My best pipe is not a Quattuordecuple Star Lee.
What is Your Best Pipe?
- Thread starter Briar Lee
- Start date
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I recently culled my collection from 90 or so pipes to 38. If the pipe were to make the cut it hd to pass a bunch of tests. Did the stem fit perfectly for clenching. Was the bowl big enough (group 4-group5). Was the shank drilled to 4.0-4.5 mm. The bowl height around 2", inside bowl depth around 1.5" inside bowl width .75"-.13-16". Weight was 40-55 give or take aa gram or two. The stems had to use high quality German vulcanite.
I have 2 pipes that are group 6 one is a Rad Davis Billiard and the other is a Caliper Grade Brian Ruthenberg Dublin.
I have not stopped buying pipes. I am just wicked picky as to what I want. My last 13 pipes were all commissions done by Jack Howell. The man knows wood.
Right now I have 16 or so Rad Davis pipes and 13 Jack Howells with more to come from Jack. The rest of my American collection is onesies and two'sies.
If I only can pick one it would be the following, but honestly all my others smoke just as great.
Jack Howell
I have 2 pipes that are group 6 one is a Rad Davis Billiard and the other is a Caliper Grade Brian Ruthenberg Dublin.
I have not stopped buying pipes. I am just wicked picky as to what I want. My last 13 pipes were all commissions done by Jack Howell. The man knows wood.
Right now I have 16 or so Rad Davis pipes and 13 Jack Howells with more to come from Jack. The rest of my American collection is onesies and two'sies.
If I only can pick one it would be the following, but honestly all my others smoke just as great.
Jack Howell
I recently culled my collection from 90 or so pipes to 38. If the pipe were to make the cut it hd to pass a bunch of tests. Did the stem fit perfectly for clenching. Was the bowl big enough (group 4-group5). Was the shank drilled to 4.0-4.5 mm. The bowl height around 2", inside bowl depth around 1.5" inside bowl width .75"-.13-16". Weight was 40-55 give or take aa gram or two. The stems had to use high quality German vulcanite.
I have 2 pipes that are group 6 one is a Rad Davis Billiard and the other is a Caliper Grade Brian Ruthenberg Dublin.
I have not stopped buying pipes. I am just wicked picky as to what I want. My last 13 pipes were all commissions done by Jack Howell. The man knows wood.
Right now I have 16 or so Rad Davis pipes and 13 Jack Howells with more to come from Jack. The rest of my American collection is onesies and two'sies.
If I only can pick one it would be the following, but honestly all my others smoke just as great.
Jack Howell
You have so many great pipes - I always wondered which one would be your favorite. Great pipe, but a surprise - I was expecting one of your Rhodesians.
I seem to have lost two of my favorites during my recent move, a beater Viking Classic Dublin that did amazing things with VA flakes and a Karl Erik Ball, my Black Frigate pipe. 
My only hope now is that @cigrmaster will sell me that orange Rad Davis Dublin I have been lusting after for 3 or 4 years now. ?
My only hope now is that @cigrmaster will sell me that orange Rad Davis Dublin I have been lusting after for 3 or 4 years now. ?
This Foundation by Musico Billiard with Boxwood.
(photos from SP)
(photos from SP)
I'm in the "whatever one I'm smoking at the time" camp. I don't own a bad pipe. Some I smoke more often than others, but not one of them is less than excellent.
I reckon my go-to pipe is my Savinelli Long John. It's just about 7 inches long. I'm both far-sighted and astigmatic. Trying to light a little bent pipe risks setting my nose on fire. I need that extra length straight out there to help me zero-in on my target, so to speak. LOL
When we adopted two kittens rescued from a drainpipe (in peril of being drowned) and bottle fed by a foster parent couple, I was their parent until my bride-to-be joined me. The kittens' foster parents made a visit to bring them gifts, and probably to make sure they were being cared for properly.
The kittens went into hiding until the tension had built, and then made a dramatic entrance, dancing about and doing all kinds of pranks. Once their wellbeing had been established, I waggishly asked them, "Do you know which one I like best?"
And both people looked horrified. Oh no, I had a favorite. So I let them off the hook. "My favorite is which ever one I'm petting at the moment." The couple left behind amazing framed baby pictures of the kittens when they had the bright blue eyes of kitten hood.
All this pertains to not having a favorite ... pipe.
The kittens went into hiding until the tension had built, and then made a dramatic entrance, dancing about and doing all kinds of pranks. Once their wellbeing had been established, I waggishly asked them, "Do you know which one I like best?"
And both people looked horrified. Oh no, I had a favorite. So I let them off the hook. "My favorite is which ever one I'm petting at the moment." The couple left behind amazing framed baby pictures of the kittens when they had the bright blue eyes of kitten hood.
All this pertains to not having a favorite ... pipe.
1.) 1970's Barontini Gran Duc 203 (20mmx55mmchamber) ; 2.) J.Waille poker/sitter (20mmx45mm chamber); 3.) Savinelli 2614KS (20mmx42mm chamber)
I define best as smokes great every time, no exceptions.
I define best as smokes great every time, no exceptions.
Pipes given to me by my friends and family are the favorites.
A Bekler Meer that has been through hell's half-acre with me is the sentimental favorite and hangs from my jaw most of the time in the shop. It's my favorite by far because it was given to me by my best friend and fellow who quietly led me to my salvation by example and patience and not by exhortation.
A Ferndown straight squashed sandblasted saucer is second favorite because that monstrosity was given to me for Christmas by a fellow no longer smoking pipes.
My third favorite is a simple Falcon, because I just plain like the thing.
Pipes worth a metric shit ton more money could go up in smoke tomorrow and I wouldn't give a crud.
