| Author | Message | ||
     Matt D'Amico Member Username: Damicom3 Post Number: 1 Registered: 09-2009 |
Hi all, i'm new to pipes... only been smoking them for about 2 months now. I have two corn cob pipes that I kind of switch between using. Nothing against cobs because I know some people even prefer them over briars. Its just I want something that looks decent and has less of a chance to go sour or have other problems. The tricky part is my price range is pretty low for my first briar. I'm looking to spend no more then 30-40$ USD. I was looking earlier at some Dr.Grabow and Medico pipes and those seemed very cheap. Are they good pipes? Can you take the filters out and will they still perform well? Any advice on a good cheap briar or various other stuff like how to break it in and such please share. I'm a big newbie when it comes to pipes so don't feel anything is to obvious to mention. Thanks!! | ||
| Robert Member Username: Simstick Post Number: 15 Registered: 03-2009 |
http://www.pipesandcigars.com/pipes1.html I take cheap pipes to work as they take a beating at times. I was going to try the 3 for 24.99 deal they have next time I made an order and if you look on the legend they have some marked I for inexpensive. If you want one today or tommorow your local brick and morter pipe/tobacco shop usually has what are called "basket pipes" (do a forum search above for more} that are inexpensive offerings. My first pipe was a basket pipe my wife bought as a Christmas present which still occupies the number one slot in the living room display rack. Doing some reading on the forums here as to what to look for like pits, fills and the drilling of the air passages will help also. You probably want to be able to get two pipes as my first pipe I mentioned above smokes "wet" so I learned to smoke a drier tobacco in it. Good Luck and welcome. | ||
| Tom Mueller Member Username: Tommueller Post Number: 211 Registered: 04-2008 |
I bought this - made for IRC by Savinelli - and it is one of my best smokers. It is within your range, nice looking to start with and has colored beautifully. They come in several styles. http://www.iwanries.com/IRC_Exclusive_Natural_P2295C28.cfm No affiliation. Spilman's in said "Natural"  | ||
| David Saunders Member Username: Pipe_organist Post Number: 3 Registered: 07-2009 |
One of my low-priced pipes that I really enjoy is, believe it or not, an "Irish Second", sold out of a basket full of pipes at the local tobacconist. Turns out it's a Peterson "second" that smokes like a dream! "Seconds" are, and I'm sure someone else on the list can correct me if I'm wrong, are often nothing more than a top-shelf pipe with anything from a really nasty flaw like a badly-drilled vent (which you need to look out for) to something as harmless as sand pits or some other cosmetic flaw in the pipe that the maker doesn't want to market with their brand name. In the case of this Peterson "second", it has a sizeable gash in the shank that couldn't be covered by a sandblast finish. On the other hand, it's well worth the investment to save up your money and purchase a slightly more expensive pipe with a reputable name on it. Savinelli, among others, sells some reasonably-priced pipes that are worth the money. Welcome to the "club", and happy puffing! | ||
| Christopher Roberts Member Username: Fireglow Post Number: 1 Registered: 09-2009 |
Hi there Matt. Welcome! It kind of depends of if you're looking to buy a new pipe or if you're willing to settle for an "estate" pipe--one which is used and already broken it. In your price range (which just so happens to be my price range, too!) I have found that--by far--the way to get the most for your money is to go to eBay and search for "estate pipes". You can narrow the search down to "unused", etc. It is very easy and entiely likely that you can nail an unused (or barely used) pipe which would normally sell for $100 to $200 for no more than $15.00. I have purchesed nearly 200 pipes this way and have nailed some astouding deals for no more than $20.00. I have picked up unused GBD, Savinelli, Ser Jacopo, Peterson and Stanwell pipes for an average of $35.00 bucks apeace. Usually always, the briar used in these pipes is superior to anything else in the price range at a local store, and the craftsman ship is far superior. I digress, however, because I have a shamefully-large collection of Dr. Grabow pipes (blushing), but they have almost all been bought on eBay for about $10.00 each. You can take the filters out and use them that way, but you have to draw a bit harder on them to make up for the open area where the filter was. Also, I have noticed that Grabow's tend to smoke a little hotter than the average pipe. Out of all the pipes in my collection, my favorite is a PERFECTLY grained GBD I purched from a gentleman in England (where the pipe was made) for a meer $40.00. This would be the route I would take if I were you and if I was willing to wait a week or so to get something good. It's definately worth it! | ||
