If You Had To Do It All Over Again

Log in

SmokingPipes.com Updates

Watch for Updates Twice a Week

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

Status
Not open for further replies.

tuold

Lifer
Oct 15, 2013
2,133
172
Beaverton,Oregon
@pipesmokingtom
I would have suggested spending less time learning about smoking a pipe (forums, videos, etc), and much more time actually smoking a pipe.
Just the opposite for me. I didn't have much access to help and advice when I started so I missed out on a lot of enjoyment from my solo pipe smoking efforts. I didn't realize what I was missing until I started reading this forum and watching videos a few years ago.
Some people say they regret buying so many "cheap" pipes. I'm not sure what the definition of that might be, but I've never spent more than a hundred bucks on a pipe. In fact, the great majority of my pipes were ten buck ebay purchases. I'd say 90% of those are still in my lengthy rotation cycle. Maybe out of 25% of those I'd consider to be my favorites. No regrets there for me. Of course if I ever do spend $600 on a pipe someday I might change my tune.

 
May 4, 2015
3,210
16
Some people say they regret buying so many "cheap" pipes. I'm not sure what the definition of that might be, but I've never spent more than a hundred bucks on a pipe
When I say that, I personally mean buying used up whatevers for $6-8 bucks delivered just so I could say I had 15-20 pipes. Not having an eye/experience for good estate pipes, I ended up with many useless pipe-shaped placeholders.

 
Jun 4, 2014
1,134
2
Like many others have stated I would have changed my early pipe buying habits. I also may not have dived so deeply into cigars. While I still like good cigar, the time spent with a bowl of good tobacco is much more satisfying. But alas hind sight is 20/20.

 

dontbeaburleyman

Might Stick Around
Dec 22, 2013
96
175
Central California
Had to post!
I don't regret the experiences of the past few years of pipe smoking, except the late date at which I started.
What I do regret is the era in which I started! Grew up in, and still live in a town with no tobacconist. In fact, the closest is about 50 miles away. The government continues it's onslaught on my rights and ability to smoke where I'd like. Here in California, it's illegal to smoke in any public place (all parks, restaurants, etc). There are even restrictions on some golf courses!! Can't smoke tobacco but by January 1 it will be legal to smoke and grow marijuana. Just doesn't make sense to me.
Would have been easier and more enjoyable to smoke in a different era. I kind of regret not being able to experience pipe smoking at a different time in history.

 
Mar 1, 2014
3,661
4,964
I'd tell myself to buy less pipes.

Half as many as I have today would be good, though I certainly could have done worse. Trouble is every time I try to think of which ones I would get rid of I can never decide.

 

cabinfever

Starting to Get Obsessed
Oct 6, 2016
117
3
Can I just say, as a newbie, that I am growing to love this forum. The honesty, the assistance, the camaraderie, and the concern members have for other members - whether it be a health issue. losing a job or whatever. Thank you to the members and whoever started the forum.
If I can add two things to this topic. First,and foremost, jerwynn and mawnansmiff my heart goes out to you. I am secure in my relationship with the Master of Creation and I will pray for you and think of you often in the oncoming days.
Second, what would I have done differently? I would not have spent so much time, money, and energy on cigars (which all taste pretty much the same to me) and started pipe smoking earlier.
I look forward to a internet friendship with many of you.

 

winton

Lifer
Oct 20, 2010
2,318
772
I would have joined a local pipe club earlier. While much of my smoking is alone in the garage, it is also fun to smoke with others guys. I love spending time at the smoking tent at the Chicago Pipe Show. Everyone has a story to tell and a long time to sit still and talk.

 

tobaccojoe

Starting to Get Obsessed
May 30, 2016
220
0
USA
I wouldn't change much. I was going to say "Avoid basket pipes and aromatics at all costs," but I actually learned a lot by having to struggle through using those. Only thing was; I had no idea until I gave it another go with a quality piece of briar.
This is a great thread though! Great question.

 

mso489

Lifer
Feb 21, 2013
41,211
60,638
tobaccojoe, I doubled back on aromatics, very selectively, and am enjoying them as a change of pace, with a few in rotation. Basket pipes, on the other hand, I've always considered a challenge. Pretty early I learned to spot the few good ones and, years later, feel pretty proud of my finds. In my area, especially, those Sav unfinished pipes were incredible bargains back when I had few pipes, and have only improved with time. The basket is where I found my first two.

 

deathmetal

Lifer
Jul 21, 2015
7,714
35
I am secure in my relationship with the Master of Creation and I will pray for you and think of you often in the oncoming days.
God loves us all and lets us find Him in our own ways. I say this as an unreconstructed Pagan...

 
May 4, 2015
3,210
16
I doubled back on aromatics, very selectively, and am enjoying them as a change of pace, with a few in rotation.
I feel the same. There are several that I enjoy with no reservations.

 

perdurabo

Lifer
Jun 3, 2015
3,305
1,581
Something different? I probably would have stocked up on More Royal Yacht, Triple Play, and Haddo's Delight.

 

sablebrush52

The Bard Of Barlings
Jun 15, 2013
21,023
50,397
Southern Oregon
jrs457.wixsite.com
My answer could go two ways.
I could have explored the wide range of blends earlier and cellared more earlier. Or I could have not joined any pipe forums and remained blissfully contented with a couple of satisfying bulk blends and a smaller number of very good pipes.
But these are small quibbles. Overall I thoroughly enjoy smoking my pipes and tobacco and always have. The cellar is complete and any further purchases are likely to be explorations and not stocking up. I've more than enough goodies to last my lifetime since I can choose to smoke several bowls a day, or not smoke for weeks and not miss it.
It's time to winnow the herd a bit.

 

plugugly

Starting to Get Obsessed
Mar 9, 2015
291
41
Me,I wish I had stuck with a pipe while young and never wasted time on cigs and I wish I had started a cellar way back when and I wish I had snagged the nick-name 'pipestud" BEFORE THAT GUY FALLON GRABBED IT!
Plugugly

 

josephcross

Part of the Furniture Now
Dec 30, 2015
963
94
I've learned tons from you guys. Having only been in the game for about a year, the only thing I'd do different is being more assertive about cellaring from the get go. Being a family guy, I cant drop as much dough as Id like to. What money I did have, I spent on building up my cob and briar collection. I dont regret my pipe purchases. Though I have learned in the past couple of months that small baccy purchases add up, and slow and steady can build up a decent supply.

 
Status
Not open for further replies.