Is Having a Rotation Necessary?

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

KBaz

Lurker
Dec 19, 2020
39
66
I usually think of the Tobacco I want to smoke and then pick a pipe based on that. Some pipes get more love only because I tend to favour certain tobaccos. I have no set rotation.
 

DanWil84

Lifer
Mar 8, 2021
1,691
12,663
40
The Netherlands (Europe)
+1 on no and no, more under the mantra smoke what you like, like what you smoke. But that's the point for me, I need a rotation to keep it interesting. I enjoy smoking 1 blend in 1 pipe 1 time a week, with my smoking habits this is easily reachable at 8 to 10 bowls a week.
 
Jan 30, 2020
2,198
7,279
New Jersey
I used to keep certain genres to certain pipes, so my tobacco choice would make some more used than others. Recently I have been getting away from that and smoke whatever in the same pipe.

A minor side effect from that is I tend to use a pipe for a week or two until I feel like using a different one, so no rotation for me. I’ll use one until another pulls my interest for a time.
 
Mar 2, 2021
3,473
14,251
Alabama USA
We read about putting a pipe "in our rotation", but is a rotation really necessary? Do you have one?

I wonder how many of us here have a set rotation of pipes and follow that rotation, versus those who just grab a pipe that catches their eye and goes from there.
I don't. The rotation is a concept I have noticed on other hooby forums when folks have many things from which to choose. RIght now I am using my favorites. When I tire of them I get another one out of the cardboard box.
 

renfield

Lifer
Oct 16, 2011
5,117
41,539
Kansas
It depends on what you smoke and and how you smoke it. If your pipes taste better after a rest, then do a rotation. It doesn’t have to be something formal.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JOHN72 and Reggie
Jun 25, 2021
1,369
4,446
England
Not a rotation as such, but I do keep particular pipes for each blend that I smoke.
In general I will have no more than six blends on the go, and I choose whatever I fancy from those at the time when I want a smoke.
I often go for days at a time using just two blends.
 

SBC

Lifer
Oct 6, 2021
1,612
7,602
NE Wisconsin
Although I don't yet have set rotations for either tobaccos or pipes, I'm intentionally working towards both. It's an attractive ideal for me, although I couldn't articulate much of a reason.

I like rhythms, and my one bowl each evening normally falls into the same spot in my evening rhythm. This pattern would lend itself very well to a weekly rotation.

I'm currently working through a list of tobaccos I've wanted to try in order to arrive at seven to put on rotation.
As for pipes, I've considered a fourteen pipe, two week rotation. We'll see.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JOHN72

mso489

Lifer
Feb 21, 2013
41,210
60,610
I have no rotation except that I try to keep all ninety some pipes smoked, so I don't have any of them in reserve. Picking out a pipe along with tobacco is part of the fun, but still keeping in mind that I want to smoke all of them in turn, if not in order. It would be boring to have a set order. Pipes that don't get smoked get culled and traded off. I have one or two that I keep for other reasons, but I smoke them anyway.
 

cigrmaster

Lifer
May 26, 2012
20,248
57,309
66
Sarasota Florida
I have a rotation of pipe tobacco and for pipes. I have around 30 plus tins open right now. I keep them fresh in tupperware type container that keeps my open tins fresh for a couple of years and more. My jarred stuff I smoke is only maybe 3-4 blends.

I like a lot of variety so my rotation of pipes is 38 right now. It will be growing again as I add more Jack Howell Commissions. I have all kinds of open spaces to add more of Jacks pipes. It felt great culling around 60 odd pipes so now I can add new stuff. I only collect American artisan pipes and right now I am on a big time Jack Howell kick.
 

DanWil84

Lifer
Mar 8, 2021
1,691
12,663
40
The Netherlands (Europe)
I keep them fresh in tupperware type container that keeps my open tins fresh for a couple of years and more. My jarred stuff I smoke is only maybe 3-4 blends.
So you keep them in mini tupperdores with a sealed lit? Ive played with the thought to keep open tins fresh in smaller sistema clip its, I've got 2 larger ones for my cigars which work wonderfull. Getting ball jars in europe is quite expensive and this would be a more economic option.