What Oddities/Attributes do You Look for in a Pipe?

[Cappy]

I like the heel of my thumb to be able to rest on the back of the bowl and the side of the shank simultaneously. Does that make sense? I prefer shapes without a straight transition.

 

[burleybreath]

I don't like gaudy embellishments of any kind. No shank or stem extensions, spacers, inserts, embedded diamonds, bamboo, or other horse doodoo. Ninety percent of Savinellis, for example, make me recoil. Bad taste! Bad taste! my impeccable judgment screams at me! Such things clash with my top hat and spats.

 

[Briar Lee]

Over $30 I get pretty damned hard to sell.

My last $25 Briarlee, not arrived yet.



Why?

I spent more yesterday on supper.

Briarlee pipes have a great reputation with me as having Lee’s highest and best grade briar, which didn’t quite make 4 or 5 star grade Lee stamped pipes due to tiny flaws.

And, is that a Dublin or a Zulu?

I win either way, for $25.

 

[Johnny_Pipecleaner]

In general, my current dealbreaker requirements are… No filter pipes. NO P-LIPS!! No vulcanite stems.

Prefer blast, rusticated, coral, etc (stimulation for my fingers, protection against dings).

 

[LotusEater]

I want the bowl diameter to be at least .75 and although I do own several pipes with acrylic stems these days I’m only really interested in pipes with vulcanite/ebonite stems.

Apparently I am incapable of making good decisions- I bought a Stanwell Royal Guard Pot last night with very nice grain and …an acrylic stem.

 

[hauntedmyst]

View attachment 99823
View attachment 99824
I got nothing…

Guys! Guys! Gamz has fallen into the upside down! Say what you want about the upside down but his stem work is extraordinary!

 

[jpmcwjr]

Tell me about it. Bought a Dunhill bulldog last year for cheap, it's perfect other than the fact that the bottom flat side with stampings weren't really flat, so it wouldn't sit. It bothered me too damn much I sanded it down, effacing all stampings on it. That's one way to get rid of any resell value lol. Now it sits like a champ and smokes like heaven. Before and after:
View attachment 99757

Was it sold as a sitter?

You've just destroyed the resale value, which matters little if you keep it forever or just don't care.

 

[Scottishgaucho]

Straight and not too heavy...just like the missus.

 

[Streeper541]

Generally, I look to make sure it will hold tobacco, I like the feel in my hand & overall appearance. I don't get much fancier than that.

 

[AroEnglish]

I like pipes that sit (pokers in particular) and pipes that are short and chubby.

 

[OzPiper]

I like pipes that are short and chubby.

Ditto

 

[AroEnglish]

Ditto

Is there a chubby pipes thread on this forum?

 

[jpmcwjr]

I like long and lean, but a bit chubby in the right areas. 6-7 inches is about right, and smooth inside and out the airway, but it doesn't need to be polished and completely smooth.

 

[OzPiper]

Is there a chubby pipes thread on this forum?

Why not start a thread with a few of yours ?
There have been quite a few over the years - it'd be nice to have a dedicated thread

 

[Chasing Embers]

Is there a chubby pipes thread on this forum?

 

[AroEnglish]

Why not start a thread with a few of yours ?
There have been quite a few over the years - it'd be nice to have a dedicated thread

I don't know if any of my pipes would count but maybe I’ll start one anyway.

 

[AroEnglish]

View attachment 100979

This is amazing