shuli
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Post by shuli on Dec 19, 2018 13:30:59 GMT -5
Anyone have experience with both divisions of the Eltang brand? I have a mini poker that i absolutely adore but when it comes to investing in a smooth, i am wondering how much I am really losing by buying a Sara rather than a Tom. Any experiences out there to help inform a potential decision would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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Post by Ronv69 on Dec 19, 2018 13:43:07 GMT -5
Anyone have experience with both divisions of the Eltang brand? I have a mini poker that i absolutely adore but when it comes to investing in a smooth, i am wondering how much I am really losing by buying a Sara rather than a Tom. Any experiences out there to help inform a potential decision would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! You aren't losing anything, but you are saving a lot of money. |
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shuli
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Post by shuli on Dec 19, 2018 13:52:40 GMT -5
Anyone have experience with both divisions of the Eltang brand? I have a mini poker that i absolutely adore but when it comes to investing in a smooth, i am wondering how much I am really losing by buying a Sara rather than a Tom. Any experiences out there to help inform a potential decision would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! You aren't losing anything, but you are saving a lot of money. You have both? |
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Post by Ronv69 on Dec 19, 2018 13:56:43 GMT -5
You aren't losing anything, but you are saving a lot of money. You have both? No, out of my price range. But I have chatted with guys who do own both. A lot of the high end brands are dependable smokers regardless of price. Tom Winslow guarantees that his $150 pipes will smoke as well as his $1500 pipes. I think that after a certain price you are buying the experience of hand feel and artistic appreciation. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2018 15:07:56 GMT -5
I have a T. Eltang ....only tobacco it smokes well is FVF. If it were not gifted to me, it would be sold!! A $600.00 pipe that doesn’t smoke as well as some of my pipes that cost me $35.00.....seriously.
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Post by Ronv69 on Dec 19, 2018 16:18:44 GMT -5
This ^^^
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Post by Dramatwist on Dec 19, 2018 16:52:36 GMT -5
I understand that "boutique" makers must charge more for their work, but they have always been out of the range I am willing to spend.
I would guess that they are fine pipes, but it's never been important to me to "quack" about a pipe that cost more than $150.00.
For those that enjoy "high-end" pipes, more power to them.
I just don't care to spend that much.
I suppose those high prices are about purchasing a piece of "art".
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Post by qmechanics on Dec 19, 2018 17:09:20 GMT -5
My high end pipe store is eBay. Only when the great seller Estate has low hanging fruit do I purchase such a pipe. I guess because of the cost and collector's nature these offerings are often barely smoked and rarely abused.
😁
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Post by pepesdad1 on Dec 19, 2018 17:20:16 GMT -5
I understand that "boutique" makers must charge more for their work, but they have always been out of the range I am willing to spend. I would guess that they are fine pipes, but it's never been important to me to "quack" about a pipe that cost more than $150.00. For those that enjoy "high-end" pipes, more power to them. I just don't care to spend that much. I suppose those high prices are about purchasing a piece of "art". My opinion, for what it is worth, is that you are paying for the "art" aspect...like Drama, I am unwilling to spend that kinda money for "art". Now in some cases such as our esteemed carver Ron of RdPipes...you get both...art and a fine smoking piece of machinery...something like that I would spend the coin, if I had it, which I don't....so there is where my opinion comes in to play. His is the only pipe I would lay out crazy money for...and now that I have one to base my opinion on, I will unabashedly say...It is worth it. |
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Post by daveinlax on Dec 19, 2018 18:45:50 GMT -5
Anyone have experience with both divisions of the Eltang brand? I have a mini poker that i absolutely adore but when it comes to investing in a smooth, i am wondering how much I am really losing by buying a Sara rather than a Tom. Any experiences out there to help inform a potential decision would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! I don't have either but I know they have don't have much in common. I believe the Sara line hand finished lower price ebauchon blocks that where copy cut on old Stanwell machines with a hand worked stem blank. The Eltang pipes are made by him using hand cut plateau blocks and stems from rod stock. I heard Tom say at a Q&A in Chicago long before the Sara line that he can make his signature poker in 45 minutes.
IMO I understand why they have to do it but I think these carvers 2nd and 3rd rate lines cut their handmade line's collectible and value.  |
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Post by johnlawitzke on Dec 19, 2018 22:10:53 GMT -5
I’ll give an answer based on actual experience here. I own two Tom Eltang pipes and four Sara Eltang pipes. My Saras are great smoking pipes. My Toms are spectacular smoking pipes. I highly recommend both lines of pipes.
The two big differences between Sara and Tom Pipes are that Tom does not do all the steps of making a Sara pipe himself and Sara pipes have acrylic stems while Tom pipes have ebonite stems.
I would put Sara Eltang pipes at about par for other pipes in the same price range. It’s a well made pipe which smokes great. I whole heartedly recommend them.
For the extra price of a Tom Eltang you are getting more than just prettier grain and an ebonite stem. The air flow is open and absolutely perfect IMHO. The pipes smoke effortlessly and I just have to put them in my mouth and breathe. My two Tom Eltang pipes are the best smoking pipes in my collection.
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