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Post by Legend Lover on Mar 20, 2018 7:50:52 GMT -5
I tend to waffle, so read the bits in red for the short version...
I've been smoking a pipe for a few years, but i've been content with my cobs - I always got the most enjoyment from them.
Since signing up here, my PAD has gone through the roof, but I don't have much money to be throwing on pipes and I like getting bargains on ebay, but here's my problem...
I don't know where any pipe manufacturers would sit on a league table.
For example, I've heard Peterson make decent pipes (although the drilling can be questionable - am I right?), but are they better than a Comoys or a Savinelli?
I've got a bid on for a Kaywoodie at £8, but I don't know if that's an awesome deal cos Kaywoodies are near the top of the list or if that's about all I should bid cos they're near the bottom.
So my question is this...
Would anyone be willing to reply to this thread and list some of the more common pipe manufacturers in a worst-to-best order so that I know what 'quality' of pipe I'm ordering? I know there are so many other factors in play like rejects and different series that are higher quality. You don't NEED to go into that detail. Just a simple list would suffice.
OR, if there is one already on t'internet, if you could point me to it that would be great.
Heartfelt thanks to anyone who can help.
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Post by beardedmi on Mar 20, 2018 8:26:29 GMT -5
There's a bit of a rub there. A lot of any ranking would be subjective. 8 on a kaywoodie isnt bad. Your best bet is to find a similar pipe on a retail site and compare prices there. You're talking about a bunch of factory pipes so they all pretty much have the same attributes: the basic lines will have minimal hand finishing while the upper tiers will have more or total hand finishing. Pay what you want its all based on your personal value of the pipe. The brands you listed are all similar manufacturers in that they have pipes in every price range. From sub 50 to multiple hundreds. I cant think of any from those three manufacturers that top 1k.
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Post by Legend Lover on Mar 20, 2018 8:51:12 GMT -5
There's a bit of a rub there. A lot of any ranking would be subjective. 8 on a kaywoodie isnt bad. Your best bet is to find a similar pipe on a retail site and compare prices there. You're talking about a bunch of factory pipes so they all pretty much have the same attributes: the basic lines will have minimal hand finishing while the upper tiers will have more or total hand finishing. Pay what you want its all based on your personal value of the pipe. The brands you listed are all similar manufacturers in that they have pipes in every price range. From sub 50 to multiple hundreds. I cant think of any from those three manufacturers that top 1k. Good advice. Thank you |
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Post by Ronv69 on Mar 20, 2018 11:03:32 GMT -5
I agree with the above.
I believe that no one makes a better pipe than Radice, and probably Castello. Savinellis are consistently excellent. Petersons are in my experience an excellent pipe, especially for very heavy users. My Comoy's are excellent, as well as the Stanwells, Winslow, etc. Winslow is probably the best engineered mass production pipe, IMHO.
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Post by Legend Lover on Mar 20, 2018 11:23:29 GMT -5
I agree with the above. I believe that no one makes a better pipe than Radice, and probably Castello. Savinellis are consistently excellent. Petersons are in my experience an excellent pipe, especially for very heavy users. My Comoy's are excellent, as well as the Stanwells, Winslow, etc. Winslow is probably the best engineered mass production pipe, IMHO. Thank you! Something like that was what I'm looking for...even with its subjectivity. I now have some kind of mental framework. Much appreciated. |
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Post by slowroll on Mar 20, 2018 12:14:45 GMT -5
If you need further confirmation, I agree with ronv69. I would add that for reasonably priced pipes, Savinelli has always been my favorite, since Jarl closed up shop. (That tells you how old I am). BTW, Jarl estates are usually low priced, and I've never had a bad one (got around 20 of 'em, so good sample size).
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Post by Legend Lover on Mar 20, 2018 12:47:35 GMT -5
Also good info. Stuff like this is Priceless to me. Thank you.
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Post by Ronv69 on Mar 20, 2018 13:09:34 GMT -5
I have all kinds of pipes, and pipes are made for different purposes. If I want a light pipe for clenching I would want a Comoy, or similar. Actually I prefer a cob for out and about. But if I am sitting in the recliner, or on the front porch, the feeling of a Radice in the hand is unmatched, plus the fact that they smoke perfectly without exception.
