Dunhill Pipes?

[TampaPete]

Hello all,

I did a cursory search, but didn't find the question I want to pose, so, hopefully this isn't a dupe...

I've started to really develop a obse... fondness for older (60s-70s) Dunhill's. I firmly believe in getting what you pay for, but what is it about the White Dot that makes them worth the money? Is it the name/collectable, consistently good construction, smokable/mechanical properties? One of the attributes that I like is that they seem to be very easy to date, making it easy to find a pipe from a specific year, for example.

I know this is a fairly open-ended question, but, there you go

TampaPete

 

[jaingorenard]

I suspect you're about to get lots of replies about how overrated Dunhills are, how bad their construction is, and how they're too expensive!

I do think people often overpay for fairly 'run-of-the-mill' Dunhills, and if you're patient you can pick them up for £20-£50 or in joblots.

I think you've hit the nail on the head with your comment about them being easy to date. That and the brand recognition make them very collectable. I also think they are usually very good pipes. I have 5 at the mo, and have had others. I've always found they smoke really well, and most Dunhill shapes have a timeless, understated style. Despite them being 'easy' to collect (whatever that really means), lots of serious collectors have chosen to collect Dunhills, and I don't think so many people would have chosen them if they were bad pipes (they're simply not; though there may be some that slipped through the QC net).

Are there better pipes? Of course. But so what?

 

[TampaPete]

I suspect you're about to get lots of replies about how overrated Dunhills are, how bad their construction is, and how they're too expensive!

I do think people often overpay for fairly 'run-of-the-mill' Dunhills, and if you're patient you can pick them up for £20-£50 or in joblots.

I think you've hit the nail on the head with your comment about them being easy to date. That and the brand recognition make them very collectable. I also think they are usually very good pipes. I have 5 at the mo, and have had others. I've always found they smoke really well, and most Dunhill shapes have a timeless, understated style. Despite them being 'easy' to collect (whatever that really means), lots of serious collectors have chosen to collect Dunhills, and I don't think so many people would have chosen them if they were bad pipes (they're simply not; though there may be some that slipped through the QC net).

Are there better pipes? Of course. But so what?

Yeah, I expect a pretty wide range of responses, but that's what makes the forum great
You nailed it on the head with the "timeless, understated style" part, which of course can be found with pretty much any brand that's been around for a few decades. That being said, I wouldn't pass up a beautiful artisan pipe for a Dunhill, all things being equal, just because "it's a Dunhill".

 

[MattRVA]

I like their stem material and their style and I think the older pipes are great. The newer stuff seems a shadow of what they once were but they are definitely well made. They have their place and the history they represent is undeniable. I love the old sandblasted classic shapes and can’t think of a better set than 7 of those bad boys. Beware of paying too much, be patient

 

[jaingorenard]

I like their stem material and their style and I think the older pipes are great. The newer stuff seems a shadow of what they once were but they are definitely well made. They have their place and the history they represent is undeniable. I love the old sandblasted classic shapes and can’t think of a better set than 7 of those bad boys. Beware of paying too much, be patient

They still make some very nice pipes - some of the modern ones are really great pipes; I just think they cost far more than I would want to pay. I personally prefer the older sandblasts too.

 

[sablebrush52]

but what is it about the White Dot that makes them worth the money?

Very simply, it's that someone is willing, for any of a number of reasons, to pay the money. The rest will be the subject of endless debate.

I did a cursory search, but didn't find the question I want to pose, so, hopefully this isn't a dupe...

Would you believe it! It's not exactly the first time the question has been posed.

Learning basic search skills can be useful:

pipesmagazine Dunhill - Google Search

I guess since the McClelland threads have died down, the Dunhill threads are staging a comeback. Then what would come next? Another round of Esoterica threads, or are we due for a revival of "manliness" threads.

 

[TampaPete]

Learning basic search skills can be useful:
pipesmagazine Dunhill - Google Search

Thanks for the tip

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Original Dunhills and those newer White Spot Dunhills are wonderful pipes ,especially when it comes to design and stem shaping and material they use, I find them timeless and sophisticated looking,and as a rule they would smoke very nicely,draw is quite open ,but I have to admit ,they are generally overpriced ,regardless of the age

 

[fireground_piper]

I paid more for my birth year Dunhill Christmas pipe than all of my other pipe purchases strictly because it was so easily identifiable and datable.

 

[AJL67]

One reason they are so expensive is people that don't know much about them just recognize the name and the dot and go off paying whatever people are asking for them, therefore driving up the price.

