Nominate An Under-Appreciated Pipe Brand

[FurCoat]

For me it's Mastro de Paja. I own three and they are wonderful smokers.

 

[anotherbob]

Ah, yes, Mogen David, the kosher wine. A bit sweet, but fills a ceremonial function. In small quantities, I find it kind of tasty, if not compared to other wines.

a.k.a. one of the classic hobo wines. Though Wild Irish Rose is the best hobo wine.

 

[solideogloria86]

If you like Mogen you’ll love his colleague David

This just gave me a headache and an insatiable urge to fight someone twice my size.

 

[jguss]

a.k.a. one of the classic hobo wines. Though Wild Irish Rose is the best hobo wine.

Yes, I heard the same thing from the hobo sommelier at a chic spot under the 59th street bridge. I think the vintage he recommended was Wednesday.

 

[Merton]

I had a Johs for a while, and it was beautifully carved and smoked well, but if I so much as looked at it wrong, the stain came off. My hands would be a creepy bright orange after just a few minutes of smoking. Never had this happen with any other pipe (and I don't think I have unusually acidic mitts). I prefer the stain to stay on the pipe.

I had the same experience. It was very unpleasant.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Agree with a lot of the names already mentioned so tried to think of something else. Settled on Willmer.

 

[americaman]

BriarWorks

 

[jewman22]

Brebbia, I know they can make some real lemons, but they do make a fantastic pipe. I much prefer them over Peterson, but not over my Stanwells or Savinellis.

 

[captainsousie]

I'll put out my own favorite whipping boy. Kaywoodie. I hated the crap ones I bought but members here encouraged me to try them. As long as you buy good ones, they're pretty good value.

 

[edger]

If you like Mogen you’ll love his colleague David

A kosher comment!

 

[NomadOrb]

Ropp vintage line uses well aged briar. Excellent smokers for a good price.

 

[danimalia]

My nominee would be Johs, by the Danish pipe carver Mogen Johansen, good Danish craftsmanship done in enough volume to constitute a brand, and sold widely at SP, Al Pascia, Iwan Ries, etc. I have mentioned Johs pipes over the years, and from the lack of response, I'd guess few if any Forums members own these. What's your under-appreciated pipe brand nominee. (Please don't nominate major sellers like Peterson and Stanwell.)

I have a Johs that I bought as an estate from SP, a small-ish bent apple, that has a good amount of chamber. I like it and would certainly buy more Johs pipes if the opportunity comes up.

@hoosierpipeguy mentions Moretti and I agree. Handmade, Italian pipes, with beautiful light stains (and other finishes, of course) for very good prices. Also, if you order directly from Marco on eBay, you'll make a new amico. Like with Johs, a very high bang for the buck ratio...

 

[mso489]

Rightly or not, I don't count most artisan pipes as under-appreciated. The often low volume of artisan pipes, the unevenness of the availability, and the sometimes high prices put them in a different category. However, Johs are made by hand by a single individual, but he turns out so many, and is so present in the market, that I count him as a brand. I have a pipe by the late award winning North Carolina carver Bob Hayes who made wonderful pipes, but many have not heard of him. I have six by the Colfax, N.C., pipe carver Jerry Perry who works in briar, Mountain Laurel, maple and rarely cocobolo. But also, he sells only at the State Fair and the TAPS pipe show.

 

[alaskanpiper]

Genod and Moretti.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Ropp vintage line uses well aged briar. Excellent smokers for a good price.

and So does Chacom Royal Vintage line,but unfortunately all these are fitted with removable metal stringers yet prices for this line are not that affordable

 

[Alejo R.]

You should look for Bruken from Valencia, Spain.
They turned bowls for D.......
Sorry, great pipes.

 

[carolinasmokes]

Dr.Grawbow, Kaywoodie and Medico have been around for decades and are still a viable option for pipe smokers today. I started pipe smoking with a Dr.Grabow myself.

 

[jaytex1969]

I picked up a Hilson Vintage series from foggymountain when he was cleaning house. I quickly became a cherished smoker and I have picked up two more from that series since.

My Viking Classic series has also been a stellar performer.

I will "second" the recommendations of both BriarWorks and Karl Erik.

 

[haparnold]

I agree with @americaman, BriarWorks is the first brand I thought of when I saw the question. In my opinion they are generally superior to any other factory pipe at the same price point, and made in Columbia, Tennessee by some folks who are excellent artisan carvers in their own right.

 

[drrock]

My nominee would be Johs, by the Danish pipe carver Mogen Johansen, good Danish craftsmanship done in enough volume to constitute a brand, and sold widely at SP, Al Pascia, Iwan Ries, etc. I have mentioned Johs pipes over the years, and from the lack of response, I'd guess few if any Forums members own these. What's your under-appreciated pipe brand nominee. (Please don't nominate major sellers like Peterson and Stanwell.)

Genod, with Hilson a close 2nd.

I've found Genod (plus other French brands) to be a great value. They are well constructed & smoke beautifully for the dollars spent. My underlying frugality prevents me from buying any of the many artisan pipes out there - I guess I'd prefer to spend my money on pipe tobacco instead.