Wanting Advice, Recommendations on Pre-Owned Pipes

[Zack Miller]

EDIT: Fixed Capitalization in Title (See Rule 9)

Okay, I’m now taking this seriously.

I started smoking pipes just as I started college in 1964 but stopped around 1972. Started again in 1990 (after promising myself if I ever got divorced, the first thing I would do is buy a pipe). Stopped again around 1993. Started again about four years ago.

I now have six pipes. Two Peterson’s both bent (one with a date of March 2013 and one much older). I have two Meerschaums, a new Savinelli church warden, and an old GBD midnight. I have no idea where this came from. It may have been my father’s. I had to get new stems for the Peterson’s and the bowl reamed out on the GBD, the diameter having been reduced to a thread.

I have been getting my tobacco at the local tobacconist. Until recently I was just buying a Cavendish from the jar, but in the last few weeks I decided to start trying different blends. I have tried two C&D blends and a Christmas blend (didn’t note the name).

Anyway, I have learned a lot from this forum and enjoy the posts.

I have noted a significant amount of discussion about used pipes. At first the idea of buying a used pipe was bothersome, but it appears that reputable resellers do a good job with restoration. I remind myself that when I eat at a restaurant, countless people have already used the forks and spoons before me, so buying a clean pipe should be no worse.

The main question is who do you recommend for the used pipe market, both in terms of reasonable price and restoration quality? Are used pipes the way to go? I don’t think I am interested in collecting for collecting sake, but would be interested in having a decent selection of pipes to rotate.

I have found a few, Oldpipesrule , thesecondhandsmoker, and of course pipestuds and blueroom. Are there any you would recommend? Or not recommend?

Comments welcome.

 

[shanez]

There are a lot of good estate pipe sources out there.

I'd recommend any of the site sponsors that sell estates.

You already mentioned Pipestud and Blue Room.

Maxim at Pipes2Smoke is great. Dave at MKE-LAW is fantastic (Just bought a pipe 2 nights ago from him. He emailed me a thank you that night after I placed my order around 10pm and he emailed me a tracking number the next morning.). Smoking Pipes is also great.

I'm not sure how many pipes total I've bought from all of them combined but I'll continue to do so.

I'll post some more places tomorrow when I get in to my office.

 

[FurCoat]

I have bought quite a few from BR and have been very happy. Read the description as most seller are up front on any blemishes or faults with the pipe.

 

[ashdigger]

I’ve had good luck with Forum sponsor MKELAW-pipes.com.

I’ve also had great luck with pulverspipes.com

HOWEVER.... you should grab a couple of beaters of eBay and then go to Rebornpipes.com and try your hand at restoration.

 

[Zack Miller]

It seems Dunhills are more expensive than say Peterson or Savinelli. Are they worth it?

 

[puffy]

Over the years I've bought 2 pipes from eBay..One was like new..The other wasn't what it was cracked up to be..My advice would be to buy from some one you know you can trust.

 

[shanez]

It seems Dunhills are more expensive than say Peterson or Savinelli. Are they worth it?

As much as I like my Dunhills, I have far more Savinellis than any other brand and it can't tell the difference in smoking quality between the brands.

 

[ashdigger]

As much as I like my Dunhills, I have far more Savinellis than any other brand and it can't tell the difference in smoking quality between the brands.

That’s what makes pipe smoking so fantastic. I absolutely hate Savinelli; however, I’m extremely cautious on the Dunhills I purchase.

AND I really prefer older pre-WW2 pipes, so feel to ignore my ramblings.

 

[mso489]

I think Dunhills are attractive traditional pipes, but the prices new and used seem like a marketing stunt, commendable business acumen but a scam to the consumer. So no, not worth it to me anyway. If you want up-market pipes, factory or artisan, just shop many other up-market brands that give you two comparable pipes for the price of one Dunhill.

 

[verporchting]

Wise counsel here above. I’ve had great experiences with MKELaw, Blue Room and Smoking Pipes. All have been outstanding in service, value and accurate descriptions. I’ve gotten some excellent estate pipes that are reliable smokers for reasonable prices. All will gladly talk with you and even provide photos or answer your questions. Go for it and happy hunting!

