PAD Traps

[AroEnglish]

In the past 6 months I’ve purchased more pipes than I had in my whole collection up to that point, going from 7 to 18 (though 2 of the 11 were gifts). Some of these pipes will definitely never leave the collection. Others were good forays into a certain shape or brand that may or may not stay.

Then there are ones that, though perfectly fine smokers, will definitely leave at some point. Sometimes it’s just that I thought I would love a pipe but found out it’s just not what I wanted. But I’ve noticed there are certain "traps" I fall into that end up with me owning a pipe that I don't actually love.

Here’s a list that if they’re the primary reason I’m buying the pipe, I’m more likely not to be satisfied by.

• Pipes that I have to convince myself to buy
• Pipes that are a great deal
• Pipes that look "pretty cool"
• Pipes that I won't smoke often because of their chamber size (too large), shape, or clench-ability (too long or too heavy)
• Pipes that are too expensive for my budget

I know this list kind of seems obvious but I find it so easy to get caught up with PAD. I see something, I like it for some reason, the I got into full "I MUST HAVE IT!" mode. Checking these criteria and slowing down has helped me to avoid more purchases that I am fairly certain I won't enjoy in the long term and would diminish my PAD budget for pipes that I truly do want (hit me up if you’ve got a 14B to spare!).

What are those traps for you?

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

I found that over time I have started to love pipes in my collection that I once thought I wouldn’t like. Especially my larger pipes, at one time I almost never smoked my large pipes but now I find myself reaching for them more often than I ever thought I would.

 

[AJL67]

I bought about 50 pipes over a year, trying to figure out what i liked or buy one because i thought i would like it, or just as bad because someone else liked it (ymmv) and in the end i smoke 4 meerschaum and 3 briars. I sent about 30 into SPC, i have a few on the rack that i bought that just sit on the rack because i like them but i still don't really smoke out of them. Now i look for meerschaum, Ehrlich and will browse some freehand pipes but that's about it, i have pretty much gotten over PAD and am much more thoughtful about the whole thing now.

 

[mso489]

Oh boy, I may have more to say on this subject, but for now, I'll only join in by saying that large pipes don't always have to be smoked in one stretch, in one sitting, or in one day for that matter. They can be a great convenience smoked over several sessions, sometimes over a day or two intermittently.

I have other ideas on reducing the number of false starts with pipes, but I have to go now. I'll plan to post again later.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Future briar purchases are J. Everett for me with Kenan, Ali, and SMS for meerschaum.

 

[kcghost]

I bought 5-6 pipes per year. I purchased them for the shape, size and whatever else I was thinking at the time. Never had a pipe I regretted buying, but I had a lot that I thought deserved a better home.

 

[mngslvs]

I keep a spreadsheet of my pipe purchases. I don't normally look at the total spent, the bottom line. I looked the other day and was a bit shocked and chagrined. I could easily do with 20% of the pipes I own. But, one learns things along the way, part of which is that elusive thing called taste, and the rest experience and technical info. Personally, I favor certain shapes like bent billiards, prince, and whatever strikes me as a good design. Also favor a certain English brand, which I won't reveal, cuz you'll just go out and buy them before I see them, right ? But yeah, it can become an irrational obsession. For me, I work with wood and I love wood for itself as an esthetic medium, but also pipes speak to me of a rooted life and a connection with the past. Somehow.
So I keep buying them, several a year. Could be worse.....I could have a gambling habit, or own a boat.

 

[Lumbridge]

My cure for "PAD": Set a hard limit for yourself. Once you hit that limit, a pipe must go if you want to buy a new one. It'll make you think harder about potential purchases.
I focus more on the function than the form of a pipe. If a pipe is too pristine and pretty, I might not even want to smoke it, therefore I own a lot of ugly pipes that smoke well. It aint worth much to me if it doesn't get smoked.

As for "TAD", I have no solutions, because I still suffer from it. I've got a loooooong backlog of blends I've purchased but have yet to try.

 

[Grangerous]

TAD is over. PAD has no cure on my horizon. I know what I like and checking Estate sales is a regular pastime. Luckily for me, the pipes I seek to find don’t often appear. Perhaps when I complete a few 7 Day Sets to my liking…

The “trap” for me is the online availability. “Click”

 

[mso489]

One way to put the brakes on PAD, at least to the degree of not ending up with pipes you really don't smoke, is to only buy one pipe at a time. The tendency to splurge is always a problem. Reward yourself, but only one pipe at a time.

Another tactic is to shop so you have four or five candidate pipes that you gradually narrow down. This allows you to admit the drawbacks on pipes that charm you but that have characteristics you may not like.

Also, as you shop, pick up on the pipes that really duplicate what you already have.

There are probably a few more suggestions I have, but I'll leave it there for now.

 

[OzPiper]

I want it
And I want it NOW

Haven’t stopped buying.
But having satisfied my urge on various fronts, the urge to buy has slowed down significantly.

All bets are off of it is a white whale

 

[grimpuffer]

For me, its usually based on weight first, then shape.

I mostly clench when I smoke, so having anything over 2.5 ounces is usually uncomfortable.

That being said, I do have 1 or 2 bigger pipes that are just beautiful works of art that also smoke very well and make for a nice afternoon at the lake while hoping the fish bite or sitting on the porch enjoying a nice weekend afternoon.

There are certain shapes I know do not fit me or match my so called "pipe look", but when it comes to factory or handmade, I could careless as long as it smokes good.

The one that will almost always get me though is a Peterson St. Patrick's Day (been a tradition for me since I picked up the pipe in 2010) or Peterson Pipe of the Year if the shape is one I like.

 

[AroEnglish]

For me, its usually based on weight first, then shape.

I mostly clench when I smoke, so having anything over 2.5 ounces is usually uncomfortable.

That being said, I do have 1 or 2 bigger pipes that are just beautiful works of art that also smoke very well and make for a nice afternoon at the lake while hoping the fish bite or sitting on the porch enjoying a nice weekend afternoon.

There are certain shapes I know do not fit me or match my so called "pipe look", but when it comes to factory or handmade, I could careless as long as it smokes good.

The one that will almost always get me though is a Peterson St. Patrick's Day (been a tradition for me since I picked up the pipe in 2010) or Peterson Pipe of the Year if the shape is one I like.

I’m still looking for a certain 2010 SPD. Wish I didn't use the "broke college kid" reason to pass up on that pipe.

 

[Sobrbiker]

What are those traps for you?

logging in to this forum

 

[sablebrush52]

I don't need another pipe. I need to have less of them. But the one thing that would tempt me is if the piece was a prime example of vintage Bitwood, particularly Barling, that I would covet owning it. Even then, if the price went beyond what I felt willing to pay I would wave goodbye, wish a horrible death on the chump winner, and forget about it.