Underrated Factory Pipes / Brands

[mikethompson]

I've often read statements like "my Grabow smokes just as well as my fancy pipes" and "this no name briar is one of my best smokers". While i think that pipe smoking is mostly cadence and up to the individual smoker, what pipe brands or makers are in your opinion, very underrated, or fantastic value for money?

Let's try to keep this to new pipes, as the smoking value of a good estate is a different subject altogether.

 

[tradition]

Comoy's

 

[timt]

Comoy's

Agree with you on that, especially the newer ones. I mostly hear grumbling about them not being what they use to be. The few that I have, I like a lot.

 

[Papamique]

Mastro de Paja

 

[STP]

I don’t know if they’re “underrated”, but Rossi (Savinelli) is certainly one of the best bangs for the buck.

 

[pappymac]

Mastro de Paja

I agree. I have a Mastro de Paja and it's in my weekly rotation.
Here are a couple of more:

Mastro Beraldi
Stefano Santambrogio (I've won two long smoke competition with one of his.)

 

[Casual]

Philip Trypis. He died a few years ago, but there are still unsmoked pipes around at ridiculously low prices if you hunt. They hit well above their weight, if the rustication style works for you.

 

[scloyd]

what pipe brands or makers are in your opinion, very underrated, or fantastic value for money?

Let's try to keep this to new pipes,

Molina...I have a couple that I paid $35-$40 and they're really good smokers. They're not mentioned very often here on the forum.

 

[lelik]

Brebbia and Mastro de Paja .

 

[ashdigger]

Let's try to keep this to new pipes, as the smoking value of a good estate is a different subject altogether

You can get old Sasieni and other Brit Wood “seconds” for great deals if you pay attention.

If you go on Pipedia.com and search Sasieni, you’ll get a good start.

I know this strayed from you actual requirements, but thought I’d toss is out there

 

[BROBS]

Comoy's

Big time. Especially the Riband line. For a little over 100 you can get flawless and excellent tasting briar.

 

[BROBS]

I agree. I have a Mastro de Paja and it's in my weekly rotation.
Here are a couple of more:

Mastro Beraldi
Stefano Santambrogio (I've won two long smoke competition with one of his.)

FACTORY PIPES ?

 

[dmcmtk]

Value for money? Wally Frank...Erhlich...Cellini...Edward's...just off the top of my head. I'll second the Sasieni "Seconds" suggestion, Lord knows I have enough of them!

 

[haparnold]

Almost all factory pipes, honestly. I particularly like Briarworks and Comoy's.

 

[mso489]

Ropp, Genod, LaRocca, Gianni.

 

[J.GANDY]

I definitely agree with the Grabow's and other reasonably priced pipes as being underrated, any pipe by any maker can be hit or miss. However, I do believe it is subjective of what's considered a 'great smoking' pipe.

One person says "My Peterson is the best pipe I own!".

Another says "Nothing is better than a cob!".

Who's right? Both of course.

That said, I like my Willard Dublin, Grabow's and prefer cobs, particularly the unfiltered.

So my vote is for corncob's and Dr. Grabow's.

 

[mikethompson]

Some good names here, and some I've never heard of as well.

 

[ophiuchus]

Another vote for LaRocca. I never read the name here, but mine are plainly attractive, solid smokers.

Then there’s Lorenzo, Viking/Bjarne Viking, Butz-Choquin, Brebbia ... quite a few factory made, good looking, well drilled quality smoking tools. Brigham comes up once in a while, but not enough to my mind.

(Edited to add: ) Dr. Grabow may not be what it used to be, but for factory quickies you can buy at Walgreens and smoke nicely right out of the bubble-pack, they’re quite good and deserve the mentions here.

 

[ophiuchus]

I’m determined to try out Briarworks ...

 

[wayneteipen]

Under $100, my goto is Stanwell. I especially like their inexpensive Vario line as everyday smokers. I'm pretty impressed with the Chacom pipe I recently purchased. Both Stanwell's and the Chacom required a little modifying of the stem airway in order for them to smoke the way I like but well worth the extra effort IMO.