Great thoughts and words Russ as always. You're not only a top blender, but the only one I've seen that puts themselves out there, embracing the personal and social media on every level. Greg Pease deserves some credit he's out there but not like Russ. Times are tough and we're not yet close to seeing the hammer finished with the nail. The RYO industry will hurt us the most. Cigars have a good chance of being split off and dodge some smacks, but I doubt we'll every be separated. Just look at Hawaii's laws on smoking and it will blow your mind. Raise the price of gas 10 cents a gallon and people go nuts, double the price on tobacco and they want more. We're hated by 99.99% of people, even other smokers. I'll always have a man cave and search for places to smoke a pipe, but for many there'll be few if any places to smoke. Can you imagine being fined for smoking in your own home? If you live in a condo or a place that shares walls, if you're not screwed now you soon will be. My plan that is temporarily f*^%ed by family drama has always been to move back to Maui where I still have friends. They've told me how bad it's become, so I'll probably end up in a small Hana on the Big Island living in the sticks and that would suck.
The pipe itself will emerge the best, from more and more collectors who don't even smoke. The collecting of handmade pipes is in essence one of a kind sculptures of art. Though it's sad but true as in the past, the artisans that fashion these great works of art, won't reap great benefits from their sweat, talent and skills. As with all the other unique pieces of art, your art has more value when your dead than alive. Tobacco itself is a great investment, with returns that will grow from ageing and becoming too costly for companies to stay in business. Pipes are forever and the finest will grow in value for decades to come. I know it's not a popular thought, buying a pipe and not filling a bowl. But your grandchildren may be pissed when they find out what that smoke cost them. Chances are that none of them will smoke, collectors will keep growing and so will the price. So some may become collectors maybe learning from you, some will just be greedy bastards and pissed at you. :evil:
Craig
