokingDude]

I am hunting for my next $200 range briar pipe and was wondering how is your experience with the French Chacom pipes? How do they compare to let’s say my beloved Irish Petersons or my fond German Vauen pipes?

Thank you in advance for your replies.

 

[Sigmund]

I wouls say they are on equal footing easily. Id have a tough time spending that on one because I smoke estate pipes and here in France CC estates are as cheap as dirt. Ropps are nearly free used.

 

[PipeSmokingDude]

I wouls say they are on equal footing easily. Id have a tough time spending that on one because I smoke estate pipes and here in France CC estates are as cheap as dirt. Ropps are nearly free used.

Cheers mate! I appreciate the reply but I changed my mind about buying a Chacom Pipe based on my own research. Please don’t feel obligated to reply to this thread any more. I’m trying to treat myself to a new briar for Christmas and right now I have my eyes set on a few Petersons and a couple of Vauen. It’s fair to admit anything coming out of Germany is top notch

 

[OzPiper]

You should keep an open mind - French pipes tend to be undervalued, especially in the estate market.
The French pioneered the use of bria.
Most of the classical “English” shapes in fact originated in France.

Be that as it may - you’ve made up your mind.
So ‘nuff said
Enjoy your new pipe.

 

[Chris from Cigarworld]

Cheers mate! I appreciate the reply but I changed my mind about buying a Chacom Pipe based on my own research. Please don’t feel obligated to reply to this thread any more. I’m trying to treat myself to a new briar for Christmas and right now I have my eyes set on a few Petersons and a couple of Vauen. It’s fair to admit anything coming out of Germany is top notch

Hi and welcome to the forum!
German here. Of course, i welcome you consider every product coming from Germany top notch.
Although, I'm working over 20 years now in the pipe business, i would slightly disagree with you when it comes to Vauen.
Vauen pipes are great, don't get me wrong.
They offer a good quality for a very fair price point- at least here in Germany.

But they are no way better than any Chacom.
Much the opposite- Chacom often offers better quailty for a cheaper price.

So better take a closer look at each series or pipe for itself.
Try to be obejctive.

In the pipe- world stereoptypes don't work at all.

 

[HeavyLeadBelly]

I have one that I enjoy a lot. I also have a very old Oeterson I like as well. However, quality concerns regarding Petersons from over the years would point me to Chacom or Savenilli.

But I wouldn’t fault you for sticking with a brand you like!

 

[telescopes]

I would encourage you to look at the world of Italian pipes, and by that, I don't mean Savenilli. Take a hard look at Radice, Il Ceppe, Gepetto, or Ser Jacopo to name a few. Quality pipes for well under $200. The oil cured Radice Rind is a dream smoke. Our sponsor, Al Pascia, offers many such values.

 

[dottlejockey]

FWIW, i have a solitary Chacom which was one of my earlier pipes, probably have had it about 15 or so years. Even though i've bought and culled many names big and small since then, still it remains. Simple, elegant and an excellent smoker. Not leaving my collection any time soon.

 

[sardonicus87]

Of my factory pipes, the Chacom I have is the nicest one I have. In my opinion, it's a little bit of a step up from the Peterson and Savinelli pipes I have, but cost the same as those two.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

The low prices that French pipes have do them a psychological disservice. They really could get a lot more for their pipes than they ask. And, by offering them for so much less than most other pipes makes people think that they are of low quality. I really do enjoy the three Chacoms in my collection, but I would like the brand a lot more if they were double what they ask.

 

[anotherbob]

I am hunting for my next $200 range briar pipe and was wondering how is your experience with the French Chacom pipes? How do they compare to let’s say my beloved Irish Petersons or my fond German Vauen pipes?

Thank you in advance for your replies.

honestly almost any factory pipe is going to be decent these days.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

honestly almost any factory pipe is going to be decent these days.

