Luxury Estates or Excellent New Pipes?

[bersekero]

Title: Lacking capitals. Rule 9.

Here I am again.
I'd like to expand my very small collection and I am using the rotation and resting thing as an excuse to myself.
I am very fortunate to have a wife who lets me smoke inside so I can smoke as much as I like.
I like nice things and the brand affects my choices. I follow the rule less is more.
This bothers me a lot lately. Actually I want to disctract my mind from my problems.
So should I by luxury estates like dunhills or buy new but excellent like ser jacopo and radice? That is the question.
Having a legendary pipe is one thing, be the first to smoke a brand new pipe is also very attractive.
I once spent a lot for a castello and sold it in few months. I could not justify owning such a pricey pipe. I hated that ring on the stem also. I do not like complicated and too much artistic and fantasy things. I want to keep it simple. That's why dunhills appeal to me so much. Clean classic lines perfectly executed with absolutely no exaggeration.
I set a new upper limit of 200 euro for new pipes and 150 for estates.
I tend to avoid very cheap pipes. I had a few in the past and they never smoked nice. My technique sucked at that time of course.
I am vey interesting to know your philosophy about buying pipes. Not only price related but in general.
Best regards from rainy Greece.

 

[Sigmund]

Most of my collection is higher end estates. Radice is often almost as cheap new from our sponsor al pascia as used on ebay or other sites.

You are not likely to find new Ser jacs very cheap... You can grab estates pretty easy in the 169 range, sometimes less. Though some models are in the 200 range new.
I consider Ser Jacopo more of a luxury pipe than Dunhill. They just dont market in the same way.
SO I would take 2 or 3 Ser jacs over one new Dunhill any day.
I have at least half dozen SJ. Each of them is well made preform well.

Ive purchased several kai Nielsen estates in the 150ish range. Kai doesnt know how to make a bad pipe.

Overall, I find you can pick up some top tier pipes for 200 or under. Id rather do that than buy new machine made pipes.

I occasionlly get a ghosted pipe but coffe grounds and alcohol rip those suckers out quickly.

Sure, new is nice but this works for me.

One last note...a little practice on junk pipes in restoration can be really handy buying estates...especially when you see a bargain due to cosmetic issues you can fix.

 

[bersekero]

I bought a new clear radice from Leonardo few months ago and it is a fantastic pipe. It was on sale.
For some reason I feel very annoyed when I see dunhills at various online shops at such high prices. I cannot understand those prices.
I have a few but they are all estates below 200 euro.

 

[Sigmund]

Once you get into good quality pipes the only differences you will find is airway size, buttons etc...
Of course there is always the off chance of a dud.
The Radice Clear are of course more expensive due to no fills and being smooth.
The blasted pipes are a steal.
A lot of it comes down to personal asthetic choices.
Buy what you like and enjoy. ITs fun!

 

[BingBong]

My most beloved pipe is a €40 beater, wonderful smoker. I don't think that there are any rules, although an estate Dunhill has turned out to be a very nice smoker too, fortunately. But I have a Savinelli that I struggle to enjoy, good looks or not. It's a case of buy whatever floats your boat, live with the consequences.

 

[Grangerous]

Like BingBong, two of my best smokers are unidentifiable baskets. So as for smokability… no rules.

Personally, I have grown a collection of 30 or so pipes of which 21 are Estates purchased ready-to-smoke from BlueRoomBriars.

I wouldn’t be interested in deep cleaning and restoring an eBay or antique shop find. Although I see that’s an interesting and enjoyable part of the experience for some.

I have in my collection primarily old Factory Stanwells, Dunhill, Parker, GBD, BBB, Saseini, Kaywoodie and each of them a cherished keeper.

Of my pipes purchased brand new? Several Peterson’s, Savinelli, Rossi.

Personally, I find collecting the half century old British Pipes more satisfying. Especially my half dozen BBB pipes. I’ve built up a 7 day set of these from Estates.

