Tobacco Pipes
fatchowmein
Posts: 2,637
I'd like to purchase a pipe for a close friend's BD. I know nothing about tobacco pipes other than my initial online research which all recommends pipes made out of briar. Budget: $100-$150. Any recommendations? He's a very infrequent pipe smoker (winter only). In fact, he no longer has a pipe but I'm positive he's looking to get back into it. I'm in the DFW area so if you can also recommend a B&M store, I'd appreciate it.
Please, no responses about the safety/dangers of smoking. We're all adults and are well aware of the dangers.
Thx
Please, no responses about the safety/dangers of smoking. We're all adults and are well aware of the dangers.
Thx
Post edited by fatchowmein on
Comments
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I worked at the Pipe & Tobacco shop of a family friend for several years selling cigars and pipes part time.
In my experience, a Savinelli is always a great choice. They have plenty in your price range. Dunhill is a name you'll hear a lot, and while they make great pipes you're paying for that name and they'll pretty much all be out of your range.
The thing about a pipe is how it feels in your hands, too...so consider that when you buy it. If you're familiar with any of the pipes he used to have...is there a style he seems to enjoy most? -
I worked at the Pipe & Tobacco shop of a family friend for several years selling cigars and pipes part time.
In my experience, a Savinelli is always a great choice. They have plenty in your price range. Dunhill is a name you'll hear a lot, and while they make great pipes you're paying for that name and they'll pretty much all be out of your range.
The thing about a pipe is how it feels in your hands, too...so consider that when you buy it. If you're familiar with any of the pipes he used to have...is there a style he seems to enjoy most?
No idea what his last pipe was. Perhaps it's better that I drag him to a cigar/pipe store? Pipe smoking seems like a very individual sport like watch collecting. Thx for the Savinelli recommendation. -
fatchowmein wrote: »No idea what his last pipe was. Perhaps it's better that I drag him to a cigar/pipe store? Pipe smoking seems like a very individual sport like watch collecting. Thx for the Savinelli recommendation.
It depends...some of those guys are really nuts about it. They're as into their pipes as some of us are about our audio gear.
The good news is you'll find plenty of stuff in your price range. Oh, and if you go to a place that'll mix tobacco for you try a Golden Cavendish with a dash of Black Cavendish. It's really good stuff. -
Many thx.
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I prefer my meerschaum.-Kevin
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I must agree that you should make a road trip out of it, and take your friend to a professional tobacconist. A quality pipe is a very personal experience. A very viceral type of thing. Your friend will be holding this pipe for many many enjoyable hours, and it just needs to feel right in his hand. There are many different things to shop for as well, straight, bent, or somewhere between. Smooth, rough, or again, somewhere in between. There are different types of bits (mouthpieces). You will do much to experience this all together in this proposed road trip. Take your time, enjoy the journey. I will guarantee you that your friend will remember this pipe, and whom he received it from for the rest of his life. It truly can be that type of event. All the best to you in this endeavor.
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I will not buy this tobacconist, it is scratchedIf you will it, dude, it is no dream.
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Stanwell pipes are very good for the money. They smoke great and are well made.
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Whats a decent pipe for $50.
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I've worked in tobacco shops for over 10 years, so this is my comfort zone like audio equipment is to most of you.
Savinelli was an excellent 1st recommendation. And you certainly don't need to spend 100-150 for a seasonal smoker; there are plenty of very nice pipes to be had for under 100. Stanwell is a good Danish company (as someone previously mentioned.) You could also consider Peterson (which I personally have always found to be a pain to break in, but maybe I had bad luck), Comoy, Il Cepo, Nording, Wessex (cheap seconds, but good smokes for the price), or even a meerschaum as someone else mentioned.
The key to any of them is a good piece of briar. The briar they use is from the root of the mediterranean heath tree, and the older it becomes, the more dense it becomes, so the cooler/drier it smokes. So in very simplistic terms, the older the briar the better the pipe will smoke. Of course you could have a $2k Dunhill and still burn your tongue to a crisp based on a bad tobacco.
The aeromatics (the smelly goods) are always popular for everyone except for the person actually smoking the pipe. Most companies heavily case their tobacco to give it that sweet cherry, apple, whatever flavor, and that casing will cause the tobacco to burn much hotter than a natural tobacco (like a pure burley/cavendish blend for example.)
PM me if you need to. I still work at a cigar/pipe shop, so I can answer any and all questions you might have. I also have some used pipes that are still very nice...2007 Club Polk Football Pool Champ
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Whats a decent pipe for $50.
If you're buying online you might be able to find a cheaper Savinelli or possibly a Stanwell or Wessex. I think Savinelli has some second as well still; the duca carlo series maybe?
Wessex is our best pipe for $40 at the store I work at. And as I mentioned, I've got some extras at home, so I may be willing to send off some freebies to polkies that are interested in dabbling...or trade if you're a current pipe smoker and can appreciate some of these.2007 Club Polk Football Pool Champ
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Oh, and if you go to a place that'll mix tobacco for you try a Golden Cavendish with a dash of Black Cavendish. It's really good stuff.
I'll pass that info along. Thx!I prefer my meerschaum.
Why?I must agree that you should make a road trip out of it, and take your friend to a professional tobacconist... Take your time, enjoy the journey. I will guarantee you that your friend will remember this pipe, and whom he received it from for the rest of his life. It truly can be that type of event. All the best to you in this endeavor.
I'm going to broach the idea to him next week after some more research this weekend. Hopefully, someone from the DFW area will make a recommendation on a brick&mortar store. Thx!Stanwell pipes are very good for the money. They smoke great and are well made.
cubdog
Noted. Thx!PM me if you need to. I still work at a cigar/pipe shop, so I can answer any and all questions you might have. I also have some used pipes that are still very nice...
Thx for the recommendations. I will send a PM shortly.
