I hadn't thought about pipe smoking as a hobby when I took it up, although collecting pipes could easily become a hobby. It was more of an affectation for me---just something college students did. I could afford a modest pipe, a 2 oz pouch of tobacco and a sleeve of pipe cleaners (matches were free, after all) and still have enough left over for a dollar beer on the week ends.
Recently I got to thinking about the hobby aspect again.
I think it's a pretty near ideal hobby for a young man or someone of any age for that matter.
1. Briar pipes are pleasing to the eye. Sure there are some ugly pipes and beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that, but with most, form follows function. There is integrity in the design and honest simplicity in the materials.
2. You need to learn to smoke a pipe, or you'll burn your tongue and/or cough your guts out, It's not all that easy a thing to do, to slow down and pay attention. That's a critical part of any education, if you want something bad enough you have to work for it. It builds character and that, like an enjoyable bowl, is the reward.
3. Pipes are low maintenance. Once you've got your "kit" there is little else to do other than add tobacco and enjoy the reward.
4. Pipes are communal, or not. While a rarity these days, a pipe smoker will always acknowledge other pipe smokers we meet, but it is more often a case of enjoying your pipe while solo
5. Pipes are chick magnets. Pretty girls seem to find pipe smokers interesting. I don't exactly know why but I imagine it's the aroma of tobacco. We remind them of their fathers maybe. This is an excellent reason to take up the Briar, so someone else has the opportunity to remind your daughter of you.
6. There is History and Tradition involved. Pipe smokers share something with many great movers and shakers, both real and fictional? What other interest can one have in common with Mark Twain, Sherlock Holmes, and Douglas MacArthur?
7. As Huey Lewis would sing: "...don't need no credit card to ride this train." A cob and a pouch of codger is still less than $10 in most places, I'm guessing. cheaper than a round of miniature golf and lasts longer (matches are still free, after all) Of course you can spend as much money as you'd like, but you don't have to.
8. Pipe smoking compliments many other activities, like taking Fido for walks, fishing from a bank, sipping Brandy, reading classics, sailing a dinghy, raking leaves, etc... No one can accuse pipe smokers of being dull.
9. Pipe smokers tend to live longer. Close your eyes and think of an imaginary pipe smoker, They'll always be old men.
I wonder why?
10. Pipe smoking is like time travelling. You'll remember when and where you bought each of your pipes. Various tobacco blends will bring associated memories to the fore----campfires and Latakia, your mom's baking and delicious smelling aromatics, you get the idea.
Recently I got to thinking about the hobby aspect again.
I think it's a pretty near ideal hobby for a young man or someone of any age for that matter.
1. Briar pipes are pleasing to the eye. Sure there are some ugly pipes and beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that, but with most, form follows function. There is integrity in the design and honest simplicity in the materials.
2. You need to learn to smoke a pipe, or you'll burn your tongue and/or cough your guts out, It's not all that easy a thing to do, to slow down and pay attention. That's a critical part of any education, if you want something bad enough you have to work for it. It builds character and that, like an enjoyable bowl, is the reward.
3. Pipes are low maintenance. Once you've got your "kit" there is little else to do other than add tobacco and enjoy the reward.
4. Pipes are communal, or not. While a rarity these days, a pipe smoker will always acknowledge other pipe smokers we meet, but it is more often a case of enjoying your pipe while solo
5. Pipes are chick magnets. Pretty girls seem to find pipe smokers interesting. I don't exactly know why but I imagine it's the aroma of tobacco. We remind them of their fathers maybe. This is an excellent reason to take up the Briar, so someone else has the opportunity to remind your daughter of you.
6. There is History and Tradition involved. Pipe smokers share something with many great movers and shakers, both real and fictional? What other interest can one have in common with Mark Twain, Sherlock Holmes, and Douglas MacArthur?
7. As Huey Lewis would sing: "...don't need no credit card to ride this train." A cob and a pouch of codger is still less than $10 in most places, I'm guessing. cheaper than a round of miniature golf and lasts longer (matches are still free, after all) Of course you can spend as much money as you'd like, but you don't have to.
8. Pipe smoking compliments many other activities, like taking Fido for walks, fishing from a bank, sipping Brandy, reading classics, sailing a dinghy, raking leaves, etc... No one can accuse pipe smokers of being dull.
9. Pipe smokers tend to live longer. Close your eyes and think of an imaginary pipe smoker, They'll always be old men.
I wonder why?
10. Pipe smoking is like time travelling. You'll remember when and where you bought each of your pipes. Various tobacco blends will bring associated memories to the fore----campfires and Latakia, your mom's baking and delicious smelling aromatics, you get the idea.
