I’ve only tried Peterson, Savinelli and Kaywoodie so far. Peterson gives me less troubles and I seem to have way more enjoyable smokes out of them so I prefer them so far.
Favorite Factory Pipe Brands
- Thread starter Akoni808
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I certainly know why the pipes that are now collectibles are collectible, as I have been collecting for decades. I also have a degree in Marketing, so let's say I have some tools to understand why people consume the way they do. If we see which brands of pipes (watches, etc.) are collectible, what we see is that they are brands that have consistency and have not had low quality lines. Generally speaking people don't pay much for things that have the same logo as cheaper products. Dunhill is the queen brand in collecting because a pipe with the White spot was never cheap. That doesn't happen with Savinelli.I’m glad your crystal ball can show you what pipe smokers will deem as collectible seven decades from now. Now, can you ask it when the stock market will recover?
But also, I don't think that you either have a crystal ball or a Palntiri to support your affirmation, therefore both what you say and what I say is already talk in the air. As for the stock market, that advice is never free and if it is, you shouldn't listen to it.
Hey that Dunhill point certainly makes sense, but just don’t buy it (pun intended). I don't collect anything and never will, but from what I see around this forum, many don’t collect pipes that were particularly expensive. I see a lot of older Petersons, GBDs, Barlings, & Comoys. I also wholeheartedly disagree that only pipe brands with exclusively more expensive lines are collectible. But like I said above I don’t care about collecting and am just opining for fun on the subject.
I love Peterson. Don't own one yet though. Might change my mind when I get one.
All the ones I have are on the order of $20 or less. You can always hit a flat at roulette, if you play long enough. But buying a new Dunhill pipe has always been expensive and they were not available over the counter.
Barling, Sasieni, and Comoy seconds; Hilson, Merchant Service; Caminetto; Ascorti; Ehrlich; old Yello Bole; Lee; Missouri Meerschaum; GBD; and Rogers
I really like the smaller Danish brands: Bari, Bjarne, Svendborg, Nording. Best value for money.
What really surprises me is that Savinelli ranges top in quality. I mean, they are beautiful and real classics, but I'm regularly disappointed of the poor quality of ebonite stems they were using.
What really surprises me is that Savinelli ranges top in quality. I mean, they are beautiful and real classics, but I'm regularly disappointed of the poor quality of ebonite stems they were using.
Older GBDs. Always good smokers no matter what grade in my experience.
I was looking a great shaped GBD estate pipe today: a cutty - 111 - very light, like 21 grams. I just wish it were a bit easier to date these pipes and judge and understand their quality. The pipe I was looking at (online) is called a "gold label" made in France as opposed to England. So, that tells you, I guess, that it's pre-merger but I don't think there's much hope of learning anything more. What else can you find out? It seems easier to collect or date or evaluate some brands of older factory pipes than others. The big French brands like Chacom and Butz Choqiun seem to have made tons of pipes but how can you tell which are which in terms of dating and quality?
Some brands have some pipes I like and dislike, but I've never gone as far as claiming a favorite. That's a step too close to being brand loyal, and I just don't do that. I buy what appeals to me. And, when a company becomes loyal to its customers over making money, I will consider becoming a fan... but, that ain't ever going to happen.
Peterson of current production (okay any)!
For really old stuff I have some Comoy's I love and a couple Loewes and some misc. -- the 100+ year old pipes in good shape are great pipes, IMO, and many are of compact dimensions, which I prefer.
For really old stuff I have some Comoy's I love and a couple Loewes and some misc. -- the 100+ year old pipes in good shape are great pipes, IMO, and many are of compact dimensions, which I prefer.
Maybe because the first pipe gifted to me was a Stanwell, I’ve always been a fan of the brand. Always a solid smoker.
Every American should own at least one Briarworks/Moonshine Pipe if they are buying a new one.
I know it's not necessarily a big factory name brand, but Neerup makes a really nice pipe for the price, very good value!
Chacom was the first one I bought.
After that, I bought a lot of things, but after all, I returned to Chacom.
I love their classic shape.
After that, I bought a lot of things, but after all, I returned to Chacom.
I love their classic shape.
Definitely not that easy to really nail down a date on most GBDs.
Pipephil EU is a good resource.
In my experience you don’t have to get a 50+ year old GBD to get a good smoker. I generally tried to get pipes from the 80s or older but I’m buying to get a good smoker, not to collect. I tried to get Virgin grade or better but have several “lower” grades that actually look better than some Virgins.
Unless there is silver with a hallmark it’s generally hard to date a GBD beyond a 5 or sometimes 10 year window.
I don’t have any more recent production GBD so I can’t speak to them.
GBDs are not so expensive that you would get really burned by taking a chance when everything looks in order. More than once I’ve gotten something much nicer than the seller thought he had.
A lot of shapes we think of as quintessentially English (Billiards, Bulldogs, apples, Cuttys, etc) were in fact of French origin.
Briar pipes originated in France
I don't know if I've read it mentioned in this forum, but the Royal Dutch Pipe factory, whose best-known brand is Big Ben, makes very good pipes.