Help me find my first briar pipe!

[Damicom3]

Hi all, i'm new to pipes... only been smoking them for about 2 months now. I have two corn cob pipes that I kind of switch between using.

Nothing against cobs because I know some people even prefer them over briars. Its just I want something that looks decent and has less of a chance to go sour or have other problems.

The tricky part is my price range is pretty low for my first briar. I'm looking to spend no more then 30-40$ USD. I was looking earlier at some Dr.Grabow and Medico pipes and those seemed very cheap. Are they good pipes? Can you take the filters out and will they still perform well?

Any advice on a good cheap briar or various other stuff like how to break it in and such please share. I'm a big newbie when it comes to pipes so don't feel anything is to obvious to mention. Thanks!!

[drastic_quench]

Originally Posted by Damicom3

Hi all, i'm new to pipes... only been smoking them for about 2 months now. I have two corn cob pipes that I kind of switch between using.

Nothing against cobs because I know some people even prefer them over briars. Its just I want something that looks decent and has less of a chance to go sour or have other problems.

The tricky part is my price range is pretty low for my first briar. I'm looking to spend no more then 30-40$ USD. I was looking earlier at some Dr.Grabow and Medico pipes and those seemed very cheap. Are they good pipes? Can you take the filters out and will they still perform well?

Any advice on a good cheap briar or various other stuff like how to break it in and such please share. I'm a big newbie when it comes to pipes so don't feel anything is to obvious to mention. Thanks!!

Can't type this without sounding like a salesman, but for ten dollars more you can own a Savinelli Baronet -- which is a remarkable upgrade in function, quality, and shaping.

Grabows are smallish and can smoke hot. I've no experience with Medicos. Filters can be removed with no probs - just like cobs. I like my cobs too, but I completely understand wanting a nice briar. Just the look of a smart pipe is a large part of my smoking enjoyment.

[dj1340]

Watch e-bay, I got one of my best smoking pipes in my rotation, a Stanwell majestic for Around $30. You can pick up a great pipe for a good price if you keep your eye open.

[Damicom3]

Oh wow finding that pipe for 30$ would be so nice, was the one you got new or estaste? I searched on ebay and saw Stanwell Majestic for 70$ not including shipping. Also, I looked into the Savinelli Baronet and that seemed like something I am interested in. I like the rough looking finish and the bowl shape... very sexy indeed. On the high end of what I'm looking for but owning a great pipe may be worth it.

[CrankyChris]

Remember this; if you like smoking a pipe, you'll want/need more than 1.

I know you may not be crazy about a cob, but I would get one of those first.

Then decide if you're OK with Dr. Grabow or you want to drop more coin on a nicer one.

My 2 cents.

Best of luck

[dj1340]

Mine was an estate pipe, honestly smokes better than some high dollar ones I have. You just have to keep an eye on the ones offered. Seems sometimes people look for the expensive ones at a bargain and overlook the less expensive ones that are good smokers. Pays to keep a sharp eye out.
It might take some time but well worth the effort IMO.

[Crazycoonass]

I agree, check ebay every couple of days and see, two of my favorite smokers are no-names I bought from a seller who didnt know much about pipes, just saw a cheap lot at an a estate sale and tried to make a buck, got them both for about 15 bucks. Most of the time u cant really see in the bowl but if there are close up pics u can pick out the good quality pipes. Btw medicos are all right, got two with silver overlay and they both smoke decent enough, though i like the meer lined one better.

[Damicom3]

Ok so the consensus is to keep a watch on estate pipes on ebay. The only problem is I can't really tell a good pipe from a not so good pipe. But I may try a cheap medico while I bide my time keeping an eye on ebay. The website I'm looking at for medico pipes has pipes ranging from 10-15$.

The cheapest is the lancer and the most expensive is the V.F.Q. . Crazycoonass are yours more expensive then these or is the site i'm looking on only selling cheap ones for some reason. Yours is probaly a nicer one if its meer lined.
Anyway i'll post again to ask questions about things I see on ebay.

[Mister Moo]

I got three Grabows for $2/each in an auction that included a 4th pipe I wanted - you can have them all if you want. They're not worth anything to me and, even for free, you may find they underperform your cobs. Say the word. And a Kaywoodie white briar can be yours, too.

But if it's briar you want then you really oughta save your pennies and get that Sav, though - or a Stanwell. Cruise frenchyspipes.com for Stannies and Savs. Ebay is worse than a crapshoot if you don't know what you're looking for (or at).

Another alternative is, keep your cobs for VA and burley and get a nice, full-sized pressed meerschaum for everything else. $40. No dry out time like briar, eh.

[MarkC]

Originally Posted by drastic_quench

Grabows are smallish and can smoke hot.

Smallish can be a good thing.

I've got a Dr. Grabow myself; first pipe I bought when I decided to try pipes again. As I'm here, it must have worked pretty well. In fact, I will even admit that it still gets smoked regularly. The only complaint I have about it is that I get tar leakage where the stem meets the shank. Kind of gross. Maybe I should have left the filter in...

I might also add that Dr. Grabows can be acquired for less than $30; I recently received a flyer from them (sign up at their website; you'll probably get one too!) with pipes as low as $18.

On the other hand, for the original poster, since you've already gone the sensible corncob route and are looking to add a briar rather than searching for a briar as a first pipe, you might as well go ahead and make it a nice one.

[Damicom3]

Thanks for the offer Mr.Moo but if your serious about getting rid of those pipes you don't want i'd be willing to pay for them. Also ya I think my goal is a Stanwell or more likely a Savinelli in the future.

Paying for college has left me kindof broke at the moment lol. Or else I wouldn't mind spending so much on this great new hobby. Have you heard of Paronelli pipes? I had someone recommend them to me... Thanks all and goodnight.

[Mad Hatter]

Iwan Ries has some pipes on sale. I'd especially be interested in the Rattray's pipes marked down from $80 to $44

[Damicom3]

Wow I really like the sandblast style of pipe. I wonder how long there sale is going to last I'd like to get one of those. Thanks for telling me about it!

[Pipe Organist]

Welcome to the fraternity of pipe smokers!

I read your original post at a different forum, but I'd thought I'd post my reply here as it didn't appear at the other one.

There's something to be said for "basket" pipes or "seconds" that you sometimes find at the local tobacconist. I have an "Irish Second" that turns out is a Peterson second that smokes like a dream, and only cost about 40 dollars.

Seconds are often pipes from well-known manufacturers that may have flaws; everything from a badly-drilled vent, which you want to look out for, to sand pits or other cosmetic flaws that prevent the maker from putting their name to, like my Peterson second.

On the other hand, it's well worth it to save up your "pennies" and invest in a mid-range pipe that might be closer to $100, but will be well-made and from a good name, such as Savinelli (discussed elsewhere in this thread).

I've not gotten into the estate pipe world on ebay, but only because I'm a coward when it comes to buying things "sight unseen". If you've got access to a "pipe guru" or "pipe master" who knows his (or her!) way around the purchasing and cleaning of an estate pipe bought online, I say go for it!

Welcome to the "club", and happy puffing!

[Mad Hatter]

Originally Posted by Damicom3

Wow I really like the sandblast style of pipe. I wonder how long there sale is going to last I'd like to get one of those. Thanks for telling me about it!

My flier says thru the 19th