I have done a little inventory on my pipes, and I have reached the conclusion that, obviously, I smoke some pipes more than others (probably as I buy more pipes - which I will have to eventually stop doing, some pipes I won't smoke at all any longer or very rarely). My surprise is that my most smoked pipe is the single filter pipe that I own. Now I know some of you guys frown upon the idea of filter, but I have found out the best thing for me when I have a conversation, have a beer with somebody, or whatever social thing I decide to smoke pipe at, is to smoke using the 9 mm filter. Yes it does inhibit the taste a bit, but when I get into a smoking environment in social context, I smoke more often and faster, meaning that I really appreciate the dry smoke which is more forgiving on my tongue. Also, I find that when smoking in solitude, I don't care for filter that much. I never thought about it, it's just something I noticed ... am I the only freak out there?