| Author | Message | ||
     Michael Cowan Member Username: Myche77 Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2009 |
Here's my quandry. I've read the books on pipes about "firsts", "seconds" etc. I'm looking to buy a pipe that will smoke great . I admit to being fairly new to the art of smoking and that "smoking great" might have something to do with my inexperience. All that being said. Do Dunhill pipes smoke great? Are they worth the price? If not can you recommend a pipe that smokes great? Any help is greatly appreciated. | ||
| burro Member Username: Burro Post Number: 77 Registered: 02-2008 |
michael you have touched on a subject that has been debated on every pipe smoking forum, and one in which there is no "right" answer. all i will say is that to some, dunhill pipes are worth the price, to others they are not. so who is right? my advice to all new pipe smokers is to first buy a couple of cobs, they are inexpensive and provide a great smoke. who knows, you may not like pipe smoking and if that is the case you aren't out a lot of coin. | ||
| Robert Member Username: Simstick Post Number: 4 Registered: 03-2009 |
You may have to give a little more info to get the best response to your query. Do you have more money than time? Do you have tobbaco/pipe shops in your area or are you wanting/needing to buy everything online? | ||
| Bill Kellman F&AM Member Username: Tennessee_texan Post Number: 143 Registered: 01-2006 |
Michael- You will get many differing answers on this. Dunhill's are worth the price, to me. Of course, like anything else, an item is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. I am perfectly willing to pay the price of a Dunhill. I have several, and they are all great smokes. Having said that, I also get a good smoke from Ascorti, Ferndown, Petersons and many Savinelli's. I would recommend you go with a mid range priced pipe, just starting out, just to see if you are going to stay with it, before springing for a high dollar pipe. My 2 cents. | ||
| Melvin S. Schwartz Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 4325 Registered: 02-2002 |
My question to Michael is why the query about Dunhill pipes? I am curious why a new pipe smoker would be asking about Dunhill pipes. Have you found the Dunhill name in books, forums, or ___? Apparently I don't have to ask if you have the money, because you wouldn't be asking about something you can't buy, right? | ||
| Michael Cowan Member Username: Myche77 Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2009 |
First off, thank you all for your response. Here's what info i've left out. I've smoked a pipe for about 6 months in 2006 and am now just getting back to it. In that time I bought a Savinelli Oscar,and a Bings Favorite that smoke ok. I've also have about a dozen tins of tobacco ranging from GL Pease stuff, Frog Morton, and burley slices. I've read the Richard Carleton Hacker book on pipesmoking, and browse websites like Cup o Joes, Pipesmoking.com ,etc. Through all of that, plus reading these forums, I always come back to the Dunhill brand, it seems to be pervasive everywhere I go. I might be guilty of just not being experienced with the pipes I have and think that a Dunhill is going to solve all my problems. Which it won't. Lastly, money. I have enough to buy one Dunhill, say $400. I realize that could buy several mid-range pipes, but i have 2 of those already and they're good but not knocking my socks off. So that's my story and I'm sticking to it. I plan on visiting L.J. Peretti's in Boston this weekend. It's probably the best pipe shop in my neck of the woods(Boston suburbs). | ||
| Paul Tummers Member Username: Paul_tummers Post Number: 141 Registered: 12-2007 |
If one goes for outstanding craftmanship in a pipe and finish,you cannot go wrong by buying a Dunhill, I think. The performance of the pipe as a good smoker is always a kind of a guess untill the pipe has been properly and careful broken in, goes for every pipe brand. It is not always true, the most expensive pipe is the best smoker for you, it sometimes will be a cheaper pipe than a Dunhill. I have a shabby 2-dot Brigham Sportsman which I will not trade for the most expensive Dunhill when it comes to tasting my Troost tobacco. Paul. | ||
| Melvin S. Schwartz Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 4326 Registered: 02-2002 |
Rob, You should read his message again: "I admit to being fairly new to the art of smoking..." He was not referring to the book! | ||
| Melvin S. Schwartz Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 4327 Registered: 02-2002 |
Michael, "I might be guilty of just not being experienced with the pipes I have and think that a Dunhill is going to solve all my problems. Which it won't." Interesting comment, although it kind of makes me wonder why you even asked about Dunhill. "Through all of that, plus reading these forums, I always come back to the Dunhill brand, it seems to be pervasive everywhere I go." If you've read these and/or other forums, you should know that some people like Dunhill and some do not. Dunhill pipes generally come with a vulcanite stem, which may turn some people off--if they prefer plastic stems; this is aside from the possibility they prefer the way other brands smoke. "So that's my story and I'm sticking to it." Another interesting comment. I didn't know you were writing a story.  | ||
| Melvin S. Schwartz Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 4328 Registered: 02-2002 |
"Dunhill Pipes, a worthy purchase?" Yes, it could be, and to some it cannot. The important things to me are Dunhill makes a very comfortable hand-cut vulcanite stem and I like their classic straight billiard shape. This is not to say I don't enjoy other brands, for I have enjoyed many other brands over the years. How comfortable the pipe is to hold in the mouth is equally important to how the pipe smokes--to me. To sum it up, there is no definite yes or no answer to your question. Now, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.  | ||
