I don't know what all the criteria is about to be a real pipe smoker or to have a real pipe. Seems like the pipe ought be just a general extension of yourself, and not as some personally identifying trait that you bludgeon people with to prove your uniqueness.
I have seen folks do this with bikes and weight training methodologies. After a while, it turns into a lot of internet bickering because people do get insulted. Or they want to explain or reason or defend what has been insulted. And then someone else wants to whips out some percieved level of expertise or extra knowledge to prove them all wrong again.
I don't know if i am a real pipe smoker or not. I have some pipes and I smoke them, but sometimes I have problems in keeping a bowl lit, and basically all my pipes are cheaply bought second hand stuff. Except a basket pipe that smokes pretty good. I stick a lot with the same tobacco, too. Because I like it, although i experiment a bit, as well. But, I don't smoke any cool and exotic blends in a cool and exotic pipe.
I wasn't sure I was a real biker, even when I rode with a 3 patch MC. Too many folks running around putting lots of various criteria on what made you a true biker, or true Brother, or how you represented the Club. I liked to ride bikes, mostly. And I did what I could when I could. And I had a lot of peoples backs at one time. But probably some folks didn't like the way I rode or did stuff or covered peoples backs. But some must have, because they tell me all the time I can pick my Colors back up any time I like. But others wouldn't like it.
Maybe I should smoke a pipe now.