I just have to ask..

[allan]

Dunhill was a rite of passage, I suppose, but one I'm happy I made.

Getting back into pipe smoking after thirty five years of cigars, I was in a different economic bracket then I was at 17.
Knowing less than nothing, Dunhill was the brand I coveted. I purchased several estates and then That year my wife bought me a triple flame polished dunhill for an obscene amount of money at dunhill in NYC
After thanking her profusely, I returned the pipe for a refund
I love the cache of dunhill and it's history, but I'm slowing coming to the realization that I have to 'will ' myself to select one from the rack

True, except for one they are post 1980, but I do own a bent Dublin from 1934.
IMHO, Dunhill is a grand old name, but so far my American artisan pipes smoke way better than any of my Dunhills
I am now on a search for old barlings to test out the concept of old briar and whether or not it truly matters

 

[gregprince]

I have five Dunhills, all old and all great smokers. Are they my best smokers? Possibly not, but they are right up there among the best. Do any of the others compare in terms of the sense of history that they convey or make me feel as much a part of an ancient and honorable tradition? Not even close. Their shapes are classic and I love the classics. Are the new ones worth the cost? Only if I hit the lottery.

 

[pitchfork]

Knowing less than nothing, Dunhill was the brand I coveted. I purchased several estates and then That year my wife bought me a triple flame polished dunhill for an obscene amount of money at dunhill in NYC

That was you? I remember those posts. Gorgeous pipe -- but I don't blame you for returning it. I would have done the same thing.

 

[CherokeeBilly]

I'm not sure that price tag equals quality but I have learned in my daily purchases that the cheaper the item, I'm usually not satisfied and I end up buying a more expensive item. For pipes I have no idea, still pretty new at this.

 

[sablebrush52]

I am now on a search for old barlings to test out the concept of old briar and whether or not it truly matters

There are a number of makers who used old growth wood, Kaywoodie being one of them. I love my Barlings and I love my old Kaywoodies. Barling was unique because they sourced their own wood, selling off the rejects to other makers, and controlled their processing all the way to the customer. But any old pipe is only as good as its usage history allows, so go for the most lightly used that you can find.
I still have my Dunhills and occasionally smoke several of them. They are good pipes, and one ODA bruyere apple is an outstanding pipe for balkans. Once I found Barling I was hooked, and the Dunnies went in the drawer. Besides their generally superb quality, Barling's history - going back to 1812 - and their fierce dedication to quality and perfection in their craft really appealed to me. Alas, the same dedication that made them legendary also made them unprofitable in changing times and contributed to their demise.

 

[yorkshirepipe]

I agree with steyrshrek, some people would be happy to pay that much, and do, which is why they are that price. I can't imagine paying more than $30 for a shirt, but plenty of folk do.
I get asked why I even pay over $120 for a pipe and why I have so much tobacco, but I like it

 

[layinpipe]

All i will say on this is i definitely see both sides of the coin regarding the outrageous prices Dunhill charges for their new pipes. It is also worth noting that they are one of the best pipes to invest in, whether new or estate, because most likely you are either going to get your money back or make money if/when you decide to sell them. I have been watching the trending prices on ebay lately, and there are plenty of estate dunhills in good to excellent condition for sale all the time for between around 175 to 300. And the great thing about it is that all the ones i have been browsing are from the time period that all Dunhill aficionados agree is their golden era, or at least before the quality shit the bed to a certain extent. I do not see the point in even considering a new "white spot", fresh from the factory at anywhere close to retail price. Especially when you can get one that arguably smokes better and is already broken in with much more seasoned briar, for 1/4 or 1/5 of the price. I own one dunhill, a 1975 root briar apple 511, and it is a wonderful pipe that is just classic and smokes great. I had to at least own 1 and see what all the fuss was about. I got an okay deal on it, nothing too outstanding, but have not regretted the purchase at all. I just put a couple bowls through it last night to further validate my opinion of my little piece of history.
Would i buy another Dunhill? Absolutely and without a doubt. Would i ever buy a new Dunhill or pay over around $300 for an estate? Probably not. They are a classic brand with a great product that is an industry icon and standard and have done what every brand in every industry strives to do: Stand the test of time.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

