Thoughts Good Straight Billiards?

[sparrowhawk]

Looking for a new straight, unaffected billiard. Any ideas? Chachom seems to have a number of them, but don't know anything about their quality.

 

[hauntedmyst]

You should define what you mean by unaffected. Chacom is a good brand but simple billiards are available from most manufacturers such as Stanwell, Upshall, Comoy, Ropp, Brigham, etc. Briarworks makes a nice looking robust one that's on the shorter side though they are not a nose warmer.

 

[sparrowhawk]

I meant unadorned by bands, other enhancements. A simple classic pipe. While here, what is the thoughts on Zulu pipes?

 

[SpookedPiper]

The shape is up to you, it don't bother me one bit!

I tend to smoke my Zulu's occasionally and I feel that they dont have the same appeal or are sought after if you intend to sell it later on.

Enjoy the search...and post when you find your beauty.

 

[jaytex1969]

I've had great service from a Savinelli 111KS Roma. It has a small brass ring adornment, but it's easy to find a Savinelli without trim.



Savinelli Billiards on SP.com

A nice example

 

[americaman]

Many. Dunhill, Barling, Ashton are amongst my favorites for that classic English look. If you are looking for something $100 or under check Vauen or Peterson.

 

[haparnold]

My suggestion would be Briarworks. They have several very conservative straight billiard styles in their classic collection, and with the pipes magazine discount, a sandblasted can be picked up for under 100 dollars.

Examples:

 

[mso489]

If you like and accept factory pipes -- and I do -- handsome traditional billiards can be found in many standard brands, as someone just posted. Savinelli, Big Ben, Stanwell, BC, Genod, Chacom, and Johs all do fine versions. You can also move upscale to many fine artisan billiards. SP has a wide selection of Genod pipes from France right now at good prices. Be sure you get what you want on filter or no-filter pipes, and on finish and stem material. A good straight tapered stem billiard is a beautiful pipe.

 

[hawky454]

For the price, I’d look at getting either a Stanwell 29 or 12 depending on what you like. I love the 29 shape so much I bought it twice. The 12 is another beauty but Stanwell’s make great billiards all around, as do Savenilli. I love my Peterson Donegal Rocky but it was made in the 70’s, can’t speak for today’s production as they got a bad reputation.

 

[danimalia]

I saw a beautiful billiard around $100 from Santambroggio on the Le Pipe website if you don't mind going international. Might be a bit too adorned for your tastes.

 

[weezell]

I've had great service from a Savinelli

Always good pipes at a reasonable price in my book...

 

[weezell]

Or MM Cobs(Just sayin)...puf

 

[Dusk]

Looking for a new straight, unaffected billiard. Any ideas? Chachom seems to have a number of them, but don't know anything about their quality.

Chacom makes excellent pipes but their general aesthetics lean more towards modern styling. However, they still make classic styles that you may prefer in the Bayard or City lines:

 

[alexnc]

I bet the Stanwell 29 and Briarworks are good steers. I had a Stanwell 88 & a 234 that we’re good smokers. Same with the Santambrogio, I have one that’s great smoker. Brebbia makes a solid basic pipe too imo.

 

[Merton]

Radice makes very nice and relatively affordable billiards in its Rind line. For under $175 you can pick up a handmade and beautiful pipe with great fit and finish and, most importantly, a uncoated bowl. Cost obviously lower on the estate side.

 

[Merton]

Sorry, $175-$200

 

[tenton]

I like the Tsuge 21 Tasting billiard, hard to do much better for the price.

Recently purchased a Jesse Jones Zulu and while not my most favorite shape, it just spoke to me for some reason and ended up being my best smoking pipe.

 

[alexnc]

My one Radice smokes beautifully, that would be a good choice

 

[mikefu]

I second BriarWorks as a great value (particularly if you use the coupon on their ad banner) , and also recommend Savinelli and Stanwell.