SenorSmokesALot

The first thing you have to ask yourself is: what do you need in a pipe? If you don't live by yourself or you need a pipe that you can bring around you may want to look at a small spoon or a one hitter. For stealth purposes dugouts are really good. Any of these can be bought at your local head shop for under 20 depending on the quality.

If you live by yourself or with someone who doesn't care that you smoke your options open up a lot more. A large spoon with thicker glass is ideal. They're easy to smoke and good looking. If you want a little more style you can get one of the more intricate looking pipes but note that these often are the ones that break easily. A sherlock is a good hybrid between these two. They look awesome and are a little more durable than the more intricate pipes.

A normal large spoon can run anywhere from 25 to 65 dollars again depending on the quality. Intricate pipes run anywhere from 60 to 150 dollars and a good sherlock costs about 40-50. You can get lower quality for cheaper of course and they have nicer ones for more.

You can also get a wooden or stone pipe. These are going to be much more durable than glass. Wood pipes don't last forever and many people don't enjoy the taste. Stone carved pipes last forever but there's less of a selection and they are often more expensive than a glass.

Other things to consider:
Size of bowl, do you smoke with friends or do you smoke a lot by yourself. The more you smoke in one sitting the larger the bowl should be.

Length, the longer the pipe the softer the hit. Or i should say the smaller the pipe the harsher and hotter the hit.

Is it smokable? My first pipe didn't have a hole in the bowl so I couldn't smoke out of it. Luckily I knew the clerk at the headshop so I got a refund but most headshops probably wouldn't be so nice. Make sure the pipe works before you buy it.

Color, look and feel. Personal preferance of course but make sure you get one you like. Your pipe and you will share some good times together so you should get one that is attractive to your eye. Makes the high that much better.

Practicality. You shouldn't get a pipe that's difficult to smoke out of. There are also many new high tech pipes that are freakin awesome! I saw one the other day that was a pipe and a lighter and it folded up.

Pick a name and light up. Good luck!