Good Cheap Pipe

[Flatfish]

In the UK, a corncob costs from £12 (eg Country Gentleman) to about £28 for something more fancy.

A Falcon (stem and bowl) is roughly £30

What other makes are reasonably good first pipe up to around the £30 mark?

Not interested in estate pipes. I think that is more of a US thing than a European thing.

This is just more of my research in case anyone asks. The answers may help somebody.

Thanks

 

[Chaukisch]

For 30 bucks you can get a bunch of simple clay pipes, each of them being ready at any time to give you a great smoke with an honest flavor. They come in many different sizes and shapes so there should be something for everyone, and everyone can afford one. It's the pipe of the people.

 

[theloniousmonkfish]

GQ Tobaccos have Falcon Coolway, traditional briar/push stem, for 22. Their own house branded pipes for 25. Josh Brumfit for 31. Parker for 34. And Rattrays for 35.

Smoke.co.uk carries Barber B lines for 35. Have only heard good things about those. That'd be my recommendation.

 

[mikethompson]

In the UK, a corncob costs from £12 (eg Country Gentleman) to about £28 for something more fancy.

A Falcon (stem and bowl) is roughly £30

What other makes are reasonably good first pipe up to around the £30 mark?

Not interested in estate pipes. I think that is more of a US thing than a European thing.

This is just more of my research in case anyone asks. The answers may help somebody.

Thanks

I cannot believe the cost of corn cob pipes outside of North America.

I don't know what is available in the UK, but are there some lower grades of Savinelli / Rossi you could get for that price point?

 

[captpat]

The corncob price is about on par, maybe a bit less than what one would pay in the US (£12 = $13.26). A Country Gentleman is currently selling for $15.29 on the MM website. For around £30 I suspect you'll be looking mostly at basket pipes at a local B&M.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

Barber B-Line Pipes Archives

Buy Barber B-Line Pipes from James Barber Tobacconist. The oldest family run UK tobacconist established in 1867.

www.smoke.co.uk

These are some of my most favorite pipes from anywhere at any price, fantastic sandblasting, I envy anyone who could go to the store and pick out a pipe in person.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

Brigham has some inexpensive pipes, Peterson Irish Seconds are only 54 euro on SP EU. Those Barbers looks pretty darn good.

Spend what you want, but I've never understood "cheap first pipe" - if it is an experiment spend a little extra to get something of decent quality and give it a fair chance, and another $10 - $25 just isn't a that much of a real barrier.

 

[STP]

Rossi (Savinelli). Quality pipes at a reasonable cost.

 

[bullet08]

Good cheap pipes are plenty. But at £30.. Cobs are good and reliable. Little more, or rather.. Peterson Irish Made Army, ot System Standard go right around USD$100.

 

[Mtlpiper]

Falcon pipes are great for the money in the UK. It's what I would pick for a budget pipe. You can always get more bowls later.

 

[Flatfish]

Some interesting suggestions here.
Barber B have quite a nice selection. Don't think they are filtered though.

Falcon at the price seem sensible in that they are robust, have reduced risk of sucking up anything undesirable. On the whole they seem to be good for the price.

 

[ThermionicScott]

I cannot believe the cost of corn cob pipes outside of North America.

Heck, I can't believe the cost of some corn cob models inside North America!

 

[SBC]

To each his own, but for me, pipe smoking is partly a visually aesthetic interest, and if I were limited to Falcons, I just wouldn't smoke.

 

[mso489]

Inexpensive no-name pipes are more of a gamble, especially if you aren't particularly experienced in buying pipes and don't know what to look for. But you can get fine smoking pipes at the lower price range that will give as good a smoking experience as any.

I'd agree with the MM cobs; I prefer to pay a little more and get the special edition pipes with acrylic stems, though the inexpensive hardwood pipes have plastic stems that are durable. Other brands include the aforementioned Falcon and Rossi. I like Parker and Britannia pipes that are moderately priced. I enjoy French made Genod, Ropp, and Chacom, among others.

If you take your time, you can find good deals on pipes, new and estate. I recently bought a Stanwell pipe with a MSRP of $78 for $39 from an online retailer. So-called basket pipes in pipe shops sometimes include name brands that the proprietor has decided to unload for a lower price, so they are worth a look.

 

[gervais]

To each his own, but for me, pipe smoking is partly a visually aesthetic interest, and if I were limited to Falcons, I just wouldn't smoke.

Amen to that

 

[pistolero]

To each his own, but for me, pipe smoking is partly a visually aesthetic interest, and if I were limited to Falcons, I just wouldn't smoke.

I can see liking pipes that look good to you. I don't buy pipes that I think are ugly. But results are where it's at.
But giving up smoking altogether if you can't have a pretty pipe? That's going too far, man! I'm no quitter.

 

[coys]

The Missouri Meerschaum pipes are perfectly servicable, even as a beginner I was able to get them smoking well. And for the price, it doesn't matter too much whether they stand the test of time or not.

 

[Mtlpiper]

To each his own, but for me, pipe smoking is partly a visually aesthetic interest, and if I were limited to Falcons, I just wouldn't smoke.

That seems quite the superficial statement.

I am an appreciator of tobacco, so yes - I do have some pretty pipes, but I certainly don't frown at a Falcon.

Firstly = I don't think Falcon's look that terrible. They were also quite innovative for their time and are at least interesting as a piece of good functional design.

For a beginner who is looking for a budget pipe, I think they function better than most options at that price bracket (other than maybe cobs).

 

[Flatfish]

I think having a pipe whose appearance you like probably enhances the experience on a psychological level.

Its a bonus if somebody else likes your pipe.


This could apply to any material thing I suppose.

 

[Flatfish]

Firstly = I don't think Falcon's look that terrible. They were also quite innovative for their time and are at least interesting as a piece of good functional design.

I think some stem bowl combos look better than others.

I like the twisted stem with the colour. But prefer the look of the bent.

Overall I like the appearance of the Falcon. Has a sort of steampunk vibe.