After reading the thread that shaintiques wrote earlier, it kind of pissed me off. I can’t wait for the trading and that new incredible box! When I set off on an adventure, which pipe smoking certainly qualifies. Just like the 20+ years of cigars. I gather all the information possible, determine a strategy. Right now the panic about cost rising has put me in overdrive on identifying the difference on what to store, and what not. The incredible difference in leaf, area, ageing and process is a world you can spend a lifetime grasping. I can’t wait to be buying raw and blending my own.
The way I’ve been doing it is when anyone mentions a brand, I cut and paste it into my database, track down what information I can including what the cost is (mainly P & C) and add a tin or bulk 4-8oz buy on my order. Of course I can’t get them all, but trim it down and put the rest on the wish list. When I get the order, line them up like a child, then set them in my try order. After two bowls of a brand I then add my thoughts to the database. Can you tell I owned a computer company?
Right now I’ve gleaned about 50 brands and get about a ten new ones a month. I’ve adopted the buy one to smoke and one to hoard those I liked (thanks for the idea). What sucks is that for the time being the tobacco has to be the prime interest, hedging against taxes and the ageing of certain blends. Pipes on the other hand seem to be something that is expanding in availability and talent. I see no threat that can be hammered on that trade; the collecting will be the future leg of this journey. In fact I may give it a shot myself.
I’m making plans to attend the Chicago show, hope you meet some of you in person.
Craig
