Pipes: What\'s the Difference? (Newbie Needs Help!)

[pstlpkr]

Here is something that I don't usually do. This is a copy/past from the "Bent or Straigt?" string. I think it fits here just as well. As a hint to getting the biggest/best bang for your buck.
"

I hate that I can't get a pipe cleaner straight through really any of my bents whilst smoking,

Raf66 this is one area where higher end pipes tend to be superior. I have 5 or 6 high end bent pipes, all - through which I can easily pass pipe cleaners, and I also have several mid-range pipes that I cannot and some I can.

It is one test that I perform before purchasing any pipe (now). I simply pass a pipe cleaner down the air hole. If it does not progress smoothly I reject the pipe, and begin browsing again. For example: my Petersons (one bent, one straight); if I had attempted to pass a pipe cleaner through them, I wouldn't purchase them now. But, live and learn. My Cavicchi's every one is drilled beautifully (bent and straight), no problem with the cleaner test on any I have ever seen. That's one difference between a $50 to $80 pipe and a $250 to $350+ pipe that is quantifiable.

However: I will not say that mid and lower end pipes will always fail this test. It is however one test that I recommend. It is worth the effort when looking for a pipe, bent or straight."
I hope this helps a little.

 

[igloo]

There are knock arounds and there are pipes of great craftsmanship . The thing is too find the right tobacco to match the pipe in hand . Cortez says "Spend money on tobacco, not pipes." and I have to agree with him . I do believe a high dollar pipe with a tight grain and custom stem can last a life time . So if you see one you like go ahead and buy it . But I dont believe I would mow the lawn or work on the car with a Ashton or Dunhill .

 

[bostonbill]

Wow- thanks everyone! Your feedback really helps.
@ChangoJoe- What great advice- I'll look into an antique store and see what's to be seen- what a great project idea that is. I've actually been thinking of carving my own pipe, but maybe restoring one is better first step...
@pstlpkr- That's great advice with the pipe cleaners. If I'd have thought of that before, I'd have never have bought two of my pipes- they've been nothing but trouble, and BOTH of them have always had issues with getting pipe cleaners though. Now I know it might be the pipe, and not me or my tobacco.
I've read what you all posted, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. For example, I'm a technical guy... I want my pipe to WORK. I care about the quality of the smoking experience much more than any aesthetic considerations- but that's what's right for me. (At least right now.) Maybe later I can branch out to get that quality smoke in a truly fine briar, but right now its nice to know I'm not "Missing OUT" on something. I hate that feeling.
And thanks for all the warm welcomes. Let me extend a hearty "Halooo!" to my fellow pipe smokers!
En Garde!

 

[pstlpkr]

Boston you are welcome, we are all glad we can help.

A lot of us directly equate the "quality" of our smoke with the ritual of choosing the right pipe and tobacco, the preparing of that tobacco, packing of that pipe, the Char and True Light, our surroundings, the close examination of the nuances of the tobacco smoke, and of course, the all important choice of beverage, and book/music/silence/conversation/contemplation/view... etc., and one cannot forget that almost zen like state of mowing the lawn with a pipe.
We ain't pipe snobs, just folks that enjoy our pipes.

The more you learn, the more you will enjoy the experience.

And, I suppose that is (after all) the bottom line.

 

[bubbadreier]

Welcome to the forums bostonbill! I am pretty new here too, so I am learning right along with you!
My first pipe was a Dr. Garbow Grand Duke that cost me about $25, and I believed it to be an amazing smoke. Then I bought some MM corn cob pipes and it even furthered my opinion the the Dr. Garbow was a great smoke. That was until I recently picked up an estate Nording freehand, and after cleaning it up and "restoring" it, it puts my original pipe to shame. And the Nording is only a mid-range pipe. but now the garbow is my do everything outside pipe. So I guess what I am getting at is stick with the Mid-range pipes if they smoke well for you and you enjoy them because there is no going back IMO!

 

[pstlpkr]

Uh Oh! PAD ALERT!

 

[bostonbill]

pstlpkr
Uh Oh! PAD ALERT!

What?

 

[pstlpkr]

Pipe Acquisition Disorder, a common ailment among pipe smokers....

There is no cure.......

 

[ohin3]

I have to say that when I choose a pipe, I am first attracted to the aesthetics, but engineering and over all smokeablity will trump aesthetics any day for me. A pipe has to smoke well or it is fire fodder, or, perhaps, set aside for smoking other things. I have to say, I have had great success with Stanwell for low to mid price range good smokers. I have owned a half dozen or so Stanwells in my life and every single one of them have been problem free. Never excessively heat up, never gurgle, stems don't seem to go loose and the pipe cleaner test is always passed. Maybe I have just been really lucky, but it does seem that amongst all of the low to mid price range pipes I have purchased over the past 13 years, Stanwell has always delivered a problem free smoke. I cannot say the same for the Savinelli, Parker, Brebbia, Nording, Bjarne, Sasieni, Charatan's Make and Dr. Grabow Pipes I have owned. Seems to be a crap shoot with all those brands. Some are incredible smokers, some heat up, some gurgle, some develop loose stems, and some seem to make everything that is smoked in them taste like burnt dog shit. Savinelli seems be the worst for consistently being problematic. I have only owned 4 of them but every one seemed to have one or more issues. I guess I am kind of championing Stanwell in this post, but, from my experiences with them, I am happy to be that champion.

 

[briarbrian]

smoke what you like to smoke and dont ever go ovr the budget that you have set in your mind. Its bad enough that it will eventually gravitate towards more expensive pipes! LOL We all do it and start out usually with in expensive pipes.
Im jaded because Im a pipe maker that charges more for my pipes but. I also believe that you can get a great smoking pipe for little money. Some asy that once you get over the 100.00-200.00 range that the pipes do smoke better because more attention is paid to the small details that make a great smoking pipe. But I have found that sometimes it is true and sometimes it isnt.

 

[surfmac211]

I prefer smaller bowled pipes but I have recently started to expand to some larger ones. I will say that for me larger bowls and tend to smoke cooler since I smoke a tad on the fast side anyways. I have purchased 2 Bjarne giants, 1 Savinelli Hercules, 1 Bari, and 1 Barling. I have been happy with them, but honestly I'm still partial to the look of smaller pipes. I am currently looking around for a good deal on an Ardor giant.
I have said it several times but smokingpipes.com sells some Italian made Comoy's for 45 to 50 bucks that are GREAT smokers. I haven't seen them in a while though so maybe Kevin could do some asking around(hint hint...) LOL.

 

[hauntedmyst]

Pipe Acquisition Disorder, a common ailment among pipe smokers....

There is no cure.......

Actually, there is a cure but it takes tremendous strength of will. You need to collect enough pipes so that when they one day accidently tip over on you, you are crushed by their sheer weight and and die peacefully pinned down in the company of your love ones; Dunhill, Castello, Ferndown, Becker, etc. That is where the phase "Sweet release of death" comes from.

 

[juni]

I agree with the Stanwell statement above, but I also want to add that they also are pleasing to the eye. Very well made, affordable pipes.

 

[changojoe]

PAD!!!! I got hit!!!! Design Berlin Bent Horn, Castello and a Cristiano!!!! like new!!

i could not find that will power haunted mist.... ok where is that Everclear at???

yes i am guilty !!!lol!

 

[ohin3]

Oh hell yeah I love the Stanwell aesthetic.