Hesitation to Pay for Smaller Pipes

[AroEnglish]

Let me start by saying I love small pipes. They are usually the proportions I like (chubby), are easy to clench, portable, etc. But when I am interested in buying a small pipe I have some pause, especially when I can get a bigger pipe for the same price (think Peterson 317 vs. 324 or 312). I know that size isn’t everything (in this case) and I do buy small pipes but there’s a hesitation that doesn’t exist with medium sized pipes and even less with large or XL pipes. Somehow I feel (rather than think) I'm getting less value with the small pipe.

How do you guys not fall into this trap?

 

[OzPiper]

While I have a few XXL sized bowls, my preference is for Group 3-4 sizes
I have a few Group 1-2 pipes which I tend not to smoke them as frequently as
1) the smokes are too short
2) they tend to over heat because of their thinner walls

I tend to smoke my XXL pipes infrequently as I tend to get "bored" with a smoke lasting more than 45 minutes, unless the blend is complex and changes through the smoke

Cost or "value" isn't a factor when deciding on a purchase.
Simply "do I like it enough?"

 

[irishearl]

Small pipes just aren't for me. Too much bowl re-packing needed.

 

[The Amish Tyrant]

I identify with having issues on the cost and size analysis. However, I think the maker, material, aesthetics, and style play a role.

I don't know what the balance is, but realize I'm usually cheap. As a result, I don't buy pipes frequently (and the House and Pub pipes are likely my last purchases for some time).

The Peterson short series seemed like a neat venture for a reasonable price (especially since eBay prices seemed to have increased a lot in the last 2 years). So ultimately, it's about balance and budget while being patient and persistent.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I don't buy anything under a group 6 due to shorter smokes and my battered hands can't grip small pipes anymore.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

Some of it depends on what kind of tobacco you smoke in a small pipe. I smoked McClelland Christmas Cheer 2016, a flake which is rather dense, in a small 321 Author the other night, and rather surprisingly, I got a two and a half hour smoke out of it. A ribbon or shag never would’ve lasted that long.

 

[mortonbriar]

I do not see a change in value according to size, the material cost is close enough to the same regardless of size, and the labour involved is also the same.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

I rarely if ever equate size to price, two of my smallest pipes are probably two of my most expensive pipes. I like small pipes for flakes and other dense long burning tobaccos. I like big pipes for rough cut and fast burning tobaccos.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

Not for me lol. I put added value on a scaled down pipe.

 

[OverMountain]

I have one, a Grabow Duke. It’s nice to have one for shorter smokes or to enjoy half a flake.

 

[Pipeoff]

The small bowl pipes are the only ones I can clench, In times when a short smoke is needed they work fine. I choose to smoke fine cut because flakes are very hard to pack. In the evening the Ex L is my choice for a long relaxing smoke. Price is not a factor.

 

[captpat]

Bowls of different sizes have their place, or IOW there's more to it than how much material is in the pipe that determines its value. I value my small bowled pipes for blends like Happy Bogie, Brown Irish Twist, or for those times that dictate a short smoke. My XXL bowls are handy for tobaccos that smoke relatively quickly. Other reasons have already been mentioned for and against, small bowled pipes. In the end, the OP is the only person who can decide if he's getting his money's worth by purchasing a smaller pipe.

 

[dog_park_piper]

I have small pipes so I can smoke Old Joe Krantz to the bottom of a bowl.

 

[Pipeoff]

I have small pipes so I can smoke Old Joe Krantz to the bottom of a bowl.

I don’t think a small enough bowl is made for Old Joe. When I tried this blend it gave me the impression that human excrement may have been used as a fertilizer.

 

[dog_park_piper]

I don’t think a small enough bowl is made for Old Joe. When I tried this blend it gave me the impression that human excrement may have been used as a fertilizer.

After posting, I decided to smoke some Old Joe Krantz. I blended it with a mellow blend I have around. It's good

 

[bobpnm]

I rarely if ever equate size to price, two of my smallest pipes are probably two of my most expensive pipes. I like small pipes for flakes and other dense long burning tobaccos. I like big pipes for rough cut and fast burning tobaccos.

My favorite pipe is a small p-lip Peterson Pre Republic Shamrock. Outstanding for flakes! I agree with you on bowl based on tobacco.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

My favorite pipe is a small p-lip Peterson Pre Republic Shamrock. Outstanding for flakes! I agree with you on bowl based on tobacco.

Pre-Republic Shamrock... I have one or twenty of those.

 

[kcghost]

I've never passed on a small pipe because I don't think it is a good value. I've passed on them for many reasons but not that one.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

Let me start by saying I love small pipes. They are usually the proportions I like (chubby), are easy to clench, portable, etc. But when I am interested in buying a small pipe I have some pause, especially when I can get a bigger pipe for the same price (think Peterson 317 vs. 324 or 312). I know that size isn’t everything (in this case) and I do buy small pipes but there’s a hesitation that doesn’t exist with medium sized pipes and even less with large or XL pipes. Somehow I feel (rather than think) I'm getting less value with the small pipe.

How do you guys not fall into this trap?

I jump head first into the madness, 90% of my collection is large or extra large pipes.

Lightweight pipes can be good if they have the right dimensions, a long shank Lumberman doesn't need to be heavy, but I will never look at an outright compact pipe unless it has some extraordinary attribute.
(Such as the grain and reverse calabash shank on this pipe here.)

 

[AppalachianPipe92]

Funny, I can't bring myself to buy a big pipe. I think it's because I know I won't finish it, then the next day I'll prefer a newly packed bowl over finished one from the night before.
Group 2-4 is my range, 3 being my preference.