New Carvers For Cheap?

[pflan]

Peck, my priorites are plenty in line, trust me!
I have a few pipes that are getting me by for now. But, if I don't have a woman to cook, clean, and well you know.. Then what do I really have?
Looking forward to some more "matrimonial advice" from you though, my friend.
pruss, so my question is still this.. in your opinion, is a new Boswell as good as a Peterson or Stanwell in the same price range? I ask because I love the looks of some of the Boswells and would like to support a B&M like that (also want to order a few of their blends while I'm at it), but I do want a great smoker.
layinpipe, I'm afraid my girl would notice a new pipe being smoked and would pretty intrigued as to where I found the money for it. Not saying she controls my life, but she does have some sort of magical power over me.. I believe the power starts with a "V". However, the $250-300 range isn't completely out of question within the next 6 months or so. will keep Tinsky in mind.

 

[pruss]

I've never smoked a Boswell.
-- Pat

 

[pflan]

shain, What a great point! I have oft wondered about that.. I was thinking one day while reading over some forum posts.. man, the amount of money I would have to charge for that much work to be worth my time would be absolutely un-askable! This is, of course, all in thought because I have no handy work skills at all. So basically, to jump into the realm of true Artisan pipes, I need to stow away some cash and really get into the $200+ range.
Michael, you pretty much covered it all there, I believe.
pruss, forgive me. I did not see the edit on your post up above saying to hold of on the Boswell and wait for an Alden. I will keep that in mind and grab a couple of cobs for now to keep me going.

 

[Strike Anywhere]

Just ain't gonna happen buddy. Artisan pipes are going to start around 200-250 even for the new guys. Some of the new guys are pretty brazen and try to charge the same as guys like Rad and Weaver. Some are worth it but some aren't. My take is if you're at that price point (as a buyer) go with the sure thing and one of the experienced guys. When those guys were getting started they did charge less and earned their chops. Now some guys are charging 400 out of the gate. There are a couple young guys charging around 250 which I think is fair for handmade stummel and stem if you're new. Just do your homework. Some new guys carve the stummel and use preformed stems that they hand finish. This is a different ball game than a handmade stem. The stummel catches your eye from across the room but the stem is what separates the pretenders from the big boys. Stems take time and practice to master.

 

[shaintiques]

Stems are a lot of work!

 

[layinpipe]

layinpipe, I'm afraid my girl would notice a new pipe being smoked and would pretty intrigued as to where I found the money for it. Not saying she controls my life, but she does have some sort of magical power over me.. I believe the power starts with a "V". However, the $250-300 range isn't completely out of question within the next 6 months or so. will keep Tinsky in mind.

pflan, hahaha i hear ya buddy, i am just lucky my girl doesn't pay that much attention to what i am smoking. On occasion she will ask, "is that a new pipe", to which i reply with, "no honey i've had this one for XXXX amount of time". Works like a charm. The only time she knows for sure that i got a new pipe is when she gets to the mail before me, but i have also used the "it was a pipe i already had that i had to send back to get fixed" or said it was tobacco i got for cheap. I also just a couple days ago told her that the package she got to before me from the usps guy was a pipe i got for really cheap online. I told her it was $20 and BAM!, off the hook and she stopped asking questions.
I understand what you're saying though brother, and i don't blame you. I'm just giving you shit, lol. I would HIGHLY recommend Mark Tinsky, either for a custom commission or a pipe from his website. He is a phenominal pipe maker and a truly great guy. His customer service and communication throughout the process he is making your pipe is top knotch as well. Do a search on the forum for "Mark Tinsky Pipe" or "Tinsky Pipe". I have done a couple reviews on his pipes and customer service and so have many others on here. I don't think i have read one negative thing about him or his pipes anywhere.

 

[bluesmk]

Sir Mike,

Your astute observations are greatly apprecited....at least by me :wink:

Thank you,

Dan

Gabrieli Pipes ::

 

[shaintiques]

Tinsky makes beautiful pipes and they smoke great too. I was gifted one but would definitely buy another.

 

[shaintiques]

Another great carver that I don't hear much about is Jody Davis. He makes some beauties and from all I've heard they smoke as good as anything on the market.

http://www.jodydavispipes.com

 

[peckinpahhombre]

but she does have some sort of magical power over me.. I believe the power starts with a "V"

I know . . . I know . . . men have a brain and a penis but only enough blood to run one at a time. It is our curse.
Just remember . . . the wife can leave at any time . . . but your pipe . . . it will stick by your side through thick and thin.

