I know it's not something that is really definable to a positive certain finite rank, but would like to see opinions from you guys that clearly know more than I do. I bought some great pipes a long time ago, but most of these I see now I have no clue. So here is the list and not in any order.

Thanks in advance,

Skip

Cavicchi (since it was recommended before)
Ardor
Castello
Jacopo
Luciano
Radice
Il Duca

Then any other I should look at for Christmas? I may end up buying 2 depending on how much they cost.

I have two Ardors, both are very nice. I know Castello is one of the most expensive brands around, and I saw a gorgeous example at the Tinder Box in Santa Monica a few days ago. At $750.00 it was a little too much to consider, but it was one of the nicest looking Italian pipes I've ever seen. Have no idea how it smokes, but I imagine they perform quite well. I've seen some beautiful Cavicchi's on ebay, priced much lower than Castello.

Thank you, but I looked on ebay and not one Cavicchi could I find. Go figure and probably just my luck.

I am picking my own Christmas this year and I even planned it my self. Told the wife to figure out what she wanted, but no cloths for here unless it special because she goes cloths shopping all the time anyway.

One other thing I would ask here that may help my decisions here is this. If you wanted to spend say $700, would you just get one pipe as good as you could find or would you get maybe 2. Then there is always one nice one say $400 and maybe 2 that are $150 each? Or even just get 4 or 5 that range from $100-$200? Decisions to be made.

I know how I am thinking but would love to hear others and what they would do.

Skip

Try this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/CAVICCHI-CC-PIPE-UNSMOKED-/300486805996?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45f668c9ec

to be honest skip, if i was thinking of spending that kind of money, i would have one made by sas, or tinsky, or teipen. i've seen jaw dropping work out of all of them. as with most hobbies, eventually you get to a point where you want something that is hand made for you. that's what i would do, anyway.

I know what I'd do with $700 to spend. I'd buy a couple or three nice briars at around $150 or so and start sampling tobaccos. But I'm new at this and don't have enough pipes or weed yet. If I had more nice pipes and knew what my favorite tobacco's were gonna be, I'd place some BULK orders for tobacco. It isn't getting any cheaper.

Thanks Harlock999 I searched all and collectibles and didn't find that one at all. Ebay is very frustrating to find what you want sometimes or it is for me anyway, LOL!

Bruins I have been thinking about the same thing and have one on order from sas already so will soon see and smoke one of his and from that I will talk to him more. I have seen one pipe well known brand and want that pipe, but have talked to sas about making it an not just buying the brand name which is good, but not great. Have not chatted with the other two guys yet, but guess I will have to look.

pistolero I have already started collecting some tobacco and more to get, but not as part of my $700, LOL! That has to be separate. Have managed to put back 2 (100g) tins of 633, 1 1/2 pounds of Opening Night, only 8Oz. so far of Sunday Picnic with more to add, 8Oz of Manhattan Afternoon, am working on a 8 oz. tin of each of these now too. Also have almost 1 pound put back of Dark Twist to age some. I also started out getting the samples for C&D and got 3 of them so have small amounts of probably 30 in vacuum sealed bags. Many of the samples is areo's ad some I like and even bought a pound of Green River Vanilla as I like it and it also is working for me to mix with stuff I didn't like enough to make them better.

Now am going to add some Buffalo Soldier to put back and a few of GLP Virgina's as well as at lest some Chelsea; then I want some Golden Slice (maybe several big tins) and when it comes in some FVF to put back and smoke then. I am planning as I try them so if I like it will buy some for later. I know that I want to try some McClelland too and anything else I find that looks or sounds like I would enjoy it.. Don't have any target in mind, but don't plan of stopping buying tobacco soon.

I talk too much, LOL!

Thanks guys & need more,

Skip

OK Skip, you gota be kidding, that collection of Italians must be worth a small fortune now!!!!

Thats just brilliant!!!
All high end Italians, blooooooody 'elllllllll.


I am an Italian junkie myself, but not in your league just yet!

Thanks Piet, just want some new ones to break in and enjoy. I don't ever have to smoke two bowls in a row and can take a couple days to smoke a bowl in all the good pipes. I don't smoke but 3-5 bowls a day and just a little at a time.

However I know what you mean, but I have not bought a pipe since 1980 until I ordered the one from Sas a week or so back. Now can't wait to see his work and try that puppy out!

I just fell in love with Caminetto's first so it makes me look that direction each time.

Skip

no matter what you decide, sounds like a hell of good time!!! go take that mad hatter pipe off of teipen's hands. that thing is wicked crazy!

http://www.brothersofbriar.com/towne-crier-f5/the-mad-hatter-price-reduced-t10116.htm?highlight=mad+hatter

go take that mad hatter pipe off of teipen's hands. that thing is wicked crazy!

http://www.brothersofbriar.com/towne-crier-f5/the-mad-hatter-price-reduced-t10116.htm?highlight=mad+hatter

no matter what you decide, sounds like a hell of good time!!!

You know when I first saw that one the other day I sure liked it, but have not near finished looking. I like that it's different and look good too!

Skip

The Tinsky 2010 Christmas pipes have just become available - an attractive author'ish design. There are all grades and prices to be had. That's my suggestion. I've bought four Tinsky christmas pipes over the years and I treasure each of them. This year I popped for a coral dress.

http://ssl.cybersun.com/4Dscripts/webcatalog4disapi.dll/4dcgi/products?ams~101586567~1~103019

Steve

The Tinsky does look great.