Pipes are shaped either by hand or by machine, with the individually crafted briars costing substantially more than the machine-made versions. But they both can smoke equally as well. The trick is in knowing what to look for. First, check the overall appearance of the pipe. Make sure the stem (mouthpiece) fits flush with the shank (the wooden shaft protruding from the bowl). Next, check out the bowl itself. Are the walls of an even thickness all around the entire circumference, or is the tobacco hole bored off-center? If one side of the pipe wall is thinner than the other, you have a good chance of burning through the briar after smoking a few pipe fulls of tobacco. Look for an even thickness. A thick pipe bowl is preferable to a thin one, as this is normally insurance against a burnout. While you're peering into the pipe bowl, make sure that the airhole enters from the very bottom of the bowl. That way you'll be able to smoke all of your tobacco, without leaving a residue in the heel.
Look at the Mouthpiece of the pipe. It will be made of either vulcanite or lucite. Vulcanite has a little bit of a "give" against the teeth and can generally be shaped thinner, which many pipe smokers find more comfortable. But it can be bitten through and, if not kept polished, will oxidize in time. Lucite is harder in texture but will not dull with age and is less apt to break. Frankly, if you find an overall pipe shape that you like, whether it comes with a vulcanite or lucite mouthpiece is almost academic.
Now let's talk about brands and countries of origin. England has long been thought of as the pipe-smoking capital of the world and there is a certain panache to having a pipe that bears one of the great British names. Dunhill certainly heads the top of the list and adds to its Rolls Roycian image by also being among the most costly of all briars. Comoy's is another great old British name that is substantially less expensive. Likewise Charatan's, although now made in France, is still a classic English trademark. And still keeping within the United Kingdom, the Irish-made Peterson's is one of the most popular pipes available today.
If England is the pipe-smoking capital of the world, then the pipe-making capital has to be St. Claude, France, for it is here that some of the best briar pipes are created. Indeed, French pipes are one of the great "sleepers" of the pipe world, for they are often priced far below their actual worth. That is not to say they are inexpensive, but because French briars are not stamped with brand names that are familiar to many U.S. pipesmokers, they are often overlooked. Top French pipes to check out are those made by Butz-Choquin (often simply referred to as "BC"), and Chacom.
Italian pipes are known for their attention to style, especially in rusticated or partially rusticated designs. Savinelli is one of the leaders, with Brebbia running a close second in terms of value and design. One of the newest and most popular Italian brands is Don Carlos, which is very competitively priced, considering its highly attractive stylings and quality of briar.
Some of the most innovative pipe designs have originated in Denmark, known as the birthplace of the freehand, although classical shapes are made there as well. One of the best values of any pipe brand is Stanwell, a machine made pipe with quality control that rivals that of many handmade briars. Poul Winslow, a relatively new name on the American pipe-smoking scene, has been turning out some fantastic freehands. Eric Nording makes pipes by both hand and machine and is known for the ultra-smooth glass-like finishes he achieves on his high-grade briars. For collectability as well as smokability, Ole Larsen offers a wide variety of one-of-a-kind designs that have an equally wide range in price.
Speaking of price, the obvious next question is, how much should you pay for a pipe? Most of the pipes in this article will start at well under $100 and go up from there. The most expensive is Dunhill, which launches in the mid-$300s and can swiftly rise well into the four digit stratosphere and beyond. Likewise with some of the higher-end Italian and Danish pipes. What are you paying for when purchasing any of these brands? Workmanship, quality of briar, and brand name imagery. But no matter what brand, finish or shape you decide upon, the cardinal rule in pipe buying is to purchase the very best you can afford.
By the same token, be on the lookout for bargains. For example, many top grade pipemakers end up with pipes that exhibit a few minor imperfections that do not affect their smoking quality These pipes are called "seconds." They are usually sold under a different brand name and they are substantially less expensive than "firsts," pipes that are turned from a visually perfect piece of briar. While these pristine rarities are highly sought after by image-conscious pipesmokers, one can pay dearly for the privilege of ownership. But for many, the pride of perfection and collectibility potential is worth it.
As an example of a "second," some smooth pipes will exhibit a tiny dot or sand pit, or will have a putty fill that covers up a flaw in the wood. Neither of these physical marks will affect the smokability of the briar. In fact, some of the top Italian and Danish pipe makers regard a sand pit as simply an identifying mark of nature. However, there is a stigma against a putty fill, which is usually evidence of a flaw that is too large to ignore. There is also a practical reason behind this almost universal aversion to fills. As the pipe is smoked, it will develop a patina over the years, but the putty will not.
In addition to "seconds," some private brands your tobacconist may stock are often priced well below the standard grades and can represent real value. There is nothing like finding a moderately priced virgin briar that might have cost hundreds of dollars if it had a well-known brand name stamped into the shank. However, stay away from "barrel pipes," those cheap, poorly made briars that are thrown into a box on the counter and offered for some ridiculous price that may seem like a bargain.
Of course, the nice thing about buying the perfect pipe is that one is never enough. Pipes need to dry out between smokes. That means you'll need at least two; or better, one for every day of the week. Some of us have a pipe for every day of the year. After all, buying a pipe is not just a one-time adventure. Like pipesmoking itself, it is an ongoing part of the hobby. There's always the search for the perfect pipe.
Richard Carleton Hacker is the best-selling author of The Ultimate Pipe Book (U.S., British, and German editions) as well as producer-host of The Ultimate Pipe Video. He is a member of the Confrerie des Maitres-Pipiers de St.-Claude and the Academie Internationale de la Pipe, and was elected as Germany's Pipe Knight of the Year.
