What do you look for in a pipe?

[eklektos44]

The recent discussion brings up an interesting question. What do you look for in a pipe? For me it has to smoke well. Then it has to be reasonably affordable. I'm a utilitarian, not a pure collector. So if I get a pipe it's going to be smoked. Which is why I won't spend $800 on a pipe, I don't care who made it. If it's going to lose half it's value the instant I take a match to it I'm not interested. It also has to be comfortable in my hand, both to hold the bowl and finger crook. So some of the more artistic shapes hold no interest for me. Like the Radice Nautilus. I can appreciate it's aesthetic beauty, I have no desire to own it. So what's you're preferences? What gets your motor racing?

 

[RDPipes]

First off it's looks, does it appeal to me, then quality of craftsmanship, then price.
Smoking quality falls under craftsmanship just to clarify. Although there are many pipes that fall in to the first two categories there are few I can afford. Not to mention there are many many more that don't survive the first category with me.

 

[tslots]

Shape I really like: Bent (apple, author, brandy, bulldog, rhodesian).
Finish: Sandblast (the deeper-the better, shows the grain).
Fit / construction: No gap at stem-shank joint, easy to pass cleaner, smooth/full draw, comfortable bit
Average size: Not huge, not a nose-warmer.
Good value: Prefer < $200, but have spent a bit more for a ultra high end (not quite super-ultra high end)

 

[Richard Burley]

Shape. Almost all my pipes are classic straights, the preponderance being either billiards or bulldogs. That they smoke well is a given; if they don't, I either toss them or put them on eBay. If they smoke well, but have a weird shape, ditto. It's a handling thing. Classics are classics for a reason. I, too, have no desire for $800 pipes shaped like someone's pancreas or whatever. Call me a silly-face; I'll understand.

One thing I have changed my mind about are so-called artisan pipes. Are they worth the money? Uh...yup, they are. But in classic shapes.

 

[monbla256]

With now over 100 pipes to pick from, I'm not buying as many but when I did the first thing was the style of the pipe, with my preferences being for ( in order of preference) Pots, Bulldogs, bent or st, then Apples. Next was the price range I could afford and lastly the grain/appearance/quality of the manufacture. Not being a big fan, nor able to afford the price range of most Freehands or artisan pipes I've really never actively tried to aquire any. I have two both of which were gifts and are rather standard in shape so I've all the Artison pipes I need. That's just the way things have gone over the decades and at my age I'm really not all that interested in acquiring many more ! :twisted: :twisted:

 

[eklektos44]

Shape. Almost all my pipes are classic straights, the preponderance being either billiards or bulldogs. That they smoke well is a given; if they don't, I either toss them or put them on eBay. If they smoke well, but have a weird shape, ditto. It's a handling thing. Classics are classics for a reason. I, too, have no desire for $800 pipes shaped like someone's pancreas or whatever. Call me a silly-face; I'll understand.

One thing I have changed my mind about are so-called artisan pipes. Are they worth the money? Uh...yup, they are. But in classic shapes.

Who'd want to smoke someone's pancreas? Dude, that's just gross... :affraid:

 

[monbla256]

Shape. Almost all my pipes are classic straights, the preponderance being either billiards or bulldogs. That they smoke well is a given; if they don't, I either toss them or put them on eBay. If they smoke well, but have a weird shape, ditto. It's a handling thing. Classics are classics for a reason. I, too, have no desire for $800 pipes shaped like someone's pancreas or whatever. Call me a silly-face; I'll understand.

One thing I have changed my mind about are so-called artisan pipes. Are they worth the money? Uh...yup, they are. But in classic shapes.

Who'd want to smoke someone's pancreas? Dude, that's just gross... :affraid:

So are some so called "Artison" pipes !! :twisted: :twisted:

 

[Dave_In_Philly]

Shape. Almost all my pipes are classic straights, the preponderance being either billiards or bulldogs. That they smoke well is a given; if they don't, I either toss them or put them on eBay. If they smoke well, but have a weird shape, ditto. It's a handling thing. Classics are classics for a reason. I, too, have no desire for $800 pipes shaped like someone's pancreas or whatever. Call me a silly-face; I'll understand.

