Expensive Pipes ~ Should I Smoke Them?

[anotherbob]

that's why I won't spend that much on a pipe. I don't need to worry about it.

 

[burleyboy]

Burleyboy, you scrimped and saved to be able to purchase those lovely pipes [...]

I agree with you in every point, but I guess, you meant the OP GentlemanJames instead of me.

 

[stokesdale]

I also wet my finger (with spit) and rub it on the rim beforehand. Seems to help keep everything clean and nice looking and deffinatly no charing.

I use to wipe the pipe bowl on my ass crack beforehand too, but that changed the flavor of the tobacco too much so I quit doing it.

 

[alaskanpiper]

Smoke them. If you are concerned about keeping them in good condition, take care of them well after each smoke.

If I bought a Ferarri, I’d drive it. If I bought a $200 steak, I’d eat it. If I bought a Ray Kappe house I’d live in it. If I had a $2000 bottle of scotch I’d drink it. If I married Scarlett Johansson I’d.......well, you get it ?

 

[Jef]

My thought is if you buy a pipe for an investment (something you would sell later for a profit or something very rare for a collection) then I would not smoke it. Otherwise.....enjoy a smoke.
Jef

 

[smokeyweb]

You can smoke them and be the one to enjoy them, or save them for the next owner to defile. Let me ask you this: If you married a beautiful virgin, would you preserve her virginity for her second husband, or tap dat ass?

 

[saltedplug]

I hear two questions: one: the affordability of pipes, and two, smoking the higher end. If saving up for a pricey pipe equals the satisfaction of smoking it, if the dent they put in your budget is equal to the joy of smoking it, perhaps. I'd ask, however, how much is this affecting your savings. If you your need to budget for the pipe runs half the year, for instance, what, if anything, are you saving during this time? If you spend thousand of dollars on pipes and tobacco, it's almost guaranteed that you wish you hadn't when you are older.

I'm persuaded that expensive pipes smoke no better than good factory mades; others think differently, especially about pre-1950s Dunhills. You probably have inexpensive pipes. Do they truly smoke less well than your Dunhill?

I wouldn't buy a pipe I wouldn't smoke.

 

[Chasing Embers]

You can smoke them and be the one to enjoy them, or save them for the next owner to defile. Let me ask you this: If you married a beautiful virgin, would you preserve her virginity for her second husband, or tap dat ass?

I'd tell her she was interrupting my smoking and drinking.

 

[stokesdale]

I hear two questions: one: the affordability of pipes, and two, smoking the higher end. If saving up for a pricey pipe equals the satisfaction of smoking it, if the dent they put in your budget is equal to the joy of smoking it, perhaps. I'd ask, however, how much is this affecting your savings. If you your need to budget for the pipe runs half the year, for instance, what, if anything, are you saving during this time? If you spend thousand of dollars on pipes and tobacco, it's almost guaranteed that you wish you hadn't when you are older.

I'm persuaded that expensive pipes smoke no better than good factory mades; others think differently, especially about pre-1950s Dunhills. You probably have inexpensive pipes. Do they truly smoke less well than your Dunhill?

I wouldn't buy a pipe I wouldn't smoke.

Very well put; I own 14 pipes, never spent more than $100 on one. I think that the trade off you imply is a real thing.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I'm persuaded that expensive pipes smoke no better than good factory mades; others think differently, especially about pre-1950s Dunhills. You probably have inexpensive pipes. Do they truly smoke less well than your Dunhill?

Any well drilled pipe is a good smoker. All things equal, the quality of the smoking is more about technique than equipment. Oh, and we all know what I think of those white dotted let downs.

 

[Tommy Boy]

I use to wipe the pipe bowl on my ass crack beforehand too, but that changed the flavor of the tobacco too much so I quit doing it.

So many ideas and different ways to handle the same problems on this forum. Some good and some maybe not so good. If ass crack is your thing go deep bro, You do you. Side note ill be passing on estate pipes from stokesdale.

 

[didimauw]

Good Afternoon Gents,

Going to ask a question that provides me with great angst: for those of you that are collectors, do you smoke ALL of your pipes? Are there some of the higher end pipes you avoid smoking? I'm not a rich man and it took a lot of saving and hard work to purchase my Dunhill Shell 5133 and Ser Jacopo Smeraldo Fiammata. I realize that many collectors have pipes that cost them thousands of dollars ~ I'm not trying to compete. I, personally, am proud of my collection and it makes me happy.

