I Bring You The Pipe Turds

[crimsonrat]

I get what Todd is saying and can't say I disagree. It seems like some of the people he is referencing are preying on the uninformed to make a quick buck instead of putting in the time and effort to get better. Make a poker, slap a premade colorful stem on it, throw a shank ring in there for good measure, preferably with skulls on it, and call it a day. I own one of Todd's pipes, one of Pete's pipes, and a Briarworks pipe, and am happy with all three.
I honestly think that the guy's passion is why he speaks his mind like that. He sees it as both a disservice to the customer and as a slap in the face to the master who paved the way for what we have now. There are some great pieces coming from guys that have only been doing it a short time, but there are just as many bad ones.
If you are a new pipesmoker, and you hear about how X's pipes are awesome, badass, sick, etc..., and buy one. And the bit is uncomfortable, it gurgles, the shank ring falls off, it burns out. What will your impression of pipesmoking be? I'd think it was the biggest waste of money and wrack my brain trying to figure out how someone could enjoy it. But apparently the one you bought was "the best". This has the potential to turn off newer smokers that may give it up and never know any better. At least most of the terrible ones I see use briar, so we've got that going for us.

 

[pipebaum81]

This forum needs a break. A deep breath in the wake of winter's thaw.
Reading everyone's rants I just kept thinking "this is not what our grandfathers thought about while smoking their leaf of choice out of their favorite pipe."
Let's get over who's pipe is biggerbetter and just smoke what you like and like what you smoke. This is supposed to be a hobby of peace and tranquility; camaraderie and kinship.
ok, go back to yelling....
j/B

 

[daimyo]

Jeremy... why do you have to go and be a voice of reason?

 

[warren]

I believe Mr. Johnson has been properly chastised. Prithee, can we stop beating this dead horse. Also, Mr. Johnson's measured replies speak well of the man and his willingness to "step up." I admit to having a certain amount of admiration for a man who, in the face of adversity, responded in a balanced way. He defended his stand well while admitting to a poor choice of words. I do believe that this mole hill is about as tall as we can make it.
I do, again and again, take gentle umbrage to being thought of as peaceful and tranquil man simply because I choose to smoke a pipe. I AM NEITHER DANGNABIT!

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Darn that's a lot of words to come back to. So, I'll just assume that Todd apologized and everyone puckered to his pooper, ha ha. I saw something someone said about a free pipe. I'm not going to dredge the novels people posted. If I was offered a free pipe, please send it to one of my brothers on here. They are the most awesome gentlemen on the interwebs. I've got drawers of pipes that I haven't even opened yet, and I don't need one that is not a bulldog or stacked dublin.
Now, everyone is all getting along I assume, and all is unicorn farts and gumdrop scrotums.
Happy smokes ::

 

[daimyo]

Awe, come on Cosmic... grab a stick and join the fun.

 

[lordofthepiperings]

I think it should be stated that the Dagner pipes are made from a factory. Basically he convinced a factory to produce a few styles to his specs and in finishes he wanted, which a lot of factories will do for most people if you order so many of them or are willing to pay the price for them. Peterson for instance makes an IPPC pipe every year that you can order through Peterson via the International Peterson Pipe Club. Dagner doesn't carve the pipes himself or has set up a factory of his own like Todd does and has. Comparing what Todd is doing to what the Dagners are doig is like apples and oranges.

 

[warren]

Pipe drawers? Tighty whities? Boxers?

 

[daimyo]

Yeah, it really makes no sense that he would be talking about Dagner. They don't make their pipes and one could assume they are using a legitimate factory.

 

[lordofthepiperings]

Someone in the industry did mention the specific factory the Dagner pipes are made by, the name escapes me right now, but I do recall it's a reputable factory.
I'm not knocking the Dagner pipes. I did just enter their Instagram contest for a chance at a free one, but I'm just making the point that they're completely different animals. I'm sure the Dagner pipes are well made pipes and are well worth the price.

 

[jackswilling]

I have much to learn. The video link posted is a non sequitur to the O/P/thread.If the trio in the video are in no way affiliated with Todd then I owe him an apology. Sorry.

 

[fishingandpipes]

flatticus may be new here but he's not new to pipe forums in general, daimyo. The fact that I know this is a bit disheartening to me as it has surely displaced other, more important knowledge, but I wanted to throw that out there and mention that he's a good dude. No reason for distrust.
Hi flatticus, I go by gnossos on other forums.
That said I do agree that there is a bit of a pipe boom going on and that I think there are a number of new carvers who offer up their work for above realistic prices, because frankly, they can get it at this point.
I've never heard of Wyatt Fisher, but while I don't care to name any names simply because I don't feel like arguing, there are a number of carvers well known among forums whose work seem to have obvious issues. But whatever. I'm not buying them, nor do I care if you do.
I do suspect - and perhaps I'll be proven wrong - that some of the pipes and styles both by newcomers (as well as by some established carvers) may go the way of the giant Danish freehand fad with time.

 

[fishingandpipes]

Well the above post is what happens when you load a thread, forget about it, and don't reload for five hours, I guess.
Whatever.

 

[zekest]

My goodness, this thread really upsets me and makes me feel very uncomfortable.
So much verbal vomit.
Its shameful, disrespectful, and disingenuous.
What happened to this forum?

 

[peteguy]

If a new pipe smoker is serious about the hobby then I doubt that buying a turd will prevent them from further interest. Just because the first set of golf clubs I bought was a piece of junk, I didn't walk away from the hobby. I researched and learned more and then made an "EDUCATED" purchase on a set of Pings. That was 25 years ago. I still play golf today.
My gut tells me that Mr. Johnson is trying to prevent a new smoker from buying that crap set of clubs. As an outsider to that forum I read it and it comes across as self promotion and negativity towards new pipe makers, unless the new pipe makers is doing it right by his standards. If you really want to help the new smoker then focus on educating them before they buy the turd or before they buy multiple turds, and not slinging mud at any pipe you deem not worth the $$.
Lots of people spend money on bad gold clubs, bad computers, bad paintings, etc., etc., and still wake up the next day breathing and living. My advice would be to work on bettering the hobby as a whole forgo any further negativity.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Zekest, tell me about it. However, I did learn from Todd that if I am going to discuss one of his pipes that I am suposed to call him or email his info email, ha ha. So, I think you all should go back and call Dunhill, Savinelli, Tinsky, Grabow, Misouri Meerschaum, the Becker estate, etc... before making any more posts about your pipes. Because, God forbid, we discuss something without giving the manufacturer a heads up.
All in all, I thought it went well, and maybe someone will get a free pipe out of it. BTW, someone can go claim the Tinsky he offered me for selling me a pipe that fell apart in my hands, ha ha!! :wink:
It's all good, 75F here with a balmy rain going on. I got my tobacco seeds started, and my peas planted. All is good.
Happy smokes ::

 

[lordofthepiperings]

I'll just say this, meet up with Todd at a pipe show and sit down and share a bowl with him. I've done it and I can say it's well worth it.

 

[weezell]

"I am Flatticus."

I am the FLATTICUS, Koo Koo Ka Choo...

 

[danielplainview]

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

I would love a free pipe, and I am very curious about what differentiates the engineering of a Briarworks over my other pipes, but I don't quite feel it's my place to ask for something not offered to me.
Cosmic, maybe you and the others should actually take Todd up on the offer and hold a raffle, I kind of doubt anyone's going to get any free pipes otherwise.

(I suppose that wouldn't be totally honest either, but dang it free pipes were offered and no-one took them? Oh the humanity!)