A question - Dr. Grabow and American Pipes.

[Ethan Bentley]

The last time a bought a pipe it was in 2005 in Wisconsin; it was a Dr. Grabow and is superb, easily me favourite.

I'm travelling to the US next week, Florida this time, and I'm looking for a recommendation of another American pipe. I think it's a nice "souvenir" to take away from the trip.

I'd be most grateful of any advice/recommendations.

 

[LocktownDog]

What's your budget? I can point you to more of a high-end pipe in the $500 range ... or something less expensive (similar to the Grabow). If the latter range, I would highly recommend a Kaywoodie Red Root. Then again, you certainly couldn't beat a large Missouri Meer Country Gentleman for both price and quality.

 

[Nick D]

No suggestions, but I'll second the endorsement of Dr. Grabow. My two favorite briars are Grabows, a straight and a bent. I also have a bent Dr. G Omega, but I could never get a good draw through it so stuck with the Duke and Grand Duke. They're not the most expensive pipes I own, but they're two of the best smokers, outside my calabashes.

 

[Ethan Bentley]

What's your budget? I can point you to more of a high-end pipe in the $500 range ... or something less expensive (similar to the Grabow). If the latter range, I would highly recommend a Kaywoodie Red Root. Then again, you certainly couldn't beat a large Missouri Meer Country Gentleman for both price and quality.

Thanks for the response. I think for now my budget is something similar to the Dr. Grabow. Thanks for the recommendation of the Kaywoodie, from a quick online search it certainly looks promising.

*Side Note*
I notice the Kaywoodie has a small, white ace of clubs mark on it
and my Dr. Grabow has a small white ace of spades mark, coincidence?

No suggestions, but I'll second the endorsement of Dr. Grabow. My two favorite briars are Grabows, a straight and a bent. I also have a bent Dr. G Omega, but I could never get a good draw through it so stuck with the Duke and Grand Duke. They're not the most expensive pipes I own, but they're two of the best smokers, outside my calabashes.

I agree I've been really impressed with the Grawbow, which is why I was wondering if there was something similar. I've got a straight too and not only does it smoke well, I've had a some nice compliments from admirers (not as important but nice all the same).

 

[Seraph1227]

When I was in the Marine Corps, my favorite pipe was a Dr. Grabow Grand Duke.

 

[BriarWolf]

Yet another voice to join the chorus of praise for Doc Grabow's pipes. Despite a reputation as a 'cheap' entry level pipe, with jabs at their finishing, I have had nothing but excellent smokes from every Grabow I've owned. To my knowledge, DG is really the top of the line for the price bracket, so I'm not sure I can offer additional recommendations, with two exceptions. If you don't mind buying used, have a good eye and don't mind a little DiY TLC, browsing antique shops for estate pipes is an enjoyable option. You will run across many poor old bowls that have suffered too much abuse and poor care, but if you sift a bit you can often score a good deal. Two thirds of my collection is rescued estate pipes, which I might add, I picked up for a fraction of their worth brand new. My other suggestion, for a uniquely American pipe souvenir, is to echo LocktownDog's suggestion of a pipe or two from Missouri Meerschaum. Inexpensive, characterful, delightful; that's the American corn cob.

http://corncobpipe.com/smokingpipes.html

 

[Stanley Doble]

Do you know the Canadian Brigham pipes? I had a few when I smoked a pipe and liked them. Larger and more expensive than Dr. Grabow.

http://www.brighampipes.com/2006 Update.htm

Frankly I preferred a cheap corn cob pipe for every day, but Brigham makes some good pipes.

 

[DesertDan]

My very first pipe was a Dr. Grabow it is still in service all these years later.

 

[Renault]

Definitely Kaywoodie!

(See tag line!)

 

[jamespowers]

Definitely Kaywoodie!

(See tag line!)

I see but your avatar speaks much better than that old ad. Nice!

 

[LuvMyMan]

I am reading up on the Grabow, and may have to buy one for my Husband. It seems they are far better a pipe than what the price tag reflects and some reviews I have read state they may not even have any "bitter bite" when they are first being smoked. My Husband tells me a good pipe is just that, a good pipe. Also some of the Grabow pipes are actually very attractive finished.