Evolving Tastes In Pipes, Or Not

[iamn8]

When I got "serious" about pipes, I collected standard Dunhills exclusively. Eventually I branched out, traded away most of my Dunhills for high grade S Bang, K Rasmussen, and American carvers like Cooke and Parks pieces. Lately I've returned to Dunhill, not consciously though. I didn't suddenly decide I'd return to Dunhill, it just kinda happened. This time I've limited it to either DR or "special" pipes, but it's interesting how ones tastes and desires evolve over time. While what you buy is a choice, what you like seems completely out of your hands.
I'm curious to hear how others tastes in pipes has evolved over time. I began a similar thread a few months ago, but the conversation sparked a Dunhill debate that I'd rather avoid this time. What was the first "nice" pipe you purchased and what was your most recent?

 

[clickklick]

Welcome to the revolving door we call pipe collecting.
I started with anything and everything to find what I liked. Low to mid grade I settled on danish stanwell and savinelli. I amassed a mismatch collection numbering about 130 at the greatest. I then bought a rad Davis and it smoked notably better than my machine mades.
I sold down all of the previous collection to focus on hand mades. I currently sit with 7 Stephen downies, 4 David McCarter, 11 rad Davis, and a few mismatch that were gifts or have sentimental value. I was mplanning on continuing to collect rad Davis indefinitely, but with his retirement that option is no longer feasible for me.
I have started making pipes myself in an attempt to get to making quality hand made pipes for myself instead. Will I offload some of my current collection..? I am thinking about it currently. I have 4 or 5 rads I'd let go currently. This would allow me to get the sandblasting equipment I need for pipe making.
And the door keeps turning.

 

[framitz]

Nate I got a charatan in 1965 I now have twenty some purchased some inherited. Love them. Own 80 other brands. Shel