How to Best use my Pipe Budget?
- Thread starter HighlandRogue
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Buy the pipe you want. Smoke it. Enjoy.
Try not to overthink it in the beginning because if you really get into this hobby you will most likely acquire a dragons lair amount of pipes and tobacco. It is a glorious journey as I’m finding out.
Personally I have around ten Savinellis and love them. I bought one Rossi and didn’t love it. This is anecdotal.
I would rather have one pipe I enjoy instead of two pipes that leave me wondering if I would be happier with the one pipe I really want.
Try not to overthink it in the beginning because if you really get into this hobby you will most likely acquire a dragons lair amount of pipes and tobacco. It is a glorious journey as I’m finding out.
Personally I have around ten Savinellis and love them. I bought one Rossi and didn’t love it. This is anecdotal.
I would rather have one pipe I enjoy instead of two pipes that leave me wondering if I would be happier with the one pipe I really want.
I'd say get one of the cheaper pipes sit with it for a while. If you really like it buy the other or hold on to the money so you can afford the sav. Bottom line though you'll probably be happy with any of the pipes you've picked. It's harder to get a clunker then a decent pipe.
I would also suggest you buy a pipe or 2 you enjoy only looking at it. Savinelli has Rossi, Peterson has a Irish Seconds line which can not be sold as Peterson, they are not a lot cheaper than Petersons but can still be a difference in buying a extra tin of tobacco. On the other hand, if you like a pipe which is 25usd more expensive than a baseline peterson/irish second or savinelli/rossi I wouldnt hesitate to buy that one, 25usd in tobacco is not a whole lot. Smoking a pipe you like is always better than having a bunch of tobacco, it calms the urge to buy another pipe quickly.
If you're looking at the Roma 207 you can also get that shape in Rossi form with the 8207 for nearly half the price: Rossi Vittoria (8207) | Buy Rossi Tobacco Pipes at Smokingpipes.com - https://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/rossi/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=464616
Any time you see a Savinelli that you like, make sure to search the model number and see if they're selling the same thing for cheaper under Rossi.
Also for your second pipe I would recommend just getting a Missouri Meerschaum: Missouri Meerschaum Country Gentleman Straight | Buy Missouri Meerschaum Tobacco Pipes at Smokingpipes.com - https://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/Missourimeerschaum/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=168613
The 80 cent plastic stems from Missouri Meerschaum are one of the smoothest and most open drawing stems of any pipe ever made, if you like the Cob more than the Rossi that will show whether or not pursuing artisan pipes with an open draw is worthwhile for you.
The real question is, How much are you smoking? If you only smoke a bowl or two a week, then get the Sav. If more than that, get the Sav and a couple more MM.
Smoke the best tobacco you can afford in the best pipes you can afford.
Smoke the best tobacco you can afford in the best pipes you can afford.
Asking this place how to spend your money is like throwing chum in the ocean and waiting for the sharks.
Part of what pipes so appealing, at least to me, is the almost endless variation of styles, finishes, colours, and sizes. It is incredibly individual and personal. No one can tell you which pipe to buy other than you.
I know that doesn't answer your question at all though!
Part of what pipes so appealing, at least to me, is the almost endless variation of styles, finishes, colours, and sizes. It is incredibly individual and personal. No one can tell you which pipe to buy other than you.
I know that doesn't answer your question at all though!
Buy a half dozen MMs or so and spend it on tobacco. As far as a mentor, stick around. ?
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I started with a hand-me-down, a Dr. Grabow and a Missouri Meershaum corn cob, both picked up at the local drug store. Of course, this was before YouTube and the internet was just barely a thing.
The important thing is to pick out a pipe that speaks to you. Shape, color, brand, whatever. It's yours, make sure it's what you want.
As time progresses, you will inevitably find yourself gravitating towards a favorite. For me, that is the Peterson straight bulldog.
As for a budget, get a good pipe or two and a good sampling of the tobacco blend familes. Good luck & happy smokes.
The important thing is to pick out a pipe that speaks to you. Shape, color, brand, whatever. It's yours, make sure it's what you want.
As time progresses, you will inevitably find yourself gravitating towards a favorite. For me, that is the Peterson straight bulldog.
As for a budget, get a good pipe or two and a good sampling of the tobacco blend familes. Good luck & happy smokes.
Lots of good advice here. If you haven't committed to the hobby yet I'd recommend a couple of MM cobs or perhaps a Bones or two to get started (a couple will be sufficient to have a rotation of sorts.)
If you are committed then get the Savinelli, other pipes won't scratch the itch and you come back to it eventually.
Tobacco will never be cheaper or more available than it is now, reserve some money to identify blends you enjoy and then cellar them.
If you are committed then get the Savinelli, other pipes won't scratch the itch and you come back to it eventually.
Tobacco will never be cheaper or more available than it is now, reserve some money to identify blends you enjoy and then cellar them.
Both brands - Rossis and Savs - will smoke fine. I’d say, buy the best you are willing to afford, plus a MM to add to your rotation. And chances are you’ll soon be in the market for yet another pipe ...and another ...and another.
Just a thought; start out slow. Cobs are an inexpensive way to begin. No reason to drop several hundred on stuff only to decide later you're no longer interested.
M
Magnum207
Guest
#soilideogloria86 is spot-on and obviously speaks from experience much like my own!