It’s really a personal thing which way you go. Whatever makes you smile.

For my money? I don’t think you can find such beautiful briar in the $100 range among brand new pipes. Whereas, the Estate market provides some real beauties at very obtainable prices.

 

[OzPiper]

I like nice things and the brand affects my choices.

So should I by luxury estates like dunhills or buy new but excellent like ser jacopo and radice? That is the question.
I want to keep it simple. That's why dunhills appeal to me so much. Clean classic lines perfectly executed with absolutely no exaggeration.
I set a new upper limit of 200 euro for new pipes and 150 for estates.

If you love classism, then Britwoods are the way to go.
Lots of hallowed brands to choose from - Dunhills, Comoys, Barlings, Charatans, Sasienis, GBDs, BBBs, Loewes, Orliks, and so the list goes on.

Don’t forget that most shapes we think of as British, in fact originated in France. So do have a look at French pipes.
Likewise Stanwell makes some very classic billiards (look at the estate section at Forums sponsor, The Danish Pipe Shop).

Of course if you like older pipes, estates is the way to go.
You may be lucky enough to find an (unsmoked) NOS.
(Yes, they are out there).

However there is no reason why an estate in really great condition should cost less than a new pipe - they often cost more.

I would say, rather than getting hung up on one brand, first find a pipe you absolutely love.
Good luck in your search.

 

[Pipke]

So should I by luxury estates like dunhills or buy new but excellent like ser jacopo and radice? That is the question.
Having a legendary pipe is one thing, be the first to smoke a brand new pipe is also very attractive.
I once spent a lot for a castello and sold it in few months. I could not justify owning such a pricey pipe. I hated that ring on the stem also. I do not like complicated and too much artistic and fantasy things. I want to keep it simple. That's why dunhills appeal to me so much. Clean classic lines perfectly executed with absolutely no exaggeration.
I set a new upper limit of 200 euro for new pipes and 150 for estates.

1. It seems to me that you have enough experience to have determined exactly what you want in a pipe.
2. You set a reasonable cost.

My recommendation to you is to look for estate Dunhills that you like. Take a long time to make your choices and do not rush the process of finding a suitable pipe. The selection at the Danish Pipe Shop changes all the time. Monitor that site and watch until something you really like pops up.

 

[briarblues]

When looking at a pipe or pipes, which I probably do far too often, it's my eyes which define any interest first.

My secondary view level is the brand. Is it one I've had good luck with or not. If the latter, I back off and move along. I guess I've been at this long enough, that I'm not willing to waste time and money with the hopes that I've finally acquired a pipe by brand X that was not as unsatisfying as any tried prior.

My third criteria is dimensions. Length, weight, and chamber size. I have a pretty well established, for myself , sweet spot, when it comes to the dimensions that work best for me. If any of the three do not match, I move on.

Finally I look at price. This, for me, is extra challenging, for various reasons. As a retired pipe retailer, my mind still thinks in terms of wholesale. Now I must pay retail. Knowing the wholesale costs, to retailers, offers me a little more insight. Thus I am willing to pay more to a retailer in North America, since I understand shipping and duties etc that have been "absorbed" by the retailer.

I do prefer to buy new over pre smoked, when the interest is in a brand or carver I've had had good luck with. Even though I've refurbished thousands of pipes, I've seen far too many pipes I'd have loved to keep, but for various reasons, was just not willing to do all that was needed to "correct" issues from previous owners. YMMV

My current collection, since some serious culling sits at 17 pipes. Castello, Radice, Cavicchi, Le Nuvole, Phil Rivara, and Jason Mouton, with the first and last being the ones with the highest number by each. Am I looking for / at other pipes? Again, far too often. It is a never ending cycle.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

My philosophy is I buy what I enjoy. Everything within that is flexible and mutable. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a no name pipe from France, or a commission from a major brand; sometimes a pipe’s history is what appeals to me; sometimes it’s the grain of its wood; sometimes it’s because it’s weird and unique; sometimes it’s all about the lines and grace. All that matters is that it makes you happy and you enjoy it. Have fun with it.

