Is There A Real Difference.

[PApiper63]

Hello fellow pipers. I own about 70 pipes including several artisan pipes and several factory pipes. I do notice a difference in the finish quality, the stem work, etc..
However, in general, I have to say that I don't notice a lot of difference in the smoking qualities. Both groups have some that smoke better than others, but in general, I really don't notice a difference in the quality of smoke between factory pipes and artisan pipes. Am I crazy? Do you guys notice a big difference?

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Did someone tell you that there was a difference?
You're probably crazy, but aren't we all?

 

[PApiper63]

Did someone tell you that there was a difference?
You're probably crazy, but aren't we all?

Yes, someone did tell me that there was a difference. Actually, many people told me that once I smoked an artisan pipe I wouldn't want to smoke a factory pipe. I just don't get it.

 

[GardenStateoftheArtBriar]

you might have been misinformed ;D
could be true though so don't take my word for it

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Can you list what factory pipes and what artisans? Pictures would help also.

So, did you just buy 70 pipes over the weekend and come to this discovery? Or, has this been a slow long contemplative discovery that just peaked today?

 

[fireground_piper]

I think fit, finish and little details is what you generally get. Keep in mind not all artisans are created equal. There's a lot of odd things out there.

 

[occidentalist]

Sounds like someone was desperately trying to justify their $400 artisan pipe purchase to themself and was just using you as the catalyst.

 

[sablebrush52]

Hello fellow pipers. I own about 70 pipes including several artisan pipes and several factory pipes. I do notice a difference in the finish quality, the stem work, etc..
However, in general, I have to say that I don't notice a lot of difference in the smoking qualities. Both groups have some that smoke better than others, but in general, I really don't notice a difference in the quality of smoke between factory pipes and artisan pipes. Am I crazy? Do you guys notice a big difference?

I haven’t found much of a difference, with the following exceptions:
Wide bored contemporary artisan pipes vs traditional narrower bore pipes. Not that one is better, just a little different to use.
Some blends work better for me in large chambers
The extra money spent on a comfortable bite zone.
Other than this, differences are minor.
Pipe smoking breaks down to 25% equipment and 75% technique.

 

[anotherbob]

Yes, someone did tell me that there was a difference. Actually, many people told me that once I smoked an artisan pipe I wouldn't want to smoke a factory pipe. I just don't get it.

sounds like you talk to people that confuse preference with quality.

 

[Pipke]

Greg Pease wrote an essay on this topic. Maybe this will help:
G. L. Pease Articles - Are High Prices Justifiable? - https://www.glpease.com/Articles/Price.html

I have a few fine smokers that I obtained either for free, or for less than $100. I define "fine" to be (as long as I do my part) a tendency to stay lit, the draw is good, stays fairly cool during the smoke, and they don't develop constant gurgles. They consistently deliver an enjoyable pipe smoking experience. In my opinion, any estate pipe in good condition, from a manufacturer with an excellent reputation, is capable of being a fine smoker. My preference has been for older Sasieni, GBD, Stanwell, and cheap, vintage French pipes.

I will pay more for pipes that are a delight to the eye and give me that extra joy from smoking out of a nice looking pipe. I own very few of these. I just obtained a 2024 Neerup Harvest Moon - it is a very fine smoker and fun to smoke. But even this pipe is not a "high end" pipe.

 

[bullet08]

It's how they are drilled that makes the biggest difference. Wide open kind, and narrow ones. And how well they are drilled. But with reputable factory and well made artisan pipes, they will smoke without noticing much difference since they are all made well. You would still noice wider bores.

 

[PApiper63]

Can you list what factory pipes and what artisans? Pictures would help also.

So, did you just buy 70 pipes over the weekend and come to this discovery? Or, has this been a slow long contemplative discovery that just peaked today?

Sorry, confusing I did collect quite a while and just slowly coming to the realization

 

[telescopes]

Sorry, confusing I did collect quite a while and just slowly coming to the realization

Many people associate quality with price as a measure of causation. It is actually more of a correlation, and with pipes, often a weak one. Back in the 80s I acquired my first Dunhill. I expected fireworks. Nope. It smoked no differently than my cheapest basket pipe. I was in my 20s and I recall being confused. How could that be? Now, when I buy an expensive pipe, it is for fit, finish, attention to details, and styling. To that end, there is causation due to labor and skill set cost. The pipe, if drilled correctly, will most likely provide a more even smoke experience. But a cheap Grabow or basket pipe can and often does pull the same thing off. For those who equate quality with money spent, this can be frustrating.

 

[GardenStateoftheArtBriar]

if its any consolation I bought an 'artisan pipe' made by a very spectacular regional carver at ebay unsmoked from the town he came from( i think) for about $7.99 plus shipping
this pipe smokes beautifully and I'd easily had paid $250 for it had I was to know the quality it would have delivered
meaning - it's kind of luck of the draw sometimes

 

[Python 357]

Recently I made a pipe from a board I had laying in the garage. Attached a pipe stem to it. Took about twenty minutes total. Looks pretty rough,but you know what? It's one of my better tasting pipes. YMMV

 

[Chasing Embers]

Hello fellow pipers. I own about 70 pipes including several artisan pipes and several factory pipes. I do notice a difference in the finish quality, the stem work, etc..
However, in general, I have to say that I don't notice a lot of difference in the smoking qualities. Both groups have some that smoke better than others, but in general, I really don't notice a difference in the quality of smoke between factory pipes and artisan pipes. Am I crazy? Do you guys notice a big difference?

I haven't either. For all of the pretty finishes and accents, all you're really buying is an airway.

 

[PipeIT]

@PApiper63 this is a good article if you haven’t read it before.

The Myth of Brand and Maker in Pipesmoking
By Dr. Fred Hanna, Ph.D

https://47eb33e2-aa5c-4340-b7df-6575ebac3ba3.filesusr.com/ugd/17b259_acdce5ca70354ca7a5f64775f95ae600.pdf

An article on Dr. Hanna…

Meet Fred Hanna, Doctor of Pipes | Smokingpipes.com

Read our interview with Fred Hanna, Doctor of Pipes and author of Pipe focused books such as <em>The Perfect Smoke</em>.

www.smokingpipes.com

P.S. Price doesn’t always equate to a better smoker….

 

[Snook]

I have straights, bents, Dublins, Apples, and a Tomato as well. The only differences I've noticed are:

• I can actually shove a pipe cleaner all the way through to the bowl on a straight
• The more bent a pipe is, the more prone it seems to be to condensation
• Length of smoke depending on the bowl size

That's about it. Of course, I prefer a few of my pipes over the others because of the shape/size/weight. They just feel better to hold, and therefore make my smoke more enjoyable.

 

[PaulRVA]

It all depends on the pipe!
I have pipes both factory and artisan and some are great and others are terrible. Artisans give me fit, finish, sex appeal and the ability
to have things finished to my own specifications or requests if commissioned. Factory pipes give me consistency across the board and several flagship models to choose from by multiple brands.
That being said my experience has been it all depends on the particular pipe. Exact factory models can behave differently, one smokes fantastic and the other is garbage from the beginning.
In the end I’ve learned regardless of the maker, style, shape, size, finish draft or what you want that pipe to be the Pipe ends up choosing you and not the other way around.
Maybe I’m just crazy

 

[Chasing Embers]

Exact factory models can behave differently, one smokes fantastic and the other is garbage from the beginning.

You're lucky, when I still had these, they were identical smokes.