Mario Grandi Pipes

[Airborne]

I was wondering whether anyone owned a Mario Grandi. They're sold new on Ebay. Very impressive and more than reasonably priced. They're a third of what you'd expect to pay. Is it a quality pipe?

 

[ruta2]

Airborne,

FWIW, you may be interested in taking a look at the six MG estate pipes currently listed here:

http://mkelaw-pipes.com/html/italian.html

 

[NeroWolfe]

On a scale of 10 = Highest High Grade and 1 = Putty-filled machine made "Basket" pipe, I would place them as a 3.

 

[Airborne]

Airborne,

FWIW, you may be interested in taking a look at this:

http://mkelaw-pipes.com/html/italian.html

He's got some great pipes on his site. Thanks much.

 

[Tim_Haggerty]

I'd rate them a little higher. The workmanship isn't perfect on my MG, but they carry some interesting shapes and also have large pipes at reasonable, which I appreciate; if you're looking to get a big bowl, they're good for the price.

 

[Airborne]

Merci beaucoup, gents, for your input! Much appreciated.

 

[Dutch]

I have 6 Mario's. One of them is one of my best smokers. I have no issues with the briar itself in any of them, but there are cosmetic craftsmanship flaws. Sometimes the flaw is in the stem, sometimes the bowl is drilled slightly off center.

I would much rather pay $25 to $50 more and buy a Moretti. I have 6 Moretti's and all of them are flawless in craftsmanship and all have high quality briar.

 

[LIPIPE]

I agree with my friend Tim Haggerty. I also have an MG beauty. The designs are interesting and the finish is quite good. If you like a large bowl and I do, a Mario is a good reasonably priced choice.

 

[PipeLeisure]

Seen a few videos on YouTube complaining about the quality In craftsmanship, usually minor stuff that is unnoticeable to the "average Joe" pipe buyer. All in all I like them for what they offer for the price.

 

[Zeno Marx]

I don't smoke expensive, grandiose pipes (though, I used to), but off-center drillings, cockeyed stem fittings, and other such hasty manufacturing cannot make up for the price or price/size. Looking down at that mess would drive me nuts. Considering I used to sell $9 bucket pipes that didn't suffer from any such shoddiness, I can't fathom why these pipes are sold like that. Are MGs factory thirds or fourths? Is the MG stamp the final stage before getting turned into sawdust or bandsawed in half?

 

[jacko]

Mario Grandi is a made up line from Aldo Pierluigi. I don't believe these to be factory seconds, rather a low cost line that has minimum crafting time. I have owned about a 1/2 dozen of his pipes, most have been exceptional for the money. He also ships his pipes 2 day express from Italy. Two things; try to stick to simple shapes with stems that flush with the shank. Because of the speed they make these pipes you might end up with a loose fitting stem (I have on one of my pipes that I need to repair). Second, there is someone who buys his pipes and resells them for about 25% higher then they were listed. This seller has a very distinct background of leaves or flowers.

 

[deepbass9]

This seller has a very distinct background of leaves or flowers.

Yeah...I actually bought my L'Anatra from him. Price was fair on that one, though.

Every one of his freaking auctions does absolutely nothing to bring out the beauty of any of his pipes. Actually, I think he makes excellent pipes look horrible...too close close ups, often doesn't even show the whole pipe in one shot, the horribly distracting backgrounds. Sometimes the stem or part of the bowl will be the exact same color as the background, and thus lost to all detail.

I've almost messaged him about 1000 times to tell him to keep it simple...the pipes will sell themselves. But hey, who am I?





Just someone with a modicum of good taste.... 8)

 

[Blackhorse]

I've recently 'discovered' this line of pipes. My first (I now have 4) was obrtained in a lot via a trade. My perspective is that "for the money" the briar is often stellar, the sizes often pretty amazing, the designs off the chart, and the value is certainly there. Let the price guide you in your expectations of minor flaws, issues with fit (Minor), etc. I too have heard comments about issues there and there...but gee guys, I have one MG with a teensy gap where a cap on the shank isn't perfect, this on a pipe that was one of two for $77 or something. So we're talking about a $35 pipe boys...and it SMOKES GREAT! Will I go over to MG's exclusively? Of course not. But boys, when you complain about the high cost of this-n-that (and let's face it...briars are usually expensive) think of these as a way to get a great smoker with style and size for a very good price.

 

[PipeLeisure]

Totally agree with Blackhorse.

 

[Airborne]

Okay, I considered all the advice (& thank you for that) and went ahead and bought one. For $77! If it turns out to be a loser - well, my wife and I spend more than that for a night out in Montreal!

 

[PipeLeisure]

Wow it's a beautiful pipe, what's wrong with it? I was auctually looking at one very similar to that one on EBay.

 

[Airborne]

Wow it's a beautiful pipe, what's wrong with it? I was auctually looking at one very similar to that one on EBay.

Nothing I hope!! I'll let everyone know after I run about a half dozen bowls through it.

Have a great weekend!

 

[forsooth]

Okay, I considered all the advice (& thank you for that) and went ahead and bought one. For $77! If it turns out to be a loser - well, my wife and I spend more than that for a night out in Montreal!

I like the cobalt blue stem contrasted against the briar.

I have been looking at a few MGs. I'm curious about what you think about:

1. the security of the metal collar/ring
2. the draw of the pipe.

 

[Airborne]

Okay, I considered all the advice (& thank you for that) and went ahead and bought one. For $77! If it turns out to be a loser - well, my wife and I spend more than that for a night out in Montreal!

I like the cobalt blue stem contrasted against the briar.

I have been looking at a few MGs. I'm curious about what you think about:

1. the security of the metal collar/ring
2. the draw of the pipe.

I just ordered it on E-bay yesterday so with the inevitable customs delay, I’m guessing I’ll have it in about two weeks. I’ll return to this thread after I smoke it a few times and let you know.

Take care.

 

[Sasquatch]

You'll probably have it in about 2 days, their shipping is... remarkable.