Decent Briar for under $50?

[ryeguy]

This seems the same as the tobacco preference issue.

The thing that concerns me, though, is that while I can try most tobaccos for +-$10 and at worst it will be mediocre and get smoked over a long period of time, a high-end pipe will set me back more than I'm willing to try as an experiment.
But what if I'm wrong and a $300 pipe really will open up a whole new world of tobacco pleasure and render every bowl une petite mort? I don't want to be stuck in the Plato's cave of pipe smoking, making due with a third-rate smoke and disbelieving everyone who says there is something better to be had if only I would stop being such a cheapskate.

I have 2 Piazolla pipes. . . .

The pipe is good quality and drilled perfectly. . . .

Since I was reasonably happy with that pipe I bought another straight billiard. This pipe is also well made, drilled properly . . .

The pipe is smallish and the stem on both is a bit tight. Otherwise not bad.

Just the sort of post I was looking for. Thank you!

 

[mawnansmiff]

"Is it possible to get a decent briar pipe for under $50?"
In your third post you seem to have veered way off course from your original question...methinks you might have some ulterior motive going on...but forgive me if I am wrong.
At the end of the day you have a hewn and shaped block of briar (or meerschaum) with a large hole and a small hole into which is stuck a hollow stem. If it successfully burns tobacco then it is a pipe but the value of that pipe is purely down to how much someone is prepared to pay for it.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[mso489]

Getting a good pipe for under $50 follows some studying the online offerings, visiting some pipe shops if possible before you buy anything, and learning something about brands. Experienced pipe smokers can usually do this because they are experienced and know what to look at and what to look for. There are some stinker cheap pipes out there, and some that are smokeable but not especially good. Estate pipes are often a good buy, but they're used so can come with some extra variables depending on how they were used and maintained. I'd lean toward advising a newbie to buy a new pipe, just to simplify the learning curve, even for an under $50 pipe. If you spend some time learning, you may give yourself time to encounter a sale that will offer good items. pipesandcigars has Stanwell's at $49.99 fairly regularly. Iwan Ries has EWA small French pipes for about $38. Many pipe shows have basket pipes and unfinished Savinelli's for around $50. You need to learn enough about filters (or non-filter pipes) to know what you're buying. There are plenty of good pipes in the $50 price bracket, new and estate, but you have to learn enough to separate them from the cheapies that will wear out and never smoke that well.

 

[wyfbane]

Chacom on Pipes and Cigars, $49.99 right now.

 

[ryeguy]

In your third post you seem to have veered way off course from your original question...methinks you might have some ulterior motive going on...but forgive me if I am wrong.

I really have no idea what you could be referring to.
I'm not offended, but I am profoundly confused.

 

[ryeguy]

So I've pulled the trigger.
I settled on the following acquisitions for this round:
Ropp--sandblasted, Etudiant J05 (bent Dublin)

Rossi--Vittoria Billiard

P. Piazzolla--smooth, straight Billiard (normal bit, not the P-lip)
I will report back on my findings.
Thanks for all the suggestions; I will be keeping them in mind for future expansions to my very modest collection.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

Looking forward to hearing what you think about the Piazzolla.

 

[mso489]

I like my Ropp and my Rossi Vittoria well. Hope yours please you. My Ropp is a straight smooth apple, and my Rossi a rusticated prince.

 

[fitzy]

I don't think you can go wrong with either of those. Looking forward to hearing your findings.

 

[ryeguy]

Looking forward to hearing your findings

I'm looking forward to having something to report! They arrive tonight, or so says USPS.
In anticipation of their arrival, I've been reviewing how to break in briar pipes. I'm basically getting the message that you smoke them, don't use cigar lighters on them, finish all your bowls, and don't keep them burning in driving wind. Am I missing something?
In the meantime, Jay was right; the burnt popcorn taste is quickly going away in my cob (I still get a little of it, but it's "condimental" at this point and doesn't overwhelm the tobacco's native taste) and it is turning out to be quite a pleasant smoke. Although, it took me a lot longer to get here than I expected (I estimate I'm pushing 20 bowls at this point), I'm beginning to see why some favor them.

 

[mawnansmiff]

Will, glad you managed to find something to suit your budget....once they arrive your adventure begins ::
But then of course you will be looking for tobacco blends......much to look forward to in that regard too.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[zensmoker]

I picked up a P. Piazzolla (straight Billiard/normal bit) from Smoking Pipes and it is a nice pipe for the price. It had a small fill on the side of the bowl but otherwise, it looks and smokes great and was exactly what I expected. I did run into a minor issue with it. I removed the stem to have a look and when I re-inserted it, the shank split! I used a bit of carpenters glue to glue it back together and stole a stem ring from my MM Pride which fit nicely around the stem but looks ugly. I also sanded down the tenon slightly to reduce the diameter/snugness. It's not the prettiest fix, but it is functional. I suspect our cold and dry weather up here in the north shrunk the wood a little.

 

[mso489]

Shop regularly without buying anything, if you can. This will allow you time to eventually pick up on sales and discounts. Just for example, PC recently had a wide choice of shapes of black and brown brushed Stanwell pipes for $39.99, and before that, for a limited time, had Tsuge "tasting pipes," full size and with good Tsuge fit and finish, for $39.99. I'd especially recommend the Dr. Grabow Royalton series with good acrylic stems. The bulldog version has artful shaping, really classy. Some of these low end pipes smoke about as well as anything, though I don't want my up-market pipes to hear me say that.

 

[crashthegrey]

I can't say enough about the Morgan Bones line.

 

[9mmpuffer]

Brighams are great smokers and there are a lot of near-new estates floating around for about $50
You can also get very clean Savinelli estates for $50 or under, almost like new. Even some Stanwells.

 

[michiganlover]

Stanwell brushed series seems to be a good deal. P and C was even running a sale where they were $19.99 a little while back.
I have a straight Bulldog, and a Poker and both smoke really well.
Although I have no experience myself, the new production Kaywoodies that no longer have the dreaded stinger (such as the Saxon line, among others) seem to be extremely well liked as well.

 

[d4k23]

I bought a Piazolla for the same reasons stated above, reasonable price and good back story. I stumbled on the P-lip by accident because I really didn't know what I was looking for. The pipe smokes hotter than others (which may be my cadence) but the draw is very smooth. I also haven't really broken it in yet. I second @twangthang that passing a pipe cleaner takes patience and luck. I usually try let it cool and remove the stem to clean. Not my go to pipe, but one I'll smoke while working in the garage.

 

[d4k23]

Also, my brother bought a Rossi XL because he wanted a bigger bowl smoke. He is newer than me, but I watched him smoke the tobacco to Ash on his first bowl. Made me a little jealous to have one, ha.

 

[thesmokindragon]

+1 Chris Morgan Bones line
Lots of Stanwell Brushed Brown Pipes over at P&C for $49.99
Also lots of new Savinelli pipes at SP.com under $65. and if you check SP.com's pipe finder under estates you can find some nice deals between the $50-65 ranges

 

[disinformatique]

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