Why?

[hoosierpipeguy]

I pay for aesthetics, fit and finish and drills. I can't and won't argue that a mostly priced pipe can smoke great. I have several that do. I do find carvers I prefer such as Howell, Rubio, Alden and Cermak p provide a fit, finish and drills that appeal to me. And their pipes I own smoke great. I also like the aesthetics in what they carve. I can avoid what I buy without any financial sacrifices to any other facet of my life. If recommend this be a high priority consideration to all pipe smokers. Purchasing a pipe you can't afford is highly unlikely to deliver a more satisfying smoke after the honeymoon smokes end.

 

[hilbertastronaut]

Some pipes are just beautiful. You pick them up and hold them and they speak to you. It's buying art.

Part of the fun is finding out which makers can make works of art that are good smokers too.

Cobs still smoke great, though!

 

[SSGT.]

The small apple and small claw are hand carved by me and a Dremel tool. I bought two block meerschaum pipe kits for $68 dollars each, used a picture for the apple and tried to duplicate my $200 claw. The Apple took me a week and the claw was a 6 week effort. As far as the smoke goes there is no difference but do enjoy the pride of smoking the ones I made much more. That being said I still do not see the pull of a $1400 pipe.

And no I do not wear grey overalls and live in an apartment I am a Dr of Veterinary Medicine and own a 180 acre cattle ranch.

 

[OzPiper]

Why buy a Rolls, Bentley or Maybach when a Toyota will get you from A to B as well, if not in the same level of comfort/luxury ?
On a less rarefied level, why a Lexus rather than a Toyota ?

I have a friend who lives very frugally, but flies first class and gets picked up at HK airport by the Peninsula Hotel's Rolls
Why ? Because it's the touch of luxury in his otherwise frugal lifestyle.
I will never understand it, but it's HIS money, and HIS choice

 

[dottlejockey]

The small apple and small claw are hand carved by me and a Dremel tool. I bought two block meerschaum pipe kits for $68 dollars each, used a picture for the apple and tried to duplicate my $200 claw. The Apple took me a week and the claw was a 6 week effort. As far as the smoke goes there is no difference but do enjoy the pride of smoking the ones I made much more. That being said I still do not see the pull of a $1400 pipe.

And no I do not wear grey overalls and live in an apartment I am a Dr of Veterinary Medicine and own a 180 acre cattle ranch.
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Great job on that claw!

 

[kcghost]

The answer is a simple if you want the pipe that is the price. It doesn't matter what the difference it is.

 

[OzPiper]

That being said I still do not see the pull of a $1400 pipe.

And no I do not wear grey overalls and live in an apartment I am a Dr of Veterinary Medicine and own a 180 acre cattle ranch.

Different strokes

There is another cattle rancher on the forums with a fine collection of Castellos.
Why ? He likes them

Someone else collects a large number of $20 factory pipes and smokes RYO bulk tobacco, although he can afford to spend more.
Why, because that’s what he likes

If I see something that I like, be it a pipe or a bottle of wine, I’ll buy it.
So long as the bills are paid and there’s food on the table
It’s disposable income to spend as I wish
Simple

 

[burleybreath]

Too rich for my blood, to say nothing of my wallet, but I'll state the obvious, if it hasn't been stated already, in different words. That pipe was made for someone willing to pay for it. He, or she, is out there, somewhere, and the maker knows it.

 

[AroEnglish]

I have a friend who lives very frugally, but flies first class and gets picked up at HK airport by the Peninsula Hotel's Rolls
Why ? Because it's the touch of luxury in his otherwise frugal lifestyle.
I will never understand it, but it's HIS money, and HIS choice

I like this man's style

 

[Sigmund]

Im only willing to spend so much on one pipe. I usually buy estates and they tend to range from 120-200. I have cheaper pipes that smoke just as well but I appreciate the design and craftsmanship. If you expect a 1000 dollar pipe to smoke 100 times better than a cob you will be disappointed. If you arent into pipe for the aesthetics you are missing nothing.

Im currently bidding on some cheap well made machine made pipes. They happen to have nice blasts. The finish isnt great but I plan on changing it. I enjoy refurbing and staining pipes. There are a lot of ways to get what you want unless a 1400 dollar pipe is what you want. Personally, that specific pipe is nice but it doesnt scream 1400 bucks to me.

 

[Alejo R.]

The small apple and small claw are hand carved by me and a Dremel tool. I bought two block meerschaum pipe kits for $68 dollars each, used a picture for the apple and tried to duplicate my $200 claw. The Apple took me a week and the claw was a 6 week effort. As far as the smoke goes there is no difference but do enjoy the pride of smoking the ones I made much more. That being said I still do not see the pull of a $1400 pipe.

