Love at First Puff

[huntertrw]

In the more than 30-years that I have been collecting and smoking pipes, the marque Davidoff somehow simply failed to appear on my acquisition radar. That changed approximately 10 days ago when I began to search for one of their Red Brilliant-finish models.

I found a shape number 200 listed as new/unsmoked on eBay, and bought it at what I felt was a very reasonable price. When it arrived I noticed that it had been smoked, albeit lightly. Other than that, the pipe was in outstanding condition. To her credit, the Seller offered to refund my money, but I elected to keep the pipe. After a thorough cleaning, I took it on its inaugural smoke (a bowl of Carter Hall) this week.

Of the ninety-odd pipes in my collection, this is the first that I have fallen in love with from the first puff from the first bowl. I don't know if this is typical of Davidoff pipes in general or if I just got extremely lucky; regardless, I am one happy old dog right now.

Two questions for the Forums members:
1. What has been your experience with Davidoff pipes?
2. Regardless of the brand, have you ever experienced love at first puff with any of your new or estate pipes?

 

[ashdigger]

I have a 1922 Loewe Billiard. Just perfect.

 

[warren]

2. Regardless of the brand, have you ever experienced love at first puff with any of your new or estate pipes?

Maybe with one or two of my meerschaums. But, never as epic as you describe. Good on you!

 

[username]

My Scottie Piersel pencil shank billiard smokes like a dream.

 

[Wet Dottle]

I don't have any experience with estate pipes, nor Davidoff pipes. But among my very favorites are the old Ashtons, the ones that were made by Bill Taylor, before they became a mess. Even the ones that are poorly drilled smoke great.

 

[warren99]

New pipe: a Werner Mummert.
Estate pipe: a Tao.

 

[boston]

First puff? Only a few of many did that. An ardor bent apple sandblast I purchased from Steve Monjour...I smoked Solani 633. A Heeschen bent egg with bamboo that I purchased from Peter, I think I smoked 956...dunno but it makes any Latakia great. And a Roush Canadian I commissioned from Larry...I smoked some VA flake I think...and I use it only for VA.

Most of my pipes it took me some time to figure what blend would be best. Never had a Davidoff. Sounds like your new old pipe is a winner.

 

[Bassman65]

As I mentioned in another thread, my new Vauen Basic. Smokes better than pipes that are twice the price in my collection.

 

[kcghost]

I have a Jesse Jones freehand that absolutely fills the bill for me.

 

[augiebd]

Probably the new pipe that best fits the bill is a Julius Vesz bent apple. The estate would be a 1962 Brebbia Christmas Special Make.

 

[jmsmitty6]

I have had no experience with Davidoff pipes, but knowing how they go about their business in the cigar world, I would have to imagine that they would have exacting standards. That's speculation on my part obviously.

In regards to heaven smokes, I had a interesting experience recently. I had been discussing a possible pipe commission with a pipemaker that was completely new to me. I'm normally not one to purchase without inspecting, but his work I felt represented value just from a shaping perspective. However, I was reticent to purchase. I think that he could sense that and finally offered just to send me one of his personal pipes to try out. Never met this person. I get his pipe in the mail and holy cow did it smoke outstanding. I literally asked him how much he wanted for it, but he refused to sell it to me for sentimental reasons. However, all convincing had been accomplished, but it was painful to box that pipe up and send it back to it's rightful owner.

Jason