Do Not Overlook Chinese Pipes!

[gervais]

Id like to create this thread to address a misconception that may or may not be prominent among this group of fine pipe smokers. It is regarding pipes of Chinese origin.
Now I do not doubt for one minute that there are some nasty, ugly, and maybe even unsafe Chinese pipes making their way over to America. However, this is not true when we are comparing these to artisan pipes from China. I have a particular example here that is quite honestly one of the most beautifully crafted pipes I have ever had the pleasure of holding, and the grain quality is Also undeniably near perfect. This is a Chinese made pipe from an artisan that goes by the name "Cai Dou". In all honesty, I don't know anything about the maker of this pipe, only that it is of Chinese origin, and I'll also admit that I was a little hesitant to pull the trigger when I saw "China" on its origin label. It's a bent pot/Eskimo shape and absolutely stunning in every way. Drilling 110% perfect.





Do not overlook Chinese Artisans!

 

[smudgersmissingleg]

Id like to create this thread to address a misconception that may or may not be prominent among this group of fine pipe smokers. It is regarding pipes of Chinese origin.
Now I do not doubt for one minute that there are some nasty, ugly, and maybe even unsafe Chinese pipes making their way over to America. However, this is not true when we are comparing these to artisan pipes from China. I have a particular example here that is quite honestly one of the most beautifully crafted pipes I have ever had the pleasure of holding, and the grain quality is Also undeniably near perfect. This is a Chinese made pipe from an artisan that goes by the name "Cai Dou". In all honesty, I don't know anything about the maker of this pipe, only that it is of Chinese origin, and I'll also admit that I was a little hesitant to pull the trigger when I saw "China" on its origin label. It's a bent pot/Eskimo shape and absolutely stunning in every way. Drilling 110% perfect.
View attachment 367385
View attachment 367386
View attachment 367387
View attachment 367388

Do not overlook Chinese Artisans!

That's very, very nice. Congrats

 

[dottlejockey]

Nice looking pipe.

I have a few that were extremely inexpensive which look and smoke great. Bargains to be had, for sure.

 

[AroEnglish]

Where did you get this pipe? I've definitely been interested in Chinese artisans, particularly Xin Li of Xin Pipes.

 

[gervais]

Aro, this was an estate find and was probably smoked once and never touched after that. I got it for $225 from SP, and in my opinion, a pipe of this caliber and block quality made in the US would likely fetch $1000 price tag, easily. I was extremely happy that I fought past my "made in China" assumptions and went for it.

 

[gervais]

Another note: if anyone here knows anything about this "Cai Dou" fella, I'd love some Intel or other examples from this artist

 

[Elric]

I am 100% sure there are wonderful pipes made in China. In point of fact, I've seen more than a few on Smokingpipes similar to the looker in your post. I'm equally sure their are ones made of toxic materials which calls the genre's provenance into question. I can't remember who ran the "scientifical studies" on the $5 one from Alibaba or wherever. It didn't seem to cleanly fit into any materials category currently known when it melted/burned/died/fell over/sank into the swamp.

My only (mild) objection to purchasing one is this. In a world where a single country mass produces almost everything for daily life for the entire globe, it's rather pleasant to obtain one's objet d'arts from places with long historical context. This isn't a view I would expect anyone else to hold. I merely tend to gravitate towards pipes from the traditional places of their manufacture - UK, France, Italy, Denmark, Turkey, etc. I'm unlikely to deviate too far in my PAD.

 

[gervais]

I am 100% sure there are wonderful pipes made in China. In point of fact, I've seen more than a few on Smokingpipes similar to the looker in your post. I'm equally sure their are ones made of toxic materials which calls the genre's provenance into question. I can't remember who ran the "scientifical studies" on the $5 one from Alibaba or wherever. It didn't seem to cleanly fit into any materials category currently known when it melted/burned/died/fell over/sank into the swamp.

My only (mild) objection to purchasing one is this. In a world where a single country mass produces almost everything for daily life for the entire globe, it's rather pleasant to obtain one's objet d'arts from places with long historical context. This isn't a view I would expect anyone else to hold. I merely tend to gravitate towards pipes from the traditional places of their manufacture - UK, France, Italy, Denmark, Turkey, etc. I'm unlikely to deviate too far in my PAD.

I completely understand where you're coming from. I would never buy a factory-made pipe from China myself, for the reasons you state. You can get a compete pipe smoking kit for $15 on Amazon and the likes. I wouldn't trust that to be a quality smoking instrument.

