Disappointed With My New $180 Morgan “Workshop” Pipe

[Mike N]

I understand that a Chris Morgan handmade pipe can sell for $800 or more. But after watching an old Virtual Pipe Club interview with Morgan, I decided to check out his website. I settled on a $179 “Workshop” model. The pipe arrived unceremoniously in a plain white box with the Morgan name nowhere to be found on the briar or bag. (Yes, I know it is a “collaboration” pipe.)

The bit end of the stem is so thin that I (begrudgingly) added a rubber bite protector to it or I knew this clencher would ruin it during the break in. The first few smokes have been hot and mediocre and much less pleasant than a similarly priced $179 Savinelli.

Heck, even the label for Morgan’s lower line $45 unfinished ”Bones” model pipes has “Chris Morgan Design” on the label. Oh well. Anyone else own a “workshop” pipe from that website and how do you feel about it? Does it smoke better after a long break-in period?

 

[Green Hill Hermit]

Here.we......go!

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

More than one complaint about not getting the “name” (when it’s not to be expected) suggests hot smoking = miffed? The thin stem was part of the description. I never get the need to rant, but I see a bonus - going to light up my Morgan Bones Kiwi tomorrow and figure it’s like making money with every sip! It’s now Morgan Stanley! Still, no fun if a pipe doesn’t work out.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

I've got opinions about that brand but all I'll say is.. a thin bit is a good thing.

 

[anotherbob]

I have had pipes smoke hot out of the box and cool down after the break in. Sometimes it just seems like the pipe Gods occasionally make you have to earn the break in period. Or in other words don't fully judge a pipe till it's broken in.

 

[tfdickson]

I didn’t know there was anything other than the Bones line. $800 for a hand made Bones seems a bit ridiculous, smooth Eltang’s go for $1000 by comparison. I suppose it’s possible the hand made Bones is 80% as good as an Eltang, maybe even 85%. I guess in the latter case it’s a bargain.

 

[anotherbob]

I didn’t know there was anything other than the Bones line. $800 for a hand made Bones seems a bit ridiculous, smooth Eltang’s go for $1000 by comparison. I suppose it’s possible the hand made Bones is 80% as good as an Eltang, maybe even 85%. I guess in the latter case it’s a bargain.

if you look at the site and select highest price to lowest it's pretty clear how he grades the pipes. The high end ones might not be your cup of tea but they certainly have a rarity that the lower priced ones don't. Look at the one listed as a very special billiard. The grain on that is certainly not like much I've seen before in briar.

 

[georged]

...all I'll say is.. a thin bit is a good thing.

Until a hole appears in the roof or floor of the funnel.

AND the thickness of that roof or floor is too weak & flexy for a patch to work, so a new stem is needed.

Mentioning it because I happen to have a mega-collectable on my bench right now in exactly that situation. The roof material is eleven thousandths of an inch thick. (For comparison, a credit card is 33 thousandths.)

On the other hand, a stem that's on the thick side when originally made can always be slimmed if desired.

The magic zone? .155" to .158" immediately behind the button.

 

[tfdickson]

if you look at the site and select highest price to lowest it's pretty clear how he grades the pipes. The high end ones might not be your cup of tea but they certainly have a rarity that the lower priced ones don't. Look at the one listed as a very special billiard. The grain on that is certainly not like much I've seen before in briar.

I agree, the grain on that billiard is terrific. Lots of vertical action with “shadow” ring grain too. But the shaping? The stem? The parts that are within the control of the pipe maker and not mother nature? If someone wants to pay $690 for that pipe good for them and I hope they enjoy it.

 

[anotherbob]

I agree, the grain on that billiard is terrific. Lots of vertical action with “shadow” ring grain too. But the shaping? The stem? The parts that are within the control of the pipe maker and not mother nature? If someone wants to pay $690 for that pipe good for them and I hope they enjoy it.

yeah it isn't a brand i have followed, just not my taste. But that applies to a lot of not factory pipes. But what fun would it be if everyone shared my taste.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

The only thing you're getting in any pipe priced higher than $50 is the name...
So yeah not having the name on the pipe would be a bit of a letdown.

