What's the Difference?

[youngpipe93]

I am brand new to this and am looking forward to my next pipe purchase because I want a nice pipe. Mainly for the quality of the smoke. With that being said, My question in this post is to ask what is the difference between the briar that my Dr. Grabow Duke is made out of and the Briar that Savinelli's have?

 

[barleynbaccy]

Really it's all about the quality of the briar block its made from. With the being said, you can get a great smoking Grabow and a Sav that burns out. What you are are paying for its a better block, with a better QA process.

 

[judcole]

the quality of the briar block its made from

That's before we get into the actual manufacturing of the pipe. It won't guarantee a better pipe to have better quality briar, but it increases the odds significantly.

 

[youngpipe93]

So, with that being said, would buying a Peterson or Savinelli be a safe bet for a better quality pipe? Or would you advise I stick with my Grabow until I learn more about this intriguing and enjoyable hobby?

 

[gnatjulio]

Welcome to the forum.
My Petes and my Savs are among my favorite smokes. They all smoke great. Although I do lean more toward Savinelli (about 9 Savs to 2 Petes).
Good luck in your decision.

 

[barleynbaccy]

So, with that being said, would buying a Peterson or Savinelli be a safe bet for a better quality pipe? Or would you advise I stick with my Grabow until I learn more about this intriguing and enjoyable hobby?

In my opinion, it's all about money. Do you like pipe smoking? Do you see yourself continuing the hobby? Is say $100 bucks going to break me? I don't know your background, but as a new smoker I would consider this. If the answer is not yes or reasonably sure to all three questions, I would wait a bit. If your going to continue to enjoy the pipe, then yes adding another to your rotation can only benefit you.
As for what you should buy, that's up to you. My opinion to a new guy with a cash crunch would be to try the single dot Brighams. You can get 2 for a hundred bucks basically. They have been the easiest sub $100 pipes to break in that I have tried.

 

[daytonsean]

What kind of blends are you smoking?

 

[plateauguy]

Frankly, if you are just learning, stay with your Grabow and buy a couple of MM Cobs.
After you're sure you're going to stick with your hobby, and have learned your tastes in pipe styles, and tobaccos, treat yourself to an upgrade.

 

[phred]

After you're sure you're going to stick with your hobby, and have learned your tastes in pipe styles, and tobaccos, treat yourself to an upgrade.

This.
Although it's also true that you get what you pay for - depending on how much you're smoking and how quickly you learn, getting yourself to the point where you'll be able to discern the difference between, say, a $50 basket pipe and a $100 Sav or Stanwell may not take all that long...

 

[petes03]

I have 8 Petersons and 2 Savenellis and all are excellent smokers! That being said, I also have 2 Dr. Graybows that smoke very well. One is a Royalton 1/2 bent bulldog, and I would put it up against several of my $100+ pipes. I've had other Graybows as well, they're hard to beat for the money.

 

[cavendish36]

+1, plateauguy.

 

[hfearly]

what is the difference between the briar that my Dr. Grabow Duke is made out of and the Briar that Savinelli's have?

Grabow = whatever they had lying around in the attic.

Savinelli = carefully selected and aged / cured, high quality briar blocks from proprietary stock.
:puffpipe:

 

[flux]

I'm in a similar position: new smoker, wanting to graduate from my cheap-o pipe. I bought a Peterson thinking that it would surely be an improvement over what I was smoking. Sadly no...my Pete's on its way back to the vendor because of a manufacturing flaw. It's likely that I just got a dud, but my experience has taught me that more expensive does not immediately and unconditionally produce a better smoke.
On the other hand, the Peterson is far and away more handsome than my other

 

[captainsousie]

what is the difference between the briar that my Dr. Grabow Duke is made out of and the Briar that Savinelli's have?

About $75.
Seriously though, You can get a gem or a dog from either company. If you want to upgrade and can get past the ick factor of an estate, I would go that way as Roth suggested. Don't get blinded by the name of a pipe but instead ask what it means to you. A good quality, name brand briar can be a good idea but, unlike some indicate, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a Grabow.
Someone mentioned quality control, absolutely. Comparatively few Grabows leave the factory with major flaws as compared to Sav or Pete. I have some of all 3 and personally I enjoy the Savs the most of the 3 brands. That said, in my experience, a good quality English estate will give you a superior smoking experience for the price.

 

[numbersix]

Tough question. I agree with many here. An older (pre-1970) Grabow can be the best bang for the buck, but they are known as a drug store pipe and thus can come across as cheaply made (even if good smokers).
However, a $100-150 Savinelli, Stanwell or Peterson will usually offer a better constructed, longer lasting pipe. It might not smoke any better than the older Grabow, but it will feel like "quality" as opposed to drug store quality.
But as with all things, if you buy online, ask the vendor to examine the pipe for you before sending. And then check it carefully once received. Run a pipe cleaner through it and check the drilling, etc.

 

[numbersix]

Grabow = whatever they had lying around in the attic.

Savinelli = carefully selected and aged / cured, high quality briar blocks from proprietary stock.

From what I've heard (technically it's still a rumor) European manufacturers are reputed to have access to older and better briar. But I also question the curing methods used. Not all manufacturers use the same methods.
I know from first hand experience that my older (1970s) Grabow smokes as well as any of my more expensive pipes. But I don't know where modern Dr Grabows obtain their briar.

 

[bryanf]

I wouldn't spend any money until you decide what you like to smoke. i.e. type of tobacco (flake, ribbon, coin, flavour etc...), and what size pipe you enjoy out of. Myself, I smoke 90% Ennerdale flake and that's pretty much all I buy. Almost out now, but have a pound on the way which should last me about a month. The rest of the time I smoke condor which I buy by the half-pound. Since they have a taste that go well together, I don't worry about ghosting and smoke out of the same pipe. I will also smoke VAPER's and burleys out the same pipe, but never any aromatic or Lakatia blend will touch it! I like a small pipe, meaning a maximum .625 dia bowl, and 1.25-1.5 deep. Before I figured this out 5 years ago, I wasted money on bigger pipes that I pretty much never smoke.
So, spend some time figuring out what you like, then get the pipe you want! My favorite pipe these days is my Peterson 317- I think $100 or so. I also have a basket Italian made billiard I like which I paid $20 for, and it outsmokes my more expensive Italian pipes by a mile.
I dislike Meerschaum pipes because they aren't hardy, but they smoke okay.

 

[teufelhund]

I have a Royal Danish (Stanwell Second) thast smokes better than my actual Stanwell. I think finding what you like will always be trial and error just try to keep yourself from spending too much money on one pipe. I got a brand new Peterson last winter and I could of had 4 or 5 quality estates for the same price and sadly I have a Peterson that is just a catch all for when I was too lazy to clean a pipe or smoked too often to let my other pipes rest. I personally like estates most of these pipes were saved, smoked or treasured for a reason.

 

[youngpipe93]

My thanks go out to all of you who have given me advise. I have seen a peterson that i like the look and price of but unsure of the quality. It is an Irish estate pipe with an Army fitting I do believe. Anyone know anything about it or have any more personal suggestions?
http://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/estate/ireland/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=122652

 

[petes03]

That's a Pete System, and a good deal too! About 1/2 the price of a new one, and looks to be in pretty good condition. It's also an XL pipe, so it will have a bit large chamber and overall dimensions. I have an XL02, which is proportioned nicely.