| Michael Cowan Member Username: Myche77 Post Number: 3 Registered: 05-2009 |
Thank you all for your input. I've decided to hold off on any Dunhill purchase and go for a nice mid-range pipe at my nearest pipe shop. I think I'd be more comfortable once I have some confidence in my smoking as well. Melvin, I think you're reading too much into my comments. "That's my story and I'm sticking to it" is a line from and old country song. Nothing more. Peace- | ||
| Tim Gordon Member Username: Petersonsmoker Post Number: 164 Registered: 09-2006 |
Michael, If you can, you should give Dunhill a go. I am dedicated to my Petersons (which also have vulcanite stems - albeit not "hand cut") but my Dunhill smokes as well and just has a little something which sets it apart. The stem is nice and wide, the pipe is super light and the lines are clean. I asked the same question before I bought a Dunhill a year or so ago and I think Melvin pretty much gave me the same answer he gave you. I guess my question is, why not consider Ashton, high end Petes, Ardor etc...? But it is a sticky thing - about 6 months ago I bought a used, little Portland Prince off a good man on another forum in Vancouver for $35. It smokes just as sweet as my Dunhill or high-end Petersons - just isn't as pretty - but is a regular in my rotation right next to my high-end pipes. Let us know what you decide! Tim | ||
| Michael Cowan Member Username: Myche77 Post Number: 4 Registered: 05-2009 |
Thanks again Melvin. Being a fairly new pipe smoker I had no idea about the hand-cut vulcanite stem and how the pipe is held in the mouth. I now realize the broadness of my question, again- I'm new to this. Peace- | ||
| Michael Cowan Member Username: Myche77 Post Number: 5 Registered: 05-2009 |
Thanks Tim. I think I will eventually pick up an estate Dunhill. The one resounding piece of advice that I've gathered from people's comments is that there are a lot of mid-ranged priced pipes that smoke well. Also,there are other high ends that are worth a serious look too, so there is a lot for me to learn- which I'll enjoy doing. Having a resource like this site is really valuable. Peace-Mike | ||
| stephen lichtenberg Member Username: Slich Post Number: 7 Registered: 08-2008 |
Michael, You mentioned L J Peretti in your post one of my favorite places. They blend some outstanding tabaccos and carry a very fine line of pipes under their name. I have one of their straight grain seconds which they always carry priced from $100 to $130. They also have wonderful blasts also under their name that are done by Bill Taylor at great prices. If you visited on a week day and the shop isn't to busy ask to see the Dunhill collection pipes are amazing though not for sale. More info on their web site. You should also check out the Owl Shop in Worcester. Its on Main St. downtown worth the trip. I have 2 of their private name pipes which are wonderfully done very light Macadonia briar $75. They have a very informative web site also. Happy Puffing | ||
| Robert J. Saul II Member Username: Tuxin_piper Post Number: 20 Registered: 04-2009 |
Something else you may wish to consider is using ebay to pick up an estate pipe or two. It is a great way of 'trying out' various makers and styles, without the expense of buying new. Just my two cents. | ||
| William Brown Member Username: Billinsfl Post Number: 36 Registered: 01-2007 |
You will never, ever regret buying a Dunhill pipe. Try an estate pipe if you must from E-Bay, but you can't go wrong with a Dunhill. There are less expensive pipes that will smoke just as well, but I've found none to smoke better. If a good smoke is all you require, and nothing more, then a Peterson, Savinelli or other quality brand will fill the bill nicely. Most Dunhills are an affordable luxury item, that is when you compare them to some of the one-off works of art from the more celebrated artist pipemakers. I have about 70 pipes, 15 of them Dunhills (most purchased new)and I am satisfied with each and every one of them. To many folks (me included) a fine pipe is more than just a smoking utensil; it is a work of art, a luxury I indulge myself in that adds immensely to a pleasurable existence. Regards, Bill | ||
| Michael Cowan Member Username: Myche77 Post Number: 6 Registered: 05-2009 |
Bill, thanks for your straight-forward opinion on the subject. And you've touched on several things that I fairly new pipesmoker, like me, must consider. Do I want I pipe that will smoke well for a decent price ? Yes, right now that will fit the bill fine. Further down the road, do I want I pipe that smokes great AND is a work of art? I'm guessing I will and I'll probably go with a Dunhill. Thanks to all-Mike | ||
| Brian Silverman Member Username: Laufenstoc Post Number: 1 Registered: 06-2009 |
Dunhill sure has a place in the Pantheon of pipes from a historical perspective, and I think it is largely deserved. Nevertheless, as your personal tastes become refined, there will be pipes of any sort that more or less meet your preferences, and just being a Dunhill is no guarantee of anything. The Dunhill will be there. If you develop a taste for freehands, you may not be too crazy for the more conventional shapes of Dunhill. | ||
| W. A. Lanman Member Username: Blenheimbard Post Number: 130 Registered: 01-2009 |
Are the DHs worth the price? I have yet to have one that disappointed me, but then a lot of my favourite pipes sold for a lot less. IMO It's not that a cheaper pipe can't smoke as well, you just have to use a lot more care in selecting one. If you can get three Stanwells for the price of a DH, and two of them turn out to be "keepers' and one is trade bait are you ahead of the game? As a smoker yes, if you are thinking about the future value, probably not. |