So just what makes a good smoking pipe to you?

[hawke]

So just what makes a good smoking pipe to you? Is it the wood used or the way it burns? Maybe the cake is part of the story. Is older aged briar better than newly cured? Does apple or peach wood do just as well? Long stem or short maybe? Or is it the simply the looks or name that puts you in the mood?

 

[cobguy]

Smokes cool, does not gurgle, easily passes the pipe cleaner test.
That's a good start anyway! ::

 

[warren]

That it doesn't lie and gives only the flavor the blender intended. It also has to fit my eye, hand and bite. It can look like crap, but if it delivers what I want, that's the pipe I want. Don't get me wrong, a pipe has to catch my eye before I would take the time to examine it. After that? It simply needs to deliver a good smoke, hour after hour, day after day. So, I guess dependable would also be a requirement also.
I've got cobs but, I am predominately a briar and meerschaum smoker. The cobs are work pipes and have to take a lot more abuse than the briars. My meers are not abused at all.

 

[fadingdaylight]

+1 for dependable. A good pipe to me is a pipe I can enjoy at home, work, in the car, anywhere without having to worry too much about it. Dont get me wrong, I have my eye on a few high ends, but really its all about being a good smoker that can handle how I smoke.

 

[seagullplayer]

I am glad you asked that question, I will enjoy reading responses from folks with more experience.
I only have a handful of pipes and can't say that I hate any of them, but I do gravitate to one more than another, but I'm not sure I can tell you why. All mine would be considered low end by most here, so maybe there is just not enough difference for a guy like me to tell.
At this point in the game I find the tobacco I put in to make more of a difference than the vessel I put it in.