 

[Briarcutter]

I will only comment on two aspects of Dunhill. Most shapes, are classic, a standard IMO. Sand blasts of the old patent pieces are stunning!

 

[lraisch]

Hello all,

I did a cursory search, but didn't find the question I want to pose, so, hopefully this isn't a dupe...

I've started to really develop a obse... fondness for older (60s-70s) Dunhill's. I firmly believe in getting what you pay for, but what is it about the White Dot that makes them worth the money? Is it the name/collectable, consistently good construction, smokable/mechanical properties? One of the attributes that I like is that they seem to be very easy to date, making it easy to find a pipe from a specific year, for example.

I know this is a fairly open-ended question, but, there you go

TampaPete

The three I have are all good smokers, but nothing very special. The older Shell finish pipes are my preference and I was able to use their dating to acquire a "birth year" pipe. Other than that, I think they are overpriced.

 

[jpberg]

Very simply, it's that someone is willing, for any of a number of reasons, to pay the money. The rest will be the subject of endless debate.


Would you believe it! It's not exactly the first time the question has been posed.

Learning basic search skills can be useful:

pipesmagazine Dunhill - Google Search

I guess since the McClelland threads have died down, the Dunhill threads are staging a comeback. Then what would come next? Another round of Esoterica threads, or are we due for a revival of "manliness" threads.

THE ART OF MANLINESS CHANGED MY LIFE

 

[hoipolloiglasgow]

I have a thing for their classic billiard and bulldog shapes. One of my billiards (1960) smokes as good as my Northern Briars. I love my patents too. I will second the quality of the stems. Yeah, they are overpriced, but it is a way of obtaining the classic, English style. I love my Comoys just as much, also having classic English style and quality at a more reasonable price. I'm an English pipe man. I don't know much about the newer white spot ones though. You can get good, clean patents and 60's cheaper if you look.

 

[PaulRVA]

All jokes aside, great pipes. I have both old and new and all are great.
Like watches they command a Brand premium and sometimes thats too much.

 

[grimpeur]

I suspect you're about to get lots of replies about how overrated Dunhills are, how bad their construction is, and how they're too expensive!

I do think people often overpay for fairly 'run-of-the-mill' Dunhills, and if you're patient you can pick them up for £20-£50 or in joblots.

I think you've hit the nail on the head with your comment about them being easy to date. That and the brand recognition make them very collectable. I also think they are usually very good pipes. I have 5 at the mo, and have had others. I've always found they smoke really well, and most Dunhill shapes have a timeless, understated style. Despite them being 'easy' to collect (whatever that really means), lots of serious collectors have chosen to collect Dunhills, and I don't think so many people would have chosen them if they were bad pipes (they're simply not; though there may be some that slipped through the QC net).

Are there better pipes? Of course. But so what?

I find this reply answers the question so well, might as lock the thread...lol, as if!

Let's not forget that Alfred Dunhill was a salesman and promoter par excellence. He was able to sell the sizzle as well as an admittedly great steak. I recall going into the local (Toronto) Dunhill store long ago, when it was a tobacconist; crossing the threshold, there was a feeling of being someplace special...and it was!

 

[AroEnglish]

I find this reply answers the question so well, might as lock the thread...lol, as if!

Let's not forget that Alfred Dunhill was a salesman and promoter par excellence. He was able to sell the sizzle as well as an admittedly great steak. I recall going into the local (Toronto) Dunhill store long ago, when it was a tobacconist; crossing the threshold, there was a feeling of being someplace special...and it was!

What was your shop you worked at called?

 

[grimpeur]

What was your shop you worked at called?

I was referring to me going into the Dunhill store as a customer. A customer wasn't just buying a pipe or tobacco, he was having a "smoking experience"!!!

I will always remember the day I walked to the store to find that it was gone, replaced by a...Barbie store.

 

[anotherbob]

Well people do buy them. So to them it's worth the price. But honestly there isn't some magical official reason they're worth more or less then any other pipe. The price makes more sense though the more I see pipes and realize that I can eyeball certain brands without seeing the dots or labeling.
To put it another way is a nice looking tailored suit really worth more then any other item of clothing?

 

[jpmcwjr]

Well people do buy them. So to them it's worth the price. But honestly there isn't some magical official reason they're worth more or less then any other pipe. The price makes more sense though the more I see pipes and realize that I can eyeball certain brands without seeing the dots or labeling.
To put it another way is a nice looking tailored suit really worth more then any other item of clothing?

Well, very much so in certain settings.

This thread will go on and on, with the usual suspects adding their pro or con comments, so another day or two, and this one is done.