Calling All Hobbyists

[Morrison Jeremiah]

I must admit that I predominantly smoke a pipe as a way to get nicotine. The flavour is a big bonus.

Of course, there are hobby like aspects even for a non hobbyist - the ritual of preparation, the collecting, the cleaning, the cellaring etc.

I would like to know if you started as a hobbyist, and then became a sucker for the nicotine and the flavour.
Or have you remained a strict hobbyist ?
What was it that attracted you to the hobby ?

I'd like to hear what, if any, historical aspects you are fascinated by.
I'd like to know these things in order to deepen my own appreciation of pipe smoking.
And hope that other forum members will be interested as well.

 

[The Amish Tyrant]

Pe

I must admit that I predominantly smoke a pipe as a way to get nicotine. The flavour is a big bonus.

Of course, there are hobby like aspects even for a non hobbyist - the ritual of preparation, the collecting, the cleaning, the cellaring etc.

I would like to know if you started as a hobbyist, and then became a sucker for the nicotine and the flavour.
Or have you remained a strict hobbyist ?
What was it that attracted you to the hobby ?

I'd like to hear what, if any, historical aspects you are fascinated by.
I'd like to know these things in order to deepen my own appreciation of pipe smoking.
And hope that other forum members will be interested as well.

Personally, I enjoy the ritualistic experience along with flavor and smell. Nicotine is a plus.

 

[lawdawg]

Calling pipe smoking a “hobby” around here has been pretty controversial. I don’t really like calling it that, but in truth every single one of us here is a pipe smoking hobbyist. If you care about something enough to join an online forum and constantly discuss the subject, it’s a hobby.

That said, I started smoking a pipe to help quit cigarettes, and because a couple older guys in my family smoke pipes. In some sense, it started as a nicotine thing, but I quickly realized there was more to it than that.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I started as a pipe smoker! Does that count? But has it evolved into a true hobby? I don't care to label myself as a hobbyist, though I may be one.

 

[warren]

I started the pipe as an end to a means. Already a committed cigarette smoker and a fan of Red Man, in college I noticed the coeds went for profs and their pipes. Ergo, I added the pipe as another nicotine delivery system. Never looked back. So, never a dabbler, I took to the pipe like a duck takes to ........

 

[scloyd]

I'm strictly a hobbyist. I may smoke two bowls this week and not pick up a pipe again for another few weeks. I enjoy sitting on the swing in the backyard on cool evenings with a pipe, a fire going in the firepit, sipping on a glass of Cointreau. If a new blend comes available like Warped Scarecrow, I usually buy two tins, one for me and one for my son.

 

[Ettrick puffer]

I started smoking the pipe on the passing of my father. This along with the nostalgia of the memory of my father smoking the pipe along with the stories passed on of my grandfather and my great grandfather’s pipe smoking has been influential on my taking up the hobby. All my forefathers served in the military and to smoke a pipe that my great grandfather smoked in the Boer War is very special. My late father would reminisce of exchanging baccy with Russian soldiers at the partition of Germany following the end of the Second World War. I’m eternally grateful to my forefathers for their sacrifice and their survival as without I wouldn’t be here today.
Lest we forget.
Ettrick puffer

 

[solideogloria86]

I smoked cigarettes for a long time. Quit them using Snus, now I use tobacco free nicotine pouches.
I got into pipe/cigar smoking purely for the hobby/ritual/flavor aspect. I treat beer and whiskey the same way.
I've commented on this before. I don't want non alcoholic beer/whiskey or no nicotine tobacco.
Alcohol and nicotine add to the whole experience but aren't the main thing for me. I want the whole experience. Flavor and nicotine.

 

[Christos D. Tsatsaronis]

I like the "ritual", the taste and the smell/flavour. I have a collection of ca 50, inexpensive pipes and a small cellar of around 30 tins/pouches. I also liked to be a member of the local pipe club, go to the meetings and post in the club forum until I left because things changed there, towards a direction I didn't like anymore.
The hobby part for me is small repairs, making my own tampers, stands, racks e.t.c.
And I can surely say that when I smoke the pipe, once per day (in the morning), that is a happy time for me.

 

[WVOldFart]

I started smoking a pipe 41 years ago because my Mentor smoked a pipe and because I was and still am a great Sherlock Holmes enthusiast. I never smoked for the nicotine and have taken extended periods away from the pipes through the years. I do enjoy collecting pipes because they are pieces of art. I enjoy trying the different tobaccos because I enjoy the search for that certain taste. I would say it is a hobby for me and one I do enjoy. Now, that I am retired I can spend more time enjoying that hobby.