Although I own Castellos, Dunhills, a few "artisan" pipes, etc., my best bang-for-the-buck (quality and esthetics) pipes have been no-name British pipes off ebay. I still look for them occasionally, using the "Made in England Pipe" or "Made in London England Pipe" entry. Just a quirk of mine--I like standard, plain-Jane shapes. And don't forget Stanwell--I personally think they're generally better than Savinelli or Peterson, probably because I've never had a bad one. If you opt for a cob, which would be my number one recommendation, get one of the good ones, the larger Country Gentleman, or Charlestown Cobbler, etc. The cheaper ones have rather small bowls, my only objection to them.
If you like cobs, go for two or three. Spend the rest on tobacco.
Plenty of good advice here - but, at the end of the day it’s your money and your pipe. I haven’t been in the pipe works anywhere close to the time other experiencees here have…
When I got into pipes, I wondered the same things - I think everyone does. So much influence and opinion to shape a belief. Not to mention the marketing and push to tap your impulse on how critical timing is to make that next acquisition of a rare, limited or one of a kind pipe or tobacco. I really think some people enjoy smoking pipes - and others enjoy the rush of the game that comes with smoking a pipe. Perhaps some enjoy both ?
There is no best pipe - only the best pipe for you. Same with tobacco. I’ve taken chances on pipes because I wanted some variety In shapes and sizes. And - I’ve found that some of the $50 range pipes smoke great. Best pipes I have in $50 range are Brigham Mountaineer straight apple, Stanwell Authentic 83 (sale price), a Grabow freehand and a Grabow savoy. Rossi is a little more expensive than this - and I have one, but will not pursue more Rossi pipes.
FWIW, I’ve now got 28 pipes… several different brands represented there - and each pipe is a little different - all smoke. After spending time smoking them - I find I smoke certain pipes more than others…and it’s not due to looks. It’s the smoke, the feel and the taste. I have enough pipes for sure, now. But, when I see a few certain brands/styles I like - of course, I’m going to pick them up. But, I will be very selective moving forward. Until then - tobacco is the focus with any budget set.
Best of luck - stop thinking too much - and take the plunge!
When I got into pipes, I wondered the same things - I think everyone does. So much influence and opinion to shape a belief. Not to mention the marketing and push to tap your impulse on how critical timing is to make that next acquisition of a rare, limited or one of a kind pipe or tobacco. I really think some people enjoy smoking pipes - and others enjoy the rush of the game that comes with smoking a pipe. Perhaps some enjoy both ?
There is no best pipe - only the best pipe for you. Same with tobacco. I’ve taken chances on pipes because I wanted some variety In shapes and sizes. And - I’ve found that some of the $50 range pipes smoke great. Best pipes I have in $50 range are Brigham Mountaineer straight apple, Stanwell Authentic 83 (sale price), a Grabow freehand and a Grabow savoy. Rossi is a little more expensive than this - and I have one, but will not pursue more Rossi pipes.
FWIW, I’ve now got 28 pipes… several different brands represented there - and each pipe is a little different - all smoke. After spending time smoking them - I find I smoke certain pipes more than others…and it’s not due to looks. It’s the smoke, the feel and the taste. I have enough pipes for sure, now. But, when I see a few certain brands/styles I like - of course, I’m going to pick them up. But, I will be very selective moving forward. Until then - tobacco is the focus with any budget set.
Best of luck - stop thinking too much - and take the plunge!
Look at the Blue Rooms Briar site.. Then call Scott and ask him for his help he is one of the nicest guys in the pipe industry.
Stay away from starting with cobs unless you like buttered popcorn or live on a farm.
Stay away from starting with cobs unless you like buttered popcorn or live on a farm.
I disagree with buying quantities of tobacco when you are starting out. It's like marrying the first girl who will answer your phone calls. You don't even know what you like. And if you buy a lot of what you like, you won't like it that well next month or next week. This even happens occasionally to experienced pipe smokers. Imagine your poor newbie. If you are worried about tobacco prices, just be more focused in trying different genres and brands (in small quantities), and if you take the plunge buying a pound or a stack of five tins, just be aware you may not want them in six months. Maybe others are more decisive about what they like than I am, but when I see members offering forty tins for sale, I think maybe not.
Like others have said, pace your purchasing with how much you’re smoking. When I started I bought about 30 different blends (mostly in tins) and didn't like the vast majority of them. Also bought 1 cob and 4-5 briars which was overkill.
I was smoking only once every week so it took forever to even figure out what I liked and didn't need that many pipes.
I was smoking only once every week so it took forever to even figure out what I liked and didn't need that many pipes.
For new pipe smokers, I would never recommend a $100+ pipe as their first pipe. I'd say get a Mississippi Meerschaum (corncob) pipe, and maybe cruise fleabay for some decent, affordable restored estate pipes, smoke them, try some different tobaccos, and in 6 months or so, after you know that pipe smoking is definitely in your future (and you have a small pipe collection to rotate through), then set your sights on a good new pipe. As far as Savinelli - it's definitely one of my favorite brands - every single one of mine looks great and smokes well. I cannot say that of my Petersons (I will never buy another Peterson, matter of fact). Also, there are several affordable, good-smoking (albeit somewhat generic) pipes; Road Town and Golden Gate are a couple brands I've purchased that smoke well. The pipe smoking community seems to look down on them, due to being produced in China and Ukraine (respectively), if that matters to you.