Something To Consider

[verporchting]

I’m enjoying early retirement and I’m definitely focusing more on smoking a full tin before moving on to something new now. It’s been an interesting experience to focus on a few particular pipes and blends but it’s making me realize I probably have too damn many pipes and not enough tobacco.

I’m glad I went deep on cellaring because my smoking has increased dramatically since I now have time and no silly rule stopping me from having a pipe when I want one! I doubt I’m actually going to run out of tobacco but I can definitely see myself smoking the last of some favorite blends that are no longer available. And probably culling the herd of pipes if I am not reaching for them.

 

[ClassicKehler]

There is something to be said about the fact that the pipe calls us back to a simpler time when there just wasnt so much variety. The world we live in has become so gluttonous and obsessive in all aspects. That being said, the hobby is very enjoyable with its experimentation and variety. Moderation is key. Smoking one tobacco for a while is probably good practice in moderation and simplicity. My two cents.

 

[Manawydan]

I own eight pipes, of which I have smoked six, and of which three are the ones I reach for ordinarily. Likewise I have twelve blends (a couple from each main type) that are my regular rotation based on mood and situation, though I have another two dozen blends that I haven't yet tried or have only tried once or twice.

I'd be satisfied with one or two pipes and three or so blends overall if I had to be.

I enjoy smoking the tried-and-true about 2/3 the time and having variety to change things up the remainder. I am grateful that the industry has provided so many pipe and blend options and that I am able to modestly enjoy them.

 

[Green Hill Hermit]

Yup I own about 70 pipes but after years I gravitate to just a handful, mostly Canadian shaped and mostly smoke peter stokkebye navy flake. If I smoke something else it's just to change up the tobacco routine. I have hundreds of tins just aging like fine wine.

 

[Professor Moriarty]

I switched to 9mm charcoal filtered pipes about six months ago, mainly due to my decreased tolerance for chemical tongue bite, which has worsened in my "golden" years.

I now have one go-to codger blend (Carter Hall) which has yet to be unseated from its lofty position. I smoke it exclusively while rotating through my fairly new collection of 15 filtered pipes. This allows me to compare the pipes and I may put a few aside if they do not consistently compete well with the others.

I also include one "guest pipe" in each rotation, from my old collection of unfiltered pipes which contains many beauties and former faves. I use charcoal pieces at the bottom of the bowl of the unfiltered pipe as I find it eliminates tongue bite almost as well as a filter -- for burley forward blends at least. Virginias generally bite more.

I have a dozen old (ca. 1990) tins of English and Virginia blends, all out of production now. Occasionally I open one and run it through the pipe rotation as a "guest blend". Sometimes I dump a guest blend before completing the pipe rotation, and sometimes I wish I had more of it.

Regarding my go-to, I do challenge it occasionally with other blends. I currently have my eye on a shag blend (Le Petit Robin, Penny Farthing, or Kendal Dark).
I love everything about rubbed flake except that I find it difficult to keep lit, relative to ribbon.

 

[Sig]

I have way too many pipes, way too much tobacco, but not enough blends.
I have over 100 pipes but only use maybe 10-12 of them.... ever.
I will be selling off a bunch soon.
I have many pounds of tobacco, from 2005-2019, but only about 20 blends.....just a lot of each.
All my bulk ribbon tobacco is in 4 ounce jelly jars, my bulk flake in tall 8 ounce jars.
I usually have 5-6 jars open of different blends. I get 15-20 bowls per jar. After they are gone, I open 5-6 different blend.
Having tobacco in smaller jars lets me enjoy several blends for a few months, then open other blends when they're gone.
I tend to get bored with a blend, but when it comes back into rotation after 6-9 months, I thoroughly enjoy it again.
Even though I have plenty of tobacco, im still buying more. I recently started smoking again after a 7 year break from pipes.
Im going to focus more on tins with a few of my favorite bulks.
I live n NYS, there WILL be a day when we cannot order online.
NYS makes sure we are very safe and warm at night, and WE pay them to do it.
First they came for our guns, then the ammo, then knives, now tobacco is on deck to be banned from online purchase. Dang, I feel sooooooo safe.
BUT, we can buy all the weed we want online!!! Yay!!!.......not.
Sorry for the small rant..........I had to say sorry........THEY are watching.

 

[Professor Moriarty]

I have way too many pipes, way too much tobacco, but not enough blends.
I have over 100 pipes but only use maybe 10-12 of them.... ever.
I will be selling off a bunch soon.
I have many pounds of tobacco, from 2005-2019, but only about 20 blends.....just a lot of each.
All my bulk ribbon tobacco is in 4 ounce jelly jars, my bulk flake in tall 8 ounce jars.
I usually have 5-6 jars open of different blends. I get 15-20 bowls per jar. After they are gone, I open 5-6 different blend.
Having tobacco in smaller jars lets me enjoy several blends for a few months, then open other blends when they're gone.
I tend to get bored with a blend, but when it comes back into rotation after 6-9 months, I thoroughly enjoy it again.
Even though I have plenty of tobacco, im still buying more. I recently started smoking again after a 7 year break from pipes.
Im going to focus more on tins with a few of my favorite bulks.
I live n NYS, there WILL be a day when we cannot order online.
NYS makes sure we are very safe and warm at night, and WE pay them to do it.
First they came for our guns, then the ammo, then knives, now tobacco is on deck to be banned from online purchase. Dang, I feel sooooooo safe.
BUT, we can buy all the weed we want online!!! Yay!!!.......not.
Sorry for the small rant..........I had to say sorry........THEY are watching.

i also took a seven year break from pipe smoking. My discovery of filtered pipes allowed me to resume this relaxing hobby with daily smoking.
Variety is the spice of life. I could not smoke one blend exclusively, too boring. On the other hand, I no longer switch blends every day, too "exciting".
When I do try a new blend, I stay with it until it is gone, or until I decide I don't care for it.

Regarding your "small rant", I concur. All the states I formerly lived in have gone commie -- NY, IL, CA, even PA.
I now live in a deep red state with open carry and low crime -- everything is legal except weed, gambling, and fireworks, and there are sensible restrictions on alcohol sales. Suits me fine.

 

[Fuelman]

I have 6 pipes, but I always go back to my sweet little Savinelli 626.