 

[mso489]

I don't want to repeat myself too much, but it seems to me that I inherited not many nicotine receptors. If I happen to need to stop pipe smoking for a week or two because of a cold, etc., my mood doesn't change and I don't experience cravings. Does that make me a hobbiest? I don't think of it that way. An old sensualist, maybe.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I smoke a pipe for the sheer enjoyment of smoking. Collecting pipes is the hobbyist side for me.

 

[OzPiper]

Like many, I got a pipe to get away from cigarettes. It was, and is never ever about the nicotine. Just as having a glass of wine or cognac is about the flavour and not the alcohol effect(s).

I enjoy looking at pipes (more photos everyone of your pipes please). I love the variety in pipe shapes and the different materials they come in. I love the huge palette of flavours available with the different tobaccos and blends. How a particular blend smokes differently in briar vs a meer vs morta Ve cob. Infinitely more possibilities than cigars.

And for the "collectors" one can delve into old Britwoods, or classic Danish, or American artisans, etc.

And being able to join this forum is a huge bonus.

 

[Morrison Jeremiah]

I started smoking the pipe on the passing of my father. This along with the nostalgia of the memory of my father smoking the pipe along with the stories passed on of my grandfather and my great grandfather’s pipe smoking has been influential on my taking up the hobby. All my forefathers served in the military and to smoke a pipe that my great grandfather smoked in the Boer War is very special. My late father would reminisce of exchanging baccy with Russian soldiers at the partition of Germany following the end of the Second World War. I’m eternally grateful to my forefathers for their sacrifice and their survival as without I wouldn’t be here today.
Lest we forget.
Ettrick puffer

I feel so emotional after what you just said, I hardly know how to respond, except to say,
I will never forget, and will always be thankful to those who did their duty, in this country and abroad.

 

[Morrison Jeremiah]

I don't want to repeat myself too much, but it seems to me that I inherited not many nicotine receptors. If I happen to need to stop pipe smoking for a week or two because of a cold, etc., my mood doesn't change and I don't experience cravings. Does that make me a hobbiest? I don't think of it that way. An old sensualist, maybe.

My father would often drink cider.
I said to him once - After all that you must be feeling a bit fiddly.
He gave me a rather surprised look and said - I haven't got a clue what you're talking about. It's just a drink.
so I guess he had no alcohol receptors.

 

[C&D Fanatic]

I started as a cigar purist - bought
one for a particular birthday and shortly after had a humidor and bought by the box. I got the itch to try a pipe and even with a basket pipe and overpriced Cap'n B, all the negatives I had with stogies (ruined by relighting, strong mouth linger, price, accessories, humidity) were no longer an issue. Over time the cigars started sitting for only occasions with friends and the pipe was the regular method of enjoying quality tobacco.

From there it was sampling the varieties (way more than cigar notes) and the ritual that kept me piping. I still enjoy a nice cigar, and the fact I pipe more means my cigars tend to get more age by the time I smoke them, but that's how I came over to the pipe. I consider it a past time like any other leisure activity, I'm not a nicotine freak or anything (I like burley kick but don't search out the nicotine buzz/hit) but it's stuck ever since.

 

[Waning Embers]

I joined to learn how to restore estates and stayed as my job has provided me little to no social interaction for over a decade. I'm also on a cigarette forum as well as a smokeless tobacco one. I put little thought into preparation or smoking and pipes get cleaned just as any tool would. I put back pipe, cigarette, and chewing tobacco in a cellar just as one would food to protect against lack of supply or rising costs because I like nicotine. As for the pipes themselves, unless made for me or given to me as gifts, they're quite disposable if they fall into disuse or out of favor. Some are hobbyists, others aren't. I just find it another way to enjoy tobacco smoke when I have to use my hands for puzzles or work.

 

[Cappy]

Never smoked cigarettes. Never been hooked on nicotine. I just enjoy the overall pipe experience. On my porch before daylight with pipe and coffee with one dog on my lap and one beside my chair with shooting stars overhead and crickets in the trees. Couldn’t be much further from FB, IG, and Twitter. And that’s a great place to be.

 

[JOHN72]

Smoke the first cigarettes in the army, I didn't like them at all. Only cigars,And now pipe tobacco too. The pleasant smell that was always at home or at my father's work. That mix of tobacco, and the smell of truck, early morning in the restaurant cafe. A tradition that always fascinated me. In love with this ritual, so old and fantastic

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

I intentionally didn’t read subsequent posts. A person sent me pipes and tobacco as a house warming. I haven’t smoked in 45 years, but was addicted to chewing tobacco for 25. I’m strictly in it for the experience and I find pipes interesting. I discarded my cellar, and emptied bag this AM. So, tomorrow or Monday, I might think about reloading.