It IsTime To Decide

[tschiraldi]

Collector or hobbyist / smoker? This year I have been fortunate enough to have acquired some old British pipes that, I believe, any serious collector would gladly add, namely two Sasieni One Dot Patents (one a "Specially Selected") and an unsmoked, NOS Sasieni Four Dot Walnut "Appleby". I have a few more Four Dots, but none unsmoked. These three pipes, however, have me wondering whether I should use them as the basis of a serious collection, in which case they will no longer be smoked and the Appleby will remain unsmoked, or enjoy them the way they were meant to be enjoyed. I am leaning toward the later, though it feels almost "dirty" to consider torching an unsmoked example of pipe history. Anyone know what I mean? Am I just odd? Anyway, here is the latest for your perusal.
Tim

 

[rdavid]

I think they would be sad if you didn't smoke them. Pipes are happy when they are being used!
Absolutely stunning BTW.

 

[carolinachurchwarden]

I lean more towards the "use" side of things. They were crafted to be smoked. I say smoke them and enjoy smoking something that not too many other people could have the luxury of enjoying! I mean, some collections are meant to be enjoyed by more than looking at, in my opinion. It's a great looking little pipe, though!

 

[macaroon]

Another vote for putting that lovely thing to its intended use ::

 

[bassbug]

My $0.02....
A well made pipe, properly maintained will last 75 years or more. I'm 61 years old. You do the math, but what's left of my life is way too short to not enjoy a pipe as it was intended to be enjoyed.

 

[acidpox]

Smoke em if ya got em

 

[hawky454]

Pipes are meant to be smoked, period. I say smoke the hell out of em and enjoy them!

 

[3rdguy]

Smoke them.

 

[crashthegrey]

I have few unsmoked pipes. I believe two right now. I tend to enjoy them for a little while by looking at them, and then smoke them.

 

[seanv]

Smoke them and enjoy them, but treat them well

 

[spartacus]

Smoke them and enjoy it!

 

[scloyd]

If it was me, I'd smoke them. I don't have that kind of self-control not to smoke them.

 

[workman]

It is possible to smoke a pipe without destroying it. It's up to you. I would smoke it, but I'm not a collector of anything. If you are a collector, collect. If not, don't.

 

[pepesdad1]

First off...you are a smoker...second...you have some nice pipes. What is the point of having it? I say smoke it in rude good health.
I'm 76 and not getting any younger...I smoke my pipes because I love them...if you are a smoker, than smoke em.

 

[tschiraldi]

Lol! Okay, I've heard from the smoker/hobbyists! Thank you! Now, I'd like to hear from the collectors out there. So, you serious collectors, do you smoke your collectable pipes?

 

[philobeddoe]

There is no hurry to devirginse the Appleby, as for the others, they have already been driven off the lot, so you shouldn’t feel guilty for smoking them.

 

[tschiraldi]

There is no hurry to devirginse the Appleby, as for the others, they have already been driven off the lot, so you shouldn’t feel guilty for smoking them.

Great point!

I have few unsmoked pipes. I believe two right now. I tend to enjoy them for a little while by looking at them, and then smoke them.

I think I like this idea. I've never owned a pipe I didn't smoke. I don't think I have the makings of a serious collector in me. Too hard to resist!

 

[davet]

I have several unsmoked pipes, nothing high end but collectable just the same. It wouldn't be a big deal to start smoking them but I've enough pipes to smoke, some regularly, some rarely, that it doesn't matter enough to even think of it. You can always decide to smoke them at a later date.

 

[mikethompson]

One thing to consider is; if the pipe is just a nice pipe to you, but it is valuable in its unsmoked condition, would you consider selling it and buying a replacement pipe? (and pocketing the rest?)
that said, I'd smoke it like it was intended!

 

[weezell]

Which side of the coffin you want to put them on... :wink: