Has Forums Gone Budget On Pipes?

[hoosierpipeguy]

If anything, the forums encourage members to spend more on pipes than less. If not for forums, I'd likely have never heard of Jose Rubio, Jack Howell, Ryan Alden or Martin Cermak to name a few. A pipe smoker with a collection of Artisan pipes or nice Castellos isn't going to suddenly switch to cobs because they read how great they smoke on this forum.

 

[OzPiper]

Decades ago when I first got interested in wine, one of my mentors told me "You're never going to convert someone to wine if you give them a glass of 2-buck chuck !
But put a glass of Krug or Ch d'Yquem in their mitts, and chances are you will have yourself a convert"

The glass of 1976 Krug did it for me years ago. Much to the detriment of my pocket.

Not saying everyone will have the same reaction. I have a very dear friend who is very happy drinking $2 bottles daily. But that is not to say he doesn't appreciate a more expensive drop. Just that his palate is content with where its at.

He's happy to share one of my bottles, just as I'm happy to share in one of his.

If a cob gives you a great smoke, I can appreciate asking "Do I need a $500 custom-made ?"

There is sufficient diversity in pipes (and tobacco) to satisfy everyone, without denigration.

 

[OzPiper]

To be fair, most of the pipes I own cost between $5 and$15 in the early 1900's.

Those are the numbers I'm going with.

That IS high end for the time !
More likely 2s 6d (2 and six)

 

[clickklick]

I think many higher grade collectors have foregone forums entirely and are mostly meeting over video chats weekly with other high end collectors. It's a niche within a niche. I would be much more free in sharing my acquisitions with other people that I know appreciate the same.

Vintage tobacco as well.

 

[ashdigger]

That IS high end for the time !
More likely 2s 6d (2 and six)

Don’t crush my fake attempt to hide my indulgence. Lol.

 

[sablebrush52]

The majority of the pipe porn posting happens on the WAYS thread, in which I don't participate. Every now and then @JimInks alerts me to a pipe he's seen on that thread that he thinks will interest me.
I don't have any interest in posting any of my pipes unless it's germane to the topic being discussed. Most of them haven't been photographed. I also don't post pictures of my cellar. There's nothing special about it. It's just a bunch of tins, bags and jars, nothing exceptional.
The pipes I own are pipes that interest me, but I don't harbor any expectation that they would interest anyone else. I did post the big ass Jack Howell because he did a bang up job with it. BTW. it's a terrific smoker!
Pipes and tobaccos are a personal pleasure. It doesn't really occur to me to post any of it.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I rarely post makers on the WAYS thread, same as band etiquette with cigars though my collection spans from pipes gifted to me to four figures.

 

[anotherbob]

If anything, the forums encourage members to spend more on pipes than less. If not for forums, I'd likely have never heard of Jose Rubio, Jack Howell, Ryan Alden or Martin Cermak to name a few. A pipe smoker with a collection of Artisan pipes or nice Castellos isn't going to suddenly switch to cobs because they read how great they smoke on this forum.

and also same with more mid range pipes as well. So many more affordable pipe brands many of us never really saw before or more importantly saw their extended range beyond what the local shops have. Thanks gives me a thought about this.
The old schoolers had to be dedicated to be collectors. And had to have a budget to match. Now with the internet people on a budget can collect as well and have a good range of pipes to enjoy.

 

[Chasing Embers]

A pipe smoker with a collection of Artisan pipes or nice Castellos isn't going to suddenly switch to cobs because they read how great they smoke on this forum.

Had it not been for a cob manufacturer going head shop I could've easily done that very thing. A cob's open draw is better than any artisan I've smoked, briar, meerschaum, or morta.

 

[OzPiper]

Had it not been for a cob manufacturer going head shop I could've easily done that very thing. A cob's open draw is better than any artisan I've smoked, briar, meerschaum, or morta.

Ah, I had been wondering why you'd gone off them ?

 

[kcghost]

I think there have been posts that are very critical of buying high end pipes. Personally I like seeing them but must admit when a pipe will cost me $600 or more I just have to walk away. I simply can not afford that level of expenditure. There aren't many pipesmokers left. As the old saying goes "We have to hang together".

 

[judcole]

I do participate in the "What Are You Smoking?" threads; I view them as rather like a bunch of us sitting around sharing a bowl. I agree with the comments about a lot of the pipe pics being in there. I tend to be out here on the forum in the morning, when I am smoking burley in a cob, so that's what you hear about.
My collection runs from cobs (lots) to Castellos (2). I haven't photographed them. When I share a pic of a purchase (which tend to be from the seller), it's usually because I am venturing into a new - to me - pipe maker. "I just got my first ------". Again, that's like the guys in a pipe club.
I really haven't noticed the posts critical of individuals for smoking high end pipes. Lord knows, there are lots of threads about "Are expensive pipes really better than (cobs, Grabows, whatever)." Maybe they are here and I am not paying attention to them.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

@JimInks 's threads are demonstrative in the sense of what smokers use on a regular basis. I know Jim has many pipes, but I see the same one often used on a daily basis. I enjoy keeping up with his threads. One can learn from them.

I also see many cob users on these same threads. This tells me the lowly cob does the job and are quite popular.

And, lastly, it seems that tobacco is where the good folks here tend to concentrate their interests.

Well one more, I enjoy reading @mso489 posts!! The value of this forum is the membership with its varied opinions and practices.

 

[scloyd]

I love looking at the pipes people post on this forum, be it a New Rossi or an ancient Barling

Me too. I sometimes scroll through the WAYS thread just to look at the pipes.

If I give someone a "Like" in the WAYS thread, it's because I like the pipe they're smoking, not because of the tobacco they're smoking.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Me too scloyd, I couldn't care less what tobaccos guys are smoking. I mean sure, it's relevant, but I prefer tobacco reviews for tobacco discussions.

Sure, Peck had some amazing pipes, and of course Harris posted the same picture of his Rads over and over and over, haha. But, it seemed like we had more pipe pride. More people were showing off new Eltangs, Dunhills, etc... It wasn't just the forum untouchables. Remember N8, npod, mrlowercase, etc... showing off their new nice pipes, etc... But, I think this current membership has sorta shamed the high end buyers into feeling "guilty" for showing off. This doesn't even make sense. If there is anywhere a guy can show off a nice pipe, it is here and maybe their pipe clubs.

It has also been said over and over that the cob guys have run off most of the Dunhill and higher end collectors. Maybe you guys don't remember the cob wars, ha ha, where I got the moniker of cob hater (of which I am not) where on each high end or Dunny post we'd get a handful of guys who would come on and say "get a cob, they smoke better" which is complete bullshit anyways. And, if that IS your opinion, then maybe hold your tongue. On a new pipe post, all we should hear is the celebration of someone's new pipe.

And, I think we all know who I am talking about here... things like bragging about never paying more than $60 for a new pipe (or whatever the unbelievably low price is). Sure, that's great, but leave that shit off of someone's new pipe post. It's not always about you.

But :::sigh::: maybe this is just the way of pipe forums. Lets celebrate the cheap. It's just the way it is, I guess. I'm not complaining, as much as just making a State of the Forum observation.

And, if anything, the forum has become more tolerant of the lower end. I think we have detracted the Peterson haters, somewhat. And, I guess we are getting the low down on 5 star Lees more often, ha ha. And, damn, the cobs runeth over.

 

[Peter Peachfuzz]

Pictures of or questions about Dunhills always seem to bring the beat down.

Pictures of or question about nice lighters always seem bring out the. I only use matches or Zippo guys.

I'm a Honda type guy but I'll look at high end car pictures all day. Same with pipes I'm a Pete or Tinsky type guy but loved looking at foggy's Dunhills.

 

[ashdigger]

Let me see if I follow this.

If I show off my pipes I’m an arrogant douche.

If I don’t show off my pipes I’m an erudite iconoclast.

If someone figures out how much a pipe is worth I’m an arrogant bastard.

If I can prove I only smoke pipes that cost less that a Happy Meal I’m a man of the people.

These threads always amuse me, because I don’t give a flying fuck how much or little you make, I also don’t care if you smoke a cob or a super high end artisan, I care about seeing pipes.

I’ll truly never understand or underestimate man’s needs to measure his dick on on a public forum.

Anyway, here’s a 10 inch Meer.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Let me see if I follow this.

If I show off my pipes I’m an arrogant douche.

If I don’t show off my pipes I’m an erudite iconoclast.

If someone figures out how much a pipe is worth I’m an arrogant bastard.

If I can prove I only smoke pipes that cost less that a Happy Meal I’m a man of the people.

These threads always amuse me, because I don’t give a flying fuck how much or little you make, I also don’t care if you smoke a cob or a super high end artisan, I care about seeing pipes.

I’ll truly never understand or underestimate man’s needs to measure his dick on on a public forum.

Anyway, here’s a 10 inch Meer.

View attachment 146327

Ha, you should try a cob. They smoke the best, and you can always fix them with Elmers Glue if they break, unlike that fragile meerschaum,

I really don't care that the forum now berates the more expensive pipes. But, if someone wants to know why more people don't post pictures of higher end ones.... I can tell you this it is the jealous little quips that they draw.
You don't have to be rich to buy a higher end pipe. Hell, anyone can save up $1000. It's not like only the rich can afford one. Anyone can. It is nothing like buying a Lamborghini or a 20ct diamond ring. Hell, most high ends are way cheaper than even most Rolex watches. But, I get it. Some people have to chose between buying food for a baby or smoking. But, it just seems the forum has swung more to the people having to make hard choices.

But, if this is just the way the forum is now, then so be it. Obviously, by the remarks above, people know that if they post their high ends, that they will feel arrogant... or whatever.

But, Tom asked a question.... and there is my reply.

 

[timt]

I post pics of Castellos and cobs.

 

[sablebrush52]

Let me see if I follow this.

If I show off my pipes I’m an arrogant douche.

If I don’t show off my pipes I’m an erudite iconoclast.

If someone figures out how much a pipe is worth I’m an arrogant bastard.

If I can prove I only smoke pipes that cost less that a Happy Meal I’m a man of the people.

These threads always amuse me, because I don’t give a flying fuck how much or little you make, I also don’t care if you smoke a cob or a super high end artisan, I care about seeing pipes.

I’ll truly never understand or underestimate man’s needs to measure his dick on on a public forum.

Anyway, here’s a 10 inch Meer.

View attachment 146327

Girth is more important than length.