Help me choose a gift for my BIL

[thnaks]

I'd love to get some input before I choose for him. Any reasons or details would be much appreciated. This will be his first (only) pipe. He is an occasional cigar guy. This will be for outdoor around the fire with friends and family, and away on business trips only. Special occasions and trying to make an impression for business, so it needs to look...stylish (he's middle aged in high level IT).
Which do you think?
http://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/savinelli/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=182752
http://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/Chacom/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=148377
http://www.tobaccopipes.com/rossi-messina-smooth-310-tobacco-pipe/
http://www.tobaccopipes.com/peterson-killarney-ebony-80-tobacco-pipe-fishtail/

1

 

[robwoodall]

I'd never try to choose a pipe for someone I don't know, but...
That first one, the Savinelli Porto Servo is beautiful!
Actually, they all are. But that's the one that stands out to me.
Other thoughts: I don't know Chacom, but I've heard good things. I love my Rossi pipes, but they are Savinelli seconds, and usually have cosmetic flaws. Pererson, again, I don't know.
Let us know what you decide!

 

[papipeguy]

hose are all fine choices however, if this is going to be primarily and outdoor pipe then I suggest getting a couple of wind caps. Breezes can play havoc on pipes. Another alternative for outdoors is a cob. You'd hate to see a decent pipe wrecked by wind causing charring on the rim.

 

[thnaks]

I know that picking a pipe for someone else is risky, but even if he ends up mostly displaying it (and being tempted to smoke it!) then it will be a great gift. It will be a project for him to learn to smoke it and fun research for him to buy and test tobaccos...I just know that he'd enjoy the beauty of the pipe itself and the option of a nostalgic but hip hobby.
Anyway, purchase justified, lol.
He isn't the right guy to be tempted into the hobby by a cob. I just know it, though of course that would be more practical and affordable for me.
Maybe I'll get him a MM Diplomat with a wind cap AND a pipe to aspire too?

 

[mrbigglesworth]

The Sav is beautiful. I think he'll really appreciate it. A nice pipe to display. If you don't want to spend as much, then go with the Chacom. A very handsome pipe as well, imo. Both should smoke just fine.

 

[thnaks]

Thanks, Lee. Much appreciated.

 

[derfatdutchman]

I love my Peterson's, but for someone's first pipe I'd go with the Savinelli. I have two Sav's, both have been good smokers.

 

[disinformatique]

Get the Savinelli, and stay away from varnished pipes for a newbie.

 

[mso489]

Both Chacoms and BC's are fine pipes. I wouldn't be shy about either of those. However, pipe smoking is a personal choice and requires some learning, so I don't think you can assume the person is going to be delighted or even appreciative, so don't invest too many expectations. He may toss it in a drawer or hand it off to a friend and never give it a second thought. You just don't know. The beauty of cigars is that it is a pre-engineered experience, so you don't have to think much about it, and that's what many cigar smokers want. The pipe is worth a try, and you may recruit a pipe devotee, but don't be disappointed if it doesn't "take."

 

[thnaks]

Thank you, gentlemen. Very good point, mso489.

 

[warren]

Just a question? For a cigar smoker, wouldn't a couple of good cigars be the wiser choice? As opposed to a pipe for a guy that doesn't smoke a pipe. Has he ever indicated an interest in the pipe? Or, are you using the occasion to try and convert him? If so, it's akin to buying your wife a new table saw for your shop so you can make stuff for the house.
If you want to try and convert him just gift him a pipe sometime other than his birthday. A new cutter or "jet" flame lighter might be better appreciated.

 

[lordofthepiperings]

BIL? Is that his name or another one of those confounded acronyms that everyone uses these days?

 

[mso489]

I had to think that one over for a few minutes, but I came up with brother-in-law, and that seemed to make sense in context. However, I hope texting and such don't dismantle the language. It's a pretty good language, all things considered. I still sometimes write brick and mortar on Forums thinking B&M is a little too anal. Ha-ha, maybe it's in the mind of the beholder.

 

[warren]

I'm not fan of "text" talk either and resist as much as possible. Unfortunately, it's the language of the future and we old folks will have to adjust or lose the ability to communicate with them. That would be a shame.
I'm hoping my grandson will understand my "disability" and make allowances for the old guy. He's just a year old now and I will be making an effort to instill in him my love of language and well written prose.

 

[lordofthepiperings]

Clearly I'm a pipe guy, my first thought was Brother In Leaf lol.
I guess I'm just old at heart, cause I'm only 30yrs old and this acronym junk bugs the crap out of me.

 

[jpmcwjr]

WTF? (where's the fun?) OMG, I agree, but YMMV.
IIRC, to be an acronym, I think, you have to be able to pronounce it as a word, such as POP, for the old fashioned e-mail service.
I do wish the first time someone writes an abbreviation for a tobacco, they write out the full name once. FWIW. FMotB!!

 

[thnaks]

I'm sorry for the abbreviation. I only did it to save space since it was in the topic title. Yes, Brother In Law.
You're completely right, Warren, Christmas gift, not birthday, but I admit that my motivation is to potentially inspire him to try it. It might end up being bonding time/topic for us and there's always precious little of that. I just think he'd be intrigued, grateful for the kickstart toward at least exploring a cool project.
But of course he might not. I got over doing/saying anything to anyone hoping for a specific reaction years ago.
I'd be fine with him showing interest just on Christmas day. I can take pics of he and I smoking our pipes and then if it sits on his mantle for the next 5 years, or even in a drawer, we've had one good memory-maker.
Better than getting him another hoodie from patagonia :D
But probably not as good as getting him cigars...except that we'd miss out on the whole bonding and photos thing that way.

 

[aggravatedfarmer]

The Rossi is nice.

 

[andrew]

I like the chacom, it has a business look. Peronally I think Billiards are the most business looking pipe.

 

[thnaks]

Thank you all for your valuable input. I've decided to either buy him a few tins and the Chacom:
http://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/Chacom/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=148377
with a wind screen to increase his success out of doors. Or, to skip the whole idea (see warren's post) as misguided.
I really like that Chacom. Maybe I'll just buy it for me and he'll get another hoodie this year.
Everyone enjoy their day!