What’s the Difference?

[Hobbs]

When I started smoking pipes two years ago, I wasn’t sure what shape pipe I would like so I purchased a few inexpensive types to try.
I tried Cobs and a couple cheap briars, even a Churchwarden. Now that I have acquired some knowledge, I am starting to branch out with some quality pipes.
I recently purchased a Savinelli full bent rustic and am having an author style shipped as of this writing.
My question is this… one of my first trials was with an inexpensive bent briar for $16 (photo). This pipe smokes well and will probably stay in my rotation. But what exactly is the difference between this cheap pipe and a $100 Sav or Peterson of the same shape? I realize the quality is night and day BUT what does the more expensive pipe give me than the cheap one?

 

[dog_park_piper]

This is a topic I think about all the time. I want to believe that expensive pipes are better for being expensive. We attribute quality to things we are asked a lot of money for.

If you threw 25 pipes in a bag for me to smoke over a year, cobs, cheap briar, clay, and expensive briar brands, and didn’t tell me what the price was on any of them, then I could tell you what the right pipes are.

If I didn’t like a particular pipe, and you then tell me it’s worth $2,000, I wouldn’t change my mind and say it’s really great.

The pipe is a vehicle for what you smoke for, and we treasure them. We associate the pipe with the tobacco: For example, when I am craving tobacco, I am more likely to start search for pipes online than to search for tobacco.

But those damn Castellos…

 

[sablebrush52]

When I started smoking pipes two years ago, I wasn’t sure what shape pipe I would like so I purchased a few inexpensive types to try.
I tried Cobs and a couple cheap briars, even a Churchwarden. Now that I have acquired some knowledge, I am starting to branch out with some quality pipes.
I recently purchased a Savinelli full bent rustic and am having an author style shipped as of this writing.
My question is this… one of my first trials was with an inexpensive bent briar for $16 (photo). This pipe smokes well and will probably stay in my rotation. But what exactly is the difference between this cheap pipe and a $100 Sav or Peterson of the same shape? I realize the quality is night and day BUT what does the more expensive pipe give me than the cheap one?
View attachment 278251

It all depends. A more expensive pipe, not an expensive pipe, but more than $16 might bring a little better fit and finish, might be more durable. A little more than that and maybe the bit is more comfortable and the pipe better drilled. Still more and maybe the pipe has better balance, maybe some nicer grain, and so on and so on.
If you're happy with what you have, that's what matters. You may find that you look for something different down the line that costs more to obtain.

 

[reloader]

This topic has been discussed a lot on the forum. Some expensive pipes may have superb grain and finish and that's what may may it expensive. I only care about how a pipe smokes. I have many inexpensive pipes that smoke great. I have one of a kind pipes that don't smoke well at all. Its very smoker specific as to what pipes you eventually end up with in the end.

 

[samuelgawith01]

Try a Larry Roush pipe,and you'll see what.(Just my opinion)

 

[PipeIT]

More expensive doesn’t necessarily give you anything. It really depends, in a nutshell basically on the Materials and Construction, how well they’ve been prepared, and the skills of the craftsman.

Pipes don’t have to expensive to be good. Price doesn’t always mean better...

Briar as an example, needs age, curing and processing before it’s ready to be used.

Be sure to read this article, if you haven’t already.

‘The Myth of Brand and Maker in Pipesmoking’, by Dr. Fred Hanna.

Pipe Brand Myth

An article about Dr. Hanna.

Meet Fred Hanna, Doctor of Pipes | Smokingpipes.com

Read our interview with Fred Hanna, Doctor of Pipes and author of Pipe focused books such as <em>The Perfect Smoke</em>.

www.smokingpipes.com

 

[The Amish Tyrant]

When I started smoking pipes two years ago, I wasn’t sure what shape pipe I would like so I purchased a few inexpensive types to try.
I tried Cobs and a couple cheap briars, even a Churchwarden. Now that I have acquired some knowledge, I am starting to branch out with some quality pipes.
I recently purchased a Savinelli full bent rustic and am having an author style shipped as of this writing.
My question is this… one of my first trials was with an inexpensive bent briar for $16 (photo). This pipe smokes well and will probably stay in my rotation. But what exactly is the difference between this cheap pipe and a $100 Sav or Peterson of the same shape? I realize the quality is night and day BUT what does the more expensive pipe give me than the cheap one?
View attachment 278251

Is the pictured pipe from ebay (Scotte, perhaps)? If so, it's either pear or Ebony wood, heavier than briar, and smokes well.