Have you considered a commissioned pipe from an artisan? There are plenty of well respected carvers out there that will work with your input and make a pipe with the classic lines that you enjoy. It may require the cost of two of your upper limit pipes (depending on the carver, perhaps, more), but it will be yours and yours alone.

 

[Sigmund]

Good point. Here in the EU Moretti makes some nice pipes and has some followers. You can look at his page. He would probably make the buttons to your liking if you find them too big. I would probably own one if he made many 9mm pipes.

Show Us Your Moretti Pipes :: Pipes: Show Us Your (fill in the blank) Pipes

A Moretti from my rack: CLICK HERE to watch Marco Biagini in his workshop, creating a pipe. :col:

pipesmagazine.com

 

[mr_future]

Like BingBong, two of my best smokers are unidentifiable baskets. So as for smokability… no rules.

Personally, I have grown a collection of 30 or so pipes of which 21 are Estates purchased ready-to-smoke from BlueRoomBriars.

I wouldn’t be interested in deep cleaning and restoring an eBay or antique shop find. Although I see that’s an interesting and enjoyable part of the experience for some.

I have in my collection primarily old Factory Stanwells, Dunhill, Parker, GBD, BBB, Saseini, Kaywoodie and each of them a cherished keeper.

Of my pipes purchased brand new? Several Peterson’s, Savinelli, Rossi.

Personally, I find collecting the half century old British Pipes more satisfying. Especially my half dozen BBB pipes. I’ve built up a 7 day set of these from Estates.

It’s really a personal thing which way you go. Whatever makes you smile.
View attachment 349034
For my money? I don’t think you can find such beautiful briar in the $100 range among brand new pipes. Whereas, the Estate market provides some real beauties at very obtainable prices.

Can you tell me more about the pipe with the gold band? I need one.

 

[bersekero]

Excellent and very helpful answers. Thank you guys.

 

[Grangerous]

Can you tell me more about the pipe with the gold band? I need one.

Those are both Christmas Editions of the same year that I was lucky enough to find as a pair!

The band isn’t gold but an acrylic decorative insert ring. I consider these my Poor Man’s Matched Set.

They are both BBB from the 1984 Holiday Season. I have the original box for one of them.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Back to the o.p.: Some good, balanced answers. I tend to think there's more value in a very good estate pipe, but I also love my originals, be they factory or hand made.

If you can't be with the one you love,
Love the one you smoke;
Smoke the one you love!

 

[Alejo R.]

O.P. I haven't bought new pipes for many years. The prices seem high to me. I don't see a difference in quality between the two types of pipes you describe, so I would go for either type. I always buy my pipes from antique dealers. Many years ago I also used ebay and sometimes I use the local version of Amazon, MercadoLibre, but only in particular cases.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Too subjective, buy what you like.

 

[OzPiper]

Just following on from my earlier post -
If you are experienced at cleaning up estates, that’s the cheapest option.
Usually.

If not then have a look at the estates from one of the Forums sponsors - SmokingPipes, Blue Room Briars, The Danish Pipe Shop, etc.
They may cost a bit more, but the pipe(s) arrive cleaned.
And if you are not 100% happy, you can return the pipe.

Marty Pulver‘s Prior Briars often have Dunhills at very good prices

 

[bersekero]

I will check them thank you.
There was an almost like new dunhill 4114 bent dublin at ebay few days ago for $325+ship from Italy. One of my favorite shapes. No taxes for us Europeans. The seller even sent me an offer for $300. I struggled hard not to buy it but I resisted and did not break my rule about my price upper limits. Finally it was sold for the initial price. Like many of you use to say, do not rush it and have fun.

 

[bersekero]

As for the happiness, the less the cigarettes I light the happier I am. And the more I like the pipe I am holding and smoking the less cigarettes I light, so simple.