Question to those who have been at it longer

I know many forum members swear on the smoking capabilities of their USD 8 cobs. From what I know the most expensive pipes justify their prices not on smokability per se but on the 1) the indestructability of the material e.g. morta pipes, 2) connection to some sort of celebrity carver or celebrity smoker e.g. Tsuge pipes or those owned by Bing Crosby, 3) age e.g. hundred year old Dunhills.

At some point "art' overrides function. I draw the line at $350but most of my pipes were bought at a more modest cost. There is something very special about a commissioned pipe but there is a limit to what I'll spend for a bespoke pipe.

I only have one briar which cost more than $200. Most were significantly less. Prices on top shelf meers have risen somewhat in the past few years. I'm glad now I purchased mine prior.

My most expensive pipe did not cost the most. A Mimmo Provenzano Morta retailing at $265.00. I got it new for $90.00 as it had visible boring marks in the bowl. Hasn't seemed to matter, as I am now past the 100 bowls smoked mark.
Bide your time and enjoy the hunt. When the right pipe appears, it will call your name.

Agreed. Do what you will.

Now and then a less expensive smokes great but over all I think more expensive pipes smoke better.There probably comes a point though when you're paying for more than just how well the pipe smokes.

I haven't smoked any of my briars for over ten years now, as I enjoy cobs much more but I don't think I ever paid more than a $100 for a pipe back then and many of them way less than that and I thought they all smoked pretty good. I would be just as happy smoking them today if I went back to briar. I also think if I was looking at new pipes today I could find some nice ones in the $100-$150 range or less that I would enjoy owning and smoking. Just be patient, take your time looking around and get the best bang for your buck!

BP,

depending on how handy you are, and your inclination, you can find plenty of estates, that with a little bit of effort and time will turn into very nice smokers.

When I really started getting into pipes, about 1 1/2 years ago, I had 1 pipe and 1 pouch of tobacco...

I now have over 90, including a dozen or so new cobs, the most of which are estates that I've refurbed....







Here's the next dozen or so waiting for their turn for refurbin and smokin....



I haven't spent more than $200 on any of them, including the few new ones in the stable.

Wow that's amazing. I need to look into that. Btw is that giant one in the background really a pipe or just decoration?

Briars

BP,

It's a Pipe Rack with a tobacco jar in the bowl....

That's awesome.

With the exception of Ron of RdPipes and Cramps pipes...I would not spend more than what either of them charge for a pipe...between beauty and function...neither of them can be beat in my opinion.
Sure you can drop more $$ in a pipe but why?  Unless you are just in love with spending the $$. 

For me, the best smoking pipes are the ones that I have some history with. I own over 350 pipes (ranging from $10 - $1500 spent) and tend to smoke the same 30 or so while I remember the story behind that pipe. Maybe I'm getting old.