That's a reasonable suggestion I will give some thought to. Is that a SP Store Credit or is it restricted to buying pipes from them? I'd probably rather exchange the pipes for tobacco.
I Think I've Finally Hit Bottom
- Thread starter greysmoke
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I've sent 3 to SP's estate department. I received an email upon arrival confirming that they had the pipes, and would evaluate them in the next week to ten days.
A week later, as promised, they emailed me a letter with 2 offers. One with an amount for store credit. And another figure for cash, a bit less than the amount offered as store credit.
I chose store credit, and was able to apply that credit to anything they sell; including tobacco, accessories or new pipes.
Didn't reach your dizzying heights, but at my peak I probably had about 100-150 pipes as well - mostly Castellos, a couple dozen "select" Dunhills and a bunch of Danish masters..
I've been on a mission to thin it all down to a couple of thematic 7-day sets, and just the best smokers. Still working on it but I'm probably down to about 40 or so now.
As long as I have a diversity in materials, I'm happy to focus on the tobacco and smoking.
I first stared smoking a pipe back in April of 2011 with one simple basket pipe from my local B&M. About 8 months later I bought a second, and better-quality pipe. After a learning curve and finding some very enjoyable tobacco's I ventured into the world of estate pipes. I bought a bunch off ebay, and quickly learned that some of the "deals" I got were because the pipe was terrible. I then started buying new pipes, and started selling off the estate pipes on ebay. At least the bad smokers. At one point I had about 70 pipes and realized that was way to many. From there I sold off some more and in turn purchased some different ones. The last pipe I bought was in January of 2020. In all I've owned about 105 pipes over the last 12 years. I've got my collection down to a solid number of 45. Give or take a cob or two. That's still to many for me, but I can't seem to part with any of them. So for now I'm good at 45. I'm sure at some point I'll buy another meerschaum even though I don't need another one, but for the time being I'm good with 45.
It's store credit or cheque. If you take payment rather than credit I think the commission is lower. Don't quote me. It's like 45% cash or 55% credit. Go ahead and contact them for clarification.
I had over a hundred pipes at one point (which was ridiculous given the relative infrequency of my smoking). I'm at around 30 now, mostly cobs, but some briars and a couple pear wood and maple pipes as well. I purged A LOT of my earthly possessions over the past few years, and I'm glad I did. Pretty much all of my pipes now are my favorites that I use regularly - no unused clutter. I like this more practical and utilitarian approach as opposed to buying pipes just because they look nice and never actually smoking them.
I've gone through many iterations of a storage system - which also doubles as a purchase limitation system - and finally settled on one:
I have a vintage 12-pipe rack that I bought on eBay and cleaned up. 8 spots are available for my wooden pipes, and I can't buy more than that (the only exceptions being my pear churchwarden and a briar that doesn't fit on the rack, both of which are tucked away in a long wooden box). I leave 4 spots open for any cobs I'm currently smoking to sit out and dry.
My cobs that I regularly use go into a small cabinet about 11x8x6" (more like a wooden box) with four pull-out drawers that I got at Hobby Lobby pretty cheap. Each holds 4-5 cobs depending on the size of the pipes and how I arrange them. I dedicate pipes and groups of pipes to blend types (burleys, aromatics, English, VaPer, etc) It's enough for me.
I also have a few spare cobs that I have not smoked or don't smoke regularly. They're tucked away in a Crown Royal bag plastic tote bin with my pipe cleaning accessories, awaiting the day that they be pressed into service should one of my cobs burn out, or to be given as a gift to someone who expresses an interest in trying pipes.
Long story short, I like only keeping around what I actually use, and this goes for pipes as well.
I've gone through many iterations of a storage system - which also doubles as a purchase limitation system - and finally settled on one:
I have a vintage 12-pipe rack that I bought on eBay and cleaned up. 8 spots are available for my wooden pipes, and I can't buy more than that (the only exceptions being my pear churchwarden and a briar that doesn't fit on the rack, both of which are tucked away in a long wooden box). I leave 4 spots open for any cobs I'm currently smoking to sit out and dry.
My cobs that I regularly use go into a small cabinet about 11x8x6" (more like a wooden box) with four pull-out drawers that I got at Hobby Lobby pretty cheap. Each holds 4-5 cobs depending on the size of the pipes and how I arrange them. I dedicate pipes and groups of pipes to blend types (burleys, aromatics, English, VaPer, etc) It's enough for me.
I also have a few spare cobs that I have not smoked or don't smoke regularly. They're tucked away in a Crown Royal bag plastic tote bin with my pipe cleaning accessories, awaiting the day that they be pressed into service should one of my cobs burn out, or to be given as a gift to someone who expresses an interest in trying pipes.
Long story short, I like only keeping around what I actually use, and this goes for pipes as well.
Apparently, 36 is the magic number.
I heard Dr. Fred Janusek, a math professor, say that 36 was the exact number of pipes. Apparently, he'd heard it from another group of guys, who had calculated that 36 was the number.
Furthermore, even though a math professor, he didn't know where that number came from.
And by the way, even 1 pipe is enough, although I don't abide by that reckoning myself.
yes, lay them out on some velvet, it would be interesting to see what survived The Great Pipe Culling ...
300 pipes?! Holy glockenspiel . . . Let's see, I've been a piper for 8 weeks and I have 6 pipes . . . Looks like in a few of years I will get there . . .
Wow ! You had a Lot of pipes.
I’ve heard of a 7 Day Rotation, but not a 1 Year Rotation
Well done on the culling. Those pipes will likely give lots of pleasure to many other pipe smokers
Mac
I’ve heard of a 7 Day Rotation, but not a 1 Year Rotation
Well done on the culling. Those pipes will likely give lots of pleasure to many other pipe smokers
Mac
No red velvet falls to hand, but -- like most of us I expect -- I'm only too happy to share pictures of some of the more visually distinct pipes, since I've got them in my Google Photos anyway.
Ser Jacopo 1998 Domina (pipe of the year):
1997 Peterson Pipe of the Year (their first year)
Paul Bonaquisti (now "Bonacquisti") Canadian Prince, a commission:
Jaden Hew Len billiard from 2000:
Upshall Panel Skater:
Rony Thunér Rhodesian:
Bill Boyle Hungarian (commission):
Mark Tinsky Acorn (commission):
Trevor Talbert Ligne Bretagne (I call it "moonscape")
these are exquisite, thanks for posting the photos I can see why you kept each one, great taste
Beautiful pipes!! I especially like the Acorn!
I recently purged about 20 pipes but still have maybe 50 left.
I don't need or want to expand this number but about 4-5 times a year I will see something that is just perfect for me and buy it. Most of these do not get smoked. It's a bit of a weakness. I'd like to stop. Send help.
I don't need or want to expand this number but about 4-5 times a year I will see something that is just perfect for me and buy it. Most of these do not get smoked. It's a bit of a weakness. I'd like to stop. Send help.
About 10 years ago I was at 200+. Sold around 90 of them using a great eBay seller who for (I think) a 30% commission did the posts, shipped, collected the money and sent me a check for basically what I had in the pipes (I did the cleaning, but since most were pipes that I hadn't smoked much it wasn't a hard job given that I have a polishing wheel). Crept back up to 150+ since then, but nothing new in the last couple of years. There are only four pipes that are on my radar to purchase if I can ever find them. I like the themes that I've collected and the variety that I have (including a couple of mortas and a couple of meerschaums), so unlikely to sell any so long as I'm still smoking.