What takes preference in your favourite pipe?

I look for a pipe that has a good feel in the hand and is comfortable to clench.

I guess I look at everything as a whole. First it has to be pleasing to my eye. If I think it's ugly I won't touch it. I don't have a preference over smooth or rusticated. As long as it looks good. Next the bowl size has to be right and the holes all align. Other than that I'm good to go.

The pipe is a tool for me. I don't spend a lot on pipes. If I break one (never have) it wouldn't kill me. I don't have any pipes that have any sentimental value. No heirlooms, no gift from a friend. I'm more of a tobacco guy. I do admire some very high end pipes and appreciate their beauty and understand why people collect them.

For me it’s Nosewarmers, Chubby Pot, Oom Paul and the very popular Canadian. Smooth, carved or rusticated makes no difference for me as long as it’s a good to excellent smoker. What’s the sense in buying a “ real looker “ but it doesn’t smoke worth a 💩!!

My two favorite shapes are the bulldog and poker. If the grain jumps out at me I'll go with a smooth on any pipe if not I go rusticated.

I'm partial to nosewarmers, but the real loyalty is a pipe that was given as a gift... those will go to the grave with me.

Shape is the first cut, although I appreciate a wide variety of shapes. I lean more toward classic shapes. Feel (if I have a chance to handle the pipe prior to purchase) in the hand, balance comes second. It’s not so much one finish over another; the finish must be done well. And the pipe’s look must appeal to me. Of course how the pipes smokes is ultimately important, but that is a bit of an unknown at first glance. So I suppose the reputation of the pipe maker plays a key role.
The pipe is a tool, but it need not be an ugly tool.

I choose pipes for a combination of shape, color, and finish, but if I had to select one, shape comes first.

    This ^^^^^^^ is without a doubt 👍

The overall esthetic has to catch my attention first, the combination of size, shape and finish as it comes together as a whole. Life's too short to smoke an ugly pipe.

If the overall look catches my attention, I move on to practicality of shape. For example, I don't prefer to smoke a straight-stemmed pipe, regardless of how beautiful it is.

Then overall quality of the piece. Is it good briar, does it have tight grain, is it block meerschaum instead of pressed? Has the carving been done with precision, care and true artistry?

Then price. And that usually shoots everything else in the head anyhow. I've got champaign taste on a beer budget.

I have big hands, so I like a decently sized bowl that I can cup in my fingers. For shape I go mostly for straight or a slight bend... whatever catches my eye. I have a couple of bent pipes, but mostly selling them off. I found out they don't really work for me.

All of mine are either sandblasted or rusticated, I don't even mind if they look a little rugged. I'm a bit clumsy so it only fits...


As long as a pipe has a good draw and sits comfortably in my hand, it will do.

Stem construction, quality and bit comfort are one of the most important attributes and not so easily guaged when buying a pipe on the Internet.

I think you have to have a strong visual attraction to the shape of the pipe first, then it has to feel good in your hands, like picking out a woman.

I like several different types and my tastes have changed .
If I could go and buy any pipe I wanted it would probably be a Perla Nera in a Canadian or Bulldog shape but spending my own money a Sea Rock finish on very old looking briar full of pits,deep craggy valleys, and it must smoke great.
I have beautiful smooth straight grains that smoke good but I have rusticated or blasts that smoke great.
I talked to Floyd from Floyd pipe repair about what makes great tasting briar and he said that if briar is good,drilling is correct,that all pipes will smoke the same if enough tobacco is used through them and they are allowed to dry or rest between use.
I can say I have smoked pipes heavy then let them rest for a week or two and the first bowl after pipe resting it becomes a favorite because it just smokes great.I put another load in it and it’s still good but not as good as the first bowl after a proper cleaning and rest.
Now what will probably happen is I’ll buy a few cobs and start thinning my collection.
I have probably smoked out of every type of briar there is except perhaps one brand I cannot think of.