Apart from the newer lower price range BBB's and Parkers, definitely not comparable to pre cadogan era ones, I don't even know where they are producing them nowdays

 

[FurCoat]

I have a Chacom Supreme and it's a great pipe.

 

[anotherbob]

Hi and welcome to the forum!
German here. Of course, i welcome you consider every product coming from Germany top notch.
Although, I'm working over 20 years now in the pipe business, i would slightly disagree with you when it comes to Vauen.
Vauen pipes are great, don't get me wrong.
They offer a good quality for a very fair price point- at least here in Germany.

But they are no way better than any Chacom.
Much the opposite- Chacom often offers better quailty for a cheaper price.

So better take a closer look at each series or pipe for itself.
Try to be obejctive.

In the pipe- world stereoptypes don't work at all.

I think my best smoker is a french pipe. I don't know the maker as it's a Rattrays. The only problem with it is the chamber size is very small but everything really sings in it.
But honestly it's harder to find a bad pipe then a good one.

 

[minerLuke]

I have a few Chacom, as well as a few Ropp and Brulor French pipes. My experience with them has been very positive, they tend to smoke quite well. My only complaint is some have a bit odd (not bad just different) buttons and for some inexplicable reason most of my French pipes have the slot cut so tight it can be difficult to get a regular pipe cleaner started.

But generally speaking, if you want a good smoker for a surprisingly cheap price, a French pipe is a good bet.

 

[Chris from Cigarworld]

I have a few Chacom, as well as a few Ropp and Brulor French pipes. My experience with them has been very positive, they tend to smoke quite well. My only complaint is some have a bit odd (not bad just different) buttons and for some inexplicable reason most of my French pipes have the slot cut so tight it can be difficult to get a regular pipe cleaner started.

But generally speaking, if you want a good smoker for a surprisingly cheap price, a French pipe is a good bet.

That ones with the tight slot are most certainly the Brulor and/or the Ropp Pipes, which where made in the 1930/40 and are very old Stock. Pipes where build like that at those times. But modern day french pipes don't have those tight drillings anymore.

 

[OzPiper]

That ones with the tight slot are most certainly the Brulor and/or the Ropp Pipes, which where made in the 1930/40 and are very old Stock. Pipes where build like that at those times. But modern day french pipes don't have those tight drillings anymore.

The Brulor and Ropp pipes (from re-discovered cache of stummels) come from an era when smaller pipes (Group 3-4) were the vogue.

I have a lot of old pipes and keep thinner pipe cleaners (eg Falcon) on hand
I have a few with bone tenons which will only pass the very thin coloured hobby cleaners

 

[PipeSmokingDude]

I’ve changed my mind thanks to you all. This means my next briar pipe might very well be a Chacom

Hi and welcome to the forum!
German here. Of course, i welcome you consider every product coming from Germany top notch.
Although, I'm working over 20 years now in the pipe business, i would slightly disagree with you when it comes to Vauen.
Vauen pipes are great, don't get me wrong.
They offer a good quality for a very fair price point- at least here in Germany.

But they are no way better than any Chacom.
Much the opposite- Chacom often offers better quailty for a cheaper price.

So better take a closer look at each series or pipe for itself.
Try to be obejctive.

In the pipe- world stereoptypes don't work at all.

Thank you for your reply. It’s because of people like you I can make a better decision. You’re right and I will definitely consider almost 100% a Chacom pipe! I do love Petersons and I do like my Vauen but as you said in the pipe world stereotypes don’t work at all. I’m looking forward to my next purchase which will be a French pipe!

I do appreciate all your replies, gentlemen. Thank you!

 

[Sigmund]

There is a good chance your rattays pipe is made by chacom

 

[OzPiper]

There is a good chance your rattays pipe is made by chacom

Back in the day a lot of pipes turned and made in France were imported into England to be finished and be blinged up with silver fittings.
Then hallmarked and stamped “Made in England/London” and sold as such.

Seems like the tradition continues, albeit in a less blatant fashion.