The other night while I was sitting and cleaning a pipe my daughter, who is 18 now, came in and watched for a little while and finaly asked me "Why do you love the Pipe so much"? I thought about it for a moment and although I am not one that can put my thoughts into words easy or elegantly I did the best I could and this is the answer I gave her.
" It is hard to explain but I know you and your brother probably think I am crazy because I have so many and have collected pipes since before you were born and I continue to collect and smoke a pipe to this day, but for me pipes are more than just an object to put tobacco in or to fiddle with to pass the time. I love every aspect of the pipe. I love the beauty and art of the pipe. The different shapes, sizes, finishes, blast,stems, old designs, modern designs, it really doesn't matter, oh I have my favorites but overall they are all special in there own ways. I love the history of the pipe in itself. When you look at old photographs as far back as you can find you will see at least one lady or gentlemen with a pipe, sometimes more.
I love the mist-eek of the pipe , the fact that it is a symbol of the distquished lady or gentleman and yet the symbol of the coutriest of country boys, from Kings and Queens of England to the likes of my very family, Hillbillies from Southern Missouri."
This exclusive club I belong to is HUGE and yet very small in the grand sceme of things. I love the complextity of the pipe. Anyone can pick up a pipe and light it and make it burn but it takes skill and finesse to actually be able to "smoke" a pipe, to keep it lit, to actually taste and enjoy the aroma of the tobacco, to being able to smoke it, savor it for long periods of time and not throw it down in disgust with an aweful tongue bite."
I love the way a pipe smells and can bring back memories of days gone by , memories of loved ones who enjoyed the pipe and always pop into your head when you smell a certain blend or aroma. I love the looks and comments you receive when smoking a pipe, some in disdain and disgust at the very nerve of you smoking that nasty evil enemy "tobacco", but mostly how from the young and old alike," My Dad, Granddad, Uncle, Aunt, brother someone special to them smoked a pipe and Oh it smelled so good , thank you for the Memory".
I love the fact that pipe smokers know no prejudice, white, black, brown, yellow, red, green, old , young, male, female, it doesn't matter for there are pipes for everyone and every budget, from the cheapest Cob to the most expensive briar or Meer! There is a pipe for everyone that wants to partake in this age old ritual".
Then there is the history of the brands and makers themselves that call to me, the Old makers and the new alike. The history of a Brands such as Kaywoodie, Yello-Boles, Grabows,Bertrams, Arlingtons that at one time dominated the pipe world and then fell to the lowly status of "Drug Store pipe". The history of the brands who have been there, are here and will be here no matter what. Dunhills, Barlings,Charatans,Comoys,GBD,Peterson's,Castellos, Savinelli. The artisans themselves,whose list is to long to list here or discuss in such a short time."
The different countries that offer these works of art ,France, Italy, England, Denmark and the United States and countless others. All have had their " King of the briar" at one time or another and still offer a rich history to the world of pipe making."
Then finally the fact that unlike a cigar or cigerette , when you pick your favorite pipe to smoke your favorite blend , you can sit and relax and as you enjoy the tobacco , you can relish in the beauty and work of art you hold in your hand or clench in your jaw. The lines, the shapes, the grain, the sandblast, the nicks , the bruises, the history of that pipe and what it means to you and only you brings out the richness of the tobacco even better. Simple to say I love the Pipe and all that it intales".
She probably was not expecting such a long and drawn out answer but that is what she got. She smiled and in her quite soft voice said " I understand now". I have collected many things in her short life, Guns, Cars, motorcycles, boats, guitars but all have come and gone except the pipe. It has been my mainstain, my rock, my fall back on when things where good or bad. It has always been there, will always be here ! It has never let me down nor will it because no matter what! Every time I smoke it I sit with Kings, Queens, sailors, soldiers, statesmen, rich people, poor people , Grandfathers, Fathers, sons, daughters and everyone in between and although I usually sit alone I know I am in great company!! Happy Smoking to all and to all Happy smoking!!! :puffpipe:
" It is hard to explain but I know you and your brother probably think I am crazy because I have so many and have collected pipes since before you were born and I continue to collect and smoke a pipe to this day, but for me pipes are more than just an object to put tobacco in or to fiddle with to pass the time. I love every aspect of the pipe. I love the beauty and art of the pipe. The different shapes, sizes, finishes, blast,stems, old designs, modern designs, it really doesn't matter, oh I have my favorites but overall they are all special in there own ways. I love the history of the pipe in itself. When you look at old photographs as far back as you can find you will see at least one lady or gentlemen with a pipe, sometimes more.
I love the mist-eek of the pipe , the fact that it is a symbol of the distquished lady or gentleman and yet the symbol of the coutriest of country boys, from Kings and Queens of England to the likes of my very family, Hillbillies from Southern Missouri."
This exclusive club I belong to is HUGE and yet very small in the grand sceme of things. I love the complextity of the pipe. Anyone can pick up a pipe and light it and make it burn but it takes skill and finesse to actually be able to "smoke" a pipe, to keep it lit, to actually taste and enjoy the aroma of the tobacco, to being able to smoke it, savor it for long periods of time and not throw it down in disgust with an aweful tongue bite."
I love the way a pipe smells and can bring back memories of days gone by , memories of loved ones who enjoyed the pipe and always pop into your head when you smell a certain blend or aroma. I love the looks and comments you receive when smoking a pipe, some in disdain and disgust at the very nerve of you smoking that nasty evil enemy "tobacco", but mostly how from the young and old alike," My Dad, Granddad, Uncle, Aunt, brother someone special to them smoked a pipe and Oh it smelled so good , thank you for the Memory".
I love the fact that pipe smokers know no prejudice, white, black, brown, yellow, red, green, old , young, male, female, it doesn't matter for there are pipes for everyone and every budget, from the cheapest Cob to the most expensive briar or Meer! There is a pipe for everyone that wants to partake in this age old ritual".
Then there is the history of the brands and makers themselves that call to me, the Old makers and the new alike. The history of a Brands such as Kaywoodie, Yello-Boles, Grabows,Bertrams, Arlingtons that at one time dominated the pipe world and then fell to the lowly status of "Drug Store pipe". The history of the brands who have been there, are here and will be here no matter what. Dunhills, Barlings,Charatans,Comoys,GBD,Peterson's,Castellos, Savinelli. The artisans themselves,whose list is to long to list here or discuss in such a short time."
The different countries that offer these works of art ,France, Italy, England, Denmark and the United States and countless others. All have had their " King of the briar" at one time or another and still offer a rich history to the world of pipe making."
Then finally the fact that unlike a cigar or cigerette , when you pick your favorite pipe to smoke your favorite blend , you can sit and relax and as you enjoy the tobacco , you can relish in the beauty and work of art you hold in your hand or clench in your jaw. The lines, the shapes, the grain, the sandblast, the nicks , the bruises, the history of that pipe and what it means to you and only you brings out the richness of the tobacco even better. Simple to say I love the Pipe and all that it intales".
She probably was not expecting such a long and drawn out answer but that is what she got. She smiled and in her quite soft voice said " I understand now". I have collected many things in her short life, Guns, Cars, motorcycles, boats, guitars but all have come and gone except the pipe. It has been my mainstain, my rock, my fall back on when things where good or bad. It has always been there, will always be here ! It has never let me down nor will it because no matter what! Every time I smoke it I sit with Kings, Queens, sailors, soldiers, statesmen, rich people, poor people , Grandfathers, Fathers, sons, daughters and everyone in between and although I usually sit alone I know I am in great company!! Happy Smoking to all and to all Happy smoking!!! :puffpipe: