Why Is A Savinelli Punto Oro Gold Worth It?

[Kingsley]

Hello All,

I’ve scoured the Internet for any information on how and why the Savinelli P.O.G’s (priced around $200 - $240 US Market) might be better pipes than one of Savinelli’s mid-range priced pipes (around $150), and I’ve come up with very little, with the few posts I’ve found saying they recommend them, but without explaining why. Does the difference only lie in how it looks? That would confuse me, you see, I’m a gigantic fan of the Birdseye pattern, and strangely, I’ve seen plenty of their cheaper pipes show off a better Birdseye pattern than in their P.O.G line. Are Punto Oro Gold pipes really, actually worth it? More importantly, why?

 

[canucklehead]

It is entirely about looks, mostly due to the clearer straight grain.

 

[Misanthrope]

Pipes aren't fundamentally complicated creatures, so whether or not the asking price is worth it generally boils down to whether or not a certain pipe speaks to you at a primal level and makes you want it.

If you're not feeling it, it isn't worth the price. If it makes you weak in the knees and you start breathing funny, it's getting there. If there's suddenly a wallet-shaped hole in your monitor, it's definitely worth it to you.

 

[tschiraldi]

To me, no, it's not. They use a higher grade Briar for the Pinto Oros, but they are still machine made, hand finished pipes. It is not a hand made artisan pipe and a truly wonderful handmade pipe can be had for not much more. Again, just my two pennies.

 

[Kingsley]

Alrighty, it looks as though my suspicions were true, thanks again, everyone.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Alrighty, it looks as though my suspicions were true, thanks again, everyone.

Look for estates. I've never paid more than $30 for Punto Oros and this PO gold was unsmoked at $26.




If you think PO prices are bad, look up Giubileo d'Oros.?

 

[mso489]

I think we should all hire chasing' to buy our pipes. Even with the commission, it would be a huge savings. I've have both mid-range and up-market examples of Peterson and Nording, and I find the smoking aspects comparable, in the same way I find the down-market Rossi, from Savinelli, as good as the main brand. So if you can find a mid-range that pleases your eyes, it might be just as good in the long run. I bought most of my Petersons over an eight year stretch, when there were some complaints about quality control, but sticking to the mid-range, I never encountered a problem, which was kind of striking.

 

[gervais]

I'm eyeing a few of them but can't bring myself to ever spend more than 150 bucks on a pipe. And that's even really too expensive in my eyes as well, at least for a pipe that comes off of an assembly line

 

[Toast]

Can't really speak to the comparable quality as I only have the one Savinelli - but I picked up mine NOS too - not quite as cheap, but £60 including postage.

It smokes fine!


Unless it really speaks to you, I'd hold on for a bargain.

 

[dochowl]

Never discount the value of the brass dot. Definitely adds to the smoking experience.

For what it's worth, one of my top 5 favorite smokers is an old, beat up, poorly repaired Punto Oro...

 

[canucklehead]

I think we should all hire chasing' to buy our pipes. Even with the commission, it would be a huge savings. I've have both mid-range and up-market examples of Peterson and Nording, and I find the smoking aspects comparable, in the same way I find the down-market Rossi, from Savinelli, as good as the main brand. So if you can find a mid-range that pleases your eyes, it might be just as good in the long run. I bought most of my Petersons over an eight year stretch, when there were some complaints about quality control, but sticking to the mid-range, I never encountered a problem, which was kind of striking.

This is a great idea. I would happily pay a 50% commission for him to find me a $20 Dunhill.

 

[anotherbob]

pipe prices are a lot like clothes prices. Is that shirt really worth more then another shirt. Depends on how you feel about wearing it or having the pipe hanging out of your mouth. And yeah being able to enjoy the aesthetics of a pipe can effect how much fun you have smoking it. My fanciest pipe is great to smoke not because it smokes better but there is something intangible and wonderful about smoking what's basically a really cool little statue.

 

[Chasing Embers]

This is a great idea. I would happily pay a 50% commission for him to find me a $20 Dunhill.

Look for misspellings. That one was listed as Dunhull. I only get them for work and beater pipes so I won't damage my good ones.

 

[kcghost]

I am of the opinion that Savinelli's are just journeyman factory made pipes. So it is not a good value to me, but freely admit that to someone else it could well be.

 

[cshubhra]

First the facts

1. Punto Oro is Savinelli’s second quality pipes in traditional shape (After Giubileo D’Oro)
2. The quality of briar and general workmanship should be better than regular Savinelli pipes
3. It will have flaws - only Giubileo D’Oro does not have flaws
4. It will have a higher probability than a regular Savinelli line to have better smoking qualities. It is a probability though as it is graded with eye
5. Most of the differences will be cosmetic - I.e. visual, less flaws etc, and not the quality of smoke

Now ... the emotions

1. You will think you have a better line of pipe than the Savinelli regular and that would improve your smoking experience

A very good example comes to my mind in terms of cars. Once I owned an Acura TSX which is nothing but an Honda Accord with some fancy stuff. But...
1. The quality of materials was better than any Honda I have sat inside - in terms of the quality of plastics, metal and leather
2. It was flawlessly engineered compared to a Honda
3. It has subtle touches like well thought out lights in strategic places like the footwell, and in a moody color

But it was still a Honda, and not a BMW

Now if you think it is worth the extra price, it is. If you think it is not, it is not. Either way, you are correct.

 

[Chasing Embers]

1. You will think you have a better line of pipe than the Savinelli regular and that would improve your smoking experience

Not for me. I find the Capris and Milano DeLuxe lines much more attractive. The only thing that affects the smoking experience for me is quality of the draw.

 

[cshubhra]

Not for me. I find the Capris and Milano DeLuxe lines much more attractive. The only thing that affects the smoking experience for me is quality of the draw.

Emotions for each person are different.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Emotions for each person are different.

I can't really apply emotion to a pipe other than those made for me. They're just tools for burning tobacco.

 

[cshubhra]

I can't really apply emotion to a pipe other than those made for me. They're just tools for burning tobacco.

Treating pipes as tools and just tools is also a emotion

 

[Chasing Embers]

Treating pipes as tools and just tools is also a emotion

Or lack thereof. Really no more thought than smoking a cigarette.