Pipe Pricing
SERENTIL
Newcomer
I am in the process of looking for a new pipe to add to my collection. I've seen such a wide range of prices from pocket change to unaffordable. What justifies a pipe's pricing at $200.00+? Craftsmanship? Materials? Rarity? Name brand?
Comments
@serntil Actually all of the above. But don't let yourself get all caught up in the issues you just set forth. Material is important in that wooden pipes made of briar are by far better than most other wood because of the property of briar makes it the best suited for taking the heat and absorbing the moisture. Pipes made of Morta Wood are also highly prized as good smokers and highly collectible. And as for beauty and craftsmanship a Meerschaum can fit the bill. But if you place the importance of your purchase solely on craftsmanship, rarity, or name brand over how the actual look and feel of the pipe appeals to you on a personal level, you're in danger of succumbing to the same pitfalls as those TV Celebrity 'Fashion Plates' who parade around like peacocks touting the name brand of the fashions to whom ever is willing to listen. Get the pipe that catches your eye and one you can comfortably afford. Set a maximum price you're willing to pay no matter whose name is engraved on the pipe. There are pipes on EBAY with the ridiculous price of $7600.00 to $12,000 or more created by some World Famous Artisan Pipemaker. The real problem is should you pay $7600.00 for a pipe to impress your friends 98 % of them probably don't smoke a pipe and would rather complain about your second hand smoke blowing in their direction. And of the 2% who do smoke a pipe, most have no idea who that World Famous Artisan Pipemaker because we don't live in that World. So you're stuck with an expensive pipe more of a museum piece than something you'd dare smoke for fear of devaluating your investment. I have beautiful name band pipes that gurgle every time I smoke them (but make me look damn good smoking them) ... and I have cheap basket pipes that do nothing to improve my appearance but provide me with a damn fine smoke. Unless you're buying pipes solely as an investment ... then simply buy what strikes your fancy.
And as for your question as to what justifies a pipe's pricing at $200.00+ ... consider the time it takes to make a quality handmade pipe. And then consider how much money you make an hour. How much money is your time worth? A quality pipe maker feels the same way and charges accordingly. That's a major factor to take into consideration when purchasing a quality handmade pipe. Then there is the option of buying a decent smoking Dr. Grabow churned out in a factory.
Great info... and, as usual a great sense of humor. That's why I love you guys!
I've got my eye on a Savinelli Alligator Red 602. I loved the way it looked and how it felt in my hand. I feel good about the price and the reputation of the maker.
Thanks for posting that link motie. I am always interested in anything Mr. Pease would enjoy elaborating on.
Personally, I think that a pipe collector has the best chance, at acquiring the best pipes, regardless the quality or price point. This is simply because the collector will have the ability to smoke a significant number of pipes, and choose to sell or keep the best pipes he has had access to.
It would be nice to think that the best smokers are always obtained by targeting a particular price point and above, but the reality is, that a pipe needs to be smoked, before it can be evaluated. The reality is that the true quality of briar cannot be evaluated by the pipe carver, but instead can only be truly evaluated by the pipe smoker. The carver can only make his best effort, with the quality of briar he has been lucky enough to work with.
This is the best reason I can think of, for a pipe smoker to justify growing their collection, beyond a reasonable number of pipes. Never should a pipe smoker feel the need to justify a purchase because they "need" another pipe. The purchase should always be justified, based on the fact that they "want" another pipe.
A wise man once said, "Talk long, talk wrong!"