Yeah, but a line needs be drawn somewhere, there's several topics that are just way far and beyond too repetitive.
What good is discussion if the topic is so repetitive that the only response becomes a collective groan and "ugh, not again"?
Why are some pipes “expensive”?
- Thread starter DonutLuvr
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What good is discussion if the topic is so repetitive that the only response becomes a collective groan and "ugh, not again"?
We can always choose to skip over topics that don't interest us.
I get where you're coming from, brother. I seen a 12K lighter on SP the other day
I get luxury goods, "value what guy willing to pay," eye of the beholder, FU money, disposable income, etc, but I think there has to be an objective line somewhere, no? maybe not. Dunhill is legendary, but wooh. CAPITALISM!!!!!, etc, fill in blank, etc, etc, etc. But i commiserate with ya and know what ya mean.
You did no wrong, carry on. I would however suggest this. If you're going to get serious about high end pipes I'd suggest going to a large pipe show, like Chicago. There you can see in your hands the different makers, fit,finish and compare. I think its the best way to experience a vast number of makers. B&M's are great but you won't find many high end artisan makers there these days.
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Or you can buy a “genuine fake” Ralex or Rolox from China for $10.
Well, your post smacks of snobbism.
My point ! Different strokes.
Just do what you are comfortable with
If the kids are fed and clothed and have a roof over their heads and beds to sleep, then you’re free to spend your hard-earned on non-essentials like booze and tobacco
No one twists anyone’s arm to buy that $20,000 Bo Nordh
Solid advice. I’ve been to the NASPC pipe show once, 6 years ago when I first started smoking a pipe - there were so many vendors.
I didn’t know what I didn’t know at the time and didn’t know what to ask. I do plan on going to that one again this next year, it actually falls on a day off for me!
For most of the pipe smoking world, the purchase of an expensive pipe is merely to acquire personal prestige.
It's like the urban cowboy, spends 90k on a truck, 400$ on cowboy boots, 200$ on a hat. And does nothing but go to work and the grocery store in it. It's like an off roading magazine published, 90% of off road equipped jeeps never see off road driving. They stay on pavement. At best a gravel drive way.
It's like the urban cowboy, spends 90k on a truck, 400$ on cowboy boots, 200$ on a hat. And does nothing but go to work and the grocery store in it. It's like an off roading magazine published, 90% of off road equipped jeeps never see off road driving. They stay on pavement. At best a gravel drive way.
It depends. Artisan pipes cost more for several reasons, the biggest is time. A factory can make several complete ready to ship out pipes a day. Where a none factory made pipe takes several days. The other thing is that if you're making one pipe at a time by hand you can shape it for grain, it's easier to carve it so there are no pits.
With factory pipes it seems like one thing that drives up price is quality control and standards. Those standards are often mostly cosmetic but not always. That means more time and materials are used to get that particular pipe to market. Especially time really.
Those in my opinion are the logical reasons some pipes must cost more then others.
Labor is a good percentage of the price. Which is why country of origin can effect prices.
There is also a certain amount of name and we can charge that amount.
And what's often perplexing to people who aren't kind of idiots in my opinion. Is that for some people high price is a value in and of it's self. Basically if the pleabes can't afford it then it's better, even if for no other reason then it limits who owns one. If I see you smoking a certain pipe I know you're serious enough about smoking to waste money.
As far as smoking quality? That's all a matter of opinion at the end of the day. It's more like finding a dance partner, it's more about how well you work with each other then them being better then others.
Of course. A cheaper pipe is about utility and for the company to make money they need to move volume. An expensive pipe has to really appeal strongly to a smaller number of people. That often means it has to be unique and unique increases the chance of the pipe being somewhat akward to handle.
If you look at the old ads the cheaper and mid pipes talk about smoking quality. The expensive pipes talk about showing off and being fashionable.
Find us a pipe that large with perfect flame grain for less.
Economics. Finding your target audience and catering to them. Fortunately, for you, it is that simple and hopefully your curiosity has been satisfied.
It would have to be sandblasted for me to pay that. But, this one was $1100, the size of the Castello and has a chunk of lapis lazuli for the mortise.
It's plain with no tactile appeal. Quite boring really.
I got a bbb Umbria with nicer looking grain. Sure it's got a tacky finish on it high gloss. But I'll sell it to you for 1,000$ because it's not sobig