What is this Magic

[Jcfidd2]

As this is my firs thread excuse any errors but I am new to pipe smoking and have a Dr. Grabow and an unmarked (not bad) filtered pipe that I have been using for a month now with with no general complaints. I just received a Stanwell Calabash that I purchased from an estate off eBay. After examination I lit a bowl of Sutliff Z92 Vanilla and I can not believe the difference. Do better pipes make that much difference? Noticeably more flavor and cooler - by far a much more enjoyable experience. Thanks so much for hearing me out - Enjoy

 

[OverMountain]

Welcome! I love those old Grabow pipes and have a few myself.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

If this magic is working for you, then just keep at it. Sure, you can try a more expensive pipe, but the subjectivity of "better" would probably not make it that much of a difference to you.

If pipe history, luxury of a finely crafter button on the stem, or the appreciation for an artistically sculpted pipe hasn't already drawn you in, then stick to what works for you. YMMV

 

[Chasing Embers]

Does the Stanwell have a more open draw than your other pipes?

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

So far I've discovered that different pipes can make a difference, but the difference in cost doesn't always work in favor of the more expensive pipe.

 

[anotherbob]

As this is my firs thread excuse any errors but I am new to pipe smoking and have a Dr. Grabow and an unmarked (not bad) filtered pipe that I have been using for a month now with with no general complaints. I just received a Stanwell Calabash that I purchased from an estate off eBay. After examination I lit a bowl of Sutliff Z92 Vanilla and I can not believe the difference. Do better pipes make that much difference? Noticeably more flavor and cooler - by far a much more enjoyable experience. Thanks so much for hearing me out - Enjoy

Do they make much difference. The answer is it depends. More expensive pipes in theory should have a higher degree of quality control. Which is one of the reasons they cost more. If they don't sell a pipe because it is not up to snuff or to their standards they have to make that profit from the pipes they do sell. That said people get bum pipes from all price ranges. A more expensive pipe is less likely to have certain issues. A lot of those issues though don't physically effect smoking. Like if it has to have fills (little pits that some type of epoxy is put into) that's not going to effect how it smokes but when you pay more that is one of the things you are paying for is less chance of those). I guess what I am trying to point out is it's not a simple yes or no thing but something that is kind of complex.
The thing is you're the one that can answer that question and no one else can for you. Even pipe carvers aren't sure all the things that effect how a pipe smokes. At the end of the day most briar is good if it is carved and drilled correctly then it will relatively smoke good enough if cheap or the price of a small home. Every pipe I have smokes differently all of them. They all taste different but to be honest it's not dramatic and there is only one that is bad (which was a novelty Tyrolean pipe made for display not smoking, even came with a note saying while you can smoke this it's not what it's made for, also had one that smoked great like one of the best smokers I've ever had). Generally they all do the job and none of them stand out as exceptional compared to the others, just different.

 

[reloader]

Not sure what model Grabow you have, but I'm sure the Calabash is much different. That shape may just smoke the tobacco better for you than the other pipes you've used. I find that some of my tobacco smoke a little different is different shaped pipes.

 

[anotherbob]

So far I've discovered that different pipes can make a difference, but the difference in cost doesn't always work in favor of the more expensive pipe.

for example my falcon and my cob smoke great.

 

[Grangerous]

Cleaner pipes make a difference.

 

[Jcfidd2]

Does the Stanwell have a more open draw than your other pipes?

Better then the filtered but about the same as the Dr. - Thanks

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

Focus on what you enjoy and don’t jump off the deep end. Example…personally I don’t own a pipe that cost me more than 350$. Most of my best smokes are from ? cob pipes…I’m sure da gents are tired of hearing that ?. ?
So as of late…I’m smoking quality ? in cheap ass MIssouri Meerschaums & loving the experience. This is because I’ve figured out what matters to me…it’s the ? brother…it’s the ?. And, the grade of the grain, or the price tag DOES NOT affect the smoking experience if you know how to smoke & have quality ?…focus on acquiring ? v. Pipes. Unless your more of a pipe collector…then do the exact opposite of whatever I say. ?

Many blessings be upon you and yours and welcome to the show. ?️

 

[Jcfidd2]

Focus on what you enjoy and don’t jump off the deep end. Example…personally I don’t own a pipe that cost me more than 350$. Most of my best smokes are from ? cob pipes…I’m sure da gents are tired of hearing that ?. ?
So as of late…I’m smoking quality ? in cheap ass MIssouri Meerschaums & loving the experience. This is because I’ve figured out what matters to me…it’s the ? brother…it’s the ?. And, the grade of the grain, or the price tag DOES NOT affect the smoking experience if you know how to smoke & have quality ?…focus on acquiring ? v. Pipes. Unless your more of a pipe collector…then do the exact opposite of whatever I say. ?

Many blessings be upon you and yours and welcome to the show. ?️

Thanks for your input. I paid $50 for the Stanwell. I too have a Missouri Meerschaum on the way and if I ever spend more then $150 I would be surprised. Thanks again

 

[PipeIT]

Cost doesn’t always equate to making for a better smoking pipe.

Be sure to read this article;

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

https://47eb33e2-aa5c-4340-b7df-657...d/17b259_acdce5ca70354ca7a5f64775f95ae600.pdf

Here’s an article SPC did on Dr. Hanna.

Meet Fred Hanna, Doctor of Pipes | Smokingpipes.com - https://www.smokingpipes.com/smokingpipesblog/single.cfm/post/meet-fred-hanna-doctor-pipes

While new, it’s probably best to not spend more than $100. There are a lot of great pipes, from MM Cobs, to nice pipes, $60-$80 etc..

Learn, read, ask questions, have fun.

Oh, and here is my 1967-1969 Dr. Grabow, smokes as nice as any expensive pipe I’ve smoked, ranging from $175-$350.

 

[btp79]

I find a bit of Jameson, 3 fingers or so REALLY unlocks the magic lol!

 

[Jcfidd2]

I find a bit of Jameson, 3 fingers or so REALLY unlocks the magic lol!

Larceny does the trick for me