Opinions wanted on entry level Nording pipes

Hey all.

Birthday is coming up next month and I think I'm going to buy myself a new pipe. I smoke cobbs for the most part but am wanting to add another briar to the rotation. The only decent one I have is a pre-Republic Peterson Shamrock that I picked up at a flea market. This will be the first new briar I have ever purchased. I need to keep the price under $100 (well under if possible, but I could go up to if necessary). I feel that there are likely a lot of good options in this range for newbies like myself.

Nording has a lot of nice looking pipes that come in well under budget. I have always admired the bulldog design and I really like the look of this pipe.

New Tobacco Pipes: Nording Valhalla Rusticated (101) at Smokingpipes.com

Opinions would be welcome if anyone has experience with Nording pipes as to whether they are worth the price.

Also, any suggestions of what you would purchase in that price range is welcome as well.

Lastly, this pipe will likely be dedicated to English blends. I don't know if that will have any bearing on your recommendations, but thought I'd throw that out there.

Thanks

that one

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Originally Posted by Cool Breeze

Also, any suggestions of what you would purchase in that price range is welcome as well.

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I have no experience with Nording, but the one pipe I smoke in that pipe range is Stanwell. I didn't recommend them for a few years, as I had no idea if the newer Italian ones were up to snuff, but now that I have one and have smoked it for a while, I'll give the new ones a big thumbs up. As I've "moved up the food chain" so to speak on pipes, I generally have given up on the lesser pipes after being exposed to 'better' pipes. The one exception to this has been my Stanwells. They still get smoked, and there's a couple that sit right on the "nice pipe" racks with my big boys. Besides, it's the only way I'll ever be able to hold a Sixten Ivarsson design!

The only Nording pipe I have is an older, hand made, and it's one of the better smoking pipes in my stable. I have no experience with their machine made pipes, so I can't give a yea or nay on them. One you may want to consider if you're looking for a bulldog in that price range is this Savinelli. I've owned a number of their machine made pipes and never regretted buying any of them. This one also has a vulcanite stem which, if you're a clencher, is more comfortable, though it does require a little more effort to keep it clean looking.

New Tobacco Pipes: Savinelli Roma (504) (6mm) at Smokingpipes.com

I have had a Nording for some time now and have no complaints at all. Smokes cool and in my
eye a great looking pipe. The one your looking at is pretty nice.

when shopping for a pipe, I scroll until I find the one that makes me say, "wow, that is cool." I have a few nice pipes and all of them fit my eye just right.

I don't have any Nordings but have a few friends that do and they really like them (though it can sometimes be difficult to be honest with yourself after dropping some $$$ down on something). Nordings have come up in conversation at our monthly pipe club meetings and some of the old timers have slammed them for poor drilling. Again, all hearsay as I have never smoked one.

I really like my Nording, but I don't really have many other pipes of that type (Stanwell, Savinelli, Peterson, etc) to compare to. Most of mine are estates. I do have a Brigham that is a very good smoker, and they are reasonably priced. I was turned off by the maple insert before I purchased it, but it really does a decent job and isn't obtrusive at all.

I have a couple that cost <70 and a couple from their Hunter series and all are good smokers and drilled just fine. The one in your link looks like a nice pipe at a good price.

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Originally Posted by tmoran

I really like my Nording, but I don't really have many other pipes of that type (Stanwell, Savinelli, Peterson, etc) to compare to. Most of mine are estates. I do have a Brigham that is a very good smoker, and they are reasonably priced. I was turned off by the maple insert before I purchased it, but it really does a decent job and isn't obtrusive at all.

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+1 on the Brigham. I was also unsure about the rock maple insert but the bastard works without dulling flavor and will still pass a cleaner.

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.

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Originally Posted by Nachman

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.

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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?

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Originally Posted by MrMotoyoshi

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?

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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.