If you honestly won't take care of a blackwood set, then get the plastic. If you are unable or unwilling to treat them with care, then you probably do have a good reason to get poly. My question would be whether you really are this clumsy or just are overly worried about the possible delicacy of wooden pipes. McCallum gives a 2-year warranty, Soutar gives a lifetime warranty, others have other warranties. Just to consider.

For me, my pipes were a gift from my wife and she told me to pick out the pipes I really want. There are days I wonder if I should have gone with a cheaper set, but she would always say the same thing which is that she wants these to be something that stays in the family after we are dead and gone, so it is best to get the set I really wanted in the first place. And I'm glad I did.

Picking pipes is a very personal sort of thing, in a way. Ultimately, I think you need to pick bagpipes you would be happy with after playing for several years. I still feel it is significant that so many sets of the Dunbar poly pipes end up being resold. Every other brand seems to have a lot more long-term devotees, but Dunbars are viewed by many as beginner pipes, therefore something you grow out of. I started with the pipes I intend to finish with.

For what it is worth.

-Patrick