| Larry Bobrowski Member Username: Lawrence7208 Post Number: 13 Registered: 08-2009 |
PipesandCigars.com has a sale on right now: 3 pipes for $25. Might be worth looking into. If you go that route, let us know how good they are. There's an old saying, "Spend money on tobacco, not pipes." A good article to read is "The Myth Of Brand and Maker," which suggests that you don't need a high grade non-pareil to enjoy a good smoke. | ||
| Ken Jones Member Username: Krjones Post Number: 18 Registered: 09-2008 |
Matt, Welcome to the forum and pipe smoking. I, too, tend to keep toward the budget end of the pipe spectrum. One of my best smokers is a Savinelli natural Canadian that I bought at pipesandcigars.com. I just checked their website and they have some pretty good pipes. Look under Savinelli at the Naturals. For vulcanite stems you'll pay just $39; for lucite $43. In my opinion you'll get a good pipe for a very reasonable price. I have also been happy with the lower grade Peterson pipes, e.g. Shannon. I'm sure that expensive pipes will offer better smokes, but I'm quite content with the performance of my pipes. And I have more money for tobacco (books, sportcoats, mortgage, food for my children, etc.). | ||
| Harvey Click Member Username: Fafhrd Post Number: 1503 Registered: 03-2006 |
I have smoked many Dr. Grabows over the years. Most of them have been good smokers, and a few have been great smokers. I ditch the filters, but you should try them with and without to see what you prefer. | ||
| Matt D'Amico Member Username: Damicom3 Post Number: 2 Registered: 09-2009 |
Yes I recently(2 days ago) ordered a couple of ounces of tobacco and some pipe cleaners from pipesandcigars .com I got an ounce of C&D Sunday Picnic blend and also another pouch of Prince Albert... but Mark i'd be interested to know how you like that 24.99 pipes if you do order them. I notice a bunch of you purchase from pipesandcigars , how has your experiences been with that? Tom I've looked at Savinellis as they include some pipes in my price range and also the Savinelli Baronet in sandblast style. I think I should take everyones advice and at least look into a 'Second' pipe at a local tobacco shop or two. I have two close by with only one of them I have gone too. I'm in no particuliar rush to get this pipe so I have time to browse and look for a good deal on ebay or elsewhere. What i'm currently considering is the Savinelli Natural. A Nording sterling silver pipe and a vintage Stanwell. Both are estate and are gorgeous pipes. Who knows I might look at getting a Dr.Grabow while I look into this more expensive purchase. Thankyou all for the warm welcome and I will keep you posted on my 'quest' for a pipe. | ||
| W. A. Lanman Member Username: Blenheimbard Post Number: 150 Registered: 01-2009 |
Matt, Chris Roberts offered what i think is good advice about estate pipes, and odn't get put off by the "problem" of sanatizing/cleaning them, it is easier than you might think. there is a lot of information available, both here and on other sites. (and no expensive equipment required if you are willing to spend a little time.) I have 5 Dunhills among all my other pipes and the most i spent on one was $30.00. My average estate pipe probably costs me around $10.00 and the highest pipe was $50.00. In the interim while you are shopping, whether EBay or the antique fleamarkets, get yourself a couple of good corncobs, they smoke well and willalways have a use as "yard pipes." | ||
| Larry Bobrowski Member Username: Lawrence7208 Post Number: 15 Registered: 08-2009 |
Here's another place to browse for an inexpensive pipe. Pipe Tobacco Place in Austin, TX, seems to have quite a few pipes in the under $30 range. | ||
| James E White Member Username: Jwhite Post Number: 34 Registered: 11-2006 |
Try http://www.iwanries.com/ and look under pipe super specials. They often have discontinued lines of great pipes for within your range. also while there check out the Bentons, I have a compact that is an excellent smoker. | ||
| Wayne S Benge Member Username: Wsbenge Post Number: 450 Registered: 05-2005 |
If I didn't have any briars, and wanted one, I would probably buy an unfinished Savinelli. Unfinished pipes darken well, over time. |