If you were looking for...

[Frost]

...a new, middle of the road price range (say $50-150) English pipe, site unseen, which company or companies would you be most likely to look at for the best quality/value? What would you say is most likely equivalent to a Stanwell or Savinelli as far as the commonly accepted reputation with their current production? Comoy's, Charatan, Barling, Parker, Hardcastle? Does it really matter much?

I often hear/read that these companies just don't put out the pipes that they used to and are not really desirable...just looking for opinions which English companies still put out a decent pipe for the "mid-grade" smoker. Also don't want to start any arguments, any and all opinions are welcome though.

I am not considering estates for the purposes of this question, or for a great deal on a Dunhill or anything...not because I don't like or want them, they are just in a different category from what I am looking for with this inquiry.

I apologize if the answer should be obvious or has been covered to death...I have not been able to find the answers I am looking for. Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[Hunter5117]

I would say you can't go wrong choosing a Peterson. I am assuming by "English" you are referring to country of manufacture, and I will include Ireland as such although I probably take the chance of a good flaming over it. My Grandmother would have switched me good for that! Pete's are certainly manufactured in the English "style" IMHO.

Hardcastles are nice pipes as well, although you will probably have trouble finding one in your price range except maybe at the upper end or in the estate market.

 

[Frost]

Thanks for the response. I thought someone might suggest Petes. Not sure why I was trying to avoid them as a solution to my dillema...I guess they just look too irish to me to fit into the ill-defined and vague notion of an "English" pipe that sits in my brain.

Really the whole point of this was just to help me rough out a plan for future pipe aquisitions over the next few decades and get some general direction for my collection. I was thinking something along the lines of having a small sampling of servicable mid-range pipes from Danish, Italian, English and American pipe companies that sort of represent a "standard" for each pipe nationality. Then to add one or two pipes to represent old collectible estates for each, and add one or two "high grades" or pipes from individual carvers for each. I was just having trouble figuring out where to look for the "English" part.

I may just need to re-think the whole thing. Thanks again anyway though.

 

[Ol'Dawg]

It's certainly a daunting and somewhat confusing task of trying to sort through the various pipe brands and individual craftsmen products. A few suggestions--
Try to visit a pipe show or two this coming year to see and feel the differences first hand. For me it's a real treat to buy a pipe directly from the maker, especially an American one.

Search the internet on-line shops to see the range of pipes from different countries and makers. I know that Smokingpipes.com and The Pipe Rack list a lot of their pipes by country. I'm sure there are others and you can find listings at BoB Links on this board.

Good luck in your quest,

Jim

 

[Frost]

Thanks Jim. I think I've got a decent selection of planned future purchases for the different "categories" I mentioned as far as the Danish, Italian and American pipes go...just not sure about English pipes. Petes might just have to do for new purchases, or maybe I will just restrict myself to old estates for the "English" section of my hypothetical future racks.

I'm just trying to give myself some structure and a relatively concrete plan to follow so as to help myself avoid trying to buy every neat pipe I come across and landing myself in the poorhouse. Just trying to put some method to the madness is all.

 

[mark]

The heart will dictate your pipe collection.

 

[Frost]

Word.

 

[Justpipes]

The only English made pipe that I own now is a Dunhill. I was seriously looking and Northern Briars but the price has shot up dramatically on them in the last several months. http://www.pipes2smoke.com/Northern_Briars.htm I have ownede older Saseinis and Comoys that were fine smokers.

 

[Justpipes]

I forgot to mention Ben Wades. I was up at the Pipe & Pint in Greensboro yesterday, and Larry had a nice selection of higher grade new production Ben Wades and I must say they were very nice looking pipes as far as classic English pipes go. I haven't smoked one of them but I have heard good things about them from a few people.

 

[Amenhotep04]

Seeing how I teach a race and ethnicity course, the thought of including Peterson in as an English pipe is a huge sin.

Nevertheless, if one were to include Peterson, they are usually a pretty good smoke. I have a rusticated 210, and it's a nice pipe. I also have a Comoy rusticated poker and it's a nice pipe. Both are included in the rotation. Isn't Chris Askwith (sp?) English? I've heard good things about his pipes.

My preference overall is Moretti, and I would choose a Moretti over a Savinelli 365 days a year. I have two Savinellis, but do not include them in my rotation. They're not bad smokes, just prefer several other Italian makers over them (Moretti, Spanu, Viprati, Santambrogio, Mastro de Paja, and Croci).

But if you're married to the idea of an English pipe, Comoy in my book is a good smoke.

:farao:

 

[Hunter5117]

But if you're married to the idea of an English pipe, Comoy in my book is a good smoke.

I neglected to mention as it is already posted at least twice in other forums it but JR tobacco currently has some Comoy pipes on sale for $30 plus shipping.

 

[Frost]

I forgot to mention Ben Wades....

Awesome, thanks! :cheers:

Those do look nice and seem to be widely available in internet stores. I never really noticed Ben Wades before, somehow they flew under my radar. Now, if only I could find a nearby B&M that carried 'em so I could handle a few...

I neglected to mention as it is already posted at least twice in other forums it but JR tobacco currently has some Comoy pipes on sale for $30 plus shipping.

Yeah I saw that. I guess for $30 it can't hurt to give 'em a shot.

 

[Justpipes]

I forgot to mention Ben Wades....

Awesome, thanks! :cheers:

Those do look nice and seem to be widely available in internet stores. I never really noticed Ben Wades before, somehow they flew under my radar. Now, if only I could find a nearby B&M that carried 'em so I could handle a few...

http://www.pipes2smoke.com/Ben_Wade.htm

http://store.pipesandcigars.com/benwade.html

http://www.thebriary.com/ben_wade.htm

 

[Anonymous]

These guys have a few:
http://www.milantobacco.com/ben_wade_pipes.htm
Prices look good.

 

[Frost]

Thanks fellas, but what I meant was I wish there was one near me so I could actually GO there and fondle the pipes a bit, so to speak. May just have to order one online and see what happens.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks fellas, but what I meant was I wish there was one near me so I could actually GO there and fondle the pipes a bit, so to speak. May just have to order one online and see what happens.

Understood, just know that those places are very rare these days.

 

[Frost]

Definately understood. I feel lucky just to have 2 small cigar shops within a short drive that also happen to sell some basket pipes and the occasional small selection of Petersons and such.

 

[Anonymous]

I've got a little place like that a couple blocks from work. Nice to stroll there at lunch sometimes.