Your Most Expensive Pipe, and Why You Paid So Much

[jayski]

Beautiful grain in that there Blow Fish!
@Lasttango New to the pipe smoking hobby I have spent many hours looking through EBay and Smokingpipes.com trying to build a good rotation. I have played many times at the idea of owning a Dunhill, after all they are a pipe carving Legend. I have refrained thus far from pulling the trigger on such a purchase due to the fact that I would like to smoke many other carvers and shapes to really make sure I appreciate such a pipe. It seems to me that expectations are the biggest let down in life and why would it be any different in a hobby such as this. In retrospect I believe its the chase of a new pipe that makes it exciting. The reception and first use is like the thrill of gambling. The odds are better in some cases that you may have a winner and some not. The only thing better than the search for a wonderful pipe is a wonderful weed at the end of a long day and good meal.

 

[mothernaturewilleatusallforbreakfast]

My most expensive pipe is a Parks. The reason I paid so much is because it's what he said I had to pay if I wanted him to make the pipe I asked him to make.

 

[voorhees]

My Growley that I won.

 

[ashdigger]

My most expensive pipe is a Ryan Alden smooth Rhodesian. I purchased it because Ryan really doesn't make too many smooth pipes, it's his highest grade and it's an just gorgeous. I may seek counseling for my man-crush.

 

[hawky454]

My Gamboni pipe is my most expensive pipe at $500 even. I enjoy it but not as much as my middle range pipes, I’m just too worried about breaking it, so I only smoke it in safe conditions.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

Pretty sure my most expensive "new" pipe is the 4♧ Becker Dublin.

Some pipes I've bought as estates MAY have been more expensive when they were new.

That said, some of my favorite smokers cost a hell of a lot less.

 

[deathmetal]

If someone could identify the last two tasty-looking tobacco blends, I would be most grateful.

 

[cortezattic]

A Rinaldo Lithos Silver Line (SL-8) (KKK) rusticated squat bulldog. A previous Rinaldo acquisition impressed me so much that I was easy prey when this one came along in my favorite shape, with all the right dimensions for me. $347, which is about as high as I'd go for a factory pipe (I think.)

 

[tschiraldi]

A Castello Old Antiquari Freehand Bent Dublin. I saw this pipe at the NASPC Show in Columbus this year and thought "It's the perfect pipe!" I loved the size, shape, blast, and bit on this one. I handled it several times, but didn't buy it. After months of not being able to get it out of my mind, I called the shop and they still had it. After a bit of haggling, I pulled the trigger, and I'm glad I did!

Tim

 

[mso489]

Really interesting original post and thread. I want to go back and study it more. I've never shot the moon on a pipe. My fascination has been applying fierce shopping to finding the best smoking pipes at the lowest possible prices. This often involves long-term roving online and spotting special discounts and sales. My likely highest priced pipe, a Ferndown, was sent to me by a Forums member. My highest priced purchase was a Ser Jacopo blast Dublin with a serpentine shank and stem that I bought on sale from SPC for (as I recall) PRICE DELETED per original post ... couldn't touch it today. My wild abandon was because I'd made the sale of a literary work and wanted to celebrate. SPC lived up to the moment in offering this. A recent purchase was a Tsuge "tasting pipe," a full size blast straight billiard, at PC for $39.99, which exhibits all of the fit and finish of their considerably more expensive lines.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Some real beauties showing up here. Loving the stories behind them.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

@deathmetal I'm 99% sure the tobacco in my pic is Gawith Best Brown.

 

[cigrmaster]

The most expensive pipe I have ever owned was this Former Dublin. It had a retail of 960.00 back in 1999 or 2000. I of course never paid that price( paid 240.00 worth of Cuban cigars for it).

My most expensive pipe is this Rad Davis Calabash(450.00).

 

[headhunter]

I have many expensive pipes. Why do I buy them ? Because I like them and can afford to buy them.

 

[jguss]

Two excellent reasons headhunter

 

[georged]

How much? $500
Why did I pay so much?

.

.

.

 

[brian64]

Those are all fantastic pipes, but you should all be ashamed of yourselves (for being able to post pics when us technically challenged folks are unable to).
My most expensive is the Baki in my avatar, but you'll just have to use a magnifying glass if you want a closer look.

 

[ron123]

By Scott Klein. Not my most expensive pipe, but it's based on a really expensive pipe (Lars Ivarsson)

 

[agnosticpipe]

I don't have the funds for buying expensive pipes, and I haven't ever spent $100 or more. My most expensive is a Ser Jacopo Picta Magritte, which I paid $90 for as an estate pipe. Why? I really like the Picta pipe series as I love the art that they represent. Way out of my price range for new and even the used pipes of these series. It had a few dings, scrapes, and the top of the bowl was messed up, but I still love it and it smokes great!

 

[cynicismandsugar]

Technically, the most expensive pipe in my collection is a Castello Collection Great Line Bent Dublin (5) (KKKK); but I didn't pay the retail value.
The Deities of the Leaf smile down upon the Faithful, perhaps, once in a jitter-monkey's lifetime.
A local pipe collector (and retired doctor) likes to trade certain pipes in his collection for store credit; you know, when he's not enjoying the smoke, is bored, tired of looking at it, etc... or if he's just never smoked it, and has lost interest... (regardless of my misleading description, he's quite a nice gentleman).
This particular shop has a 50% resale value of the suggested retail of a pipe that they sell as an 'estate.' Most of the pipes are in a condition that half the retail cost is reasonable, other times it's over-priced, but sometimes you get a deal.
Some young gentleman bought the unsmoked Castello at the estate price; however, when he got it home, his wife was not pleased with his good fortune, so he attempted to return it back to the shop. Well, estates usually have an 'as is' sell's policy, but the shop worked something out with the second owner.
Now, here's where it gets interesting: since the pipe was already sold as an estate at half retail, the shop resold it at half the previous estate price. So, basically, a Costello Great Line--complete with original sock, box, and paperwork--was selling for 25% the retail cost.
I was in the right place at the right time; I smoked a sacrificial bowl of Early Morning Pipe in praise to the pipe gods for their blessings.