Ultra High Grade Pipes?

[peckinpahhombre]

Roth,
One of my three beckers is a strawberry (a poker), and I love that pipe. I always go for it, even when I know I probably shouldn't because it needs time to rest from the last time I went for it. What I love about all my beckers is the stem work - they are usually so thin and, to me any way, perfectly comfortable. He is also one of the few italian makers who does cut vulcanite stems on some of his pipes. I am a big fan and am always on the hunt for another.

 

[peckinpahhombre]

.I don't know anymore where high grade starts.Not many years ago I thought it was around $300.These days that's just a down payment.

I don't know where it starts either. My ceiling is about $1000. Just can't see myself spending anymore than that on a pipe. I do have a special Commission going with JT Cooke that I paid 1100 for (half down/half on delivery sometime this August (he estimates)), but I had to gulp to do that. Once, ok, but can't see myself doing that again. There is something about the four figure mark that is just a psychological barrier for me.

 

[pitchfork]

bigvan, thanks for chiming in on this. Very interesting to hear your perspective on some ultras and ostensible non-ultras.

 

[kashmir]

A lot of folks can't understand why someone would shell out big bucks for a pipe. But its all relative isn't it? Nobody bats an eye shelling out many times that amount for furniture or appliances or motorcycles or cars. I figure if you're a serious pipe smoker, and pipe everyday, multiple times, and have been doing so for decades, then spending a grand on a beautiful pipe - if you have it, of course - makes complete sense. By the way my most expensive pipe was $550. But if I was in better financial straights, I'd have no qualms spending twice that for an ultra high grade. Jeeze most people (not me for sure) easily spend that on fast food (sugar & salt) every year, and moreover think it necessary.

 

[allan]

Guys
This is a fascinating discussion. I have never heard of most of the names and I'm going to have to check into them.
As I had mentioned in previous posts. a $1500 Dunhill multiple flame (can't remember exactly how many flames it had) gift from my wife was way over my comfort level, so I returned it. I'm very glad I did. Instead, I purchased Rad, and some other estates. (one Rad is on special order)
I've also just purchased a Thile(sp?) suggested by Harris and I'm greatly looking forward to receiving it, hopefully by tomorrow.
Roth, as far as your post regarding a Buick driving the same as a Mercedes, I've driven both. Both can get you there (many of the new Buicks are probably great cars, so I'm talking about the older ones) but so can a Yugo. I firmly believe that one should never overspend one's budget in purchasing anything, whatever it is. The question really is whether an ultra high end pipe is worth the extra $$ over a 'standard' name brand. I do love my Dunhills, but I'm realizing now that the aritsans out there can be worth some extra money.
I'm still too new at pipe smoking to risk the capital on the ultras, so far.

 

[fishnbanjo]

Roth,

In a previous life my 1995 Mercedes SL500 was a CA 1920's Vega Whyte Laydie Banjo.

 

[chubbster]

I guess I'll find out about the Chonowitsch pipes.
I think I just locked into one, waiting to make sure it is still available. The site usually marks them sold immediately, so I hope this one is mine. It's a nice little straight prince with a military bit. Like I said, I've wante one, preferably with bamboo, but I really like this one.
I'll have pics when I know for sure it is mine.
Fingers crossed!

 

[fishnbanjo]

Also the trick on finding one of Emil's is also finding it not marked SOLD!

 

[fishnbanjo]

Roth! LMAO!!

 

[pitchfork]

Harris, I think you will enjoy the Fred Hanna article that misterlowercase linked to above: http://www.greatnorthernpipeclub.org/bamboozled.pdf
One, great quote:

"Tom Eltang told a friend and me that his pipes do not smoke better than well-made, good-quality Stanwells. He said people seek out Eltang pipes because of the beauty of design, etc..."

 

[ssjones]

I don't golf, but it appears that you can spend over $500 on a good driver. I'm guessing several thousand for a preimium set of clubs is not unusual. Not to mention the greens, club fees etc. So, I rationalize that with pipes, I'm literally saving money.

 

[numbersix]

"Tom Eltang told a friend and me that his pipes do not smoke better than well-made, good-quality Stanwells. He said people seek out Eltang pipes because of the beauty of design, etc..."

Verry interesting...

 

[foggymountain]

Are Lasse Skovgaard considered high end? They are not priced with the superstar names but I bet they smoke as well. I have eight of them and each one is a great smoker. Prices range from $650 to around $1000 for smooth pipes. By the way, I have to disagree with the $4-500 figure. I think it is just a little higher than that. Yet one of my best smokers is the new Radice aero blimp, in the $300+ range.

 

[chubbster]

I think Lasse pipes are bargains, but I don't think they are ultra high grades. I think his pipes start around $400 for a blast if I'm not mistaken. I have heard nothing but high praise for his pipes.

 

[kashmir]

Foggy - Glad to hear you're enjoying that Aero billiard. They sell out awfully fast. Still trying to find mine.

 

[cigrmaster]

I have read all the links provided, thanks guys. Some very interesting opinions on the subject and honestly I am not convinced that an Ultra High grade smokes significantly better than some of the best American artisans like Rad or Ruthenberg or Jody Davis and that ilk.
bigvans post about the Bang and Eltang were very enlightening to me as I trust his opinion on what constitutes a great smoker.
foggy, to my mind Lasse's pipes are not considered Ultra High grades, just a normal high grade. I do love the way many of his pipes look and I have heard he produces a great smoking pipe.

 

[jefff]

Bump because this was interesting.

 

[iamn8]

My opinion, all pipes that are well made, given same shape/size/dimensions all smoke exactly the same!! High grade pipes are art. That's what you pay for. A pipe is a bowl with a hole!!!! It's all in your head! A Van Gogh painting by some random artist that looks identical to the original won't cost 50 million even though they look the same. You're paying for the artist. High grade pipes are just functional art.

 

[jackswilling]

^^^ This makes sense.

 

[jefff]

I have to agree. But also, we tend to use what we love more than what we like.
And our use can easily be colored by our emotions.