Choosing a Pipe

[Griffith]

Someone suggested a Dr. Grabow pipe to me, however it is out of my price range. I would prefer a pipe below $40 just as a beginner pipe, so I can see what I like and don't like while I work to a higher income.

There are two pipes of interest for me right off the bat:

Crown Manola

Crown Manola Spot Carved - Pipes and Cigars

I'm really intrigued by the Crown Manola Spot Carved pipes. They're average-sized briars made in one of Italy's largest pipe factories and have a very light golden stain applied, which lets the grain show through nicely. But what catches my eye is the random spot carving that gives Crown Manola...

www.pipesandcigars.com

and Brigham System Brown Sandblast

Brigham System Brown Sandblast - Pipes and Cigars

Have you looked at Brigham pipes in the past and thought you'd like one, but the price put you off? Well hesitate no longer because here are Brigham System Brown Sandblast pipes.These pipes are made of aged briar and feature nicely detailed sandblasting that feels comfortable in the hand, and...

www.pipesandcigars.com

No idea if they are quality. The reviews are great, much better than Dr. Grabow's cheaper options. They are 6" as well, which is a bonus over 4". I also prefer bent.

Are either of these pipes any good? If not, any suggestions?

 

[crawdad]

I’d rather get the Grabow personally. You can buy a decent Medico pipe for around $25.00 if you look, say at lilbrown.com. Or buy yourself a Missouri Mearschaum corncob pipe; cheap, reliable, and great smokers.

 

[trubka2]

In my opinion, corncob pipes are the way to go. Best smoke for the buck by far.

 

[lukasstrifeson]

I would echo the endorsements for corn cobs as well: Missouri Meerschaum offer a diverse variety of shapes, or Old Dominions if you're fancy.

On the other hand, if you're briar-oriented, maybe something like a Morgan Bones can be a good place to start.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Out of the two, I'd go with the Brigham. Never heard of Crown.

 

[olkofri]

I second the suggestion for the Brigham. I have two Brighams and they're excellent pipes.

 

[sablebrush52]

Personally, I'd go with the cobs. Much more bang for the buck, and you can get several so as to try different types of blends without cross contamination, for less money than you'll spend on a cheap briar.

 

[rushx9]

I have several Crowns, including a Manola. They're not bad. Kinda heavy briar and the stems are hard plastic, but they're drilled fine and have good sized chambers. Of the four I have, 1 smokes better than most of my more expensive pipes. They're basically an Italian factory made basket-pipe line. When they go on sale they're just a few bucks more than a cob and less than a cob+forever stem combo.

 

[brooklynpiper]

Cob--unless you fall in love with the pipe, you won't get a more pleasurable return on investment within your price range

Missouri Meerschaum to be exact.

 

[alaskanpiper]

If it has to be one of those two go Brigham. Cobs are also a great option.

 

[Griffith]

In my opinion, corncob pipes are the way to go. Best smoke for the buck by far.

I'm looking at corncob pipes right now, what is the difference between corncob pipes and other pipes? They all look fairly similar to me, besides texture and color.

 

[Griffith]

Ah, I see. It's the shape, duh.

What makes corncob better than say, Billiard or Sitter? I like those looks a lot as well.

 

[saltedplug]

I'm unsure you can get a bent cob. If you can accommodate to a straight the best answer is a cob. It will hold up well and will far more than justify its price.

 

[ray47]

As inexpensive briars go, Crown pipes aren't bad for the price. I have 3 Crown pipes and they smoke just as good as my Dr. Grabows. I have to agree with others that cobs can't be beat. I have close to 50 cobs and there's not a bad one in the herd.

 

[scloyd]

I wood add Molina to the mix. I have a couple and I'm pleased with them.

Molina Tobacco Pipes For Sale | TobaccoPipes.com

See our selection of Molina tobacco pipes, ranging from the Barasso to the Oro and even the Spigot and order yours today at TobaccoPipes.com.

www.tobaccopipes.com

 

[tobefrank]

Ah, I see. It's the shape, duh.

What makes corncob better than say, Billiard or Sitter? I like those looks a lot as well.

A corn cob is literally a pipe made out of a corn cob, so it's a different material than briar. They can still come in different shapes similar to briar pipes.

Missouri Meerschaum Pipes

Smokingpipes is your one stop shop for Missouri Meerschaum Tobacco Pipes and all your tobacco smoking needs. From new and estate tobacco pipes to tin pipe tobacco and bulk pipe tobacco, we have everything you need

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[stevecourtright]

In my experience, pipe chooses you...

 

[stevecourtright]

In my experience, pipe chooses you...

And I am not saying that to be snarky, (for a change), but to me most pipes smoke pretty well, cheap ones and expensive ones. Cobs do tend to give you an uncolored impression of the tobacco flavors (meers as well), although I have problems smoking them all the way to the bottom. Pricey handmade pipes should always be technically correct and therefore smoke quite well, there are also exceptions to that rule as well. So, back to my original comment, if a pipe speaks to you (and it's in your price range) try it out.

I have $ pipes and $$ pipes and I like them all. The cheap ones I tend to use outdoors, that's really the only (functional) difference to me.

 

[Sonorisis]

My sense of things is that, with briar pipes, you get what you pay for. With cobs, you get way more in the way of a pipe than the dollars spent.

Now, having said that, my first pipe was a Dr. Grabow. I got it in the 1960's. I still have it. It smokes great. It is a briar and was not expensive -- under 20 bucks at the time.

 

[newbroom]

I agree most here, that a Missouri Meerschaum or 3 would be your best bet if you're just starting.
It's not particularly how it looks that matters, if you're smoking for tobacco taste and enjoyment.
The Grabow pipes are terrific!
If you continue to smoke a pipe, you will eventually likely try a cob, now's as good a time as any!
Get about 3 of the Pride model and smoke em like a champ!