My torture is this: if I pack one of my expensive (>$500) pipes, I will constantly worry about damaging the rim while lighting the tobacco, biting too hard on the stem, etc. With all this worry, how can I enjoy my smoke? I know there is no point to owning a pipe if you're not going to smoke it; a pipe, at the end of the day, is a tool. How do you gents wrap your head around making the decision to fire up an expensive pipe?

I'm still a beginner ~ only been smoking pipes for a few years. I'll probably keep practicing on the cheapos, but some day....

This is why I don't buy artisan pipes. All my pipes get treated the same. Smoked in all weather, banged on things, fully caked and dirty, well worn friends. I like inexpensive pipes. But like Duane @chasingembers he smokes all his pipes. But he also takes Intricate care of all of them before during and afterwards. Mine go 3-5 smokes before I even run a damn pipe cleaner through them!

 

[philobeddoe]

Yes, I meant GentlemanJames, not Burleyboy. ?

 

[shanez]

Good Afternoon Gents,

Going to ask a question that provides me with great angst: for those of you that are collectors, do you smoke ALL of your pipes? Are there some of the higher end pipes you avoid smoking? I'm not a rich man and it took a lot of saving and hard work to purchase my Dunhill Shell 5133 and Ser Jacopo Smeraldo Fiammata. I realize that many collectors have pipes that cost them thousands of dollars ~ I'm not trying to compete. I, personally, am proud of my collection and it makes me happy.

My torture is this: if I pack one of my expensive (>$500) pipes, I will constantly worry about damaging the rim while lighting the tobacco, biting too hard on the stem, etc. With all this worry, how can I enjoy my smoke? I know there is no point to owning a pipe if you're not going to smoke it; a pipe, at the end of the day, is a tool. How do you gents wrap your head around making the decision to fire up an expensive pipe?

I'm still a beginner ~ only been smoking pipes for a few years. I'll probably keep practicing on the cheapos, but some day....

The answer, possibly, is no.

I view and purchase pipes neither as investments nor tools. They are viewed and purchased as things to bring me enjoyment. If I enjoy owning a particular pipe but never have nor intend to smoke it but simply enjoy owning and having it in my collection without smoking it that is my business and no one else's. BTW, I do have a couple pipes like this. I also have a couple of expensive ones, but not as expensive as the two aforementioned, that I smoke only on occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, or other similar celebrations.

Bottom line, there is nothing wrong with, nor any shame in owning any pipe you do not smoke or intend to smoke but rather simply like to know you own it or look at it.

 

[bnichols23]

I wouldn't buy a pipe I wouldn't smoke.

That's it for me. I don't buy to invest.

Bill

 

[docpierce]

On charring the rim. I noticed that if I raise the flame up before I stop drawing air- between puffs, the flame never touches the rim. That and a small dab of saliva around the rim helps keep that area cool. One more thing to add: a smaller flame from a bic or a wooden match reduces the chances of burning the exterior wood.

At an antique store, I once saw a cool old 1940's Custom bilt pipe with, what appeared to be a jet torch burn on the bit side of the rim. That burn was a full quarter inch deep. Ruined. Other than that- the pipe was in excellent shape. I suspect that the pipe was cared for by it's original owner only to fall prey to some careless person in recent days.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Bottom line, there is nothing wrong with, nor any shame in owning any pipe you do not smoke or intend to smoke but rather simply like to know you own it or look at it.

Still haven't smoked that Preben Holm Hallmark volcano. Meant to last year and never got around to it.

 

[docpierce]

If ass crack is your thing go deep bro, You do you. Side note ill be passing on estate pipes from stokesdale.

Unless, perhaps it was BROBS' Strawberry Shortcake AC estate pipe. I guess that'd be okay.

 

[sablebrush52]

If smoking an expensive pipe is going to cause you angst, don't smoke expensive pipes. Some of my best smokers were very modestly priced.
I do have a couple of pipes that I don't smoke, like my unsmoked 1907 Barling cased set. I have no desire, nor need to smoke it. I have a few other vintage unsmoked pipes that I enjoy owning in their ancient pristine condition. Everything else, I smoke, including several of my 19th century briars. But firing up an ancient virgin briar can be very dangerous for the pipe. Old briar can crack on the first bowl.
Ultimately, it doesn't matter what I, or anyone else thinks about it. They're your pipes. Do as you please.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I have, however, taken to intentionally charring my cob rims.