Recently, at a local B&M, I overheard part a conversation about high grade pipes that surprised me. Their definition of high grades was much less restrictive than my interpretation. I’ve never seen a proper definition of the term and only have an intuitive understanding of it, therefore I would like to ask those in the Inner Circle what is exactly a high grade pipe. If I look at my pipe cabinets, how can I tell which ones are high grades? Maybe I don’t even have any?...

The first time I encountered the term was in the mid 90s, which makes me think that this is a relatively new concept in pipe collecting. Perhaps its origin is contemporaneous to the beginning of the acceptance of used pipes (Barry Levin)? I would like very much to find out about the origin of the concept “high grade” and about its use.

Although I not qualified to give a definitive answer I will offer my take on your question. In my mind a high grade pipe is one that is made by an established and talented artisan using the best of materials and employing precise engineering to provide a superior smoke. There are those carvers that grade their pipes but even the pipes that do not make it in terms of ascetics still smoke wonderfully. I think that when you see, hold and smoke a pipe such as I have described these aspects all speak for themselves. What I'm saying is I believe you'll know a high grade when you see one.

A highgrade is simply the best possible pipe you can afford at the time. For some that's a cob for others that's an Ivarsson.

I have handled a few "high grade" pipes carved by the current big name artist. I have never owned one carved by any of the current who's who of artist but I have several pipes from lesser known or lesser respected carvers that are as nice as any "high grade" that I have ever picked up. I have several Brissetts and Handmade Kaywoodies that would fetch 4 figures if the right name were on them.

There is a little "brand snobbishness" for sure. If, for example, I was to produce a pipe in every way identical to a Todd Johnson or a Jack Howell, it would not be worth as much.

But the fact is, I'm a VERY experienced woodworker, and have made dozens of pipes now, and I cannot make a pipe identical to the masters. They are masters.

There was a conversation at the pipe makers forum as regards what a "high grade" is, and one of the replies there was along the lines of "If you are charging 500 dollars a pipe and there's a line up, you are making high grade pipes."

Midnight's definition is probably pretty good. We are looking for pipes that have no defects in materials, no defects in workmanship, and on top of that, express an artistic perfection. That's a tall order, and not everyone can do it.

There are certainly all kinds of pipes that ride the borderlines, of course.

Ok, Is Dunhill still a highgrade maker? I don't think so.....

Dunhill pipes are considered the "old guard" of highgrades. Now, take in to consideration that Butz Choquin (a lower grade briar) has been turning bowls for them in France for over a decade and they haven't oil cured their wood since the 1960's due to the high cost in doing so. Why then are they still recognized as a highgrade pipe? It's their branding. When you buy a Dunhill you're subconsiously or maybe consiously "buying into" the brand name. You're buying a pipe from what you perceive to be a high end and excusive luxury craftsman not unlike those that build the Rolls Royce, Jaguar and land Rover autos. You're buying into a hundred years of branding! Dunhill has worked it so effectively that folks will still line up to pay several hundred dollars for an English pipe that's 1/2 made in France.

[quote="Danish_Pipe_Guy"You're buying into a hundred years of branding! Dunhill has worked it so effectively that folks will still line up to pay several hundred dollars for an English pipe that's 1/2 made in France.[/quote]

Right on, and ditto with a 'Dunhill' tobacco made in Denmark (or one made in Belfast for that matter). Just saying ...

I don’t want to cause trouble, but I never liked the term, which sounds a bit derogatory. It amounts to assigning a rank to pipes and to pipemakers based on some not-too-objective qualifiers. It sounds like something a collector would come up with, not a pipemaker. I don’t know of other hobbies where the concept exists. But I’m not really qualified to judge. That's why I asked.

As a point of comparison, think about collecting pocket knifes or wine (I do both; well, perhaps not wine, I end up drinking everything I buy, but I have knives that are there just to be looked at and will never cut anything). There are more expensive and less expensive ones, depending on quality of finish, artistic value, amount of effort required to produce the item, cost of base components, rarity, etc. but there is no concept similar to “high grade” in the sense of rank. I was in a large knife show recently and, after speaking with many knife makers, I think I would be greeted with blank stares if I asked for a high grade knife (or perhaps be escorted out and asked not to return).

To me its any pipe I can't afford. When I started smoking pipes it was anything over $100. Now I would probably say anything over $500 from a well known carver. I have friends who differ and think that anything from a well known carver less than $1000 is considered a "mid=grade". The way my current financial situation is going lately I'm getting back down to my original over $100 is a high grade. On a more serious note, I consider a high grade a pipe thats grain pattern, construction and lack of flaws as near flawless or perfect as it can be, no matter who carved it.