This Might Be My First Briar

[soburner]

I'm a brand new pipe smoker, and diving in head first. After two weeks of a corn cob and basket hardwood pipe, I'd like to move up to a briar, with a budget of about $50. I found this one online, and I wanted some opinions. It's an estate Calabresi, on sale for $50. I love bent pipes, and the fact that this is a "sitter." There is a "tiny" fill, but I don't mind that much.

What does everyone think? Is it a good deal, or am I being taken to the cleaners? Does it look like it would smoke well, or does it look like it would be unable to breathe and get too hot or be hard to master? I'm pretty much clawing in the dark here.
Any help is appreciated.

 

[eaglerico]

I think as a new smoker you would be better off getting one of the new Savinelli pipes from the link below.
http://pipesandcigars.com/antiqueshell.html

 

[rmbittner]

If you like the look of that pipe, there's nothing in the photo that would raise any red flags. It looks like it has been well-smoked (from the darkening of the bowl), but it also appears to have been cleaned up very well. The stem, assuming it's original, looks to be in great shape, and the top of the bowl is free from char and tar buildup.
$50 does seem a little high for a machine-made pipe from a company that I would consider "second-tier" (just my opinion). On the other hand, I don't get a true sense of how big the pipe actually is; if it's quite large, then $50 might be a reasonable price -- especially if this model originally sold for $100. But I can't believe it did sell for that price due to the presence of even a "tiny" fill. I personally wouldn't pay $50 for an estate pipe with a fill; but that's just my personal preference. It certainly won't affect the smoking one bit.
Bob

 

[cortezattic]

At this early stage in your pipe tobacco smoking career I would not recommend an estate pipe. The residual flavors

of previous blends may confuse your palate. Also, the pipe in the picture appears to have an area of darkened wood

visible on the bowl. It may just be the lighting, or the darkening may be due to something other than scorching,

but for $50 I think I'd look elsewhere. The grain on that pipe doesn't exactly knock my socks off either.
Eaglerico and rothnh both make excellent suggestions for new pipes in your price range, and I might add Aldo Velani to the list of considerations. Here's a new pipe, a sitter, for $40

...ps. I tend to favor the Sav's that eaglerico recommends

 

[thesmokindragon]

IMHO, keep smoking the cobs, etc. spend that $$$ on high-quality

bacci while putting a little aside each time for a nice hand-made; either

new or estate. This strategy works great for me I just have to

stay away from the online sites during the process because my PAD

always-always gets the best of me

 

[vabriar]

soburner- this pipe smoking adventure you are diving into is highly subjective and personal but I 2nd the idea of a new Savinelli. On the other hand I really like the shape of pipe in question and sometimes a pipe just beckons the soul. I think you will do ok with either but keep in mind a new pipe will need to be broken in and an estate pipe might have residual taste (ghosting) from its previous owners tobacco as others have said. Be sure to let us know what you end up doing!

 

[ohin3]

http://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/estate/italy/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=108267
http://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/estate/italy/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=105194
http://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/estate/denmark/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=117229
There's a few pipes in your price range that I would recommend.

 

[rmbittner]

I wouldn't try to dissuade a new pipe smoker from picking up estates. I can't tell you how many of my first pipes were bought from Barry Levin, and they were wonderful. It was the only way I could pick up some of those great brand names at affordable prices. I can't tell how eagerly I ripped open those photo-mailers he used to send out and then raced to the phone to make sure I was able to get the one I wanted before anyone else grabbed it up.
Bob

 

[cigrmaster]

I would also go with a new Savinelli or Tsuge for the reasons mentioned above. Cobs are ok, but they will not give you the same smoking experience that a broken in briar pipe will. There is a reason that most people smoke briar pipes in comparison to a cob.