Over the years I have seen several newbie posts here, the gist of which is "are Dunhill pipes worth it?". In keeping with the tradition of newbie posting about Dunhill, I'll do my part.
1) I can recall no instance of a Dunhill smoker that complained about how crappy his pipe is. I just don't see posts like "Yeah, I smoke a Dunhill, but it's a real piece of junk."
2) I have a Dunhill 4107 Bruyere apple that I bought new and I must say that the quality of the manufacturing is remarkably good. Very impressive. My other pipes are either very good or excellent, but this one stands out for manufacturing quality, for beauty of design, and for beauty of finish. Ergonomics are fabulous. Very comfortable. And most of all, it's a great smoking pipe.
3) My other Dunhill is an estate 5101 apple that's about 40 years old and is in very good condition. It was a smoked pipe when I got it and it was obviously well taken care of, with the only wear being the kind of honest wear that comes with careful use. A ding or a minor scratch here and there. Bowl slightly charred but in great condition. It's a great smoking pipe. Like the other one, very comfortable.
4) The Dunhills are not my favorites. My favorite is a Savinelli Giubilieo D'Oro 207 smooth natural finished apple. Aside from being a beautiful pipe, it is the most comfortable for me to hold in hand and mouth (I don't clench, by the way). My understanding is that the Giubileos are Savinelli's highest quality pipes that are based on their standard factory shapes, and which are made of some of the best briar they can get.
I recall reading that buying a high end pipe is no guarantee of a good smoke, but it does increase the probability of a good smoke. I think there's something to that. Particularly given the shocking changes over the years in the availability of old briar and of high quality briar. My understanding is that good pipes of about a hundred years ago might be based on 250 year old briar trees, and good pipes of today are based on briar trees as young as 15 years. We've depleted the resource. I would like to learn more about this if you have good information on it. Is Dunhill briar better than most others? I don't know, but I'm guessing it is. It would be scandalous if it were not of relatively superior quality.
As to the question of whether a Dunhill is worth it, from the point of view of smoking I would say no, and that is based on the earned opinion of actually having spent the money and gotten the experience. Why no? Because you can spend a lot less for a pipe that delivers a great smoke and looks good too. However, from the point of view of pipe smoking as a hobby that beckons different people in different aspirational directions, then the answer is yes: Dunhill pipes are worth it to the hobbyist like me who values the history and tradition of the Dunhill brand, and the influence of Alfred Dunhill himself. Others may go in the direction of artisan made pipes or rare pipes or other specialties. It's like choosing any other luxury good. It's a personal choice based on individual sensibilities and priorities.
1) I can recall no instance of a Dunhill smoker that complained about how crappy his pipe is. I just don't see posts like "Yeah, I smoke a Dunhill, but it's a real piece of junk."
2) I have a Dunhill 4107 Bruyere apple that I bought new and I must say that the quality of the manufacturing is remarkably good. Very impressive. My other pipes are either very good or excellent, but this one stands out for manufacturing quality, for beauty of design, and for beauty of finish. Ergonomics are fabulous. Very comfortable. And most of all, it's a great smoking pipe.
3) My other Dunhill is an estate 5101 apple that's about 40 years old and is in very good condition. It was a smoked pipe when I got it and it was obviously well taken care of, with the only wear being the kind of honest wear that comes with careful use. A ding or a minor scratch here and there. Bowl slightly charred but in great condition. It's a great smoking pipe. Like the other one, very comfortable.
4) The Dunhills are not my favorites. My favorite is a Savinelli Giubilieo D'Oro 207 smooth natural finished apple. Aside from being a beautiful pipe, it is the most comfortable for me to hold in hand and mouth (I don't clench, by the way). My understanding is that the Giubileos are Savinelli's highest quality pipes that are based on their standard factory shapes, and which are made of some of the best briar they can get.
I recall reading that buying a high end pipe is no guarantee of a good smoke, but it does increase the probability of a good smoke. I think there's something to that. Particularly given the shocking changes over the years in the availability of old briar and of high quality briar. My understanding is that good pipes of about a hundred years ago might be based on 250 year old briar trees, and good pipes of today are based on briar trees as young as 15 years. We've depleted the resource. I would like to learn more about this if you have good information on it. Is Dunhill briar better than most others? I don't know, but I'm guessing it is. It would be scandalous if it were not of relatively superior quality.
As to the question of whether a Dunhill is worth it, from the point of view of smoking I would say no, and that is based on the earned opinion of actually having spent the money and gotten the experience. Why no? Because you can spend a lot less for a pipe that delivers a great smoke and looks good too. However, from the point of view of pipe smoking as a hobby that beckons different people in different aspirational directions, then the answer is yes: Dunhill pipes are worth it to the hobbyist like me who values the history and tradition of the Dunhill brand, and the influence of Alfred Dunhill himself. Others may go in the direction of artisan made pipes or rare pipes or other specialties. It's like choosing any other luxury good. It's a personal choice based on individual sensibilities and priorities.
