Pipe Possibilities for 2014

[mso489]

Every pipe smoker has their own intuitions for the new year related to pipes and tobacco.

Here are a few possibilities, and an invitation to offer potential suggestions of your own.

For 2014, consider the following: 1) If you don't own one, buy a cob, either an MM or the

Old Dominion, or better, one of each. Cobs are a central pipe experience.

2) If you don't own one, buy a churchwarden for your rack. You can get them anywhere

from 7" to 10" or 12" or more. One churchwarden pipe is every pipe smokers birthright.

3) Get one of the great traditional shapes you don't already own, such as a bulldog,

a Canadian, an author, a freehand, a poker, a pot, or a diplomat (or another you don't

already own).

4) Try a small quantity of at least one tobacco you don't know if you'll like, maybe with

cigar leaf (if you don't already smoke that) or something else off your route.

What are some other potential new directions in pipe smoking? Then of course, we'll

all do what we already wanted anyway, but some ideas might sprout, and we'll think

they are our own.

 

[plateauguy]

#1 & 2 are covered by my Danish Egg with a Mini Church 7" Forever stem

#3 was covered yesterday with the purchase of a Kaywoodie Apple with straight stem

#4 is covered also, since Zonomo sent me Hobbits Weed to try
I like this thread - I've got 2014 already wrapped up and it's only the 3rd!

 

[rmbittner]

Here are mine:
1) If you've found a blend you really enjoy, then consider really digging deep into that style and trying as many blends in that range that you can find. Or if your favorite is a standard English (of which there are probably hundreds of available blends), then consider variations on that theme. For instance, if your favorite English contains only Cyprian latakia, then look for traditional English blends that also include Syrian leaf, so you can discover how that leaf tastes and smells.
2) If you're drawn to a particular company's style, then consider exploring as many of that company's offerings as possible -- even if it includes aromatics and you never smoke aromatics. This is easier if your company of choice is Samuel Gawith or Dan Tobacco; challenging if you happen to love McClelland or Cornell & Diehl!
3) Build your cellar. Whenever possible, make it a point to pick up at least two tins of every blend you buy; one to smoke and one (or more) to cellar. Doesn't matter if you don't even know if you'll like a blend yet; it isn't hard to trade or sell those "cellar" tins later if it turns out you just don't like something.
4) Start keeping a smoking journal. Write something about every new blend you try or every new smoking experience you have. These don't have to be lengthy reviews or brilliant prose, just something that says "I tried this and this is what I thought." (I've been keeping one since I began smoking a pipe in 1980, and I can't tell you how much I enjoy going back and reading my impressions of long-gone blends. . . or comparing my thoughts on a blend as a new smoker with my current take on the same blend.)
5) Choose one kind of tobacco you've never had -- or know you won't like -- and try it. Maybe that means actually smoking a latakia mixture or an aromatic or a flake or a straight Virginia. Sure, you may not like it after all. But smoke enough to know why you don't like it and to better understand what makes that particular blend/style unique.
6) Gift a tin of a favorite blend to a fellow pipesmoker who has never tried it.
Bob

 

[flux]

rmbittner, your #4 is some fine advice. I think a journal is one of the best ways to maximize enjoyment from one's tobacco. It encourages you to take in the full experience, and it documents your relationship to the hobby. To expand on the journal idea: it might be fun to "contextualize" your smoke by recording non-smoking related details. You know, weather, mood, unusual events, thoughts about whatever. Then you have more of a smoking-inspired regular journal. Now that I think about it, I can't think of a better time to journal than while smoking a pipe. I think this is my New Year's resolution.

 

[mso489]

A few other departures that might interest some (maybe I'm not ready yet) are venturing onto eBay

with a bid or two to see how that works; trying an estate pipe from one of the reputable dealers like

smokingpipes.com, if you have always before bought new pipes; buying a pipe from a nation you have

never bought from before; if you haven't bought a basket pipe for years, shop carefully and see how

well you can do with that. There are a thousand of these, even if I can only think of twenty or so, right now.

 

[phred]

For me, I plan to break the $100 price point on a pipe... :D Probably with one of the more steampunk-looking Tsuge models, as I've got another cruise coming up.
Tobacco-wise, I want to start learning about Virginias, as I've explored Latakia and Va/Per blends to some degree, and am starting to settle into a rotation (1 or 2 blends on hand for each major type, with a spot open for further experimentation).
Shape-wise, I'd like to add another bent pipe or two - I started with a bent pipe and a couple of churchwardens (plus cobs), but the last two have been straight pipes. I'm drawn to the author shape, but might consider a bulldog or Rhodesian.
And at some point, I'll probably look into an estate pipe this year, either from one of our reputable sponsors or from eBay.

