Your best pipe...

[the85boro]

Yesterday, I started a thread about only being able to smoke one blend that is an OTC for the rest of your life and what would that blend be? So what would be your best pipe and ONLY pipe IF you could only have ONE?
If pipes didn't have to rest and could be smoked everyday, all day...which one would you choose from your collection?

 

[cortezattic]

Probably this Ardor bent egg. It always performs well.

 

[the85boro]

Gorgeous pipe as well. I love the dark finish with the creme colored stem.

 

[the85boro]

For me it would be my Savinelli MEGA (EX) 121. It is robust and stout. It can take anything you throw at it. Reminds me of a Custombilt too.

 

[the85boro]

bump

 

[Chasing Embers]

 

[ray47]

Without a doubt, a Savinelli Natural bent volcano with a smooth finish. This is a Savinelli second that was given to me last Christmas by my son. Smokes like a dream and seems to prefer straight Virginias.

 

[haparnold]

I've always been a sucker for old Britwood, but this Briarworks apple has been performing like an absolute dream. Right now it's easily my go-to pipe.

 

[ashdigger]

This Ryan Alden Lovat. It was my first Alden, and definitely wasn't my last.

 

[the85boro]

I love a lovat shape, Ash. The perfect carry/work/pocket pipe. The saddle bit stem is so convenient.
@HARP are you coming to the Muletown Pipe Show at Briarworks in Columbia TN?

 

[laniromee]

My Tom Eltang rusticated poker. Lightweight, striking, and with the thinnest button of all. Smokes like a bad mf and very easy to clean.

 

[sablebrush52]

That would be a tough decision to make. It would either be an old Brebbia Avanti brandy or an old 1906 French carved large Barling bent billiard. Neither of them are lookers, but they both deliver bigger more detailed flavors from just about anything I pack in them than all but a couple of other pipes in my collection. Beauty is nice, but in a case like this performance is the only thing that matters.

 

[cigrmaster]

This Bruce Weaver Volcano smokes as good as anything in my collection.

 

[lawdawg]

Though it's not necessarily my favorite pipe, I'd probably go with my Savinelli-made Iwan Ries shop pipe:

It's an Iwan Ries "Black Knight." I started smoking a pipe years ago when I lived in Chicago, and the guys at Iwan Ries started me off on the right track from the beginning. I have fond memories of going to the shop downtown, so I jumped on the opportunity to pick up this Iwan Ries shop pipe years later when I stumbled upon it online. It's got a medium-sized bowl that would work well for both Virginias (where I prefer a narrower bowl) and English blends (where I prefer a slightly wider bowl), and it always delivers a cool, dry smoke. I like how it looks, and it feels good in the hand.
I'll also plug Reborn Pipes which is where I bought this pipe restored for a very fair price.

 

[haparnold]

@HARP are you coming to the Muletown Pipe Show at Briarworks in Columbia TN?

I think that was addressed to me? No, I won't be making it this year. I actually used to work in Columbia, but that was before Briarworks set up shop there. I guess once the riff-raff (i.e. me) left town, they were able to get some good businesses in!
Ash, that Lovat is fantastic. I'm a sucker for that shape anyway, and Alden pulled off a very minimal execution with a lot of class.

 

[the85boro]

Yes, I meant you, Hap. Well too bad you won't be there. I have never been to a pipe show and I am looking forward to this one

 

[mso489]

Variety is my best pipe. Critically, for fellow pipe people, I'd name my Ser Jacopo and Ferndown, my Nording hunting pipe and several others. In terms of smoking, my candidates would include all kinds of pipes, a group of MM cobs, an American factory pipe or two, a group of Petersons, Savinelli, and Johs, and a whole separate category of Jerry Perry hand carved pipes, and one by the late Bob Hayes. The favorite has always been the range and variety. I could live with a few in rotation, but it would not be the same, and I wouldn't smoke as regularly. My Ser Jacopo, with the Ferndown and Bob Hayes sharing equal status.

 

[didimauw]

1. Pipes don't need rest and CAN be smoked every day, all day. ::
2. Mine would be my Rossi apple. Thinking about it I miss it dearly, but I'm going to stay strong. That pipe is by far my favorite, and smokes as hard or fast as I want it too. All day everyday.

 

[the85boro]

You've got a smidge of carbon there haha

 

[mso489]

To get philosophical, my best pipe is the one I smoke with a well-matched blend in a relaxed state of mind after I've learned the characteristics of that particular pipe. As sable says, a good smoke is 25% equipment and 75% technique.