What makes one pipe better than another?

[jpmcwjr]

In many ways, the best pipe could be defined as the nicest one you can afford -- for the personal luxury and satisfaction it can bring.

For some, but not all. Some of my "best pipes" are far from the most expensive.

As long as the pipe doesn't gurgle or have some other anomaly, the cost is irrelevant.

Not to me.

What makes a good pipe is the enjoyment of the smoker.

True, that!

 

[tmb152]

Both the question and the answer are entirely subjective. How much the pipe has of qualities of value to you determine how much better or worse to you it is, and thus what you are willing to pay for it. For some, it may be its age or rarity or some uncommon marking, for others, it will be the shape of the grain or the finish or the design and execution. It may be little details or it might be global ones, such as how much the pipe fits a certain style you seek for your collection. Most of us do not have the luxury of trying the pipe out before buying it or even seeing it first in our hands, but some expensive pipes smoke poorly and some cheap pipes may smoke well. Keep in mind that most of the traits above will have little or no bearing really on how the pipe actually smokes--- blindfold a guy and stick a $500 pipe in one hand and a $50 pipe in the other and probably most people could not tell which is which, based on the smoking alone. Briar is briar and good and bad briar may turn up anywhere, and the pipe might be an old estate and have a minor blem and be a no-name seconds as a result but otherwise have very fine quality briar and excellent execution and smoke like a dream, but sell for $12. Take away the minor blem, put the maker's famous name on it, and VOILA! You now have a $150 pipe. It is your wallet.

 

[uneek]

I know the question is subjective. But to the smoker, the answers are both personal and some concrete. We each have a strong opinion of what makes a “good” pipe for us personally -- and we’ve had experiences with “bad” pipes that may work just fine for other people. That experience taints our perception of that product. I think expense matters in the heart of the smoker and feeds the individual prestige we may feel. Personally, I feel more sophisticated smoking a pipe than I ever did smoking cigarettes.
The satisfaction of getting a quality estate pipe and doing the work would be supreme. In my current stage as a returning/newish piper, I am enamored by the look, feel, colors and lines of a beautiful pipe. Like most of you, I am always on the lookout for that perfect pipe I have in my mind’s eye.

 

[warren]

If a pipe exceeds your expectations in any one or more personally defined ways it would be an exceptional pipe. I keep no pipe which doesn't do so. I, personally, wouldn't purchase a used pipe. Those that do and get satisfaction in cleaning/restoring and owning them, more power to you. Simply not how I wish to spend my time.

 

[mawnansmiff]

"Simply not how I wish to spend my time."
For some folks it's all they can do with their time due to restrictions beyond their control.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[jefff]

I have not had a bad pipe in 15 years. I have not had a less then great pipe in the last 5. It cost me too much money to get there, but in the end every bowl I smoke is simply great.

 

[sablebrush52]

And so we have a consensus answer. What makes one pipe better than another is how it's perceived by it's smoker. The difference is to be found between the smoker's ears.
This will end the intergalactic debate that has gone on for millennia.
Next question: Do you eat a soft boiled egg by opening the wide end or the narrow end?

 

[jefff]

I don't eat soft boiled eggs... To gooey.

 

[mawnansmiff]

Jesse, everyone knows a boiled egg is cracked open at the top end else it would all pour into the eggcup :rofl:
Regards,
Jay.

 

[warren]

Sable breaks the circle and takes us into an entirely different world, Culinary Arts 101. I was getting dizzy, well done!

 

[warren]

I crack it a bit, peel it, and eat it on toast, mashing the egg, wonderfully gooey!

 

[jpmcwjr]

Hard boiled only. Soft boiled, fried, and poached all smell bad to me once broken open.

 

[mso489]

I like my eggs boiled or scrambled on the solid side, but gooey is a fine old tradition that opens the door to many recipes, just not for me.

 

[uneek]

I've heard of bacon flavored tobacco. Could deviled egg be next?

 

[cigrmaster]

a great pipe never gurgles or needs a pipe cleaner while you are smoking to get rid of excess moisture. A great pipe never gets hot. A great pipe has a great hand cut stem made of the finest German vulcanite. A great pipe is easy to clench and sits perfectly in your teeth.
Any thing less than this criteria makes for an average or less type pipe.