What's the Most You Would Ever Spend on a Pipe?

[mso489]

186 pipes ... that is so consoling to those of us who have too many pipes, but not anywhere near that many. Whew.
+1 on Chacoms and French pipes in general. They inspired many of the traditional "English" shapes and have always been highly price competitive.

 

[cynicismandsugar]

186...? Thank you for giving me a number that I can relay to my wife that makes my continued accumulation seem reasonable.

 

[deathmetal]

I am re-assessing my answer.
I would spend any amount on a pipe. That is not an important question, unless you are a contrarian and want to be mad at people who have more money than you do. In that case, grow a pair and grow up. Sorry, that's just a waste of time.
But the real question is:
How would I spend this money on pipes of quality?
Every market and hobby has its leaders who spend more than others and nourish the entire field.
If these people buy quality material, it ends up strengthening the field by rewarding the good and pushing the bad away.
If these people buy fetishy/novelty/silly stuff, you end up attracting idiots and then quality across the board declines and where still present, becomes unreasonably expensive.
Having seen this happen in at least two industries, I hope it doesn't happen here. I'd spend $4000 on a pipe that was worth it, meaning a truly elegant job of craftsmanship, high quality materials, and high quality smoking.
What I would not spend it on is some of the geeky ironic and novelty designs. Those are fool magnets and do nothing but worsen the future of each of us in this hobby.

 

[warren]

What if I found a "geeky ironic novelty" pipe I wanted. Would you begrudge my spending a few thousand of my moneys on such? I say spend your moneys on what you wish. It's certainly not my responsibility to act in the best interests of the pipe or tobacco business. It's my job to make me happy in what is left of my life.

 

[deathmetal]

What if I found a "geeky ironic novelty" pipe I wanted. Would you begrudge my spending a few thousand of my moneys on such?

I would say that spending that money is a poor idea because of indirect consequences coming to bear in the future.
And, of all posters here... how many geeky ironic novelty pipes do you own? You strike me as a functionalist, which is like a utilitarian but we demand real-world results instead of mass appeal.

 

[peckinpahhombre]

I had to chime in on this and offer a comment.
For our tenth anniversary my dear wife bought me a watch that cost in excess of $12,000. At first I was bothered by this, but then I started wearing the watch and grew to love the thing, not just because it is a beautiful watch, but because every time I look at it I think of the wonderful woman who gave it to me. And as I reflected on it, that feeling was much more valuable to me than having an extra $12k in the bank. Knock on wood, I will cherish that watch -- and the memories that it evokes -- until the end of my days.
And yes, I have spent more than $4k on a pipe, but only once, and I cherish that pipe, Would I do it every week? Absolutely not, but giving in to extravegant purchases, provided they do not come at the expense of the basic necessities of life, is part of what it means to be alive.
So I am with fish on this one: you can't take it with you.
My two cents.

 

[fishnbanjo]

There were those asking to see the finished product that came from this AAA Exhibition Grade Circassian Walnut Blank.

It was turned into a TC Encore Pro Hunter 209 Black Powder Inline, I also have a fully rifled 12 gauge barrel that shots saboted bullets and a RealTree camouflaged barrel and stock set with a Turkey choke.

Stock work was done by Bullberry Gun Works, Color Case hardening was done by sending the blued frame out to be stripped, disassembled, color case hardened and reassembled, all further gunsmithing work was done by me.
banjo

 

[gogosamgo]

That is not an important question, unless you are a contrarian and want to be mad at people who have more money than you do.

I'm not sure if that is always the case. I know many people who are extremely wealthy and don't buy all the things they see and know they could afford. I'm not extremely wealthy by any means, but I could easily pick up a $1500 Dunhill if I wanted to. Even though I could spend that much on a pipe, I don't think I ever would. As I mentioned in my original post, I personally couldn't justify a purchase for a pipe that was over $500. Now that doesn't mean I look down upon or get frustrated at those who do. I'm genuinely happy for others on here when I see them post their beautiful collections/acquisitions, but I do live my life within my own personal convictions, which currently I couldn't see myself spending more than $500 for a pipe. But who knows, that number could easily change tomorrow!

 

[warren]

Oh, I can be very whimsical on occasion, even with pipes. My wife found a bit of whimsy and nurtured it to my everlasting benefit. Future consequences would never enter into a such a purpose. When it comes to selfish and frivolous purchases I am hardly going to consider the impact of such on the pipe market. Catch my eye with a piece of schlock, in the right mood I might open the wallet just for the pure fun of it.
I have two red, rubber, clown noses I purchased at a Walgreen's which provide both my grandson and I with a lot of laughs. Cheap, Chinese made and I never gave a thought to the impact such a purchase might have on domestic clown nose manufacturing industry.

 

[sablebrush52]

Thanks for a very enjoyable thread. The element that often gets mixed into this kind of discussion is the supposition that a high priced pipe is a better smoking pipe. Any experienced smoker knows that this isn't necessarily the case. The more expensive pipe may be prettier, a unique expression of craftsmanship, more comfortable to hold in one's mouth, emphasis on "may", but a better smoker, no. One of the nice things about this hobby is that it can be fully experienced and enjoyed for a modest amount of capital.

 

[gogosamgo]

One of the nice things about this hobby is that it can be fully experienced and enjoyed for a modest amount of capital.

Sable, I am definately thankful for that!

 

[mikestanley]

I number of years ago I won a really nice Chaatan Exec from eBay. I think the price was $270.00, I never could bring myself to smoke the damned thing. I put it back on eBay and sold it. Shortly thereafter, I bought some pipe making supplies and learned to make some very smokeable pipes. Heck, some of them are even good lookers to boot.These days, I occasionally pick up a new (estate) pipe. I keep it under $75.00.
Mike S.

 

[iamn8]

Well said peck! There is something special about any object created by craftsmen who are the top of their field, to of their game, the best of the best. Those alpha objects cost money. Add to that a gift angle and there's nothing to be ashamed of. Hope you enjoy that watch! I love purposefully, masterfully built, high engineered objects built for a singular purpose... To write, to smoke, to track time... these objects are special.

 

[kola]

no real limit..whatever I can afford.
although I only buy estates

 

[jackswilling]

"Those alpha objects cost money."
Yes indeed

 

[perdurabo]

I have some basket briars, one I suspect is a Baraccini Diplomat/Prince, but doesn't have a makers mark. I paid 29.99 for all of them. They gurgle like a bong, expect the Baraccini (Hope I'm spelling that right.) when I sip it. I have many cobs, and my cobs are my go to. I've been looking in the 50-100 range. As high as I would go right now. The highest I would go would be a Joe Case pipe, was talking to my wife the other day about it. If I'm spending 250-350, might as well call the gentleman up and have, a one on one, get to know you and support small business. Had great success with Fenders Custom shop, doing the same thing and made good friends in the process.

 

[sjfine]

Ok, pipes and guns aside, would you pay $10,500 for a lighter? I would, cuz...just look at this thing.

I wanna be exceptional!

 

[sablebrush52]

I own a Dupont. Nice lighter. I would have to be hit in the head with a mallet before I would pay $10,500 for a lighter. You can get a lot of psychotherapy and attain a more useful life benefit for that kind of outlay.

 

[deathmetal]

For that amount of money, I'd score the tools and supplies needed to make lighters. Could be fun.