Again, How Many Pipes Recommended?

[americaman]

A large group four is as small as I can go, any thing smaller is a waste of my time. Typically, group six or magnum are what I smoke.

I am finding this to be my preference as well. I am gravitating towards large pipes around group six in size.

 

[BuckChickman]

I have something like 60 pipes, despite smoking only once a week at most. I have about 10 lower-end estates I collected in the last few years, and then inherited a rather nice collection of 50 a few months ago after a family friend passed away. Given my smoking frequency the new collection honestly feels like a bit of a burden to have around at times, so I'm thinking about selling a bunch. But which ones....?

 

[Elric]

Enough to smoke the blends you want but no more than you are willing to clean.

 

[lelik]

4 or 5 good meerschaums and 6 to 7 briars. I think that's enough.

 

[jpberg]

Depends if it’s a hobby or not.

 

[forflakessake]

I have 6, 2 - Aro , 2 - Eng/Balkan, 2 - Navy Flakes

Id like a few more, but I have two per style i go for so justifying "need" is out of the question for now. Although I could have a weeks worth of flake pipes and that'd be fine

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

I think I told myself to sell off a bunch of pipes when I discovered I had over 40 of them.
20 would be ideal.
I probably have close to 80 now.

 

[ophiuchus]

This topic is one of those dead horses that’s totally worth beating once in a while. I think my answer changes every time it comes up.

In my college days, when pipes were making the transition from mainstream to novelty, I had an MM cob, a straight pot refurb, and a brace of Grabow Omegas (one smooth, one rusticated); my peers considered this number extravagant. As the Omegas had been used for more than the traditional function of a tobacco pipe, one had its life ended ceremoniously in a bonfire after I graduated, and the other was quietly left at a house where several of my friends lived (where I’m sure its more unconventional use continued). I got away with only the remaining two for years.

Since moving from Illinois to Michigan, the majority of my collection remains boxed up until I move into my forever house. Clearly I don’t need any of those, but I look forward to a day when I unpack and display these old companions again. I’m sure it’ll be like hopping into a time machine.

I continue to be a relapsing/remitting sufferer of Pipe Acquisition Disorder. Sometimes I think I’ve got enough and stop buying for months ... even a couple years ... when I’m struck by the stupid idea that I want to fill a 12-pipe rack with fresh Stanwell 86s, and the obsession starts all over again.

My point is there is no point. I’d say one could get away with two or three. The seven-day rotation always seemed sound to me. And, as a highly esteemed fellow member recently demonstrated, one is all you need. But we all know how far any of that logic will get you.

 

[ophiuchus]

One pipe, then if you really enjoy this thing, another one. After that better try a cob. Oh and save up for a nice meer. Then a meer lined briar just for comparison. Falcons are a bit gimmicky, every collection needs one. Don't forget the clay! All your bowls are quite big, so time to shop for a couple of smaller bowled pipes, maybe a nose warmer too for smaller pockets. On the flip side there is use for a huge bowl on occasion, maybe something with a cool blast....

I found this post compelling. This line of thought was what drove me to buy my first Falcon ... and then I didn’t feel right until I had three. Now, I’m thinking that I don’t have a meerschaum pipe yet ...

Damn you guys!

 

[mso489]

The attachment to my many pipes is disconcerting. It would make sense to sell or trade half or two-thirds off and buy a few up-market pipes and leave it at that, but the variety is appealing when I actually decide to pack a bowl. I smoke all 92, and in the actual smoking, it doesn't seem like too many, and I don't smoke that much. A bit nuts, but so it seems.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

I keep buying attractive U.K. made pipes with the way the GBP has been lately, might have to finish a collection of Blakemar Kings Imperial pipes.
James Barber has a fantastic selection of beautifully blasted pipes for what seems like unreasonably low prices.

 

[Old School 3319]

I have roughly 20 pipes. I usually smoke the same 4 or 5 daily but i do have a rotation of some that i smoke on the weekends or I get a wild hair. Out of all them I have one that is my always close and gets the most use and abuse. Its a Dr Grabow grand duke that just smokes so well I keep going to it

 

[davek]

I smoke cobs and generally smoke a pipe for a day or three before resting it. You could get by with one I think, but I'm going to say three to seven would easily suffice.
I have about 20.

 

[wolflarsen]

Around a half dozen should be plenty. Plus a few cobs of course.

 

[smknron]

As far as need, probably one if you take very good care of it, but one for each day works great ! I have 12 pipes that I use and enjoy. A couple of cobs. Most are straight, billiard, a couple bent. I have 3 Graybo's and love the way they smoke. A cheap Rossi Vittoria that smokes just great and I found that it doesn't matter how much you spend on a particular pipe, it's how much you like it. How you like the way it smokes your favorite tobacco. Oh so many favorites I have, pipes and tobaccos. Its something I love. If the virus was gone I would invite you all over to talk and smoke our favorites!

 

[username]

I own about a dozen or so. Works for me and a nice variety for rotation. But hey how many can you afford.

 

[bullet08]

Last count was 18. That was last yr. My wife asked me how many I have and counted it. Wasn't thinking. I know I have more now, but haven't counted since. Was shooting for 21. Good number. 3 weeks of rotation since I only smoke 1 bowl a day. I know I'm getting two more to finish 2nd series of Peterson SH.