Suggestion for an inexpensive, yet quality, pipe

Joined : 09 Jun 2008 Posts : 6 Location : Lansing, MI

I currently have two briar pipes, one bent and one poker. My bent pipe is just a single step above a drugstore pipe. It was made in Italy, and it works fine. I'm pretty sure I bought it because I liked the color of the finish.
My poker was an estate pipe purchased on ebay, seen here, and it is an excellent pipe. I also have a corn cob pipe I love to use when out on the kayak or wandering somewhere less than hospitable to polished briar.

I'm hoping to buy a nice, new pipe. Does anyone have a recommendation for a 40-70 dollar, high quality, go-to pipe? I'm not picky on shape or finish. Something available through Iwan Ries would be great. IRC sent me two complimentary tobaccos to try...I didn't even have to pay shipping! Thus, if possible, I'd like to spend some money on the IRC website.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Anything Peterson, Savinelli,Stanwell.

I prefer the Stanwells but have owned several of the other two...good pipes for little dough.
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For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. - Paul

I just bought my eighth Stanwell.
A Golden Danish 64.

To add to the above suggestions I would also add Jirsa (which I see Iwan Ries carries), Bjarne (they also carry) and Vauen. They all have a pipe line in that price range and their pipes are very well constructed IMHO.
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Arizona, where the temperature is always warm but the pipe smoking is always cool. Mikem

I highly recommend Scott Bundy at www.piperestore.com for all of your pipe cleaning and restoration work.

I have never owned a Jirsa or a Vaugn but I've had a few Bjarnes.... They are good pipes.
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For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. - Paul

Joined : 07 Apr 2008 Posts : 89 Location : Fort Gratiot, MI

Savinelli, Stanwell, Bjarne, Nording, Wessex.
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"My Hovercraft is full of eels" - John Cleese
www.piperestore.com
www.mr-nice-guy.com

Another mention of Stanwell and Peterson here.
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Jim

"People are entitled to their own opinions, they are not entitled to their own facts." (Vincent Bugliosi)

Joined : 09 Jun 2008 Posts : 6 Location : Lansing, MI

Thank you all for your suggestions. I think I've narrowed the field a bit.

1.) I like the Stanwell Majestic 86. It looks like it has a solid, thick bowl that won't heat up too much.
http://www.iwanries.com/Stanwell_Majestic_86_P7546C281.cfm

2.) I also really like the Savinelli Professor Sandblast. It isn't often someone anticipates your profession and designs a pipe.
http://www.iwanries.com/Savinelli_Professor_Sandblast_P2289C269.cfm

3.) I have heard good things about the Peterson 150 line. The Shannon finish is quite inexpensive.
http://www.iwanries.com/Peterson_Shannon_150_P1895C251.cfm

All style points moot, anyone care to weigh in on which you would choose?

You may also want to check out J.M. Boswell. He does some nice work and is pretty economically priced. I believe his site is www.boswellpipes.com.

My first pipe was a Majestic 64 and is prob my best smoker still. The thick walls are a plus in my book but its a little heavy to clench. I have one of those rubber bit deals on it so I can clench for a bit if nessary. IMHO its a good way to go.

Seconding (or thirding, fifthing, etc.) what others have said: Stanwell, Savinelli, and Wessex.

My Stanwell is amazing! I have two Savs that are fabulous as well. The Wessex is taking a bit longer to break in, but now it's smoking better all the time and it is gorgeous, a sandblasted straight bulldog with a cumberland stem, looks like it should have cost two or three times more than it did.
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-Lew
Lisbon, ND
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Flickr - Kind of Lew
Form 19

A few other names I will throw out there: Bari, Aldo Velani, Alpha.
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"May my last breath be drawn through a pipe, and exhaled in a jest"
- Charles Lamb

Dr. F....I would suggest going to Frenchy's Pipes or Greyfox (Google'em) and looking at what they offer. Pretty good bargains in the $40-70 range. FTRPLT

All great pipes for the buck mentioned above but don't forget Kaywoodie and they are American made. Gray Fox Online has a great sale going on right now with very nice Kaywoodies like some I own going for as low as $38 bucks with free shipping.

I don't see Kaywoodies listed on Iwan Ries website and if you really want to purchase from them I would go with any of the ones suggested above. I am fond of bent billiards for practical smoking purposes.
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"Man is the only religious animal. In the holy task of smoothing his brother's path to the happiness of Heaven, he has turned the globe into a graveyard."

Mark Twain