When talking to a photographer that I hired to take some professional photographs of my work, I asked him what camera he was going to use (really, just to make conversation). He is one of the best, recommended by the editor of Southern Living magazine, and he said "the music is not in the Stradivarius." I laughed, because I knew exactly what he was talking about. A true maestro knows how to make a dusty barn fiddle play fantastic music, just as a true artist can make a masterpiece with of a $20 camera.
The music is not in the Dunhill. However, once one can make a Grabow sing, will that translate into an even more pleasurable smoke with a Dunhill? I can't speak for Dunhills, because I don't own one. However, I know a guy who only buys the most expensive Gibson guitars, and he still can't play a song worth a flip.
Yeh, if the price of Dunhill makes you flinch, avoid them. There are some great pipes out there at more affordable prices. However, for some, dropping a thousand on a pipe is no big deal. They don't wring their hands at the cost of things that they feel to be "the finer things." Honestly, I don't think of the price of the things discourage me as much as the humdrum-ness of the look. Maybe if I was going to smoke in a board room, or make business deals in the back seat while my driver tools us about...

 

[sparrowhawk]

When I started collecting pipes, I thought I'd begin with the iconic Dunhill--until I saw the price tag. That caused me to examine the more economical pipes, and I've found, almost without exception, that they are great smokers. I've become a great fan of Petersons, for instance, which are economical (I suppose that word depends on one's own means, but to me a pipe under $50 isn't probably worth having, although there are special exceptions, like cobs) and great smokers and look great. Check out their Christmas 2014 lineup for some amazing pipes that smoke as good as they look.

I don't think I'll ever own a Dunhill because of the price, but I'm very happy with my Petersons, my Castello, my Stanwells, my Savinellis. They don't carry the name recognition and price of a Dunhill, but they look and smoke great. And that's really the whole reason for pipe collecting anyway, isn't it?

 

[warren]

I'm very conservative when it comes to the pipes that catch my eye. If I ever run across a Dunhill that catches my eye I'll purchase it. I'm very particular as to the shapes of the pipes I smoke, they have to ride correctly in my mouth and fit my hand. Fit and finish must be a nearly perfect as a human can make it. I'm very discriminating when it comes personal items.
While I can't help but admire the workmanship of many of the independent artisans, I've not as yet run across a size and shape that I would like to hold in my hand and smoke when reading or otherwise relaxing. When working? Cobs fit the bill just fine as they usually smoke well and are cheap enough that there is no angst when they fall into the lake or I drive the tractor over one. No great loss.
I write with Mont Blanc pens and roller balls. They fit my hand and words flow with a good look. I have owned a Rolex or two. When I was a diver my life depended on my equipment. The watch had to work perfectly all the time so I wore a Rolex when in the water. Otherwise I'd wear a cheap Timex or something not apt to make me a target for a mugging.
To me a watch is a tool not a fashion statement. But a pipe, at least the ones I smoke at leisure are very intimate items. They must fit my eye, my fist, my mouth and deliver the nicotine cool and smooth. Price is the least of the considerations when I go hunting for a pipe.

 

[natenice1]

+1 Warren my sentiments exactly!

 

[gregprince]

+1 warren, sound thinking there.
Sparrowhawk, my "newest" Dunhill is the one in my avatar photo with the military mount. It is from, as far as I can determine, 1920/21. I found it at an antique store, super grungy but apparently never buffed as all stampings are clear, it was mixed in with a bunch of cheap new pipes full of fills and marked at $70. My Dunnie was $20 and cleaned up beautifully. There may yet be a Dunnie out there for you.