Brunello
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2020
- Messages
- 710
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I'll pose the question first: among the large production brands that offer a premium line, which brands and product lines have you been happy with? I'm especially interested in comments from owners of top Vauen or Savinelli products, but welcome all feedback. My budget cap is $200, so that puts pipes at 230-250 within reach when on sale.
My understanding is that production brands reserve their best quality briar for their top-tier lines, and though machine carved, they often have finishing touches and inspection performed by the most experienced workers.
Looking at my own collection it seems that upper level production pipes provide the quality I'm after without making the jump to more costly artisan pipes or collectible estates. Based on how happy I've been with my two 'high-end' Design Berlin pipes,I wonder how a German-made Vauen would compare, or some of Savinelli's top lines like Punto Oro or the Onda series. The middle-tier Savinelli Tortuga I bought is worth keeping, but I just can't find any blend that shines in the Roma Lucite. All three Petersons I've bought have been disappointing, I guess these would be their lower-end products (Dalkey, Derry, and Dublin) while the Darwin is probably considered middle-tier, and that one is worth keeping. But I've never tried Peterson's top tier offerings.
Anybody experienced to comment on how much bother it is to try and get rid of underperformers on eBay? Maybe just shipping them off to Smoking Pipes for trade-in value is the better option?
Thanks for any insights you care to share.
My understanding is that production brands reserve their best quality briar for their top-tier lines, and though machine carved, they often have finishing touches and inspection performed by the most experienced workers.
Looking at my own collection it seems that upper level production pipes provide the quality I'm after without making the jump to more costly artisan pipes or collectible estates. Based on how happy I've been with my two 'high-end' Design Berlin pipes,I wonder how a German-made Vauen would compare, or some of Savinelli's top lines like Punto Oro or the Onda series. The middle-tier Savinelli Tortuga I bought is worth keeping, but I just can't find any blend that shines in the Roma Lucite. All three Petersons I've bought have been disappointing, I guess these would be their lower-end products (Dalkey, Derry, and Dublin) while the Darwin is probably considered middle-tier, and that one is worth keeping. But I've never tried Peterson's top tier offerings.
Anybody experienced to comment on how much bother it is to try and get rid of underperformers on eBay? Maybe just shipping them off to Smoking Pipes for trade-in value is the better option?
Thanks for any insights you care to share.