You're an Idiot if You Smoke Pipes More Than $50!
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Yowza! That's sure to fire up a storm! I've moved on from early Ashtons and Comoys, and now devote my energies to pre-transition family Sasieni, patent era with the fish script.
BB, I really enjoyed your discussion. There are many reasons to buy something. This week I bought my first Peterson, because I loved the shape, wood, etc. I also wanted to try a higher level pipe than I have ever had. Tomorrow, I plan to buy a plumbing tool, because I can't solve a problem without it. You would have to read my checkbook to find out what is most important in my life.
I work with Private Bank customers. They spend more on cars than I spent on my house. What do they buy to impress their peers? What does a man with $500K in checking buy to celebrate closing a deal? I am not the judge of other men's purchases.
Anyway, your post was very informative and insightful. Thanks for sharing.
Winton
I work with Private Bank customers. They spend more on cars than I spent on my house. What do they buy to impress their peers? What does a man with $500K in checking buy to celebrate closing a deal? I am not the judge of other men's purchases.
Anyway, your post was very informative and insightful. Thanks for sharing.
Winton
Mike, great post and as always very well thought out. You make some great points and your opinions are always appreciate by me.
I believe the Ashton will go for over 2K, it is the first Ashton and it is the last of the RD Filed collection so it should be very interesting to see. It is a beautiful pipe.
I believe the Ashton will go for over 2K, it is the first Ashton and it is the last of the RD Filed collection so it should be very interesting to see. It is a beautiful pipe.
Great post Mike, as always. For clarity, though, there are many professionals (at least in the legal profession) that work on a success fee basis. I have done this many times. Of course, in the event of success, I expect to receive much more than my hourly rate and lay that out clearly ahead of time.
Great posts gentleman. I do not have the means at this point to purchase a $300 and up pipe, though that is on my list. Right now I am focused on building up my cellar. One piece of advice I got early and on and it was from Harris was never to purchase beyond my means. He told me about guys he has personally seen go into debt and lose marriages to their obsession with pipes, cigars and tobacco in general. I do consider all my pipes to be very good burners and I feel I am lucky in that. However, I do appreciate guys who post about their magnificent higher $ amount pipes because really I had no clue what to look for. So, I am saving up for some artisan pipes and only using money that I don't need to pay bills or spend on my family. And Mike thanks for the post.
Eaglerico made an interesting challenge to some of us with artisan collections to compare lower end pipes. I actually did something similar last year. I bought a brand new Dr. Grabow and gave my honest reactions (which might surprise some). I also compared it to a similarly priced Parker.
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/giving-dr-grabow-a-chance
I apologize for the missing pictures. I deleted those awhile ago, but I think we all know what a Grabow looks like.
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/giving-dr-grabow-a-chance
I apologize for the missing pictures. I deleted those awhile ago, but I think we all know what a Grabow looks like.
It comes down to the difference between an obsession and a hobby, what one needs against what one wants, etc. My high end pipes came from the estate market, which did not exceed my limits and limitations. I could and should probably sell much of my collection and buy a high grade pipe new. However, when I pick up a pipe that I haven't smoked in a while, I remember why I purchased it, what tobacco went best with it, and some memories I have associated with it. I liken it to selling a photo album, and cannot bring myself to do it. So I adhere to the wisdom of buying the best pipe I can afford. Yeah, I want a Land Rover, but my Jeep is good enough.
My most valuable pipe may be $200.00 could be more or less the the carver died. I got it for $75.00 as an estate pipe. My others are probably $150.00 pipes that I got in an estate sale. I bought them together with some others I dont have anymore. While they are not cheap pipes they are not expensive either. I dont personally care how much you spent on your pipes or what their value is. You can smoke a $10,000.00 pipe for all I care. I like them all.
Now for myself no matter what income stream I have, I would never buy a pipe for more than $350.00 but thats me. I live everyone have my personal values that I have set. It don't tell mean I'm right or wrong it just means I set a limitation. (Note: I ). I does note mean you or anyone else it means I me if ya will. Now this is the beautiful part; No matter how absurd of a price I think you paid, its not my right to impose my opinion on you. You have the right to set your own standards.
Now for myself no matter what income stream I have, I would never buy a pipe for more than $350.00 but thats me. I live everyone have my personal values that I have set. It don't tell mean I'm right or wrong it just means I set a limitation. (Note: I ). I does note mean you or anyone else it means I me if ya will. Now this is the beautiful part; No matter how absurd of a price I think you paid, its not my right to impose my opinion on you. You have the right to set your own standards.
Still being fairly new to the hobby, and the "victim" of low paying job, I can't afford so called high end pipes. My budget right now, $150 is high end and something I would need to save up for. I have a few recently acquired pipes, only one of which was new, that are really only one step above basket pipes.I have a few baskets too. I have a few cobs. I have a SMS Meer and a RC Sands pipe on layaway. I use pipes to hold burning tobacco. Yeah, maybe, I'm missing out on a transcendent expedience if I'm not smoking a $1000 + pipe, but I enjoy all the pipes I have and I enjoy the tobacco I buy to burn in them.
I have no envy towards guys who spend way beyond my means on custom carved pipes. I have no animosity towards people who prefer hand cut stems, or fancy blasts, or whatever makes them buy those pipes. For me a dream pipe is one made by Tim West. Mostly because I have met him and like him as a person, plus he makes lovely pipes. So I'll slowly save up some coin by doing without a few other luxuries. And the 400 other pipes that activate my PAD.