The Savinelli 606KS is similar in shape and size, but smokes and looks better for me (yes, I have both). Keep the lower end for travel or when doing work. It's easier to replace if lost or damaged.

 

[minerLuke]

I just got my first Castello for Christmas, a kk 32 Canadian. I have never had a sweeter smoking pipe from the very first bowl. Break in? What break in !? I certainly can't attribute it to any magic bowl coating because Castellos bowls come uncoated. I can only attribute that sweet and delicious briar taste to the quality of the briar that they use.

 

[bullet08]

Just to smoke, you need a pipe. Smoke without too much issues, you want a pipe that's well drilled. Most everything else is what you want to see with your eyes. And what you see with your eyes can cost a lot. Difference between a $20 hooker, and a $2,000 escort. Hell, you can spend extra $0.25 for a paper bag for the hooker.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Castellos bowls come uncoated

Some do.

 

[minerLuke]

Some do.

View attachment 278280View attachment 278281

Interesting, all the Castellos I was looking at looked to be uncoated. I guess some are? Or were?

 

[Chasing Embers]

Interesting, all the Castellos I was looking at looked to be uncoated. I guess some are? Or were?

Those are currently at SPC.

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

MM cobs are about the cheapest pipes you can get & that’s what I mainly prefer for both price & practicality. After all pipes are just tools to burn IMHO. The real value is the enjoyment & relaxation you get when smoking a pipe. Some desire/need higher end pipes to attain that value…your mileage may vary. ️

 

[minerLuke]

Those are currently at SPC.

I picked mine up from Luca at Tabaccheriacorti.com (great service!). I think he gets his straight from the factory since he's just down the road. I am wondering if SPC asks for the coating for US market?

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

Just to smoke, you need a pipe. Smoke without too much issues, you want a pipe that's well drilled. Most everything else is what you want to see with your eyes. And what you see with your eyes can cost a lot. Difference between a $20 hooker, and a $2,000 escort. Hell, you can spend extra $0.25 for a paper bag for the hooker.

I prefer the $20 hookers (MM cobs), but I dress them up with a paper bag (Forever or Danish stems). ️

 

[Chasing Embers]

I picked mine up from Luca at Tabaccheriacorti.com (great service!). I think he gets his straight from the factory since he's just down the road.

He gets them too.

Pipe Castello - 'Sea Rock Briar' KKKK Shape 65 - Tabaccheria Corti Lecco - Online Shop

Pipe Castello - 'Sea Rock Briar' KKKK Shape 65

tabaccheriacorti.com

 

[dog_park_piper]

I picked mine up from Luca at Tabaccheriacorti.com (great service!). I think he gets his straight from the factory since he's just down the road. I am wondering if SPC asks for the coating for US market?

I don’t know the logic of the which pipes get coats and which do not. Most do not, but the Castello factory does it for some. It may be to keep with the dark aesthetic of the design, like in the photo shared, because the one Castello I had with the coating was also a dark pipe.

 

[HeavyLeadBelly]

while I wouldn’t feel comfortable buying a sub 30 dollar pipe off of Amazon, due to just how much junk is sold on that site in general, there are so many affordable brands out there that sell great smokers. Rossi, Ropp, Molina, etc. A person doesn’t need a very expensive pipe to have a good pipe though nice pipes look nice

 

[PipeIT]

Some do.

View attachment 278280View attachment 278281

Ahhh interesting, I haven’t been paying attention to them over at SPC. I counted 8 as of today I see that are coated.

Castello Tobacco Pipes | Buy Castello Tobacco Pipes at Smokingpipes

Smokingpipes is your one stop shop for Castello Tobacco Pipes and all your tobacco smoking needs. From new and estate tobacco pipes to tin pipe tobacco and bulk pipe tobacco, we have everything you need

www.smokingpipes.com

hmm I always assumed, every pipe Castello did would be uncoated.

I wonder what the reasoning was, to of not just left them uncoated. I always assumed, this was the history and approach of Castello, going uncoated...

 

[El Capitán]

My best smoker was a MM Ozark. Got it for $6. My new best smoker is my Stanwell. Paid $97 for it on sale. Not too expensive when it comes to pipes. The quality is far better and the look is divine.