What Pipe Brand Most Consistently Makes a Great Smoking Pipe?

[pylorns]

I think it's luck of the draw, I have some petes, savs, Alden's.. they all smoke well, and some not so much. Type of briar, how well it aged, size... how it was broken in, all that has an impact.

 

[alsatmem]

My bad on he wording. I meant something along the line of: you have a “pipe gift certificate” valid for one of any brand to add to your collection and expected to be an excellent smoker-what brand? I “could” get by on one pipe, but why!

I have 12 Stanwells, 6 Savinellis, 2 Petersons, a Kings Cross and a couple of cobs. A dozen or so others have come and gone.

They all got smoked but my Stanwell Rondo Sandblast is hands down the best smoker.

I’m looking for one more to make an even 24. Or 25 is a good number also!

Castello and Ryan Alden seem to be highly praised by many so I will start looking there.

Thanks for the responses and education!

 

[bassbug]

to keep from seeming like I am bad mouthing them,

And you managed to do the exact opposite.
Having said that, you're perfectly entitled to dislike anyone or anything.

 

[ashdigger]

Alsat, Here are some of my Aldens just for reference. (Shameless plug for his work)

 

[sablebrush52]

Family era Barlings.

 

[doctoryes]

Heheh if everyone is throwing out opinions, I might as well! I only have 3 or more pipes from a few different makers: dunhill, savanelli, Ben wade/Preben Holm, Ser Jacopo, Trevor Talbert, and Nording. The most consistent for me has been the Ser Jacopos, followed closely by Savinelli. I have only had one good smoking Nording (haven’t tried a high grade), and I am by no means knocking any other makers. I am probably just unlucky.
And those Aldens look awesome!!!!!!

 

[litup]

I don't think it's subjective to state that Castellos are great smoking pipes. It's facts and stuff! :D
Also, an estate Castello can be purchased within the price range you're talking about.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

I have had good luck with Stanwells but I was even more pleased with my pre Cadogan old estate GBD's, thereby I'd probably start again hunting on those when my funds allow to do so.

 

[alsatmem]

Ash,

I’ve seen those pics on a different post. First pic, top left is my favorite shape. I’ve got nerve damage in both hands and that shape is easy for me to handle. Incidentally, my fave Stanwell is that shape!

I’m thinking that in a birds eye or flame grain would be sweet!

Looks like I will have to wait until he can take time away from making pipes for you!

Thanks again for the great pics and opinion.

 

[cigrmaster]

For a factory pipe I would go with Castello and Radice.
For artisan I like Ryan Alden, Trever Talbot, Larrysson,Jose Rubio to name a few. If you want to delve into the artisan estate market, I would look for Rad Davis, Bruce Weaver, Brian Ruthenberg. Rad, Bruce and Brian are all retired so estate pieces are all that is out there.

 

[doctoryes]

Are estate S Bangs out of the question/too pricey? I almost bought 2 in really good shape for $350 a piece. Not trying to hijack thread, but I haven’t smoked any yet and would love to hear opinions!

 

[tulsagentleman]

I have probably 40 pipes. some are eBay treasures that I never heard of or no-name wonders. My pride and joy are the three Peterson System pipes, seven Savinelli Roma and one beautiful Savinelli Punto Oro. Those all smoke really good. In addition, I have one big Danish freehand that is fantastic. It is big and deep and I can smoke that puppy for over an hour and it's good to the last puff. if I had the money I would have several of those. However, some of the mystery pipes smoke pretty darn good too.
So I would say that any pipe made from decent briar and filled with good tobacco can give you a nice smoke. Partly it depends on how you smoke it. I'm a puffer. I keep it going a little puff every time I breathe in and blow the smoke out my nose when I exhale. That way it seldom gets hot and I enjoy the aroma of good tobacco. I will say that the odds of a good smoke improves with the quality of the pipe. My Petersons and Savinelle pipes will be with me until they put me in a box. The others are likely to go on eBay after I slick them up a little. I have a small purse so can't speak to some of the high dollar pipes some of you enjoy. Probably I don't know what I'm missing, but if you've never sampled paradise I guess you don't know the difference.
In other words, ignorance is bliss! Smoke 'em if you've got 'em!

 

[sablebrush52]

For artisan I like Ryan Alden, Trever Talbot, Larrysson,Jose Rubio to name a few. If you want to delve into the artisan estate market, I would look for Rad Davis, Bruce Weaver, Brian Ruthenberg.

All good choices, to which I would add Scottie Piersel, and Lee Von Erck. I understand that Larryson is retiring from pipe making.

 

[smudgersmissingleg]

I only own two but for fit, finnish, smokability and cost I have been very impressed with Savinelli and can echo all the praise that they receive.
Chris

 

[rfernand]

Dunhill, James Upshall, and Missouri Meerschaum are super consistent within their brand and across shapes.
I love all my Peterson’s, but I can’t claim consistency. They are all pretty good, but slightly different. Even the one whose green paint bubbled a bit on me.

 

[philobeddoe]

My favorite artisan pipes are by Tom Eltang, Nate King and Ryan Alden. My favorite “factory” pipes are Castello, by a mile.

 

[dmcmtk]

Ash, you're just showing off with those pictures...and I like it! :D
On the subject of Peterson's, always had very good smokes from my four Pre-Republic pipes.

 

[fishnbanjo]

As others have said, ask this question and you’ll get many different answers. I too am on the Castello and Radice group but I’d be remiss not adding Becker to this Italian group. American pipes by an artisan would be Trevor Talbert. There are so many others artisan makers that make wonderful pipes and they have already been named here, it is the search ahead that is a wonderful part of this hobby, warmest regards.

banjo

 

[alexj52]

Although I'm too much of a newbie to comment for this matter, James Upshall is excellent. My P Grade is the best smoker among my 10-something pipes, which include more expensive pipes.

 

[virginialover]

Artisan pipes with the price you mentioned, I would go with Blatter & Blatter from Montreal. You could commission a Select pipe that looks like no other.