Nomenclature OCD - Is Dunhill so Collectible Because of all that Nomenclature?

[jguss]

Would I pay the ask for a new, current production pipe? No.

Agreed. I’d pay up for new pipes from modern artisans I know, like and respect (Chris Asteriou and Jack Howell are just two examples), but when it comes to factory pipes I want something made between 1920-1959. And for Dunhills in particular I primarily look for pre-war Shells with great sandblasts, although I also have a variety from immediately after the war through 1959.

 

[mso489]

I feel Dunhill/White Spot pricing is insulting, new or estate, notwithstanding some bargains available on eBay (some are bargains and some aren't). The pipes are classic, mostly nicely done, and certainly have name recognition. Yet anyone who knows pipes can get an equal or better pipe for less than White Spot prices. As some of the senior members here have reminded us, back in the 1950's, Kaywoodie was the more expensive pipe, and both a Kaywoodie and a Dunhill could be purchased by a young pipe smoker without breaking his/her bank account. A few artisan pipe carvers and a few factory pipe makers have inscribed their pipes with the date of manufacture. For example, the Colfax, N.C. pipe carver Jerry Perry, who works in briar, Mountain Laurel, and maple, etches his name and the year on his finished pipes. The Italian brand Luciano stamped their pipes with the year. Unfortunately, not many others have followed their good example, giving the birth year pipe market nearly entirely to White Spot.

 

[Singularis]

I feel Dunhill/White Spot pricing is insulting, new or estate, notwithstanding some bargains available on eBay (some are bargains and some aren't). The pipes are classic, mostly nicely done, and certainly have name recognition. Yet anyone who knows pipes can get an equal or better pipe for less than White Spot prices. As some of the senior members here have reminded us, back in the 1950's, Kaywoodie was the more expensive pipe, and both a Kaywoodie and a Dunhill could be purchased by a young pipe smoker without breaking his/her bank account. A few artisan pipe carvers and a few factory pipe makers have inscribed their pipes with the date of manufacture. For example, the Colfax, N.C. pipe carver Jerry Perry, who works in briar, Mountain Laurel, and maple, etches his name and the year on his finished pipes. The Italian brand Luciano stamped their pipes with the year. Unfortunately, not many others have followed their good example, giving the birth year pipe market nearly entirely to White Spot.

Lately I've been pondering the question "Why are Dunhill pipes so expensive?" when you can get comparable pipes (in terms of beauty and quality) for half or a third their price via the Peterson, Savinelli, Vauen, Rattray's, heck even Ashton brands.

If anyone has any more insights into this, I'd love to hear 'em.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Lately I've been pondering the question "Why are Dunhill pipes so expensive?" when you can get comparable pipes (in terms of beauty and quality) for half or a third their price via the Peterson, Savinelli, Vauen, Rattray's, heck even Ashton brands.

If anyone has any more insights into this, I'd love to hear 'em.

Due to exquisite elegance of their shaping ,and noble English heritage

 

[anotherbob]

well Dunhill is the only pipe brand that non pipe smokers are aware of. Even if they're not aware of the pipes they can be aware of the brand. Because Dunhill is a known luxury brand for a number of products.

 

[anotherbob]

Lately I've been pondering the question "Why are Dunhill pipes so expensive?" when you can get comparable pipes (in terms of beauty and quality) for half or a third their price via the Peterson, Savinelli, Vauen, Rattray's, heck even Ashton brands.

If anyone has any more insights into this, I'd love to hear 'em.

in my opinion it's the same reason certain clothing brands are expensive. Marketing and fashion.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Lately I've been pondering the question "Why are Dunhill pipes so expensive?" when you can get comparable pipes (in terms of beauty and quality) for half or a third their price via the Peterson, Savinelli, Vauen, Rattray's, heck even Ashton brands.

If anyone has any more insights into this, I'd love to hear 'em.

First off, are we supposed to capitalize the D in dunhill, because I am confused as to which company it is we are talking about when we talk about the pipes. Dunhill makes fashion stuff. dunhill makes the pipes now, if I understand correctly.

But, to get a product to the level that the pipes are at meant decades of marketing, and backing the White Spot guarantee, which meant a lot of money was spent to make sure that the branding was top notch stuff. It meant more people wanted the pipes, which meant that they could afford to charge more to pay for all of that marketing and promotional stuff. When demand is high you rest on your laurels at a higher price point.

And, no one is going to bawk if you don't own a dunnie. Buy and enjoy the pipes you prefer. I for one am glad that there are pipes with such a demand that they can maintain that dunhill price. I also have a lot of pipes cheaper than dunhills. FWIW

 

[mso489]

I think many new pipe smokers with the means think buying the best means paying the most, and White Spot is made for them. They are handsome pipes, mostly, but the name recognition and prestige are the hook. Take off the white spot and stamp it with an unknown name, and few would be interested, and no one would be interested at those prices.

 

[cigrmaster]

I should have mentioned that while I do own the one Dunhill in my favorite shape, I own more than 50 artisan made pipes. All of them smoke better than the Dunhill and the artisan stems are all better as well. The Dunhill's stem is not bad, it is respectable and pretty much easy to clench but not as easy as my artisans. Most of my collection is classic English shapes and when it comes to classic no one can beat Dunhill. I asked one of my artisans to make me a Dunhill LB and he did a pretty good job. Most of these new carvers can't cut a billiard to save their lives. They make these stupid shapes, put a stupid name on it and charge 600.00 bucks. Bullshit I say. Try making a Dublin and a Billiard, let us see your chops first before you go makeing weird shapes trying to make shapes that people have no clue as to what you made..