What chaps my shorts are the guys who believe that I can't be a pipe smoker if I don't spend 3,4, 500 or more for my pipes. That is one reason I love this forum. I haven't seen that bias or snobbery here. A couple people border on it at times, but I overlook them.
I don't post much, but I do read here once or more a day. Smokeless tobacco is my side business, pipes and pipe tobacco are my hobby. I get most of my nicotine from smokeless tobacco. Burning tobacco is simply a pleasure. One that I'll enjoy in my cheaper pipes and let guys and ladies that can afford it buy custom pipes from amazing carvers. Maybe one day I can scale those lofty heights, and get off the porch, but for now sitting here in my rocker with my cob is enough.
I have no envy towards guys who spend way beyond my means on custom carved pipes. I have no animosity towards people who prefer hand cut stems, or fancy blasts, or whatever makes them buy those pipes. For me a dream pipe is one made by Tim West. Mostly because I have met him and like him as a person, plus he makes lovely pipes. So I'll slowly save up some coin by doing without a few other luxuries. And the 400 other pipes that activate my PAD.
What chaps my shorts are the guys who believe that I can't be a pipe smoker if I don't spend 3,4, 500 or more for my pipes. That is one reason I love this forum. I haven't seen that bias or snobbery here. A couple people border on it at times, but I overlook them.
I don't post much, but I do read here once or more a day. Smokeless tobacco is my side business, pipes and pipe tobacco are my hobby. I get most of my nicotine from smokeless tobacco. Burning tobacco is simply a pleasure. One that I'll enjoy in my cheaper pipes and let guys and ladies that can afford it buy custom pipes from amazing carvers. Maybe one day I can scale those lofty heights, and get off the porch, but for now sitting here in my rocker with my cob is enough.
@lawrence - great comic. I think it aptly sums up the entire argument.
@BB (michael) excellent post.
@Bigvan: nice article you wrote - well done.
Personally, in all of this, I can respect both points of view. I enjoy a quality pipe, and I see a definite difference when comparing to a cheaper pipe (most times). Is it worth hundreds more than a cob? That's strictly a personal choice, both have their merits.
@BB (michael) excellent post.
@Bigvan: nice article you wrote - well done.
Personally, in all of this, I can respect both points of view. I enjoy a quality pipe, and I see a definite difference when comparing to a cheaper pipe (most times). Is it worth hundreds more than a cob? That's strictly a personal choice, both have their merits.
One man's business is another man's pleasure... and one man's junk is another man's treasure!
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I don't suppose I'll ever fall into the "snob" category.
I have a cob that's 20+ years old, and I have a 5C Cavicchi.
I have churchwardens converted from basket pipes, and I have Nodings, and an Ascorti New Line by Giuseppe "Peppino" Ascorti (that I've been offered a $1K for).
I have a Dr. Grabow, purchased on eBay for less than the shipping costs, that I wouldn't take $500 for.
They all have their own character and tobacco preferences (it seems).
I smoke and enjoy them all... after-all that's what they were made for.
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I have a cob that's 20+ years old, and I have a 5C Cavicchi.
I have churchwardens converted from basket pipes, and I have Nodings, and an Ascorti New Line by Giuseppe "Peppino" Ascorti (that I've been offered a $1K for).
I have a Dr. Grabow, purchased on eBay for less than the shipping costs, that I wouldn't take $500 for.
They all have their own character and tobacco preferences (it seems).
I smoke and enjoy them all... after-all that's what they were made for.
:
:
Mike,
I did indeed read the whole post, and Thanks for putting things in perspective regarding price ranges and quality of smoking pipes from your point of view.
I enjoyed this post immensely and would like to see it in the NASPC newsletter for others not on this forum to view it as well. I appreciate the time you take to express your opinions.
Andy
I did indeed read the whole post, and Thanks for putting things in perspective regarding price ranges and quality of smoking pipes from your point of view.
I enjoyed this post immensely and would like to see it in the NASPC newsletter for others not on this forum to view it as well. I appreciate the time you take to express your opinions.
Andy
yeah I understand where you're at, for me breaking the $150. barrier was an emotional thing and really took some saving up but I believe I'll be farther ahead in the long run.
I don't regret any pipe I've sold or traded because when I honestly evaluated them they all had issues and all were in the $50.-$100.00 range about 20 or so over the years.
At this stage in my life I really don't want to screw with trying to find a diamond in the rough I just want a few good smokers to ride this thing out with, a younger man may have a different view and I can respect that.
Mike
Excellent post. Many would disagree with you, but that's ok.
I've found that as a very general rule, you get what you pay for. Yes, there are many products out there that are mostly hype, but as my wife points out, the Louis Viton pocketbook she bought nearly 20 years or so ago is still in completely perfect condition; the zippers, the stitching, etc are all perfect. Even though it is mostly vinyl, the manufacture was and is so excellent, to her it is worth the money, and now I agree.
When I attend the NYC pipe club, there are some folks who own J. Allen pipes and I wonder, 'are they worth the money?'
Maybe one day I'll find out.
Allan
'
Excellent post. Many would disagree with you, but that's ok.
I've found that as a very general rule, you get what you pay for. Yes, there are many products out there that are mostly hype, but as my wife points out, the Louis Viton pocketbook she bought nearly 20 years or so ago is still in completely perfect condition; the zippers, the stitching, etc are all perfect. Even though it is mostly vinyl, the manufacture was and is so excellent, to her it is worth the money, and now I agree.
When I attend the NYC pipe club, there are some folks who own J. Allen pipes and I wonder, 'are they worth the money?'
Maybe one day I'll find out.
Allan
'
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