The Advantages of "Too Many" Pipes (Or "Too Few")

[karam]

There's in my opinion a point, a number, around 15, after which no pipes are NEEDED, even by heavy smokers doing 10-12 bowls a day. I'm there now but keep eyeing pipes all the time. There are reasons why the number of pipes in my drawer is going to creep up:

• "Hey I always wanted a XYZ"
• "Hey this is a good deal"
• "Hey my wife/parent/friend asked me what do I want for Christmas/Birthday/XYZ"

 

[Jacob74]

I've got 8 pipes, but most regularly use 3. Because I don't actually smoke more than 2 or 3 in any one setting, and because I have them dedicated to blend types, the low number of pipes works for me. I still shop around for pipes, but lately have been focused more on growing my cellar (in anticipation of ongoing negative legislation). I'm more concerned that I'll not be able to access quality leaf, whereas the smoking implements I have now will last me quite some time.

 

[sablebrush52]

I have both too many pipes and not enough.
My reasons for owning the pipes I own are varied. Most I bought to smoke. Some I bought not to smoke, but to have as part of my interest in Barling pipes. Some, like the unsmoked Lindbergh pipe, appeal to my interest in history.
Were my interest limited to smoking I would have too many pipes, but as my interests are broader, I don’t have enough.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

The minimum viable pipe collection chart in my mind goes something like this:
There are four varieties of Tobacco you need to dedicate a pipe to (Virginia, Latakia, Aromatic, Lakeland).
-Four Pipes.
Multiplied by genres of stem shape (Bent, Straight, or Churchwarden).
-Twelve Pipes.
Multiplied by different chamber diameters for the different cuts (Narrow for Flakes, Wide Bowl for Ribbon Cut).
-Twenty Four Pipes.
Multiplied by different bowl heights to change the duration of a bowl (Tall vs Short).
-Forty Eight Pipes.
Multiplied by the different weights for different situations (Large comfy to hold at home pipes vs. Lightweight pipes for travel).

Bringing the total to Ninety Six Pipes for a Minimum Viable Pipe Collection.

 

[newbroom]

Great beginning prelude to your question, mso, all great rationale for finding yourself amongst almost a hundred pipes.
When I started smoking a pipe, I had been retired for almost a year and was not able to be out and about with much vigor, so, the idea of finding enjoyment from this hobby really appealed to me.
I too, have about 90 pipes, and I have a lot of them on display, not that anyone ever see's 'em but me.
At first, honestly (?) heh heh, I had the idea that if I kept my estate pipe purchases to bargains, I might be
able to re-coup, or even profit at a later date.
Well, that idea is long gone, and I still find enjoyment, for all the reasons ole Tom mentioned, and I might add:
I like that I have pipes of all sorts of shapes, sizes, and materials, from all over the world.
I love the idea that I have a pipe made by a forum member who gave it to me, along with my most valuable pipe, another gift. ( Sav Auto Freehand 'o' grade, smooth straight grain, w/plateau rim.)
I find I smoke my cobs, Grabow estates, and a couple of meers most of the time, and I realize that I probably didn't need to buy all these pipes and racks, but, I've had a ball.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

I have an antique pipe and tobaccor holder with six slots. I gave away two to a member here and so, I have one slot open.

The first one I got to is an MM Carolina Gent, second a MM Freehand, third a Kaywoodie 13b, then a HIS curved briar, and lastly a bulldog Kaywoodie that a friend gifted. I feel, for me, I have enough. And I only smoke one blend with Latakia.

While I love looking at used pipes on eBay, none grab enough attention to get me to make a bid. However, I know that sooner or later one will, and that last slot will be filled.

