I realize that I have the habit of buying pipes that I like well enough but don't love because they're on a bargain. I've bought a Stanwell Danish Star, a Brebbia, and just recently a Parker for about $40 each. I wasn't really desiring any of these pipes but I bought them because I wanted to get more briars and because they were a good deal. I'm not disappointed in these purchases but I realize that I can't afford the pipes I really want because I end up buying bargain pipes before saving enough money for the $100+ pipes. Does anyone else find themselves doing this? I'm just a little worried as I've gone for quantity first in other hobbies and ended up with a bunch of things that were of little to no monetary value when I wanted to get rid of them.
Stanwell, Brebbia and Parker make very good pipes so you did well. At this point, you have a good basic rotation of pipes so you can start saving to gradually upgrade your collection. I did the same thing 35 years ago but I've found that I have gotten fond of those old middle grade pipes I first bought.
I too am a sucker for a deal. Personally I would rather have one pipe that I absolutely love than have 3 pipes that are just ok. Sell 'em, use the money to buy yourself a pipe that you really like.
I do something similar; I'll buy a pipe because it has eye appeal to me. Sometimes its a good pipe, imo, sometimes not. But with people on ebay bidding like savages on nearly every pipe thats closing in auction, I have no worries I can get my investment back. I'd love to have a nice Stanwell, or Charatan, Chacom, Dunhill, or Peterson. Someday I may see one I can't live without and spend the money. But I'm satisfied to find the occasional diamond in the rough. I don't worry so much about names. Steyr Mannlicher makes one of the finest hunting/sporting rifles in the world. But so did Winchester; and for a lot less money.
Oh don't get me wrong, I'm very interested in finding quality made pipes. A nice chunk of briar that drilled properly and smokes really well. That's all I'm interested in. Not brand names, per se.
I would say take your own advice Tim. If you have enough pipes to satisfy a rotation then stop buying & save up for that one that you can't live without. I wish I had seen the light sooner. Your money probably is better served buying tobacco anyway. Less is more.
Spaceboy, the pipes you list are all quality brands. Give them a go while you save up for a special pipe. They may surprise you as a lot of "good smokers" reveal themselves and improve with use. Some of my best smokers are low end and i'll always have them. You can spend a lot of cash on a high end pipe, and you'll generally get a great pipe, but I don't think you've wasted any money so far.
I'll play Devil's advocate here, I love my cheap estates, I have a couple of Grabows that are some of my favorite go-to burners. I often find myself reaching for my beaters before my nicer pipes, so I can clench and puff away without worrying about tooth chatter, etc. Having said that I carry two pipes with me when I leave the house, a Stanwell Sterling billiard, and a Savinelli Duca Carlo bent billiard, they're from sort of opposite ends of the spectrum, but both smoke wonderfully. Smoke what you like, and like what you smoke!
I picked up a Vauen Viking from P&C a few months back for $50 or so and it has turned out to be my favourite pipe. It smokes like a champ and I find it to be visually stunning. Just keep in mind, buying most any pipe can be a crap shot. Ive heard stories of $100+ pipes being drilled wrong or just not good smokers for whatever reason.
And I will add that one of my favorite pipes is an estate Mountbatten Canadian (Charatan 2nd). Got it on Ebay for $52. Excellent condition and perfect smoker!
Yes, it's always a tough one: What do you do: Buy 3 deal-pipes or save the money to buy a big name???? Hmmmm........ difficult!!!!!! How about a compromise: Buy both of them!!!!!! A bargain if it comes your way, and a big name once in a while...... that's what I do.
My standard basic Petes are sort of hit/miss at break-in for rewarding smokes but after a dozen or two smokes, they smoke as fine as my Supremes, DeLuxes, Sherlocks, and meers. The higher ended Petes smoked real well right from the start. Only niggle i have is the basic ones aren't as purdy to look at as i warm her up and fondle away Once the relationship has developed in these pipes as being good smokers, i class them with the mo-'spensive ones as cherished and reliable friends. Ed Puff...likes the basics but do enjoy the runway models!
Sense I started smoking nothing but Meers I have gone to quality as the be all end all. But then I found with Meers I do not need as many pipes.
Call 911! This piper ain't quite right! "i do not need as many pipes". Puhshaww! Get ahold of yourself man! Geeze! You don't wanna ever be heard saying that again! Especially within hearing range of the Missus! Ed Puff
Spaceboy, you are exhibiting just one of the tell-tale signs of PAD. I know because I do the same thing
