What was your pipe of the year?

[Puff Daddy]

Each year we're looking at pipes of the year from this or that manufacturer. They are mostly just something interesting and collectable because, well, because they're offered as such. Sometimes they actually are something special to us, but usualy they're just a novelty and a reason to buy another pipe.

What I want to know is, what was your pipe of the year? That pipe that, for whatever reason, turns out to be the best pipe you've acquired in the last year or so. Looking at my rack I can pick out a couple of pipes that ended up standing out from all others in the year that I bought them. Those pipes are not necessarily the most expensive or collectable or noteworthy pipes. They are usually just pipes that stood out as the best pipe; the best smoker; the icon among it's shape that pleased me the most.

So what is/are your pipe(s) of the year?

For me, my most recent pipe of the year is a Peterson Kildare, which is a line that Peterson made for smokingpipes.com. I own three of them but one is truly a special pipe. The line is a basic brown over red stained sandblast with a simple nickel cap and acrylic military fishtail mouthpiece. A very simple, basic, well made pipe. I own an XL90, a B42 and a 999 in the Kildare line. They're all great pipes but the XL90 is really special. It's iconic in shape, a nicely thick bent billiard that just fits perfectly in the hand and smokes like a dream. It tastes wonderful, never giving any off flavor, and is dedicated to straight virginias, mainly Samuel Gawith's medium virginia. The tobacco tastes amazingly clean and sweet in this pipe and it never disappoints. It is, to me, the very best sub $100 pipe on the market. It is my 2013 pipe of the year.

 

[Fatman]

Fine looking Pete there. I had one in the past that I let get away from me, and I do miss it. Petersons are fine smoking pipes.

My pipe of the year would be my rusticated Jesse Jones pot shape. Light as a feather, great smoker to boot.

 

[Brewdude]

That's a great looking pipe, PD. And a style that is right in my wheelhouse. Love me some Pete's, and each one has their charms.

Now, on to your query. As I've splashed out on several commissions from our talented and esteemed pipesmiths on this board over the past year, it would do any one of them a disservice to pick just one as they have all performed to high standards.

So I respectfully decline to name just one at this time.

(Damn, I should've been a gawd-dang politician)

:joker: 



Cheers,

RR

 

[Fr_Tom]

The year is not over yet!

Does it have to be a new pipe, or could it be an old friend that has been brought out of early retirement?

Usually my favorite at any moment is the one I am smoking.

You ask a tough question!

 

[daveinlax]

Still a long way to go in the year but so far it's short, chubby shape 30 Castello Collection with unimpressive grain. I was on the fence about bidding but this pipe has risen to a favorite in the collection.

 

[monbla256]

I own some VERY NICE smoking pipes but I would have to say that the Growley blasted Pot that I got from Brian Rowley has to be THE pipe of the CENTURY not just year for me. It smokes ANYTHING I put in it SUPERBLY but seems to do SUPREMELY with Flakes. You just load it, put a match to the 'bac and BREATH and it smokes almost by itself. A SUPERB Blast, PERFECT SIZE and the BEST fitting stem I've ever put my dentures on :twisted:  :twisted:  :twisted: 

 

[Mozjo33]

For me it's an easy choice - Todd Harris Bent Dublin.  I only smoke VaPer from it.  Clean, dry smoke.  Everyone who has seen it has been amazed by its craftsmanship.  Truly one of my favorites!

 

[RDPipes]

My best smoker and I think best looker to date is my Mastro De Paja bent bulldog.

 

[Brewdude]

My best smoker and I think best looker to date is my Mastro De Paja bent bulldog.

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!

:cheers: 


Cheers,

RR

 

[Puff Daddy]

Does it have to be a new pipe, or could it be an old friend that has been brought out of early retirement?

Any pipe you wish to comment on sir.

 

[Rob_In_MO]

For me this is an easy one, no question.

My pipe of the year is a Bjarne Classic Freehand.  Not only is it a 100% top-notch smoker, it was also gifted to me by a great friend and True Gentleman here on the board - as part of an H-Bomb detonating on my front porch.  

Harlock - you did well, Brother!  Yes it's a monster freehand, is good for an hour-plus smoke, and it's the best smoker I've got.

 

[Fr_Tom]

For the time being, it is the Pietro Al refinished. It has a new lease on life, and it is great to have it look better than it ever has. I expect to get the calabash back next week with the Scottie briar bowl. I suspect that one will be high on the list and may edge out the Pietro for a while. It will be fun to have that one back in the rotation.

 

[AJ]

I've never wanted a pipe as badly as I wanted this Royal Comoy. It's my pipe of a lifetime. I really don't know why it appeals to me so much but I like to just sit and hold it while admiring the superb craftsmanship. :heart: 8) 

AJ

 

[Harlock999]

For me this is an easy one, no question.

My pipe of the year is a Bjarne Classic Freehand.  Not only is it a 100% top-notch smoker, it was also gifted to me by a great friend and True Gentleman here on the board - as part of an H-Bomb detonating on my front porch.  

Harlock - you did well, Brother!  Yes it's a monster freehand, is good for an hour-plus smoke, and it's the best smoker I've got.

Rob, I love that you love that pipe!:cheers: 
If I had another, it would be yours!
Enjoy!

Chris.

 

[monbla256]

I've never wanted a pipe as badly as I wanted this Royal Comoy. It's my pipe of a lifetime. I really don't know why it appeals to me so much but I like to just sit and hold it while admiring the superb craftsmanship. :heart: 8) 

AJ

Now WHEN and WHAT are you going to SMOKE IT? It's basically worthless 'less you put 'baccy in it and light 'er up :twisted:  :twisted: 

 

[AJ]

I've never wanted a pipe as badly as I wanted this Royal Comoy. It's my pipe of a lifetime. I really don't know why it appeals to me so much but I like to just sit and hold it while admiring the superb craftsmanship. :heart: 8) 

AJ

Now WHEN and WHAT are you going to SMOKE IT? It's basically worthless 'less you put 'baccy in it and light 'er up  :twisted:  :twisted: 

Michael your not helping. If I fill it with a fine Red Va. Flake and light it up on my birthday in November I feel like it would be some type of heresy or some other act of defilement. Of the 11 Comoy's that I have all but 2 are "worthless". The 2 that don't have any value are a Comoy's Thames which has no collector's value and a Comoy's Traditions Dublin given to me by my friend Walt. Both are good smokers with the Dublin being great. The only reason I smoke the Dublin is because it reminds me of our friendship and what a generous person he is. I'm collecting the Comoy's for my 11 year old granddaughter. She has a great interest in them and is always admiring them, asking questions about their history, what makes them a collectable, and how can you tell the collectables from non collectables. I'm planning on giving them to her when she finishes college. It will be one of her graduation gifts and by that time hopefully they will be worth a little more than they are now. Should be a nice little something to help her get a good start with her adult life. I hope to collect a total of 24 with as many Royal Comoys as I can afford. The Blue Ribands are overpriced right now but should the craze over them die down at some point then I'll try to pick up a few of them. So you see I may resist the temptation and not smoke it ever unless some evil tempter causes me to give in to my lust and desire. :twisted: 

AJ

 

[cigrmaster]

This is a tough one for me, I have totally re worked my collection over the last year and have bought nothing but artisan pipes( with the exception of one lone Castello Occio di Pernice) and all of them are fabulous smokers. If I have to pick just one it would be my Rad Davis Rhodesian with a Spalted Tamarind Cap. The pipe is light as a feather, smokes cool and dry and it is incredibly comfortable to clench. This pipe also was the one that completed my 7 day set of black sandblasted Rad pipes.