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Post by PhantomWolf on Mar 20, 2018 13:23:27 GMT -5
This is tricky. I have multiple pipes from the same manufacturer that I would rank differently, so its a pretty chaotic spectrum. In order to really feel good about it, there would need to be a control. Like five pipes of the same shape across every manufacturer being tested. haha
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2018 13:25:50 GMT -5
Very similar to if you asked the same question on the best tobacco manufacturers, depends who you ask!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2018 13:56:40 GMT -5
any manufacturer is capable of producing turkeys. I know, as I have had a few (but pointless to name & shame).
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2018 14:32:47 GMT -5
Some of my fave smokes are in DRG/Medico/Yello Bole (made by same people). I have 3 or 4 savs, same amount Rossis, Moonshine Devil Anse is wonderful
I mention the faves because (if you make sure they are briar, nor Brylon) the shank and stem are narrow. They seem to draw perfectly for me.
I went for these when I was gifted a Filtomatic that I have no idea about, but the very thin stem-shank just draws perfectly for me. So that's what I aim for now when I buy a pipe
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sablebrush52
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Post by sablebrush52 on Mar 20, 2018 15:25:36 GMT -5
There's nothing objective in the field of pipes and tobaccos. It's truly "one man's meat", etc, etc. I happen to like ancient Britwood and American artisans for the most part, but my Brebbia pipes have always smoked well from the get go. Don't worry about what is "best" or rankings. There is no best and there is no consensus on rankings. If you like how a pipe smokes for you, if you are enjoying what you smoke, then the rest of it is just frosting on the cake. Over time you will become more knowledgeable about tobaccos and brands. You will form your own opinions about what works for you and look for pipes and tobaccos that fulfill that need. And most probably, your tastes will change as you go along. TEH equipment is really only 25% of the equation. Knowing how to prep, pack, and sip, is 75%.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2018 15:47:17 GMT -5
For the record, there is no connection between Dr Grabow and Medico/Yello-Bole, apart from rivalry.
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Post by Dramatwist on Mar 20, 2018 16:19:08 GMT -5
...I would be foolish to attempt to rank, but I can honestly tell you that I own/have owned dozens of Comoy's, and all have been superb...
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2018 16:38:13 GMT -5
Excuse me, it was Kaywoodie that was the third otc pipe made by S. M. Frank, along with Yello Bole/Medico
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Post by djo on Mar 20, 2018 17:17:48 GMT -5
My fave for briars is Peterson. Not too expensive and good smokers. My only complaint is that sometimes some stain gets inside the bowl and it tastes funky for the first couple of smokes, but after that it's fine.
Second would be Savinelli. I prefer to use it without a filter.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2018 17:39:25 GMT -5
Excuse me, it was Kaywoodie that was the third otc pipe made by S. M. Frank, along with Yello Bole/Medico yes, you misspoke, but no biggie. . . . you know how Internet rumors/truisms get started. I think it benefits us all at large to be as accurate as possible in our postings. |
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Post by Legend Lover on Mar 20, 2018 17:47:42 GMT -5
Thanks everyone. I suppose my issue was that I don't want to be bidding over and above what I should be for a pipe I know nothing about... Cos I won't know how it smokes until I get it and I'm purely going on the aesthetics.
I was hoping for something like, you can't go wrong with xxxx, but it can be touch and go with xxxxx.
Seems that's a stretch too far. I get it. It's the scientist in me.