And no I do not wear grey overalls and live in an apartment I am a Dr of Veterinary Medicine and own a 180 acre cattle ranch.
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So you live on a 180 acre ranch but you can't understand why someone would pay $1400 for a pipe? Curious. Does living on a ranch guarantee you a lifespan of 120? Do you hear the angels' trumpets at dawn? I bet you don't, it's just that you chose to live on a 180 acre ranch and that's perfectly right. Same with pipes, cars, shirts, etc. Maybe you're measuring others by your own scale of values and you're surprised that they don't match up.

 

[SSGT.]

So you live on a 180 acre ranch but you can't understand why someone would pay $1400 for a pipe? Curious. Does living on a ranch guarantee you a lifespan of 120? Do you hear the angels' trumpets at dawn? I bet you don't, it's just that you chose to live on a 180 acre ranch and that's perfectly right. Same with pipes, cars, shirts, etc. Maybe you're measuring others by your own scale of values and you're surprised that they don't match up.

No none of these and I personally do not care how one would spend their money, nor do I force my opinions or make judgments of choices or questions from others.
The whole point of my question was to get a little feed back on why someone would spend that much on a pipe, Which was answered by different theories of from those that enjoy their various pipes, and I'm good with that. I never intended to create a battle of wits with the totally unarmed.

 

[SSGT.]

Great job on that claw!

Thanks

 

[jpmcwjr]

The small apple and small claw are hand carved by me and a Dremel tool. I bought two block meerschaum pipe kits for $68 dollars each, used a picture for the apple and tried to duplicate my $200 claw. The Apple took me a week and the claw was a 6 week effort. As far as the smoke goes there is no difference but do enjoy the pride of smoking the ones I made much more. That being said I still do not see the pull of a $1400 pipe.

And no I do not wear grey overalls and live in an apartment I am a Dr of Veterinary Medicine and own a 180 acre cattle ranch.
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Well done on carving your own. Were they pre-drilled and stem fitted?

As to the photos, not enough detail. If you use a lighter background, more light and get closer, we can see the detail of your work. Looks promising!

 

[SSGT.]

Well done on carving your own. Were they pre-drilled and stem fitted?

As to the photos, not enough detail. If you use a lighter background, more light and get closer, we can see the detail of your work. Looks promising!

yes they were drilled blocks

 

[Sig]

$1400 isn't even very expensive in the pipe world. Some makers start at 2x that.
It's all about the craftsman.
Many of these makers only carver a dozen or so pipes a year.
It's absolutely not their "fault" their pipes are so expensive. It's the consumer collectors and the supply and demand market.
If the are only 2 "Teddy Eagles" that come to market a year, the price isn't an issue if you want it.
My friends think I'm crazy for buying a $4000 handgun, but, it's one big purchase that doesn't happen often. Most of my other handguns are sub $700.
I know of pipers who have ONE $1000+ pipe and all the rest are sub $100.
I USED to buy high end pipes but ive sold or traded most. I have a few left that I will be selling.
As others have mentioned.....
Why buy a Mercedes when a Hyundai will get you the same places?

 

[proteus]

A

Actually, an F1 goes for 8-12 million euro while a P1 goes for a touch under 2 million. Still the buyer's choice as you said.

That's true in the collector's prices. I was quoting original retail not auction. F1 is highly collectible now since 1990s when it came out and fetches a collector's premium. F1 was about 800,000 USD in 1994 not counting inflation. But you understood my point. Value is intrinsic and sentiment based, with one or the other taking priority. With higher ends pipes it's sentiment that is the priority. Fundamentally a pipe is wood to hold tobacco that smolders. Wood being equal the value remainder is perceived.

 

[jpberg]

Another factor in pricing is the amount of briar you are getting. All else being equal, more expensive is a large pipe with thick walls and long shank.

Please don’t tell Manduela.

 

[jpberg]

No none of these and I personally do not care how one would spend their money, nor do I force my opinions or make judgments of choices or questions from others.
The whole point of my question was to get a little feed back on why someone would spend that much on a pipe, Which was answered by different theories of from those that enjoy their various pipes, and I'm good with that. I never intended to create a battle of wits with the totally unarmed.

No doubt. I could tell you were wicked sharp when you asked the original question.
On a pipe forum.

 

[sablebrush52]

Some pipes are just beautiful. You pick them up and hold them and they speak to you. It's buying art.

I've never had a pipe speak to me. If I ever do I know it's time to check my meds.