The Too Many Pipes Syndrome

[OzPiper]

It is all relative.

I was smoking cigars exclusively for 15 years before getting back to pipes a few years ago. I still have a large cellar of cigars
Give the current cost of cigars, I can buy one or two high end pipes and have change compared to the price of a halfwheel of decent Habanos.

Cigars are ephemeral.
Pipes - you have them to enjoy over and over for years.

 

[NC TX ID pipeman]

The biggest negative of having over 100 pipes is the fact that you can not smoke your favorites that often...it takes over 4months to get back to #1 pipe after pipe # 135...It sucks!

 

[OzPiper]

The biggest negative of having over 100 pipes is the fact that you can not smoke your favorites that often...it takes over 4months to get back to #1 pipe after pipe # 135...It sucks!

Much worse if you are a weekend imbiber like me ?

 

[Chasing Embers]

The biggest negative of having over 100 pipes is the fact that you can not smoke your favorites that often...it takes over 4months to get back to #1 pipe after pipe # 135...It sucks!

If I changed pipes for each smoke I would hit 100 in about 20 days. If I can't count a pipe among my favorites, it goes out with the trash.

 

[irishearl]

If I changed pipes for each smoke I would hit 100 in about 20 days. If I can't count a pipe among my favorites, it goes out with the trash.

Don't know about the trash part, but, personally, I change pipes after each smoke and, if someone does that, I think, if they don't get around to smoking each pipe at least once very 3 weeks, they have too many pipes.

 

[bullet08]

After 35 or so pipes, I'm not seeing any further shapes that intrigue me. They all look similar or similar to what I have. Of course, I prefer simple more traditional shapes. So, haven't had urge to purchase more. But I'm pretty sure something will pop up or things that I didn't care for might start to look better. Don't really see down side of having plenty of pipes. Only a little room is required to keep them. And it's nice to pick up and smoke a pipe I haven't smoked in awhile.

 

[OzPiper]

After 35 or so pipes, I'm not seeing any further shapes that intrigue me. They all look similar or similar to what I have.
I prefer simple more traditional shapes.

I have over 40 bulldogs and around the same number of billiards - straight and bent

I like to think my taste as consistent.
My wife thinks it's boring
Hopefully NOT consistently boring

 

[captpat]

I'm not subscribing to the premise implied in the thread title, i.e., one can have too many pipes. The size of one's pipe population is an individual thing, for some having enough for a modest rotation is sufficient. Others will have a larger population so as to have a larger variety in rotation or simply admire the shapes, materials and craftsmanship. I have a few pipes that I don't regularly smoke, I'm not going to get rid of them some bring back good memories, others were gifts and others I just like to look at.

 

[crashthegrey]

Having too many pipes makes me happy so I have too many pipes. There's no rhyme or reason to it. It just makes me happy.

 

[Rockyrepose]

The sweet spot for me was when I could slip a new pipe into the collection without spousal discovery....about 9 pipes ago.

 

[mso489]

Another pro of numerous pipes is that discovering pipes you want, selecting the one among many, sometimes narrowing it down among a list of options in pipes, this is all very pleasurable. And then actually closing the deal, clicking the submit order, and maybe best of all the wait for the pipe to arrive, the unveiling of it from its shipping box, pipe box, and pipe sock, like a striptease, and finally admiring the item itself, its actual material presence. And then of course, packing it, lighting it up, and enjoying that first memorable bowl. All this is a tangible high not to be dismissed. And this can be exhilarating whether the pipe is low or high priced. Every pipe acquisition has these components ... or similar components with pipes as gifts or prizes. It's its own kind of buzz, one for every pipe I own.

 

[tklee]

? I think, pipes are never too many for a piper ?. I've been smoking pipes for 6 months, 6 months only, and I have 16 pipes. My curiosity got me in buying pipes, other than that, of course I got attracted by the shape and design. I always want to know, like "mmm.... How does this pipe smoke like?" For example, "how do cob pipes smoke like?" and it got me into buying cob pipes. After buying one I got attracted to cob pipes with acrylic stems, and that got me in buying more cob pipes.
Another thing is, "mmm.... How do estate pipe smoke like? Especially those old aged pipes" and that got my interest in getting old estate pipes. That's how I ended up with 16 pipes in this short 6 months ?

 

[CallMeSangy]

Saw a video from NWpipesmoker a while back where he showed his stash. can't remember the title or subject matter, but the man had what looked like hundreds of pipes. from a new comer perspective it looked downright excessive, pipes sometimes pilled on top of each other in a seemingly unkempt manner. i know some people like just buying the firearms that they like the way they look, the limited editions and odd modifications that can help differentiate between one or another. seems the same to me. honestly if you have the income and don't mind to the potential space issue, why not.

i'm on the cheaper side so i'll be investing in cobs with acrylic stems and then the occasional briar to build up my collection. hopefully i'll stop at a good number cus i've a habit of doing what most here end up doing haha

 

[The Clay King]

I've got more than enough clays and still get tempted by antique shops, eBay and Smokingpipes.com when they're selling clay pipes; can't have too many clays
@Birddog66 says I should concentrate on something to smoke in my clay pipes rather than more clays...

 

[timt]

I still say if you think you're falling prey to this syndrome and want to curb PAD, buy a good quality meer that you think will be comfortable all day smoker and become obsessed with focus on coloring it. It worked for me......for the most part. I don't have a ton of pipes compared to a lot of members here, maybe 20-25 not counting cobs, but I've got a number of great pipes that don't get smoked often enough, because my damned meers need me.

I still look at pipes online almost daily but I realize that if I buy one it's going to sit on my rack unused way more than I'm ok with. Plus, if you think about it, a meer that's being smoked a lot is constantly evolving, which is kind of like having a different pipe all the time, but in slow motion.

 

[Chasing Embers]

a meer that's being smoked a lot is constantly evolving

Other materials change with use. Carbon cake grows, rims darken, cobs change color, etc. I started with 1 meer purchase in Summer 2020, and in 22 months I'm up to 15 of them.

 

[timt]

Other materials change with use. Carbon cake grows, rims darken, cobs change color, etc.

Exactly, that's what I was referring to before regarding patina. Glad you agree with me after all. Meers though, they're the best in that arena, imo.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Glad you agree with me after

So the whole time you were trying to say dirty pipe? Excluding meerschaum, I never let any discoloring or buildup remain.

 

[OzPiper]

I've got a number of great pipes that don't get smoked often enough, because my damned meers need me.

That's the reason I've stayed away from buying a virginal meer.
Can't see me devoting myself to the one pipe for the next few years

 

[timt]

That's the reason I've stayed away from buying a virginal meer.
Can't see me devoting myself to the one pipe for the next few years

It's definitely not for everyone. I do pull a briar or cob into action from time to time, daily actually, but my meers do the lion's share.