>>1073854I've found things locally in junk shops and bought new pipes from B&M shops too, but the vast majority of my stuff comes from eBay.
What I look for is:
>no major damage. Normal wear is ok-I smoke my pipes after all-but split bowls, cracked stems and broken mouthpieces render a pipe unisable, and are a no-go.
>Price vs condition. Until you get into the super-prestigious names (Dunhill, Peterson, Comoy, Sasieni, signed meerschaums, etc), used pipes are a buyer's market. You can get any number of great smoking pipes for well under $10 each, and you can afford to be picky. If you buy multi-piece lots or a pipe rack wth them the price can go even lower (or even free). For just regular-tier stuff, I want to see no deal breakers listed above, but also no major repairs done (that I can tell), no major tooth marks on the mouthpiece, no missing finish on the bowl, and preferably a brand name on the pipe, even if it's not very prestigious. No-name pipes can be great, but they're seconds-why should I spend money on seconds when I can buy first-quality pipes for the same money or even less?
>noveltyI've gotten to the point where I've got enough regular pipe shapes to satisfy me, but I'll still look twice at something that looks different, is made of something exotic or is some rare variation of something, like pic related-an aluminum bodied pipe with a corncob bowl.
>>1077127So much this.
Meerschaums can be gotten for cheap on eBay if you'll look. I haven't paid over $20 all in for a Meerschaum pipe yet, including some carved ones that were shipped across oceans to me. Most of them have been $10 or less, and the one I take out fishing I got with another pipe for $5. So they're out there and can be gotten for small cash, especially if you're willing to clean them up a little.
>>1077466Dunhill 965 (quintessential English Blend)
Cult Blood Red Moon (excellent Cherry aromatic)
Half and Half (my favorite widely available American blend)