A Bekler Meer that has been through hell's half-acre with me is the sentimental favorite and hangs from my jaw most of the time in the shop. It's my favorite by far because it was given to me by my best friend and fellow who quietly led me to my salvation by example and patience and not by exhortation.
A Ferndown straight squashed sandblasted saucer is second favorite because that monstrosity was given to me for Christmas by a fellow no longer smoking pipes.
My third favorite is a simple Falcon, because I just plain like the thing.
Pipes worth a metric shit ton more money could go up in smoke tomorrow and I wouldn't give a crud.
Part of me wants to be pedantic and say the best pipe depends on the tobacco I wish to smoke, the environment I am, and a bunch of other variables too numerous to list. But that's not keeping the spirit of the question.
So, instead, I will break it down in two ways. If I were forced to only keep one pipe, it would be the one in my profile pic: Stanwell PotY 2022 Bent Tomato. It's my "goldilocks" pipe, meaning it is of perfect size and depth, looks classy without being ostentatious, and just hits the right notes. And even though it wasn't my first briar, it was the first briar that made me fall in love with them and pipe smoking in general. It's the only pipe I have more than one of; I've one in red sandblast and another in smooth dark brown.
But if I were just to pick a favorite without any other consideration? It would be my Neerup Classic bent rhodesian. Wonderful grain pattern with partial rustication, a colorful stem (I really, REALLY wish other commercial manufactures would have Peder's eye for color), and it a big bowl that smokes so crisp and clean. Complex blends like King's Stride just really sing. I just love it.
All my pipes are factory, so no custom/artisan pipes here yet, but I'm hoping to change that one day. Fortune willing, I will be making a trip to Gettysburg next year, and my understanding is Mr. Boswell's shop is close by. Might just have to visit and get one his pipes. I've heard nothing but good things, and I love his rustic approach.
So, instead, I will break it down in two ways. If I were forced to only keep one pipe, it would be the one in my profile pic: Stanwell PotY 2022 Bent Tomato. It's my "goldilocks" pipe, meaning it is of perfect size and depth, looks classy without being ostentatious, and just hits the right notes. And even though it wasn't my first briar, it was the first briar that made me fall in love with them and pipe smoking in general. It's the only pipe I have more than one of; I've one in red sandblast and another in smooth dark brown.
But if I were just to pick a favorite without any other consideration? It would be my Neerup Classic bent rhodesian. Wonderful grain pattern with partial rustication, a colorful stem (I really, REALLY wish other commercial manufactures would have Peder's eye for color), and it a big bowl that smokes so crisp and clean. Complex blends like King's Stride just really sing. I just love it.
All my pipes are factory, so no custom/artisan pipes here yet, but I'm hoping to change that one day. Fortune willing, I will be making a trip to Gettysburg next year, and my understanding is Mr. Boswell's shop is close by. Might just have to visit and get one his pipes. I've heard nothing but good things, and I love his rustic approach.
I've only had it a week and only smoked 2 bowls in it, but it simmers along beautifully despite not yet being 'broken in'.
Why a Preben Holm as my best pipe?
One reason is that once you have a good, huge, well made Ben Wade, then there’s no itch to buy a hundred more.
The fact all of Preben Holm’s later production was custom made, “chasing the grain”, “best pipes” probably spelled doom for Preben Holm.
The formula was, find a huge piece of plateaux briar, with something approximating straight grain.
The artisan knew he was going to make a huge pick axe Danish freehand. On top he has to leave raw briar and on the end of the shank raw briar. The pipe will be a V shape, and will accept a bent stem.
Those are the rules of production, no more.
Each was a truly unique creation.
pipedia.org
The only problem for the maker is, once you have one Preben Holm, another one is just a variation on what you already own.
If you had the money, and a huge piece of briar, every Preben Holm is exactly what you’d get if the original master was still alive and at his bench and you handed it to him and said,,,
Make me a pipe.
One is all you want, of something that excellent.
One reason is that once you have a good, huge, well made Ben Wade, then there’s no itch to buy a hundred more.
The fact all of Preben Holm’s later production was custom made, “chasing the grain”, “best pipes” probably spelled doom for Preben Holm.
The formula was, find a huge piece of plateaux briar, with something approximating straight grain.
The artisan knew he was going to make a huge pick axe Danish freehand. On top he has to leave raw briar and on the end of the shank raw briar. The pipe will be a V shape, and will accept a bent stem.
Those are the rules of production, no more.
Each was a truly unique creation.
Holm, Preben - Pipedia
The only problem for the maker is, once you have one Preben Holm, another one is just a variation on what you already own.
If you had the money, and a huge piece of briar, every Preben Holm is exactly what you’d get if the original master was still alive and at his bench and you handed it to him and said,,,Make me a pipe.
One is all you want, of something that excellent.
This Is the one.
All it says on it is “Seconds Made in England”.
Whose seconds? I’ve no idea.
Will it have been expensive? I very much doubt it.
Is it the best smoker I have? Probably not to be fair so why is it the best?
The reason this is the best pipe I have in my possession is because it is the pipe I was taught how to smoke by my Grandad, all those years ago in the last century.
There he is, Harry Brook. The photo was taken in Tunis, after El Alamein and shortly before Anzio.
He only had two pipes and I made sure that I got this one. I cleaned it up today; it was looking like it needed some tlc.
That is the best pipe I own.
Of all my Rhodesians, I can't pick which one smokes best so I went with my latest Howell.
I can provide one, no problem!
While im still very much new to this i have found within my own small collection that my Savinelli Nonpereil is my best smoker. It beats my Dunhill shell briar from the 1960's and i adore that pipe. All but 3 of my pipes are estate pipes, i love them all and have found quirks on each one that i dont care for but enjoy them nonetheless.