 

[beefeater33]

"but she does have some sort of magical power over me.. I believe the power starts with a "V"

Yea, my ex played the violin too.......come to think of it--it was magical!

 

[cosmicfolklore]

As someone who makes things for a living, (not pipes) I think that asking a pipemaker to put sweat, talent, and time into something for $100 an insult. That would be about what a descent briar and stem material would cost. Tread lightly with that sort of request, and don't get offended back if you don't get a response.

Hardly anyone ever asks a doctor for free work to get their name out there. Or a financial adviser, or bodywork on a car. Just because they are artisans or artists doesn't make their skills any less in value.
+1 Mike, I would stay in the factory pipes with that price range. You'd get a much better return for your money.

 

[tbradsim1]

When I shrimped in the fifties, diesel was .20 cents a gallon, shrimp was anywhere at the boat 1.75$ to 2$ a lb depending on size, we had people want shrimp for .50 cents a lb SHEEZ! Carver buys briar from 25$ to 50$ a block, works on it anywhere 10 to 15 hrs, and some guys want a hundred dollar pipe, that attitude just astounds me.

 

[pflan]

Wow some of those Tinskys are breathtaking!
Guys, guys.. I never once asked someone to make me a pipe for $100. There have been some carvers just starting out that sell their pipes for little to no profit to get their name out there. My original post referred to these carvers, as I was simply asking if there were any new guys on the scene.
But, I do love where this post has gone. It has turned its direction towards saving money for some of the more experienced carvers and getting a truly nice Artisan pipe.
Sounds like I may need to save up a few hundred and have a chat with Mark Tinsky!

 

[shaintiques]

I like what cosmic said about not asking a craftsman to do free or cheap work for that matter just to get their name out there. I get earning your stripes, but how long does that take, what is the standard for success? It is a fickle thing. I also get the above mentioned artist selling pipes for $20 bucks, but I guess I've just got too much respect for my work to under value them. And paying $20 for a handmade pipe, if it truly is handmade, even if the guy was asking that, I just wouldn't feel right, myself knowing that he is not only loosing money in doing it, but the hours of work and care put into the pipe deserve more than that. If you do quality work you shouldn't have to charge pennies to get your name out there. The quality will sell itself.

 

[winton]

I bought one of Bender's pipes for $20. It was before the pre-show actually started. I saw the pipe and the price tag and I reached for cash immediately. I did not even ask who made it. It was only later that I talked to the seller and found out he carved it himself. I was very impressed with the workmanship and smokability.
I also bought a huge olivewood pipe from someone selling pipes that one of his relatives owned before dying. If he named the price, why should I negotiate.
Winton

 

[misterlowercase]

Here's an Arley Curtz for $130,

it looks nice

http://www.tobacco-pipe-collectors.mybigcommerce.com/arley-curtz-canted-billiard/
You could also try out Wayne Teipen's new line of Heritage Pipes,

he makes a GREAT comfortable stem,

http://teipenpipes.com/store
Otherwise, look for an estate.
The market is oversaturated with good pipes at the moment,

relatively easy to find a good deal with a little legwork.

:puffpipe:

 

[shaintiques]

You get what I'm saying though. I'm not trying to judge.

 

[pflan]

Looks like some nice options there misterlowercase!
And Dave, I see what you're saying, I do. But I just want everyone to understand that I'm not being a dick and asking a carver to make me a pipe for $100. Like winton said, if somebody is selling for a price, why would I negotiate?
I do get where you're coming from. It is a lot of work for $100.

 

[winton]

Let me give another perspective. This year I paid for a table at the show to sell my tampers. I bought my first lathe 12 years ago, so feel fairly comfortable with my turning skills. I also think I have an eye for finding good wood and turning it to show the best features. This year I also invested in exotic wood and other expensive materials. I think my pricing was fair. I gifted some tampers and cut prices at the end of the show. But no one haggled with me. That would have been annoying or worse. I will try to sell some of my older, less perfect tampers at a local B&M at a much lower price.
Lots of sellers at the show had signs to the effect, "$275, but I have no idea what to ask for this pipe, make offer." Some sellers / buyers enjoy the haggling. I did see one pipe drop from $2,200 to $1,100 in the pre-show, but it was included with seven other pipes.
Winton