If i were to buy a "new" pipe i would go with a Savinelli natural. Wont break the bank, is a proven great smoker and its pretty damn neat to see the bowl darken over time.
And they seem to be pretty hard to find lately .
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If i were to buy a "new" pipe i would go with a Savinelli natural. Wont break the bank, is a proven great smoker and its pretty damn neat to see the bowl darken over time.
And they seem to be pretty hard to find lately .
I have had several Nordings, and they are good pipes. I do wonder if you realize how small that particular pipe you are considering is. I prefer larger pipes, and Nording does make pipes in all sizes.
Guys, I appreciate all of the replies and suggestions. I certainly will take your informed opinions into account when deciding.
I just looked again at the dimensions after reading your response and it is a little smaller than I was thinking.
I'm not wanting a huge bowl, but probably will go with one a little larger. I think I will stay with the bulldog design. I've been wanting one.
I was not a fan of my Nording Freehand shapes. I found the stem work to be not the best and they were gurgles. But those are my experience with two pipes out of everyone he has ever made.
The pipe you posted looks nice but if you're thinking of dedicating it to English blends (which might change after putting it through some bowls) that .72 tobacco chamber might be a bit small. I like to have at least 3/4 in chamber and preferably 7/8s when I'm smoking a blend with latakia (which isn't too often).
I'll echo the suggestions for Savinellis as well. I know it's a present for yourself and you probably want something new, but would an estate be out of the question?
It would absolutely not be out of the question.
I've been looking at some of the estates on smokingpipes.com and on pipesandcigars.com. I've saw a few I've liked but they've not lasted long.
I misquoted in my original post. It's not next week, it's next month, so I have some time to think about it and look.
Who knows what they'll have at that time.
In that price range, I'd probably go with something besides a Nording. I've heard and read that the lower priced ones are not the best smokers for the price. I'd likely go with a Stanwell or a Savinelli. The Stanwell Vario 32 is a nice bulldog with a varied finish (part smooth, part sandblast) ($59, P&C). Savinelli's Hercules 510KS is a BIG bulldog for right around $100.
Nording has earned a good rep for a reason. If you like it, buy. Very low risk.
That Stanwell looks very nice. I like the smooth/rustic contrast.
The bent Bulldog is cool too.
There are several nice looking shapes in that line.