 

[mso489]

For anyone within striking distance of a pipe show who hasn't attended one, I'd highly recommend

this as a target for 2014. I have a lot of suggestions on attending shows, but I go on to long. Let's

just say, they are worth the time and most enjoyable. I'll give my too-much gratuitous advice in

some other post.

 

[agnosticpipe]

rmbittner, I agree with flux on your #4 point. This is such a good idea, I did a head slap because I hadn't thought of it before! Going to start this today, as I already have some tobaccos I've recently tried I'd like to write some thoughts on. Thanks!

 

[sallow]

I missed the Chicago show last year after attending the 2012. Will try to go this year.
I've been meaning to get a churchwarden, just looking for the right one.

 

[rigmedic1]

Break the mold. If you only have briar: try a cob, a meer or a clay. Be daring. Get a pearwood or cherrywood.

I want a strawberry wood or a morta pipe this year.

 

[ssjones]

An interesting thread to start the year!
My collection has grown to just over 40 smoking pipes, and my road map doesn't have many open slots. So, my pipe selections are getting more finicky. Typically something has to leave before an acquisition and I just don't want to get rid of anything at the moment. So, I'm considering doing my first commission this year. I live near Abe Herbaugh and see him occasionally at a VA shop. He's on my short list for a stout, Rhodesian with a Cumberland stem. We discussed it briefly at a recent visit. I just need to start saving my pipe dollars, which will take a little discipline.

 

[bigvan]

Al, for what it's worth I STRONGLY recommend Abe's work.

 

[mso489]

For any who don't own a really small pipe, a Group 1 or 2, I'd recommend considering that.

 

[mso489]

If you have never bought and broken in an unfinished pipe, it is quite an experience.

They start out looking a little like raw pine but soon develop this fetching honey brown

glow. Savenelli has a nice line of unfiltered unfinished pipes. These often have fills, but

mostly minor inconsequential ones that disappear in the darkening process, or if you are

this turn of mind, add to the individuality and interest of the pipe, the way Japanese

ceramics have intentional "flaws." Unfinished pipes are widely available online, at

Cup O Joes, for example, and are of course pleasantly inexpensive, mostly. But the

"finished product," the broken in pipe, is your own creation. Most pleasing. If you've

never tried this, you are missing out. I have two "ancient" pipes I bought unfinished,

both savs, a billiard and a zulu, and pipe people always notice them and remark in

a favorable way. Points for unpretentious.

 

[mso489]

Don't own any French pipes? Good to consider that for 2014. French pipes are overshadowed

by English, Irish, Danish, and Italian, and in the U.S. by our own pipes, but are competitive in

quality and style. Parlez vous Francais? French pipes give you a real price break, besides.

 

[javajunkie]

Add another 30 pounds to the stash before someone on the federal level does something drastically stupid to the American citizenry. That is my personal goal, having hit 30 on my first 365 days.
I would LIKE to own a meer and possibly something more exotic, like morta or rosewood, by 2015.
Possibly try my hand at home rustication, as i already scoop up burners to gift to the under privelaged.
And, my personal goal of 2015, get to pet Pmon!

 

[ssjones]

Thanks Big Van. Abe mentioned he has some new blasting equipment for a craggier blast. But I really like his fine blasts.

 

[lonestar]

For anyone within striking distance of a pipe show who hasn't attended one, I'd highly recommend

this as a target for 2014. I have a lot of suggestions on attending shows, but I go on to long. Let's

just say, they are worth the time and most enjoyable.

This !

 

[pruss]

Lovely thread, thanks mso489 for kicking it off!
My goals in pipedom for 2014 are...
1) Get to Chicago for the Chicagoland International Pipe & Tobacco Show: also, take the Pipe Making Workshop

2) Repair, refurb and resell another 50 estate pipes

3) Buy a used metal lathe and learn how to use it safely

4) Build a process for reviewing tobacco and begin to journal my smoking
Good luck to you all in your 2014 pipe journey.
-- Pat

 

[cigrmaster]

If you have not yet done so, it is time to step up your prayers to the Pipe Gods. You will be amazed at how much better your tobacco tastes, amazed at how dry and cool your pipes smoke, and the best benefit of all is you will see noticeable growth where it counts the most. I gained a full two inches this year alone, or maybe it was my new glasses? :roll:
Seriously though, great thread. My plan is to just continue rounding out my pipe collection. I need to move a few more pipes out but have pretty much re worked my entire collection over the last year. I also plan on exploring a few different artisans this year as well. I have plenty of slots left in my rack so it should be a fun year.