Help Making a Decision About Expensive Pipe

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warren

Lifer
Sep 13, 2013
12,281
18,261
Foothills of the Chugach Range, AK
They are an "investment" in the same way that someone says he's going to
"invest" in a great steak dinner, or a new suit.
I fully comprehend. Just doing my wee effort to imrove clarity in communication. It's strictly a personal dislike, an itch. I think people should strive to improve communications skills. But, that is just me.
 

Jacob74

Lifer
Dec 22, 2019
1,278
6,877
Killeen, TX
It occurs to me that the "investment" is in the artisan. By being their patron, you are not just purchasing a unique piece of smoking equipment, you are investing in their current quality of life and also creating more opportunity for their art to inspire a new generation.
With that in mind, buy it. Money is a game with no victory condition. Satisfy yourself instead with experiences.
 

HawkeyeLinus

Lifer
Oct 16, 2020
5,814
42,063
Iowa
I posted this in "what are you smoking" a few minutes ago and still enjoying the initial bowl and it seems relevant to this thread.

I saw this in a recent thread of @ssjones and honestly thought a forum member was going to buy it, but mostly just fell in love with the shape and the age and I've been looking for a really old and nice pre or post war Peterson and seeing his convinced me I should keep looking. Then I was surprised it actually showed up in the "for sale" and here it is. No secret, since it's there, that it cost $185 - for me, it's on the expensive side of the ledger but it checks a lot of boxes for me and . . . turns out it is perfect to hold, I can type with both hands while enjoying it (and not clenching, lol) and smokes awesome! FWIW, deciding to get it made up my mind to part with some newer and slightly less/more expensive pipes that were just sitting around in boxes and because I've enjoyed dealing with @pipestud off they went today for sale! I'm going to use and enjoy this puppy and trying to support the members in some very small way makes it more special to me!

B452A4CB-62DA-4E51-926D-578450489EE1_1_201_a.jpeg
 

mikecronis

Starting to Get Obsessed
Nov 5, 2021
152
330
The investment is like buying fine art. It will probably never return the investment unless you're into Estate Pipes, though sometimes some signature rarities fetch higher prices unsmoked. Buy and enjoy.

Some buys collect scotch and never drink it, or buy guitars and never play them. I think that's a shame. The item wants to exist as intended.

Which reminds me, I have some 1969 Oban I should open one of these days...
 

Milleniumsmoker

Starting to Get Obsessed
Mar 9, 2020
176
303
Vietnam
I posted this in "what are you smoking" a few minutes ago and still enjoying the initial bowl and it seems relevant to this thread.

I saw this in a recent thread of @ssjones and honestly thought a forum member was going to buy it, but mostly just fell in love with the shape and the age and I've been looking for a really old and nice pre or post war Peterson and seeing his convinced me I should keep looking. Then I was surprised it actually showed up in the "for sale" and here it is. No secret, since it's there, that it cost $185 - for me, it's on the expensive side of the ledger but it checks a lot of boxes for me and . . . turns out it is perfect to hold, I can type with both hands while enjoying it (and not clenching, lol) and smokes awesome! FWIW, deciding to get it made up my mind to part with some newer and slightly less/more expensive pipes that were just sitting around in boxes and because I've enjoyed dealing with @pipestud off they went today for sale! I'm going to use and enjoy this puppy and trying to support the members in some very small way makes it more special to me!

View attachment 126306
That is one fine pipe, money well spent!
 

Milleniumsmoker

Starting to Get Obsessed
Mar 9, 2020
176
303
Vietnam
Honestly, from a purely functional standpoint, all of the pipes I've smoked, expensive, affordable, museum piece, drugstore pipe, etc, etc, have basically smoked about the same. A $10,000 pipe isn't going to function 100 times better than a $100 pipe.

What benefit are you looking for from an "expensive" pipe? Define "expensive". That's a vague term

There are differences, not all of them cosmetic, that I appreciate, for which I am willing to pay. Smoother airway, excellent fit and finish, comfortable and well designed stem, bit, and button, etc.
These particular pipes I have been looking at for quite a long time. I look and compare other pipes to them and I keep coming back to these. They just overall are aesthetically pleasing and check all the boxes for me. I'm just hesitant because I have never spent so much on a pipe before. If that makes sense.
 

Milleniumsmoker

Starting to Get Obsessed
Mar 9, 2020
176
303
Vietnam
The only thing that bothers me about the original post is that it involves "some pipes," so presumably the purchase will involve several at a time. Why? On occasion, I've done that, but the best way to buy pipes is one at a time. This gives you focus, encourages you to make comparisons, and let's you set priorities toward a single purchase. Since these pipes are clearly a splurge to you in the first place, why buy a group at once? It's like a rich guy buying three yachts at once. Why would he do that? Maybe it's my inner Scot talking.
Sorry I should have clarified, it's a set of pipes
 
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huckleberry

Starting to Get Obsessed
Mar 12, 2017
231
625
Kentucky
Guns, Cars, Baseball cards, Stamps, Coins, and....PIPES!! Everyone values things differently, but it's all the same...If you like it, and can afford it....Buy it!...You only live once...My issue is I can buy 1 pipe for $500. or buy 5 $100. Pipes...go figure...lol
 

OzPiper

Lifer
Nov 30, 2020
6,736
36,349
72
Sydney, Australia
Price is relative.

So long as the mortgage is not neglected, bills are paid, kids school fees are looked after and there is food on the table, enjoy the fruits of your hard work.

One of my wine groups routinely bring bottles worth several hundreds or even over a grand per bottle each llto our monthly dinners. They drink that and more every week at home. Not saying that as a boast - just what is.

I don't splurge on Ferraris or Bentleys or a mistress. Wine and smoking are 2 things I enjoy, and my wife is OK with that.

With wine, the enjoyment is ephemeral. Once the bottle is empty, only the memory remains. But what memories. I still recall some bottles and the accompanying dish from decades ago.

At least with a pipe. It is there for you to enjoy for years. And when you're done, it still has a re-sale value. Whether you will get a return greater than what you paid initially
(and inflation has to be factored in) is immaterial. You have had several years of enjoyment from having it.

Don't procrastinate. Just do it !
 
Dec 3, 2021
5,443
46,743
Pennsylvania & New York
If I find myself returning to a site and staring at a pipe over and over, it usually means I really want it. I then ask myself, would it bother me if the next time I check the site and it's gone? How long would it be before I saw another like it that had as nice grain or unique shape? As long as it doesn't break the bank, go for it.
 

sablebrush52

The Bard Of Barlings
Jun 15, 2013
20,671
48,783
Southern Oregon
jrs457.wixsite.com
These particular pipes I have been looking at for quite a long time. I look and compare other pipes to them and I keep coming back to these. They just overall are aesthetically pleasing and check all the boxes for me. I'm just hesitant because I have never spent so much on a pipe before. If that makes sense.
It makes perfect sense.

So ask yourself, can you afford the expense. Don't think of it as a financial investment because, unless you're buying the set at 50% of market, you're not likely to get your money back should you decide to sell them. They're an expense, not an investment. If you can afford the expense you move on to other matters. If you can't, you can't. There is always something else.

Assuming that you can afford the expense, ask yourself how much pleasure you would get from owning and using these pipes, and what that pleasure is worth to you. This isn't about mere function. Basic function you can get for a modest price. This is about something in their design and finish that really appeals to you. Picture yourself enjoying these pipes. Do they appeal "X" amount? If not, move on. There is always something else.