New Pipes or Estate Pipes? Which do you prefer?

I have many more estate briar pipes than new. I only have one estate meer. The other seven were purchased new. I don't think quality is an issue either way with briar pipes as there are numerous quality craftspeople making solid briar pipes these days; however, I'm less certain this has translated into prime purchasing opportunities for consumers of new pipes. Current demand for new pipes has created some nice buying opportunities in the estate market. I've also learned more about pipes from the estates I've ruined in the work barn than those purchased new.

Top shelf meers are still reasonably priced and I prefer the experience of staring with new meers.

The briar in my estate pipes is better than in the new ones and the craftsmanship, classic design, and internal engineering (or whatever it's called) are also better. I've found some great new pipes and I love them. But I'm always looking for a Comoy's Red Riband, a Comoy's Make The Guildhall, a Barling Fossil, a GBD Pedigree, a Savory's Argyll or Curzon, or an Orlik Virgin. Also some Parkers and Hardcastles. And Bewlays. So for me it's not precisely a question of either/or, merely one of certain priorities.

In fact, to further confuse the issue, several of my pipes of estate quality I bought when new over 40 years ago.  Lol.

I like estate pipes. Already broken in. The only new pipes I have for many years are my own cobbles.

I think I have two or three pipes I bought new. (Other than MM cobs) The rest are estate pipes. I really enjoy fixing things and estate pipes give me things to fix, learn about and then enjoy.

I have way more estate pipes then I can count.I collect a lot of the old Grabows,Mastercraft, Smokemaster pipes.My main focus is the Colorduke's from the 70's when I was young standing in line with my Mother waiting for prescription to be filled at the drug store,looking at all them fancy colored pipes on the rack.

I like both new and estate pipes, depending on various factors such as condition, history, etc. Many of the estate pipes that I buy are no longer made, like Sunrise pipes. Whenever I buy a new pipe it is significantly discounted; I rarely pay suggested retail price for anything for that matter. You can get much better value for your money with an estate pipe if you are a smart shopper and you don't mind the fact that the pipe has been smoked.

I have Estates, mostly - and for good reason, I think; Break-in is not an issue... proven, tried n true. One new pipe that I recently purchased was the RDP Chubby Rhodesian... exceptional in every way. MM cobs are a staple that I do not go without, always start new and acquire my style of smoke, very versatile and forgiving of just about any blend flavor profile. Have several commision-made briars and applewoods too. Cobs and RDP are my favorites... Nordings and Neerups take 2d place in my horse race.

trailboss -- great pipes there. How do you like that super churchwarden smoking qualities?

I have a pretty equal mix of what I have acquired in both new and estates after looking at my pipe collection.
Those that MUST be new, MM cobs and Meerschaums.
Briar are my mix. And although the estates appear to me to smoke better from the first bowl, the quality of the new pipe makes a difference. Example is my PO 321, break in was FAST and smokes just as well as my estates. Same with my RobE and my Basil Medows Bing, both broke in fast and smoked fantastic from the get go and only are improving.
My mid level to high end estates, birth year Dunhill (1966), several made in mid 60’s deLuxe Milano’s (4 digit model numbers) are all excellent. I still have a pre WWII fishtail logo family era 8 dot Sasieni that I have yet to smoke but will when the time is right.
I would love to get an older Barling and a GBD. I know a source to the GBD NOS, and planning a trip hopefully this weekend.
When I started smoking a pipe almost 3 years ago, I bought many new pipes that I have since sold. They were lower end pipes and although they smoked just fine, I found I prefer a pipe with nice ascetics. Be it the grain, stem work, fit and finish etc. I learned when started, the shapes I enjoy and simply upgraded from low end to upper mid level to high end (for me my high end topped at $420 for the PO 321, which isn’t a lot to some, and way more to others).
Do the higher end pipes be it new or used smoke better to justify the higher cost? To me yes.
All the estates, Dunhill, Sasieni, deLuxe Milano’s etc, I bought at very good prices, well below what others in same category and condition have sold for on the bay and far less than the PO.
That’s a lot of rambling to what should be an easy answer, but like many things, especially in the life of a pipe smoker, well from my perspective, a more complicated answer.

Dunhill shape code for a 1/4 bent bulldog

I think Danno is referring to his Savinelli #321 (downscaled #320 Author) Punto Oro.

I'll let you know soon. Other than two cobs, I just bought my first new pipes. A couple of Peterson Xmas 2016s, and am about to buy a couple of Stanwells from the P&C sale. All my other pipes were well broken in by my dad. Since there are about 12 of them (almost all Comoy's) I've managed to avoid PAD. Until now, I guess.