Need help finding a present for my pipe-smoking dad.

**Petesurfer** · 10-15-2009, 08:38 PM

Hello,

I'm in the need of advice. In a short time, I'm going to finish my university degree and hopefully start to work. With my first month of salary (and maybe second!) I would like to give each of my parents a nice present (for all the support they've given me throughout these years). Money apart, I'm looking for something charming, something they will remember, it doesn't matter if it's cheap or expensive, but it has to be something very personal. As my dad is an avid pipe smoker, I've thought I could find a nice present in that area. It looks like there's quite a number of pipe smokers here in the forum, could you please recommend me something? I would be specially grateful if it's something that can be bought from an online vendor.
Thank you so much in advance!

**lamina** · 10-16-2009, 04:27 AM

Pipe smoker?!Great, when i was at Eskisehir in Turkey i was quite surprised about white pipes made of meerschaum stone or écume de mer.They are the Rolls of pipes but you will need an expert vendor to get a good one: from replicas made in China to cracked pipes you can get anything, sometimes the carved ones hide small defects and tiny cracks.But it is widely accepted best ecume are the turkish one.But ask for a pro at the store or before take your time at a library and try to find some Collector's Guide Pipes, the book will have a list of reputed artisans and pros and cons of each material such as briar wood or bog oak (bog will breaks easly). Take your time and find books about. And there are plenty of pipes forums too around always asking for tips about meer...About vendors online:try to find first a well reputed street store (the guide book...) make some phone calls before about what you want and so on.Compulsory to see the item first in hands, before buying it.They are small jewels, if good far superior even in price to briar wood pipes, and a bad one will ruin your intention.For such a high price you should have an exquisite object!!

**Commander Quan** · 10-16-2009, 07:15 AM

Check out the IM Corona lighters. I like the Old Boy and the Classico. They are considered some of the best pipe lighters and should last him the rest of his life, (and maybe yours too)

**jwhite** · 10-16-2009, 09:16 AM

Here are some links for you! some of these will be a bit pricey some economical. I'll leave it to you to decide whats best

http://www.finepipes.com/
This guy has an awesome selection of collector pipes for sale of the highest quality. I would suggest a pre-war dunhill but browse the site I'm sure there is something for every pipe smokers taste.

http://www.twocousinspiperacks.com/
These guys make custom pipe furniture that is far from ordinary. I'm sure any of their selections would be well received.

http://www.pipes.org/links/index.php...ry=Accessories
This is a list of links that include two cousins but also has a variety of custom tampers and other elegant accessories.

http://pipesandcigars.com/
This is a large online retailer with very good pricing on new stock.
Here you could put together gift set with leather tobacco/pipe pouch, pipe tool/tamper, and lighter (including the old boy mentioned above)
They also carry my favorite pipe maintenance set in wooden storage box,(I have one)http://pipesandcigars.com/copitoset.html

http://www.pipes.org/
And if none of those get you where you want to go check out this sight and click the links section. Its divided by accessories, retail, etc., just loads of places to check out.

I hope this helps, your dad is a lucky man