You've all been very helpful though. I'll be revisiting this thread every time i bid.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2018 17:50:47 GMT -5
Excuse me, it was Kaywoodie that was the third otc pipe made by S. M. Frank, along with Yello Bole/Medico yes, you misspoke, but no biggie. . . . you know how Internet rumors/truisms get started. I think it benefits us all at large to be as accurate as possible in our postings. I had a phone conversation with WV Smoke Shop and we discussed all of them. And I conflated things once again. I am having a problem with memory lately. It used to be razor sharp (near photographic), and this kind of stuff is happening all to often of late. I'm grateful you did correct it, as I feel the same way about rumors. David |
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Post by Ronv69 on Mar 20, 2018 20:00:42 GMT -5
You can't go wrong with a Radice, or Missouri Meerschaum. That's as far as I will go.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2018 20:03:27 GMT -5
You can't go wrong with a Radice, or Missouri Meerschaum. That's as far as I will go. lol! |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2018 20:40:24 GMT -5
You can't go wrong with a Radice, or Missouri Meerschaum. That's as far as I will go. I was going to set the top end at Jess Chonowitsch or S. Bang(so many great carvers there), but I like your range of tastes, sir. I would have to win the powerball to even think about the two I mentioned. |
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Post by Ronv69 on Mar 20, 2018 20:48:51 GMT -5
You can't go wrong with a Radice, or Missouri Meerschaum. That's as far as I will go. I was going to set the top end at Jess Chonowitsch or S. Bang(so many great carvers there), but I like your range of tastes, sir. I would have to win the powerball to even think about the two I mentioned. Yeah, I have no personal experience with those. I have heard that the very expensive Danish pipes don't necessarily smoke that great, but I wouldn't bet on it. Winslow pipes are another one that I can say with certainty will give you your money's worth. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2018 21:01:12 GMT -5
I have paid more attention to Winslow since Ronv69 recent mentions. Prices are not excessive and his individual design concepts are unique, but not out there. His take on the standard Bulldog is fresh and creative. |
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Post by herbinedave on Mar 20, 2018 21:26:35 GMT -5
Some guys enjoy $10.00 cobs or $25.00 Grabows. I like older English pipes and American Artisan pipes. No way to put a list together as all we would get is a major league pissing session!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2018 21:30:17 GMT -5
I will have to look at the Winslows. I have a half dozen Danish pipes. All are good smokers. So are my Savinellis and the few English pipes I have. Would love to own a Sixten or Lars Ivarsson pipe. I have coveted Radice pipes since the first time I handled a Silk Cut. Gorgeous product.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2018 22:27:16 GMT -5
Of course we all have our own opinions, but I am more than happy to provide my experience. One caveat: it has been years since I purchased a factory pipe.
Stanwell - This is by far my favorite factory pipe. I own 12 and they are all solid pipes. Some smoke better than others and every single one has a fill or pit, but there are no clunkers in the batch.
Dunhill - Purchased one and will never buy another. It is no different that any other factory pipe that costs a fraction of the price. Plus, I had to do some file work inside the stem to remove rough edges that collected cleaner fuzz. Annoying.
Kaywoodie - I own two, one was new about 10 years ago and the other is a four-digit estate. I dislike them both. Not only are the stingers annoying, but I do not like the way they smoke.
Brebbia - I only own one Brebbia but it smokes like a dream. Unfortunately, I did not realize this until after I stopped buying factory pipes and I doubt I will purchase another. The one bad thing is the stem. Thick, clunky, uncomfortable, and low-grade vulcanite. They make plenty of acrylic options and I would recommend one of those.
Peterson - I have purchased four Petes and only one was worth keeping. They just smoke . . . dead. Not sure how to describe it. I kept one as a camping/hiking pipe, gave two away, and one is drilled so poorly that I will not even gift it. That would be rude.
Chacom - Only one in my collection but it is a decent smoker.
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Post by antb on Mar 21, 2018 3:02:16 GMT -5
Heed the advice from Q above. From one legendlover to another: Just go get yourself a Stanwell already  (preferably a Danish made estate, but the new ones, even 9mm filters, won't disappoint)  |
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Post by Legend Lover on Mar 21, 2018 3:06:37 GMT -5
Of course we all have our own opinions, but I am more than happy to provide my experience. One caveat: it has been years since I purchased a factory pipe. Stanwell - This is by far my favorite factory pipe. I own 12 and they are all solid pipes. Some smoke better than others and every single one has a fill or pit, but there are no clunkers in the batch. Dunhill - Purchased one and will never buy another. It is no different that any other factory pipe that costs a fraction of the price. Plus, I had to do some file work inside the stem to remove rough edges that collected cleaner fuzz. Annoying. Kaywoodie - I own two, one was new about 10 years ago and the other is a four-digit estate. I dislike them both. Not only are the stingers annoying, but I do not like the way they smoke. Brebbia - I only own one Brebbia but it smokes like a dream. Unfortunately, I did not realize this until after I stopped buying factory pipes and I doubt I will purchase another. The one bad thing is the stem. Thick, clunky, uncomfortable, and low-grade vulcanite. They make plenty of acrylic options and I would recommend one of those. Peterson - I have purchased four Petes and only one was worth keeping. They just smoke . . . dead. Not sure how to describe it. I kept one as a camping/hiking pipe, gave two away, and one is drilled so poorly that I will not even gift it. That would be rude. Chacom - Only one in my collection but it is a decent smoker. Much obliged. LOL. I'll be on the lookout. |
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(preferably a Danish made estate, but the new ones, even 9mm filters, won't disappoint) 