 

[Bassman65]

Agreed. Would probably shy away from a factory pipe- and indeed have. Though it’s probably a little xenophobic of me - and I struggle with feeling that way since so much of what I purchase is from China on other fronts. I wouldn’t be squeamish on acquiring an artisan pipe though just based on country of origin.

 

[Elric]

Agreed. Would probably shy away from a factory pipe- and indeed have. Though it’s probably a little xenophobic of me - and I struggle with feeling that way since so much of what I purchase is from China on other fronts. I wouldn’t be squeamish on acquiring an artisan pipe though just based on country of origin.

I had the same qualms when I wrote my post. I in no way boycott Chinese merchandise. I even chose one of their phones (OnePlus), which I love, and certainly purchase my share of their other goods. Like everything, it's all in the brand choice. There are okay pipes and great pipes from all municipalities.

 

[woodsroad]

I avoid buying anything from China, when at all possible. They are a sworn enemy of all of the western world, in word and in deed. Their human rights record is nauseating, enslaving and slaughtering countless numbers of their own citizens that they deem to be "enemies of the state". I know that it is ill-advised to conflate the average Chinese citizen with the actions of their government, but the government has their hand is so many industries, and the vast majority of their citizens are complicit in the governments actions.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

Their human rights record is nauseating, enslaving and slaughtering countless numbers of their own citizens that they deem to be "enemies of the state".

I know Mao holds the record, but those remarks also resemble my own government.

I agree with your sentiment though.

 

[woodsroad]

I know Mao holds the record, but those remarks also resemble my own government.

I agree with your sentiment though.

False equivalency, my friend.
Read up on the scope and scale of the atrocities wrought upon the citizenry by the Chinese government and compare it to the US. There is no comparison.

 

[georged]

I avoid buying anything from China, when at all possible. They are a sworn enemy of all of the western world, in word and in deed. Their human rights record is nauseating, enslaving and slaughtering countless numbers of their own citizens that they deem to be "enemies of the state". I know that it is ill-advised to conflate the average Chinese citizen with the actions of their government, but the government has their hand is so many industries, and the vast majority of their citizens are complicit in the governments actions.

This ^^^^ times (approximately) 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000

Lying, cheating, deception, and "winning" by any means is considered aspirational. The only logical way to approach life.

Playing the "long game" is their specialty.

 

[woodsroad]

To clear, I am referring to the current state of affairs, not what happened under Mao (40-80 million killed), nor am I referring to the US government's treatment of American Indians, or the testing of various forms of chemical warfare on it's unaware citizenry.

However, the comparison end result is the same: No equivalency whatsoever.

 

[Egg Shen]

I avoid Chinese products other than tea, but the grain is nice. In general the Chinese ethos of productivity at the expense of quality doesn’t sit well with me. Last time I bought a shirt from China the buttons were bigger than the button holes. So I wouldn’t trust them on anything I want to be well-crafted, like a pipe. I also don’t feel they’re our biggest global contender either, on any stage for this reason. They can’t even get the basics lol.

 

[gervais]

I avoid buying anything from China, when at all possible. They are a sworn enemy of all of the western world, in word and in deed. Their human rights record is nauseating, enslaving and slaughtering countless numbers of their own citizens that they deem to be "enemies of the state". I know that it is ill-advised to conflate the average Chinese citizen with the actions of their government, but the government has their hand is so many industries, and the vast majority of their citizens are complicit in the governments actions.

Unfortunately, the good citizens of all countries are at the mercy of their government.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

To clear, I am referring to the current state of affairs, not what happened under Mao (40-80 million killed), nor am I referring to the US government's treatment of American Indians, or the testing of various forms of chemical warfare on it's unaware citizenry.

However, the comparison end result is the same: No equivalency whatsoever.

I was only suggesting a resemblance.


I guess the point I was making is that all governments murder when they achieve a certain amount of control.

Basically, I'm just trying to justify my beloved collection of Chinese goods. Haha

 

[gervais]

I avoid Chinese products other than tea, but the grain is nice. In general the Chinese ethos of productivity at the expense of quality doesn’t sit well with me. Last time I bought a shirt from China the buttons were bigger than the button holes. So I wouldn’t trust them on anything I want to be well-crafted, like a pipe. I also don’t feel they’re our biggest global contender either, on any stage for this reason. They can’t even get the basics lol.

Yes, some Chinese tea is very good quality.

 

[wyfbane]

I agree with much that was said and my wallet follows that advice whenever it can, but as to that pipe: It is fantastic!! I agree that thing would be $1000 as an estate from anyone in Europe or America. Congratulations on a terrific find!