 

[Jshogan2]

I'd agree with all the recommendations so far from experiences I've had or from word of mouth, and I'd add smokingpipes.com as well as treasurepipes on Ebay. I've had several positive experiences with both on estate pipes.

 

[shanez]

That’s what makes pipe smoking so fantastic. I absolutely hate Savinelli; however, I’m extremely cautious on the Dunhills I purchase.

AND I really prefer older pre-WW2 pipes, so feel to ignore my ramblings.

Absolutely!

I'm, in a sense, picky with my Dunhill purchases. Considering their price I want either a good deal or something a little unique. I just ordered a Dunhill cavalier from Dave at MKELAW which is not only unique but about $100 under value based on my research. $75 at least. That being said, one of my favorite Dunhills I got from a site member which had been repaired. But for the $60 I paid it's a fantastic smoker and I can't find the repair.

If you don't like Savinellis that's okay. More Qandales, Autographs, Artisans, and Mignons for me.

The most fantastic thing is, despite our differences in tastes, we both agree Dave at MKELAW is fantastic to deal with.

 

[stokesdale]

I've always found Smoking Pipes to have consistently nice pipes, nicely restored for a good price. You have to be careful with them though because sometimes they will try to slip in an estate pipe that is close to the new price; I look for "smoked but pretty clean" label and about 40% below the new price pipe.

 

[mikethompson]

HOWEVER.... you should grab a couple of beaters of eBay and then go to Rebornpipes.com and try your hand at restoration.

I will agree with Tim that while it sounds daunting, breathing life into an old pipe is very rewarding. You don't need expensive equipment or tools, just patience and a slow hand.

As for buying estates, you've already mentioned some good trusted vendors. EBay is a diceroll like everything else. I would NOT recommend AliExpress for pipes

 

[Chasing Embers]

Dig around, this Dunhill was a $20 Ebay buy.



I do prefer Savinelli and GBD though.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

All the site sponsors are very good. I've bought more pipes from pipestud over three years than anybody else. By far. I have no issue buying a used pipes. After I smoke a new one the first time, it is now used. I've developed a liking for Artisan pipes in the past year and a half. Many I've had quite a bit of input into the design. Really liked working with Jack Howell and Ryan Alden. Great Artisans and great guys.

 

[sablebrush52]

My top two recommendations are Mike Glukler at Briar Blues and Marty Pulvers at Pulvers Prior Briar.

Both of these gents offer good prices, no bullshit and scrupulous honesty. Both enjoy widespread respect in the piping community and have done so for decades. Marty also co-sponsors the West Coast Pipe Show, held yearly in Las Vegas.

 

[shanez]

As some have mentioned Marty Pulvers is great to deal with. Another I forgot last night, and a site sponsor, it The Danish Pipe Shop. They're surprisingly fast with shipping.

Two more options I've been happy with are Estate Pipe Shop (in UK - another good overseas shipper) and Pipehub. Pipehub's site can be a little weird sometimes but they've promptly resolved and handled my orders through email.

One place I haven't ordered from (yet) but others I know have been happy with is SATX.

Both Pipehub and SATX have fleabay stores if you prefer.

 

[oldgeezersmoker]

Lots of people shy away from eBay because they hear about other folks’ bad experiences. As a general rule, when you look behind these complaints, they seem to be from bargain hunters who find out the hard way that there isn’t a Santa Claus. If the seller takes good pictures and provides a description, plus a return privilege, go for it — if you have the discipline to enter what your research indicates is a fair value and let it ride.

As far as Dunhills go, they are priced all over the place on the estate market, eBay and otherwise. The perception that they nice ones are always high is simply false.

 

[trouttimes]

Marty Pulver, MKlaw, Blur Room Briars, Pipestud and Smoking Pipes and can be trusted when it comes to quality estates. There are the random good buys on eBay but when I want to gamble, I go to Vegas.