Hesitation to Pay for Smaller Pipes

[condorlover1]

I have few teeth so larger pipes are a no no for me. I would also posit that smaller bowls 125+ years ago were due to the cost of tobacco. Most clays I have seen have pretty small bowls but then what do I know about these things!

 

[Auxsender]

Let me start by saying I love small pipes. They are usually the proportions I like (chubby), are easy to clench, portable, etc. But when I am interested in buying a small pipe I have some pause, especially when I can get a bigger pipe for the same price (think Peterson 317 vs. 324 or 312). I know that size isn’t everything (in this case) and I do buy small pipes but there’s a hesitation that doesn’t exist with medium sized pipes and even less with large or XL pipes. Somehow I feel (rather than think) I'm getting less value with the small pipe.

How do you guys not fall into this trap?

I buy a pipe when I like it and I can afford it and I never ever think about value. The value to me is in the enjoyment I get when I use it and not in its cost/size ratio.

 

[AroEnglish]

So I view my pipes as tools when pipe shopping. If what I need is a 4" crescent wrench or #1 Philips head screwdriver, the cost of the 18" wrench or #4 screwdriver has nothing at all to do with my needs.

I needed a small bowl pipe for work, they'll not let me sit out with a pipe for an hour or more for a smoke break. So I had no reason to even look at a .8x2" bowl. That took the cost concerns away. There are indeed factors that go into pricing, some reasonable and others not so much (to my mind). And I'm not going into those factors, again it has no bearing on your current needs. So, like my tools, focus on your own needs and don't borrow troubles by looking at things that don't matter to your goals.

In the meantime, MM Morgans or Eatons are a great option until your find your ideal briar.

You’re right about thinking of them as tools.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I have few teeth so larger pipes are a no no for me. I would also posit that smaller bowls 125+ years ago were due to the cost of tobacco. Most clays I have seen have pretty small bowls but then what do I know about these things!

Having no teeth at all makes clenching much easier for me than when I had teeth.

 

[condorlover1]

@Chasing Embers: Funny you say that but I just cannot seem to deal with huge pipes due to lack of teeth. I guess each of us are different. You have mentioned your lack of teeth before and I have often marveled at your ability to clench some of those meerschaums you smoke.

 

[Chasing Embers]

@Chasing Embers: Funny you say that but I just cannot seem to deal with huge pipes due to lack of teeth. I guess each of us are different. You have mentioned your lack of teeth before and I have often marveled at your ability to clench some of those meerschaums you smoke.

The button rests against the ridges of my palate and I brace the stem with my lower gum. Very little force used.

 

[condorlover1]

I'll have to give that one a whirl!

 

[kanaia]

When you said small this is what I first thought of. These are fully functional.

 

[AroEnglish]

When you said small this is what I first thought of. These are fully functional.View attachment 233829

Love that middle one! Is that what the kids call a “one hitter”?

 

[RookieGuy80]

Oh yeah, I completely forgot about Falcons! A small bowl plus a much more economical way to scratch the PAD itch.

 

[proteus]

Depends on the purpose of the pipe for me. Smaller travel well and are more for a quick 30 min break. Some clench better. Big difference between pete 314 and a pete 307 and sav 320ks or xl02 in terms of clenching and smoke times. It's all situation dependent. Sometimes you smoke the cherry aro because people like it and sometimes you break out old joe because no is around or you're in good company.

 

[JOHN72]

I think it's good to have small pipes, for short moments.

 

[condorlover1]

Are you pleased to see me or is that your 'small size' in your pocket?

 

[AroEnglish]

Are you pleased to see me or is that your 'small size' in your pocket?

Can’t it be both?

 

[Auxsender]

Depends on the purpose of the pipe for me. Smaller travel well and are more for a quick 30 min break. Some clench better. Big difference between pete 314 and a pete 307 and sav 320ks or xl02 in terms of clenching and smoke times. It's all situation dependent. Sometimes you smoke the cherry aro because people like it and sometimes you break out old joe because no is around or you're in good company.

You’re very considerate. I’d rather not smoke than be concerned with the odor that others perceive. Its considerate pipers like you that don’t smoke Balkans around others that give pipe smoke it’s favorable public perception.

 

[proteus]

You’re very considerate. I’d rather not smoke than be concerned with the odor that others perceive. Its considerate pipers like you that don’t smoke Balkans around others that give pipe smoke it’s favorable public perception.

That and having only one ex wife and not two is valuable to me. My wife loves the smell of cherry tobacco. Therefore I love to smoke cherry tobacco.

 

[Sobrbiker]

That and having only one ex wife and not two is valuable to me. My wife loves the smell of cherry tobacco. Therefore I love to smoke cherry tobacco.

I already have two and don’t want three, so I smoke outdoors. I’ve been smoking a pipe since last fall, and we’ve been together 11yrs.
If pipes predated her, I’d be in my recliner right now, enjoying a smoke.

 

[proteus]

I already have two and don’t want three, so I smoke outdoors. I’ve been smoking a pipe since last fall, and we’ve been together 11yrs.
If pipes predated her, I’d be in my recliner right now, enjoying a smoke.

Over 30 years pipe smoking so yeah for me it predates them all but you know rule 1 is we are never right and rule 2 if we are right then refer to rule 1. Welcome to the world of pipes!