Chronicling an AliExpress Pipe and Purchase for Science

[ssjones]

I remember Mike, he was a good guy. It's too bad about that pipe he bought.

This has got disaster written all over it. Whoever lives near Mike should keep track of him and let us know what the final arrangements will be.

 

[ssjones]

It will take two weeks, just to get out of China. (at least by my experience)

 

[mikethompson]

I remember Mike, he was a good guy. It's too bad about that pipe he bought

Al, that's as a good a eulogy as I could ask for.

It will take two weeks, just to get out of China. (at least by my experience)

Agreed. My radio sat in China forever before being sent out.

 

[JPremo]

The middle one looks exactly like my Ronson Pipe Lighter that I bought at walmart for $8.

Could be from the same factory but with a different manufacturer stamp? I used to work in the vape industry and there were about 3-5 factories in Shenzhen that produced all the devices/materials for 200+ brands.

 

[canucklehead]

Could be from the same factory but with a different manufacturer stamp? I used to work in the vape industry and there were about 3-5 factories in Shenzhen that produced all the devices/materials for 200+ brands.

Like how TTi makes power tools that are sold as Rigid, Milwaukee, Ryobi, Craftsman, and multiple other brands.

 

[mikethompson]

Update!

The package has shipped. But as Al pointed out, it will probably sit in China for a while before heading out.

 

[pappymac]

I've been in flea markets where you could buy the same Made in China pipes for about $10 and not have to wait three weeks for shipping.

 

[craiginthecorn]

I have a very similar Durable Wood Pipe that was included with a bunch of otherwise great stuff, including a grade 7 W.Ø. Larsen Straight Grain. The pipe was heavily laquered and had a heavy bowl coating. I smoked it for maybe five minutes several years ago. Very poor draw. Very heavy for its mass. Weird flavor in the smoke. Too crummy to smoke and too cheap to resell, so I tossed it in the trash.

 

[mikethompson]

I've been in flea markets where you could buy the same Made in China pipes for about $10 and not have to wait three weeks for shipping.

That would make for a boring thread though!

Very poor draw. Very heavy for its mass. Weird flavor in the smoke. Too crummy to smoke and too cheap to resell, so I tossed it in the trash.

Sounds like how I expect this one to be. Let me be clear- I'm not expecting a great pipe here folks.

 

[edger]

I would be concerned they used a toxic wood to make the pipe?

I think the glow-in-the-dark feature would be handy!

 

[mikethompson]

Update!

 

[troyniss]

I have ordered many things from aliexpress. Some stuff is really well made and some you have to ask the questions "Why?".

It may take a while to get to you.

I order my rubber pipe bits from there. 50 for like $7

 

[jpmcwjr]

I wouldn't dare put rubber made in China in my beak!

 

[eugenepark]

I have ordered many things from aliexpress. Some stuff is really well made and some you have to ask the questions "Why?".

It may take a while to get to you.

I order my rubber pipe bits from there. 50 for like $7

Do they smell like rubber tires from Harbor Freight? That weird chinese rubber funk never goes away. I have a rubber sanding block that was made in PRC and after 10+ years of ownership it still offgasses.

 

[mikethompson]

The issue isn't that all Chinese made stuff is junk, it just seems that way. This tablet I'm using right now was made in China, as most other consumer goods. The thing is there is so much cheap stuff that is made in China that the reputation for Chinese made goods suffers. Generally consumers demand the lowest price, so the cheaply made thing is what people associate with Made in China.

 

[jpmcwjr]

It was the same way with Japanese made goods. 70 years ago it was equated with crap. Now, generally top drawer.

 

[olkofri]

It was the same way with Japanese made goods. 70 years ago it was equated with crap. Now, generally top drawer.

Guess we still need to wait another 40 years for the sinojunk to stop being so then.

Then again, for as long as people keep buying junk like pancakes they won't see any reason to up their game. If they buy it broke why fix it?

 

[mingc]

Guess we still need to wait another 40 years for the sinojunk to stop being so then.

Then again, for as long as people keep buying junk like pancakes they won't see any reason to up their game. If they buy it broke why fix it?

They also make Gucci level junk, like the Iphone, Ipad, etc. All made to be thrown away after 2, 3 years.

 

[saltedplug]

Chinese pipes are known to favor the daily drill of a dishwasher. It's their claim to legitimacy.

 

[edger]

The issue isn't that all Chinese made stuff is junk, it just seems that way. This tablet I'm using right now was made in China, as most other consumer goods. The thing is there is so much cheap stuff that is made in China that the reputation for Chinese made goods suffers. Generally consumers demand the lowest price, so the cheaply made thing is what people associate with Made in China.

I realize I'm opening a TANK of worms, but I have a Hawk 981R Chinese shotgun that appears to be, by many reviews, better than the Remington 870 it is a direct copy of. Go figure. Here comes the deluge!