 

[karam]

The minimum viable pipe collection chart in my mind goes something like this:
There are four varieties of Tobacco you need to dedicate a pipe to (Virginia, Latakia, Aromatic, Lakeland).
-Four Pipes.
Multiplied by genres of stem shape (Bent, Straight, or Churchwarden).
-Twelve Pipes.
Multiplied by different chamber diameters for the different cuts (Narrow for Flakes, Wide Bowl for Ribbon Cut).
-Twenty Four Pipes.
Multiplied by different bowl heights to change the duration of a bowl (Tall vs Short).
-Forty Eight Pipes.
Multiplied by the different weights for different situations (Large comfy to hold at home pipes vs. Lightweight pipes for travel).

Bringing the total to Ninety Six Pipes for a Minimum Viable Pipe Collection.

This is just BRILLIANT, I'll send it to my wife...and expect the look below:

 

[Chasing Embers]

Narrow for Flakes, Wide Bowl for Ribbon Cut

The power of marketing at work. ?

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

The power of marketing at work. ?

To be honest I've never actually tested the theory, for now it's just a good excuse to keep the collection going.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

Marketing gets a bad name. Marketing is like listening to someone speak and the speaker being upset because the listener paid attention.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

I have a pile of pipes, but I mostly just smoke my cobs.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

I can't believe the damn Armada is gone..

 

[mso489]

This is an interesting thread. Seems like everyone has a somewhat different way of thinking about their accumulation of pipes, large or small. Pipes are fascinating possessions, just affordable enough (on a whole range of budgets) that there is often room for one more, as a self-reward, a curiosity, and what feels like a necessity sometimes. Any others are invited to post, since no two answers exactly fall in line with each other.

 

[BROBS]

The power of marketing at work. ?

No shit. I’ve found the opposite to be true regarding chamber shape/size.

I often smoke VA in pots and aros/etc in narrow chambers.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

It's really simple... I don't care one iotta what someone else think about how many pipes I have. The goal is not to be envied, but to have more pipes than anyone else before you die. It's the rules, sorry, not gonna bend.

 

[shanez]

How many bowls would you estimate you have had in your skull meer so far ?
Asking because I've held off buying a new meer as I'm unsure if it'd colour sufficiently well before I turn 90

Get one without wax on it and it will color faster than you'd think.

 

[cigrmaster]

I had around 90 pipes when I shipped out 40 pipes to be sold. I have another dozen that need to go. I have a plan to own around 60 artisan made pipes that I love to smoke. I will have only one pipe that will not see any action. It is the first pipe I ever bought. I am at the point that I will never settle for anything that isn't a perfect smoke. I have so many years left and I refuse to settle for anything less than what I consider to be the best. I don't want to smoke a bowl and when I am done say to myself that was an ok smoke but t would have been much better if I had smoked it in one of my artisan made pipes.

A few of the pipes that are artisan made will be sold. There will be a Rad Davis, a few Ruthenbergs a Bruce Weaver and a few others. I Love my Jack Howells and plan on getting more. 60 pipes is a lot of pipes. I could easily get lower but for now I will stick with the 60.

The ;ipes I am selling are great pipes. Everyone is a great smoker. They smoke cool and dry and there is nothing wrong with them. They just don't fit into my new collection. Right now I have 22 Rad's,, 11 Howells, 10 Tuthenbergs, plus many others that are 3 or 1 , My Weaver Volcano will never be sold and there are others like that. There are only a couple of the Ruthenbergs I will move out. His pipes are some of my best smokers and I would never sell them.

As I make room I get to think about what will I like, what will catch my eye. Re doing a collection is really fun. I think this is my 4th time I have done this and each time I go in a different direction and I have bought better pipes every time. I buy pipes that I think will smoke my flakes the best. I have my strict criteria dimension wise and I don't change it for any pipe no,matter how good it looks. I have my eye on a few artisans and I am sure there will be really nice pipes to buy.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Get one without wax on it and it will color faster than you'd think.

Supposedly the wax acts like a siphon.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I can't believe the damn Armada is gone..

Those, the remaining Dunhills and several more.

 

[Old School 3319]

I have about 20 but only smoke 3 or 4, mainly just one 10 to 12 bowls a day all are low end briars and cobs. Smoke em til they burn out