Great read Greg, thanks. I definitely identify with the first pipe smoker. Since the beginning of my journey, I have always taken very good care of my pipes, loved a variety of tobacco, and have had many different taste changes in terms of the pipes I smoke and the blends I reach for. I search for the perfect pipe and tobacco pairing and when I find it, Nirvana is where I am taken. I could never mis treat one of my pipes and let it get filthy, I am just not made up that way. I normally have at least 22-25 blends open at any given time because I live for variety. I don’t remember if I have ever smoked the same blend twice in one day, and the thought of smoking the same blend year after year is definitely foreign to me.
I have a neighbor 3 doors down, he smokes one Dr grabow pipe, his Captain Black Gold and he is happy as a clam. When he burns out his pipe, he buys another. He has been doing that for over 50 years. He loves his way, I love mine.