Seeking Assistance in Selecting a Free-Standing Poker.

[fr0st]

Hello, I am in the market for a new pipe. I would like it to be a free-standing poker style, with an up-tilted shank and mouthpiece.

I am tempted by the Nørding Compass or Eltang Basic, such as:


I like that I could set it down and the mouthpiece would be above the bowl, thus ensuring that any juices stay there. I’m not really a wet smoker, but obviously set my pipe down so that it is tilted in that manner and leaning against something.

The pipe above is a beauty (in my mind), but I’d like to compare other options- perhaps with a more traditional profile. My usual pipes are usually Canadian shape, and bent profiles don’t appeal as I find them difficult to clinch.

I will use it primarily in smoking VA flake, and would like a somewhat narrow chamber diameter, (less than about 0.7” or 19mm).

My upper spending limit is around $250 US. Bonus points if your suggestion is briar and made in Britain!

 

[ofafeather]

SP pipe locater is great: https://www.smokingpipes.com/search/the-pipe-locator.cfm?sortOpt=priceAsc&displayNum=24&shape=15&price=50,75,100,200&page=1

Not all pokers “sit” when empty so if that is important to you, be sure to ask the question.

 

[VDL_Piper]

Eltang basics are small so keep that in mind as generally pokers have a generous bowl by design. The Eltang pictured is a Dublin and may stand up but an Eltang Basic Poker will not even when filled with tobacco.

 

[fr0st]

Eltang basics are small so keep that in mind as generally pokers have a generous bowl by design. The Eltang pictured is a Dublin and may stand up but an Eltang Basic Poker will not even when filled with tobacco.

That’s good to know, I definitely would have been disappointed by the Basic.

 

[VDL_Piper]

That’s good to know, I definitely would have been disappointed by the Basic.

The pipe bowl is so light and the acrylic mouthpiece on the end of the carbon fibre is too heavy with the extended leverage and they tip over. Great pipes if you clench and never set it down though.

 

[PaulRVA]

Savinelli 311 or see if you can snag a Randy Wiley or Ashton.

 

[Brad H]

How tilted up are you wanting?
Does it have to be as tilted in the pictures?

 

[fr0st]

Does anyone have experience with the Rattray’s Ahoy pipes?

How tilted up are you wanting?
Does it have to be as tilted in the pictures?

Really only tilted enough to keep any liquid at the bottom of the bowl.

 

[fr0st]

Savinelli 311 or see if you can snag a Randy Wiley or Ashton.

Great looking pipes, thanks!

 

[VDL_Piper]

Not sure on your price limit but if you wanted a stunning piece then Larry Roush does some lovely pipes. Probably have to bide your time or you could commission.

 

[Hillcrest]

Just a suggestion:

Estate Tobacco Pipes: American Estates Barclay-Rex Smooth Cherrywood || Smokingpipes.eu

Smokingpipes.eu is your one stop shop for American Estates Barclay-Rex Smooth Cherrywood Tobacco Pipes and all your tobacco smoking needs. From new and used tobacco pipes to tobacco pipe accessories, we have everything you need.

www.smokingpipes.eu

 

[fr0st]

Just a suggestion:

Estate Tobacco Pipes: American Estates Barclay-Rex Smooth Cherrywood || Smokingpipes.eu

Smokingpipes.eu is your one stop shop for American Estates Barclay-Rex Smooth Cherrywood Tobacco Pipes and all your tobacco smoking needs. From new and used tobacco pipes to tobacco pipe accessories, we have everything you need.

www.smokingpipes.eu

That’s a great looking pipe, thanks for sharing!

 

[OzPiper]

Really only tilted enough to keep any liquid at the bottom of the bowl.

I’ve had NO problem with liquid at the bottom of my bowls since I started using meerschaum chips or Nording Keystones.
Tobacco stays dry and smoke down to ash.
Gamechanger.

 

[FLDRD]

I like these:

https://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/peterson/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=666376

 

[fr0st]

Thanks for all of the input everyone. I decided to order the Etlang Basic Dublin Sitter. I’ll be sure to share my thoughts when it arrives.

 

[BronzeAgePiper]

The pipe bowl is so light and the acrylic mouthpiece on the end of the carbon fibre is too heavy with the extended leverage and they tip over. Great pipes if you clench and never set it down though.

I have three basics and never once have they tipped over, so you most definitely got a weird one. I take mine to work where obstacles are aplenty. Also worth noting the black ones usually fit the biggest chamber at .75x1.5”

 

[BronzeAgePiper]

Never mind I see know you are referring to the “Dublin sitter” which I’m not familiar with so you could be correct there.

 

[fr0st]

Never mind I see know you are referring to the “Dublin sitter” which I’m not familiar with so you could be correct there.

Thanks, I did hear back from SP and they confirmed that it will sit, even when empty. I look forward to trying it out, it will be a dedicated Virginia flake pipe.

 

[Merton]

Thanks for all of the input everyone. I decided to order the Etlang Basic Dublin Sitter. I’ll be sure to share my thoughts when it arrives.

You will, I think, like it. I really like the dublin and, if smoke Virginias, you will definetely enjoy it. Usually comes with a detachable windcap. Smokes just as well a regular Eltang poker.

 

[BronzeAgePiper]

Thanks, I did hear back from SP and they confirmed that it will sit, even when empty. I look forward to trying it out, it will be a dedicated Virginia flake pipe.

Cool deal. I just wanted to make sure you were aware of the bigger chambers on the darker rusticated ones. You have to go through them individually to find the biggest one. For instance here..

this one I found the chamber to be the biggest example at .75”x1.65” . Some of the lighter smooths have chamber as small as .59”x1.40” which gives people the wrong impression that all of these Basics are the tiniest of tinies. Hope you love yours as much as I do, I have found that 3 is not enough and will be adding more.