One thing I have changed my mind about are so-called artisan pipes. Are they worth the money? Uh...yup, they are. But in classic shapes.

Who'd want to smoke someone's pancreas? Dude, that's just gross... :affraid:

Don't judge me man.

 

[stapf]

In oddbal shapes I look for the flow of the lines and if I can't handle the pipe in person, the rep of the carver for good mechanics. I love the Danish designes, but I am begining to find that the classics are classics for a reason. My favorite Preben Holm is not too far off from a classic Dublin at least for him.

I have yet to spend more than 200 for a pipe, but that will change soon.

My thought process is does the look appeal to m? If yes, can I afford it and is it a good deal for what it is? If yes, are the mechanics of the pipe right. Mechanics are my final consideration, but as I learn more are the most important. I've managed to talk myself out of buying some really nice looking pipes that were affordable over mechanics and as I've learned more it becomes easier and easier to do.

 

[Richard Burley]

Who'd want to smoke someone's pancreas? Dude, that's just gross... :affraid:

On the contrary, I believe there are several cannibal postings here under the The Kitchen & The Speakeasy heading. Something about fava beans, chianti, whatever, doing quite well with human flesh and innards.

 

[eklektos44]

Who'd want to smoke someone's pancreas? Dude, that's just gross... :affraid:

On the contrary, I believe there are several cannibal postings here under the The Kitchen & The Speakeasy heading. Something about fava beans, chianti, whatever, doing quite well with human flesh and innards.  

Someone should photoshop a can of Virginia's finest flu cured pancreas....

 

[eklektos44]

Shape. Almost all my pipes are classic straights, the preponderance being either billiards or bulldogs. That they smoke well is a given; if they don't, I either toss them or put them on eBay. If they smoke well, but have a weird shape, ditto. It's a handling thing. Classics are classics for a reason. I, too, have no desire for $800 pipes shaped like someone's pancreas or whatever. Call me a silly-face; I'll understand.

One thing I have changed my mind about are so-called artisan pipes. Are they worth the money? Uh...yup, they are. But in classic shapes.

Who'd want to smoke someone's pancreas? Dude, that's just gross... :affraid:

Don't judge me man.

Ok, not accepting any invites to dinner from Dave.... :affraid:

 

[joshoowah]

The shape has to appeal to me. It does not have to be a particular shape necessarily, just a nice rendition of any shape (unique or traditional) that speaks to me. The weight has to be 1.5 ounces or less, unless it's a pipe gifted to me. I tend to like pipes on the shorter side (4.5" or less usually). I am not necessarily going to discriminate against makers, so long as it is a pipe that appeals to me, but I typically look for artisans over factory pipes these days.

 

[Dutch]

Shape. Almost all my pipes are classic straights, the preponderance being either billiards or bulldogs. That they smoke well is a given; if they don't, I either toss them or put them on eBay. If they smoke well, but have a weird shape, ditto. It's a handling thing. Classics are classics for a reason. I, too, have no desire for $800 pipes shaped like someone's pancreas or whatever. Call me a silly-face; I'll understand.

One thing I have changed my mind about are so-called artisan pipes. Are they worth the money? Uh...yup, they are. But in classic shapes.

Richard, actually the shape of the human pancreas looks to hold promise when applied to pipe design. However, judging from the photo, it would need to be a second chamber design, if you are into that kinda thing. Like Ron said, the second chamber pipe is a different animal.

Speaking of animals, the shape of certain animal pancreas might hold promise as well, but I haven't taken time to research those yet.

