Is There A Real Difference.

[ziv]

OK, another thought: it might just be me, but - since I mostly have cheap estate pipes - some seem to suit flakes or rolls better than shag. crumble cake or whatever, and it occurs to me that it might just be down to design (or fortuitous aerodynamics). But I find it hard to isolate the objective physics of smoking from subjective and semi-conscious impressions, such as aesthetics or - going right out on a limb, here - the *psychometry* of an estate pipe: that is to say, the subtle electromagnetic record, held in the pipe's very molecules, of the experiences of a previous owner and subliminally 'read' by the new. Now howl with laughter, if you like. I don't care.

If there's something strange
In your estate pipe
Who you gonna call?

 

[Peterson314]

I have around 20 pipes in my rotation. Three are dedicated, and the others are a free-for-all for whatever. I often won't choose the pipe or tobacco until I stand at my pipe drawer loading a pipe. I choose by bowl size and my current vibe. Quality, price, and rarity of my pipe are not often considered.

 

[BingBong]

OK, another thought: it might just be me, but - since I mostly have cheap estate pipes - some seem to suit flakes or rolls better than shag. crumble cake or whatever, and it occurs to me that it might just be down to design (or fortuitous aerodynamics). But I find it hard to isolate the objective physics of smoking from subjective and semi-conscious impressions, such as aesthetics or - going right out on a limb, here - the *psychometry* of an estate pipe: that is to say, the subtle electromagnetic record, held in the pipe's very molecules, of the experiences of a previous owner and subliminally 'read' by the new. Now howl with laughter, if you like. I don't care.

Is this "Haunted BS"?

 

[MisterBadger]

Is this "Haunted BS"?

Of c ourse it is. Watch out for my forthcoming thread on pipe exorcism.

 

[dd57chevy]

OK, another thought: it might just be me, but - since I mostly have cheap estate pipes - some seem to suit flakes or rolls better than shag. crumble cake or whatever, and it occurs to me that it might just be down to design (or fortuitous aerodynamics). But I find it hard to isolate the objective physics of smoking from subjective and semi-conscious impressions, such as aesthetics or - going right out on a limb, here - the *psychometry* of an estate pipe: that is to say, the subtle electromagnetic record, held in the pipe's very molecules, of the experiences of a previous owner and subliminally 'read' by the new. Now howl with laughter, if you like. I don't care.

I agree 100%

 

[Searock Fan]

that’s why I find Ropps to often be the best factory pipes out there.

Is that so?

 

[BronzeAgePiper]

Is that so?

For the price, without doubt.

 

[Grangerous]

My most prized smoker is an unfinished basket briar that reads only, “Italy” and if I had to guess, it’s a reject Sav 111.

I own several Peterson’s. For the purposes of this thread, I choose Sav

 

[Chasing Embers]

Easily my favorite pipes. Wish I'd gotten into Falcons years ago.

 

[Sigmund]

While I cant objectively agree with @MisterBadger I do understand that ones subjective experience of imagining or postulating an objects history can play into enjoying a pipe. If it were not the case a lot of the notions surrounding antiques would evaporate and the market might just die.

Objectively I dont think an estate is better or worse if its maintained. Objectively in a double blind test I dont think an expensive pipe will smoke better than one that is less expensive. However, the experience of a pipe is super subjective. Its not just the smoke. Its tactile, visual and cerebral in various measures for different people....so whatever you want to label it is fine...if it makes a difference to you then it is a real difference. Thats part of the fun and part of the magic.

 

[shikano53]

Just my two cents. I have pipes ranging from inexpensive to high end. I’ve never noticed a difference other than the airway may be narrower or wider.
someone told me Dunhill were the best smokers so I bought a bunch of Dunhills. Someone told me Castillo was the best smokers so I bought a handful of Costello’s
to be honest, and at the risk of being flamed, my best smokers are my cobs.

 

[anotherbob]

one thing pipe smokers hate admitting despite it being a bit obvious. Is that a pipe is like a watch in that while it's a tool with a specific function... it is also a fashion accessory. And in a way asking is it worth the price is the expensive piece of clothing better then the less expensive piece. Depends. Sometimes one pair of pants might cost more because it really is better for a certain function but often times it is more about showing off or expression or something like that.
Though I once had it explained that a handmade expensive pipe is better because it's able to by virtue of how it's made not have pits or to be carved to accentuate the grain, where a factory pipe might have those qualities it's more of a roll of the dice. Another thing price may indicate is a more staunch and severe quality control process. The pipe might be more expensive just because the maker will reject more pipes for flaws. In an abstract way that means that pipe cost more time and material then a similar pipe from another maker.
That said I think falcons smoke great and look a bit weird. Cobs smoke great but have more limited options in the looks department especially in shaping. And I think a lot of artisan pipes just looks stupid and many are like that weird shirt. Where they look great with the person that can pull off that look and horrible with the rest of the population.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Like clothes. Some guys make an aesthetic decision to merely buy the least expensive clothes to keep their naughty bits covered. Some like durability, and some of us wear silks suits and the best leathers. Some like to wear clothes that signal to other guys certain things like shared interest in bands, cars, sports teams, etc...
But, all in all, they all work.

 

[MisterBadger]

Here's an apposite quote from A A Milne (he of pre-Disney Winnie-The-Pooh fame):

"Whereas men of an older school, like myself, smoke for the pleasure of smoking, men of this school smoke for the pleasure of pipe-owning - of selecting which of their many white-spotted pipes they will fill with their specially blended tobacco, of filling the one so chosen, of lighting it, of taking it from the mouth to gaze lovingly at the white spot and thus letting it go out, of lighting it again and letting it go out again, of polishing it up with their own special polisher and putting it to bed, and then the pleasure of beginning all over again with another white-spotted one."

 

[Chasing Embers]

Just my two cents. I have pipes ranging from inexpensive to high end. I’ve never noticed a difference other than the airway may be narrower or wider.
someone told me Dunhill were the best smokers so I bought a bunch of Dunhills. Someone told me Castillo was the best smokers so I bought a handful of Costello’s
to be honest, and at the risk of being flamed, my best smokers are my cobs.

I've found the big names to be average at best.

 

[telescopes]

Is there a real difference? Of course. Fit, finish, style, elegance...quality of workmanship overall...yes, these differences can be seen. But, to your question, does it mean they will automatically smoke better? That depends on the craftsmanship of how the actual dynamics of burning the tobacco and the internal flow to the bit all balance out. A properly constructed pipe is a properly constructed pipe. Period. It stands to reason that a more expensive pipe should be properly constructed. Even great men sometimes construct characters that are poorly put together. Milne's Eeyore comes to mind. His tale was always falling off and he gave his friends nothing but grief. And Milne was a gifted writer, LOL.

 

[anotherbob]

Like clothes. Some guys make an aesthetic decision to merely buy the least expensive clothes to keep their naughty bits covered. Some like durability, and some of us wear silks suits and the best leathers. Some like to wear clothes that signal to other guys certain things like shared interest in bands, cars, sports teams, etc...
But, all in all, they all work.

and they're all worth what a guy is willing to pay for any of those things.

 

[anotherbob]

Easily my favorite pipes. Wish I'd gotten into Falcons years ago.

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Falcons are great. Always love seeing another convert.