Here is Jack Howells version of my Dunhill LB Billiard. He did pretty well, but the angle is a tad off. Here is the Dunhill. The Dunhill has no grain which is one thing Jack beats the shit out of Dunhill. But again the angle is a tad off.

Here is Jacks

 

[Singularis]

I should have mentioned that while I do own the one Dunhill in my favorite shape, I own more than 50 artisan made pipes. All of them smoke better than the Dunhill and the artisan stems are all better as well. The Dunhill's stem is not bad, it is respectable and pretty much easy to clench but not as easy as my artisans. Most of my collection is classic English shapes and when it comes to classic no one can beat Dunhill. I asked one of my artisans to make me a Dunhill LB and he did a pretty good job. Most of these new carvers can't cut a billiard to save their lives. They make these stupid shapes, put a stupid name on it and charge 600.00 bucks. Bullshit I say. Try making a Dublin and a Billiard, let us see your chops first before you go makeing weird shapes trying to make shapes that people have no clue as to what you made..

Here is Jack Howells version of my Dunhill LB Billiard. He did pretty well, but the angle is a tad off. Here is the Dunhill. The Dunhill has no grain which is one thing Jack beats the shit out of Dunhill. But again the angle is a tad off.

Here is Jacks

The Jack Howell is gorgeous. I can see why getting the angle wrong would bother you, but it's not like that wasn't done on purpose (i.e. Jack was somehow unable to replicate the proper angle of an English billiard). Maybe it had something to do with "working with the grain".

I also get what you are saying about "weird shapes": I don't particularly gravitate towards those newfangled shapes: I'm something of a traditionalist.

Knowing that the quality of the briar or quality of smoking isn't particularly reflective of Dunhill prices, I'm inclined to get something classy and traditional from among the Peterson portfolio. In particular, I'm quite enamored by the Ashford, Irish Harp, and Newgrange lines, all of which are in the mid-100s cost range.

 

[Gus]

I should have mentioned that while I do own the one Dunhill in my favorite shape, I own more than 50 artisan made pipes. All of them smoke better than the Dunhill and the artisan stems are all better as well. The Dunhill's stem is not bad, it is respectable and pretty much easy to clench but not as easy as my artisans. Most of my collection is classic English shapes and when it comes to classic no one can beat Dunhill. I asked one of my artisans to make me a Dunhill LB and he did a pretty good job. Most of these new carvers can't cut a billiard to save their lives. They make these stupid shapes, put a stupid name on it and charge 600.00 bucks. Bullshit I say. Try making a Dublin and a Billiard, let us see your chops first before you go makeing weird shapes trying to make shapes that people have no clue as to what you made..

Here is Jack Howells version of my Dunhill LB Billiard. He did pretty well, but the angle is a tad off. Here is the Dunhill. The Dunhill has no grain which is one thing Jack beats the shit out of Dunhill. But again the angle is a tad off.

Here is Jacks

Harris, you have a great colection of artisan pipes...

I think that Jack is not exactly one of those artisans of today who make "strange" shapes and charge 600 USD, but rather moves in his interpretations of classic shapes and some freehand but nothing "strange".

that said, Jack's prices, I'm on my third pipe of his already, and I keep asking him for more, are more than reasonable prices for what he offers, well below other artisans or brands, I would doubt that their pipes can surpass Jack's smoking.

By the way, I like your Jack better than the dunhill, not only for the grain, but also for that personal touch of not making the exact classic shape.

But that's my personal taste, nothing more.

 

[Scottishgaucho]

Dating would mean nothing to me if the shape was not what I prefer .

I would agree. With estate pipes it's the shape that attracts me first, then the price followed by the manufacturer which for me is usually British. The date not so much as most of the pipes in my small collection can't be accurately dated anyway.
I don't own a Dunhill.

 

[bayareabriar]

I think dating is the only thing that establishes quality from a generalization. Certain years aren’t so great and bring less money.

So here you have quality and value mutually interdependent.

Do many people know any of the pipe makers at Dunhill? Compared to pipe makers of stanwell, Anne Julie, etc… other than Sasieni and ones of earlier production?

if Dunhill distinguishes itself by maker, it would devalue its image and give nod towards a single person and not the brand.

 

[Ahi Ka]

I think dating is the only thing that establishes quality from a generalization. Certain years aren’t so great and bring less money.

So here you have quality and value mutually interdependent.

Do many people know any of the pipe makers at Dunhill? Compared to pipe makers of stanwell, Anne Julie, etc… other than Sasieni and ones of earlier production?

if Dunhill distinguishes itself by maker, it would devalue its image and give nod towards a single person and not the brand.

Bill Taylor?

 

[captainsousie]

I think part of the draw of Dunhill is that they are one of the classic "names" in their field. That is down to marketing, word of mouth and tradition imo. Some will swear by them while others will always cry "overpriced."

Another car parallel here. Cadillac. Ask most older Americans and they will refer to Cadillac as a mark of quality and style. I've driven and ridden in some...in my opinion they are not deserving of the praise and price. Ask my father-in-law and you will get the opposite answer.

Nomenclature and the ability to date them somewhat reliably is a bonus but not the main driver of their reputation and market value. My opinion of course.

 

[bayareabriar]

Bill Taylor?

Exactly… who has his own line and branched away… I believe.