Because there are folks that will buy them at all price points.
Yes, I love art pieces but why can't a pipe just look like a pipeYes like was mentioned earlier, it’s mostly reputation and less about style/quality, that makes the price. I personally find many of those super expensive strange looking “art” pipes to be hideous looking and would never buy one, even if I could afford them... Similar to Dunhill’s, while I think some look nice, to me most are average looking for incredible prices and it’s more about the name.
You get what you pay for, doesn’t always apply. Neerup, Nording, Peterson, Brigham, all have really nice looks and quality for fair prices... Not cheap, but not through the roof either for their high quality.
What's the difference between a $20 Monet Print and an $80M original painting on canvas? They look almost completely identical or close to it yet such a vast difference in price. (At least from a slight distance.)I can't quite wrap my head around the difference between a $200 and $1500 pipe. They look almost completely identical or close to it yet such a vast difference in price.
I was going to hit the like button on this until I read the pizza comment. Pineapple on pizza is fantastic!The reason all things are made that cost less or cost more. People’s taste and budget. Cheap shoes costs less thbespoke shoes.
With pipes it’s the same, but I’m not going to out poor someone or out extended pinky someone. We like what we like.
Just because someone can’t imagine spending more money on something doesn’t make them “a bad person” vs someone who spends an exorbitant amount.
Some like vanilla ice cream, some like rocky road.
In my opinion, the only people I feel sorry for are the ones who want pineapple on their pizza
I sold a Dali once - I bought it for $70 sold it for $350 - I didn't have the time or patience(required shipping back and forth) to have it authenticated - it was real though - if it was authenticated it'd been worth 40,000 or more - I just took my modest profit and called it a day.What's the difference between a $20 Monet Print and an $80M original painting on canvas? They look almost completely identical or close to it yet such a vast difference in price. (At least from a slight distance.)
Expensive pipes are usually so due to rarity or the carver's name/reputation. Carvers are typically called artisans for a reason. Stanwell makes some beautiful pipes for a low price but you'll never know the name of the artist/carver who created it. Of course that's because it was mostly made on a machine but it will still be a nice looking pipe. (And don't get me started on Dali.)
Well, as a Vegas guy who has eaten at the Draft House too many times to count, I’ve been able to avoid that monstrosity. So I have luck and good taste on my side.I was going to hit the like button on this until I read the pizza comment. Pineapple on pizza is fantastic!
BTW, The Draft House here in Vegas has a pizza called the "Porky Pine". Traditional pizza sauce, mozzarella and fontina cheese mix, pulled pork, smoked Klement’s bratwurst, apple wood smoked bacon, jalapenos and pineapple chunks. Amazing!
That second one is a pipe pretending to be a violinUntil a pipe was created, what did a pipe look like?
This looks like a pipe.
View attachment 55753
And this looks like a pipe.
View attachment 55754
Shaping was just evolution and innovation to lure patronage just as it still is.
Yes, I love art pieces but why can't a pipe just look like a pipe
It's unfortunate because years ago like in the 1920's and 30's during the modern and art deco movements pipes were becoming very fashionable and still looked like pipes - Nowadays all these exotic pipes look like post-modern Outsider-Art - or you can get just same old boring Canadian. Rattrays new Devil Cut's are nice and interesting pipes.
@Paul_G
Be sure to read the article, ‘The Myth of Brand and Maker in Pipesmoking’, by Dr. Fred Hanna.
Here’s an article about him on SmokingPipes.com, he‘s we’ll respected in the pipe world.
Meet Fred Hanna, Doctor of Pipes | Smokingpipes.com
Read our interview with Fred Hanna, Doctor of Pipes and author of Pipe focused books such as <em>The Perfect Smoke</em>.www.smokingpipes.com
TADAAAAAAA! Well stated. WGAF... ? ? ? ? ?Maybe elitism exists in the hobby, but I haven't seen it. Long story short, smoke whatever you like and don't worry what anyone else thinks, because odds are they aren't thinking about you anyway.
That button one reminds me of goldfish crackers.Until a pipe was created, what did a pipe look like?
This looks like a pipe.
View attachment 55753
And this looks like a pipe.
View attachment 55754
Shaping was just evolution and innovation to lure patronage just as it still is.
He calls it a cellofish.That button one reminds me of goldfish crackers.
Cello actually.That second one is a pipe pretending to be a violin