Medico?

[NathanExplosion]

Hello,

Just wondering how good these pipes are for the money? I know they're cheap, but I didn't want to spend that much on my first pipe. So performance wise, how good are they?

[Cobra27]

Welcome to the group I have no experiance with Medico pipes

[HowlinWolf]

Hi, welcome!

You won't have any problems at all with a Medico pipe. They smoke just fine.

The only thing is that they're purpose-built to accomodate a paper filter. Each filter is only good for a handful of smokes at best, so you'll need to keep filters in stock. They're not expensive, and they're widely available w/o having to send away for them.
You can successfully smoke a Medico w/o the filter, too, but you'll notice a difference in how the pipe draws - more openly.

Happy puffing!

[NathanExplosion]

I never picked up and filters after I threw out the one that was in there when I bought it. Maybe I'll pick some up and see if I can tell the difference.

[HowlinWolf]

I never picked up and filters after I threw out the one that was in there when I bought it. Maybe I'll pick some up and see if I can tell the difference.

A lot of people don't use the filter. Including me, even though I like them. Too much like work.

To see the difference, other than draw and that the pipe might smoke drier with the filter in,
let the pipe cool down completely before trying to take the stem off (this is true of all pipes except those that have an "Army" type push mount, BTW).
You'll notice that the filter is quite damp and tar stained.
At this point it'll occur to you that maybe trapping all that moisture and tar is perhaps a good thing.

At that point you'll be at Ye Olde use filters? / don't use filters? fork in the road.

[MasonM]

Medico pipes are ok for what they are. Personally I like Dr. Grabow pipes a little better, but they're pretty much along the same lines. An inexpensive, decent smoking pipe.

I generally don't use the filters as I have enough pipes to rotate them around during the day, but if you're going to just be smoking the one pipe for a period of time (going out and only taking one with you for instance) using the filters can allow you to get dry smokes from repeated use. I use my Savinelli pipes that way. I'll take one along with a fresh balsa insert and can get several good dry smokes from it.

A couple of filters or balsa inserts take up a lot less pocket room than three or four pipes.

[Legend]

I got a Medico Gold Crest pot that I am waiting on, should be here tomorrow. I can't wait, I've never smoked a filter pipe. Even my Grabows are filterless, or have a stinger.

[Titus13]

I just purchased a medico silver crest it seems like a well made pipe
for the money it felt good in my hand.I just statred breaking it in with
carter hall it seems it will be a good smoker

[Legend]

I smoked some Telegraph Hill in the Gold Crest, w/ a Doc Grabow filter in it. I liked the smoke, the pipe ain't the prettiest, but it smoked cool and dry with the filter. An inexpenve pipe, under $10, smokes great.

[Marksthx138]

Welcome to the forum. I have a couple older Medicos. They aren't my prettiest pipes, but they smoke pretty well. The wood is good in them too. I don't know anything about the new Medicos though.