Chinese/Generic Pipes?

[plateauguy]

I would recommend finding an American made Corncob pipe from Missouri Meerschaum

When I think Chinese pipes I think of chemicals. Try a MM Cob from Missouri Meerschaum - you'll get a safer, better smoke.

 

[peter70]

I once bought a Chinese made cob (didn't look at the sticker on the bottom of the bowl) and smoked it only once, before the bottom burned out. It was the only pipe ever, including a few MM cobs, which I burned through. The stem was also very loose. Never buy this crap again.

 

[javajunkie]

My understanding is ther are a few Chinese artisans making surprisingly good work, but by and large you should really stay away from Chinese pipes in general. Your better bet in the "gee this is cheap and very foreign, will it smoke well?' arena is the eastern Eurpoean stuff (like Mr. Brog et al.).

 

[ttakata73]

Hi, I am new to pipes and have been researching here the last few days; great info, thanks!

I have so far ordered 2 cobs, 1 meerschaum, an estate Thermofilter briar ($8), and 3 pouches of highly rated Lane tobacco to get started but they have not arrived.

The pipes I ordered are all cheap and the hobbyist in me wants to get a decent briar pipe to compare.

I am on ebay bidding on Savinelli, Peterson, Vauen, Chacom, and Stanwell estate pipes but doubt I can get a decent one under $50 and I don't want to spend that much on one pipe yet.

So I looked up briar pipes on Aliexpress and see they have very nice looking briars for $25+ by NewBee and Adous brands which look like the same factory source.
https://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?initiative_id=AS_20170115145337&site=glo&SortType=price_asc&SearchText=briar+pipe&page=2&CatId=152606
Since I have no clue what a good pipe smokes like I was wondering if any of you veterans have feedback on these Chinese knockoffs.

BTW, I am not trolling; I am a fairly active cycling forumer on mtbr.com and bikeforums.com where I use the same username.

Funny that my favorite hobby is bicycles and now I want to smoke pipes.

 

[mso489]

ttakata73, you can get good inexpensive briar pipes, Dr. Grabow for example. I recommend the Royalton series with acrylic stems, for about $40 USD.

 

[ttakata73]

Thanks for the recommendation; I'll look into those Royaltons.

Some of my bids on ebay won so I now have a Kaywoodie and Vauen-Dr Perl in the mail.

I think 2 cobs, 1 meer, and 3 briars should get me started well enough.

I'm afraid collecting beautiful pipes could be dangerous to my other hobbies.