 

[juanmedusa]

I need to be looking down my nose and over my much lauded pipe at any other pipe smoker I may be near. I demand a certain amount of respect this way. As I accept their flattering comments over the sounds of my gurgling pipe and or constant relights I will litter the communal ashtray with more than a half dozen necessary pipe cleaners and know that I've won. Should some insolent pipe smoker enjoying a perfect smoke in a well seasoned, much loved but lesser brand pipe be near and fail to recognize my superiority, I step it up and show him my most special lighter from across the room. I haven't been able to get the special fuel cartridges for it in awhile so it doesn't work but I'm sure I've gained the upper hand. This is how I choose a pipe. I live in this moment always. :lol!:

Seriously, I'm happy for the nicer pipes I have and happy my other pipes smoke nicer than their price. I am probably close to Ron except instead of "appeal then craftsmanship then price" it's  "appeal then craftsmanship divided by price. No offense intended to anyone. I did it for fun!

 

[SteelyJ]

The first thing to come to mind is whether or not the pipe is aesthetically pleasing. Does the shape, the color, the entire LOOK call out to me?

Looks aren't enough, so it then comes to craftsmanship. Does it feel cheap, or well made? Smoking quality falls under this category.

Also, as someone only a few months into this hobby, one thing I tend to look for now is for pipes that offer me something different than the ones I have. My first pipe was a bent egg, so my second one was a straight bulldog. I like to have a variety.

Price is also a consideration. As gorgeous as some pieces are, I'm not at a point in my life where I could afford a pipe much over $200. My most expensive one is a Peterson Rosslare I bought for $160. I love that pipe, but I can't break the bank on them.

 

[juanmedusa]

I need to be looking down my nose and over my much lauded pipe at any other pipe smoker I may be near. I demand a certain amount of respect this way. As I accept their flattering comments over the sounds of my gurgling pipe and or constant relights I will litter the communal ashtray with more than a half dozen necessary pipe cleaners and know that I've won. Should some insolent pipe smoker enjoying a perfect smoke in a well seasoned, much loved but lesser brand pipe be near and fail to recognize my superiority, I step it up and show him my most special lighter from across the room. I haven't been able to get the special fuel cartridges for it in awhile so it doesn't work but I'm sure I've gained the upper hand. This is how I choose a pipe. I live in this moment always. :lol!:

Seriously, I'm happy for the nicer pipes I have and happy my other pipes smoke nicer than their price. I am probably close to Ron except instead of "appeal then craftsmanship then price" it's  "appeal then craftsmanship divided by price. No offense intended to anyone. I did it for fun!

I should also add to the serious part of my post that I am now carefully considering the pipes versus the tobacco I'll likely use and how much. Right now I'm smoking medium to strong tobaccos mostly so small to medium pipes are more reasonable. I smoke milder tobacco and aromatics so much less frequently that I've got those covered with the large chambered pipes I already own.

 

[KevinM]

I like a pipe that has some beguiling variation on standard shapes. I look for the drilling to be centered and at the bottom of the bowl. It should pass a cleaner. The bowl shouldn't be too big nor too small. It should feel light for its size. It shouldn't be a near duplicate of others in my collection.

 

[Stick]

My thoughts...

Firstly it has to look right and appeal to me visually. If it's lacking in this department it's likely it'll never come off the rack. I'm very tactile so next it has to feel right in my hand; I tend to 'handle' a pipe as I smoke. Mechanically it should be sound; nice straight drilling and be able to pass a cleaner easily. And of course it should have a nice wide draw. Underpinning all this is the price. Many pipes are just too rich!

 

[Dutch]

My thoughts...

Firstly it has to look right and appeal to me visually.  If it's lacking in this department it's likely it'll never come off the rack.  I'm very tactile so next it has to feel right in my hand; I tend to 'handle' a pipe as I smoke.  Mechanically it should be sound; nice straight drilling and be able to pass a cleaner easily.  And of course it should have a nice wide draw.  Underpinning all this is the price.  Many pipes are just too rich!

Stick, after reading your post, I realize that most of the qualities that appeal to me in a pipe, are very close to the same qualities I look for in a woman, when performing a physical reproductive assessment.