Hi, my name is Mike, and I've been a pipe smoker, off and on, for a little shy of 30 years. Rolled and smoked cigarettes (bugler or drum) off and on also, but have always preferred the pipe. Never been an either/or for me, though I don't think I've ever really had the tobacco addiction and have always been able to put them down without a problem, or at least with a minimal amount of longing.
Sort of feel like I'm at an AA meeting. No, never been to one, just from what I've seen on TV.
I'm a reformed pipe collector, having given away the majority of my collection the last time I gave up smoking a few years ago, and I have only a couple dozen of my favorites left now, with which I'm perfectly content and feel no need to acquire more pipes. Not unless it's a good cob or two (those can't be counted as part of any collection, right?)...or unless it's a really, really good deal and I fully intend to use it with at least some regularity...
I'm a fan of somewhat stronger tobaccos, my favorites (right now) are Brown Irish twist, Black Irish XX, Five Brothers, and I even enjoy a bowl of straight perique occasionally. Also enjoy a good VaPer, though Escudo is my favorite of those (ain't it everybody's?) and I refuse to buy anything regularly that I can't get in bulk so I don't smoke it often. Royal Yacht is also one I like very much, and many others I won't take the time to name. I will smoke less intimidating tobaccos also, but usually find them lacking in flavor and mostly don't enjoy them as much. A couple of favorite tobaccos of years (recently) gone by are Dunhill's 3 year matured VA's, Nightcap, and Charatan's English Mixture. Seems like every time I get pretty comfy with a tobacco for awhile, they stop importing/selling/making it.
Anyway, that's me.
