Pipes with metal insert basket?

[eggrollpiper]

I wasn't aware that the MM hardwood pipes are varnished inside the bowl having never tried one. In the cobs I notice some overflows of varnish inside the bowl and yes its not good smoking at all to me. However this can be easily remedied with a bit of sandpaper reaming.

Judcasper:

I look forward to hearing about your final selection and experience with. Please do come back and post an update with your findings. I wish you luck on your journey into pipe smoking.

 

[paulfg]

If you are in the uk their are plenty of online shops where you can buy pipe tobacco in small quantities.Here are just a couple

www.mysmokingshop.co.uk/index2.php

www.turmeaus.co.uk

 

[judcasper]

I look forward to hearing about your final selection and experience with. Please do come back and post an update with your findings. I wish you luck on your journey into pipe smoking.

Thank you, and I certainly will keep you updated

If you are in the uk their are plenty of online shops where you can buy pipe tobacco in small quantities.Here are just a couple

Thanks very much, Paul. I have honestly done some searching for UK online stockists, but neither of these two turned up.

 

[judcasper]

If you are in the uk their are plenty of online shops where you can buy pipe tobacco in small quantities.Here are just a couple
http://www.turmeaus.co.uk

Great website! They have some budget briars on there for £8.99

 

[mso489]

judcasper, yes, the basket is a tip-off. I'd toss it. There are many briar pipes at moderate prices, and if you get an MM cob in the meantime and shop carefully, you can get a good briar pipe for forty or fifty dollars, or even less for a used (estate) pipe. But shop a lot before you buy, learn about pipes, filters, stem materials, brands, and shapes, and watch for good sales. I have my first briar pipe, bought for not much, forty years ago, and it smokes and looks great.

 

[georgebmcclelland]

There are a lot of new-old stock French briar pipes going for really cheap online and are actually pretty good smokers, especially for a beginner, and especially compared to a lot of newer budget pipes. Look up Brulor pipes or Bruyere St. Claude. Italian basket pipes are alright, too. Or, if you don't mind cleaning them out, you can find top quality estate pipes on Ebay for next to nothing. I just picked up an old London-made Ben Wade for £15.

 

[judcasper]

[...] you can get a good briar pipe for forty or fifty dollars [...]

How about twelve dollars? I just found a website selling briars for £8.99 - false economy??
https://www.turmeaus.co.uk/well-bent-briar-brown-plip-pipe-p-25444.html

Or, if you don't mind cleaning them out, you can find top quality estate pipes on Ebay for next to nothing. I just picked up an old London-made Ben Wade for £15.

Ah, estate pipes... a whole new world of piping. I have many questions but got the impression from what digging I've done that EP need professionally refurbishing before they're useable. Is this not the case?

Look up Brulor pipes or Bruyere St. Claude.

Will do. Thank you.

 

[paulfg]

EP need professionally refurbishing before they're useable. Is this not the case?
not always,there are plenty of pipes both on ebay and from dealers that are ready to go or you can do it yourself if you wish.

i have bought many pipes from Dean here.He has pipes for all budgets
www.estatepipeshop.co.uk

 

[judcasper]

Another website that did't turn up in my searches. Thanks!

He has pipes for all budgets

Mmm, not quite, unless I'm looking wrong. Cheapest EP is £39 and the cheapest new is £59. That might be bottom dollar to those who can afford to enjoy their bobby, but way out of my range.

 

[paulfg]

heres another Uk one for you
http://www.smoke.co.uk/acatalog/
there barber B line pipes are made for them and good value
also

www.thebackyshop.co.uk

 

[georgebmcclelland]

Well, the amount of cleaning needed depends on the condition of the pipe. Some require a good amount of work, all of which can be done by anyone with the time and access to the internet for directions, and some will only really need a basic cleaning. Just look for pipes that have nice black stems and no cracks, and you can just get some clear grain alcohol from your local liquor store and wipe down the inside of the bowl with paper towels (lightly dampened in the alcohol) and the stem and shank with pipe cleaners (dipped in the alcohol) until they come out clear, let it dry and you're good to go. This may seem like a lot and is not for everyone, but if you enjoy tinkering then it makes for a great hobby and some superb deals on pipes that can sometimes cost hundreds when new.

 

[georgebmcclelland]

Mmm, not quite, unless I'm looking wrong. Cheapest EP is £39 and the cheapest new is £59. That might be bottom dollar to those who can afford to enjoy their bobby, but way out of my range.

When it comes to good quality, new briar; you'll find that the area of £30-50 is generally considered to be very cheap. If that seems steep to you, I'd (like others have already) definitely suggest corn cobs or hardwoods from Missouri Meerschaum.

 

[georgebmcclelland]

Also something to remember, if you aren't already clear on this, is that many sites listing "Estate Pipes" will have already cleaned and refurbished the pipe you are looking at. Just make sure to find out first.

 

[judcasper]

This may seem like a lot and is not for everyone, but if you enjoy tinkering then it makes for a great hobby and some superb deals on pipes that can sometimes cost hundreds when new.

No, I love the idea of painstakingly restoring a pipe. It sounds like one step down from actually making your own from scratch.

Also something to remember, if you aren't already clear on this, is that many sites listing "Estate Pipes" will have already cleaned and refurbished the pipe you are looking at. Just make sure to find out first.

I'll bear this in mind, thank you.

heres another Uk one for you

Thank you