Who of us more senior smokers really saved up that money to buy a $170 dollar pipe as our first pipe ?
No-one. Or very, very few.
Most of us started with a cob, then a relatively cheap briar. Then we ventured into the above $100 pipes.
Matts26:
Here are four lines of pipes that fit your budget and are, in general, recognized as decent pipes. You may have one that doesn't smoke all that great, but I have a Pete that's not the greatest smoker in my rotation either. So a name is not always a guarantee for a good smoker. People here have had bad experiences with certain makes that others are quite pleased with.
So here's a list perhaps to help you out:
Duca Carlo pipes are a "second" series from Savinelli. They don't look as nice since they may have a flaw here and there, but they're great smokers
http://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/savinelli/index.cfm?tag=Duca%20Carlo
Bjarne Nielsen are quality Danish pipes as well. You don't pay as much as a Stanwell or other more famous Danish carvers, but they're affordable and good
http://store.pipesandcigars.com/bjarne.html
Parker pipes are referred to as the "Second line Dunhills" since they come from the same factory. I can't compare to a Dunhill, but I do have a Parker and it's a good smoker
http://www.pipesandcigars.com/parkeroflondon.html
Finally, I've heard of Leonessa pipes and that they are decent, but I don't have any experience with them. But they are definitely at the low end of your price range
http://pipesandcigars.com/leonessapipes.html
Before you plunk over $150 on a pipe, make sure pipe smoking is something you will stick with. All four above will give you a decent briar without having to buy an estate, which is always a bit of a toss-up.
Good luck & Welcome to the wonderful world of pipe smoking. Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride :puffpipe: