New Pipe Day- This One is Different!

[Ryan]

Typically I prefer “classic” pipe shapes and I don’t usually go for pipes with large chambers.

Then I saw this pipe on eBay. I have liked the Butz-Choquin pipes I have owned, I feel they are a good value on the used market (most of my pipes are estate pipes). This one is very unique though, something like a cavalier style but not really. A three piece pipe with a lid on it from the factory.

A big part of my attraction to this pipe is that it is so different. I don’t think it is exactly beautiful, just very unique.

The seller mentioned it appeared to be unsmoked, and they are correct. This pipe is basically brand new.

Does anyone here know anything about this Retro series of pipes? The internet has virtually no information on it. I found one picture of the same pipe, but no information.

My big decision now is whether to smoke it or not. I had planned on smoking it, but now that I know it is unsmoked, it is making me think like a collector instead of smoker.

Mostly I just wanted to show this thing to everyone, but if anyone knows anything about this series I would really appreciate the input.

 

[scloyd]

It certainly is 'different'. If it was mine, I wouldn't smoke it. I have enough pipes to smoke. I'd keep it unsmoked...a conservation piece.

Congrats.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

The fact that you have all the original packaging and inserts, I'd keep it unsmoked. The smoking experience is not going to be that different than your other pipes—but, being able to preserve something unusual like this in its original condition is pretty cool.

 

[Morrison Jeremiah]

That really is unique.
To me at least.
Worth having whether you smoke it or not.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

That is really cool, but I'd have to wonder at the suggestions about not smoking it... What would you be saving it for if you didn't smoke it at all? I have several pipes that I don't smoke, but I have smoked them. I just prefer them as display over every day use, but I at least tried to smoke them.

 

[kcghost]

Light it up and forget all the crap advice you are getting about it
being unique. It's not.

 

[STP]

Pretty neat! I like it?

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

Agree with all the above, lol! Whatever you decide.

 

[Ryan]

I wasn’t really posting because I didn’t know whether to smoke it or not, that was just something I mentioned. I will make that decision at some point, and I appreciate the input from the group

I would like to find out more about the pipe first though, I’d hate to find out that the pipe had some real monetary value (real to me would be anything over $150 lol) and I halved that value by smoking it. I’m not even sure of the age at all, but based on the appearance of the box and the paperwork that came with it I would guess it is from the 70s or 80s.

 

[Ryan]

That is really cool, but I'd have to wonder at the suggestions about not smoking it... What would you be saving it for if you didn't smoke it at all? I have several pipes that I don't smoke, but I have smoked them. I just prefer them as display over every day use, but I at least tried to smoke them.

If I didn’t smoke it, it would be because I am considering re-sale value down the road. That wasn’t on my mind when I made the purchase.

 

[JOHN72]

It's a beautiful piece, I like that vintage style.

 

[anotherbob]

Typically I prefer “classic” pipe shapes and I don’t usually go for pipes with large chambers.

Then I saw this pipe on eBay. I have liked the Butz-Choquin pipes I have owned, I feel they are a good value on the used market (most of my pipes are estate pipes). This one is very unique though, something like a cavalier style but not really. A three piece pipe with a lid on it from the factory. View attachment 130671

A big part of my attraction to this pipe is that it is so different. I don’t think it is exactly beautiful, just very unique.

The seller mentioned it appeared to be unsmoked, and they are correct. This pipe is basically brand new.

Does anyone here know anything about this Retro series of pipes? The internet has virtually no information on it. I found one picture of the same pipe, but no information.

My big decision now is whether to smoke it or not. I had planned on smoking it, but now that I know it is unsmoked, it is making me think like a collector instead of smoker.

Mostly I just wanted to show this thing to everyone, but if anyone knows anything about this series I would really appreciate the input.
View attachment 130672
View attachment 130673
View attachment 130674

I am on the same boat of classic shapes are the best and yet I love this pipe as well. Though maybe in a way it is more classic then a billiard. Jealous is the word that comes to mind, yeah that is the right word. And my pipey senses say it's a great smoker too.

 

[anotherbob]

The fact that you have all the original packaging and inserts, I'd keep it unsmoked. The smoking experience is not going to be that different than your other pipes—but, being able to preserve something unusual like this in its original condition is pretty cool.

I'd bet the smoking experience would be quite different. Having smoked a pipe in a similar design it works like a reverse calabash or system pipe times four (was going to say ten, but four seems more accurate).

 

[Ryan]

I'd bet the smoking experience would be quite different. Having smoked a pipe in a similar design it works like a reverse calabash or system pipe times four (was going to say ten, but four seems more accurate).

I’ve never smoked a system pipe or reverse calabash, how is the smoking different?

 

[Chasing Embers]

Pretty cool, a French Tylorean.

 

[Toast]

I like it. I'd definitely smoke it in your shoes.

 

[anotherbob]

I’ve never smoked a system pipe or reverse calabash, how is the smoking different?

they have a chamber that condenses the smoke and maybe more importantly lets it hang out and circulate before going through the stem. It cools the smoke but it also seems to have other effects that deepen certain aspects of the smoke. In a pipe with a design like that beauty the blending effect is even more pronounced. And like a lot of these effects some blends that means nothing and some it's going to be a whole new thing.

 

[anotherbob]

I like it. I'd definitely smoke it in your shoes.

that's gross. Also shoes burn.

 

[Laurent]

Cool pipe! I’d smoke it in a ‘57 convertible.

 

[captpat]

That’s a unique find.