The smoking qualities of the pipe are effectively placebo, if you're in a bad mood when you light up you're going to have a bad time, if you can't return the pipe just sell it, you'll be happier in the long run.

 

[Chasing Embers]

It looks like a fine pipe with a good stem and button with an interesting texture to the finish. May be a bit of operator error going on.

 

[bullet08]

Com 'on! People even complain about some factory pipes, Peterson. He has "handmade"pipe. Let him let it out. I liked Bones pipe until I stopped liking them. Blame on Peterson.

 

[vosBghos]

I pass on all Morgan pipes based on logo alone NFs given ...

 

[bullet08]

I pass on all Morgan pipes based on logo alone NFs given ...

Who doesn't like Playboy Bunny? You surprised me. J/K!!!

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

So yeah not having the name on the pipe would be a bit of a letdown.

Which he knew he wasn't getting to start with, but could have immediately returned if it was a big deal. Seems more about the drama, real or contrived, but emotions are what make us so us.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

Until a hole appears in the roof or floor of the funnel.

AND the thickness of that roof or floor is too weak & flexy for a patch to work, so a new stem is needed.

Mentioning it because I happen to have a mega-collectable on my bench right now in exactly that situation. The roof material is eleven thousandths of an inch thick. (For comparison, a credit card is 33 thousandths.)

On the other hand, a stem that's on the thick side when originally made can always be slimmed if desired.

The magic zone? .155" to .158" immediately behind the button.

I've never put calipers to it, but I've got a pipe by a well regarded maker with a stem so thin you can squeeze it between your fingers and feel it give.

I recognize it's skating on thin ice (lol) but damn it's comfortable.

 

[obc83]

I have a Bones Rhodesian that's probably my best smoker, though I dislike the logo as well. Pipes are interestingly a lot like some other worlds I've walked in. Knives for example, there's definitely a lot of psychology involved, and often around the packaging. I tend to be in the "don't give a shit" camp but my level of "don't" certainly starts approaching equilibrium with "very much do" the more I feel out of pocket. So, not saying that OP has anything like this going on, he may just be frugal. But its certainly common, especially in these worlds that have more permeable borders between factory, custom, and their attendant expectations. Also, and risking my points for brevity here, coming from the generally Grabow et al level, I have found that more than a few of my pipes started out hot and settled down in 5 or 6 sessions. I tend however, to suffer any indignity to justify my latest acquisition.

Edit for clarification. I'm speaking from the kind of zoomed out perspective here. It really is nice when nice new tool comes in a nice new package. It's probably should.

 

[Mike N]

Which he knew he wasn't getting to start with, but could have immediately returned if it was a big deal. Seems more about the drama, real or contrived, but emotions are what make us so us.

Hawkeye- you have twice now posted fanboy defenses of Morgan. Please show us all where a buyer of this $180 pipe was warned that it would arrive in a cheap plain white box (like a second-hand eBay purchase) and that the name Morgan (as appears above the listing on its website) would be nowhere to be found. That name adds value in the secondary market.

Have you ever seen the way a $179 Savinelli Miele (a far superior pipe in my opinion to a Morgan Workshop) arrives packaged? See photo. It’s the way an expensive pipe should be presented. Rest assured I’ll never buy another pipe from Morgan’s website, so you won’t have to defend it any more.

I want to support American pipe making but that industry has to step up to its European competitors, and frankly I’m not seeing it.

 

[AppalachianPipe92]

The only thing you're getting in any pipe priced higher than $50 is the name...
So yeah not having the name on the pipe would be a bit of a letdown.

The smoking qualities of the pipe are effectively placebo, if you're in a bad mood when you light up you're going to have a bad time, if you can't return the pipe just sell it, you'll be happier in the long run.

Wait, really ? Briar quality, stem-making abilities, drilling, finish quality, accent materials, grain, experience or apprenticeships under the greats, stem material, etc... all of those have just been marketing tools all along ? Well I'll be.