Thinning The Herd. Which Would You Keep?
- Thread starter shane1
- Start date
my petersons and my vauen are just my favorite pipes to smoke keep them. Vauen makes a great pipe that isn't talked about too much. I have one of their ocean ones and it's beautiful and smokes great.
Who cares what I want? Choose the ones you want. If you are desperate for advice, I suggest eliminating all pipes that don't have tapered stems. Obviously, eliminate all bamboo. I am cheap, but I won't smoke a cob, unless I am in a dire situation. Big pipes are great when the temperature is 16. I have two carvers that I have bought pipes from. Don't ask me who they are, because I can't spell their names.
Don't get rid of any of them. Pick 7 to take on the road put the rest in storage somewhere, for example, with a relative.
"Thinning the heard" I don't even understand. I just can't let go of a pipe once I have it. It's not so much an emotional bond or anything. It just seems like... giving up, or losing.
It's like an empty soda can or Twinkie wrapper neglected on the desk. Eventually they just have to go.
Two things matter most in a pipe: how it smokes and how it looks.
Helping you pick which to keep from a list of names feels like a exercise in futility.
Helping you pick which to keep from a list of names feels like a exercise in futility.
Oh, I have tossed a pipe or two out the truck window at times. I have even crushed one under boot that would not let go of a ghost. But, to look at my pipes and think, "too many" or "which ones to get rid of" has never crossed my mind.
Here are a coupl of the narrowed down pack. If its not in the photo, its in the for sale pile.
Here are a coupl of the narrowed down pack. If its not in the photo, its in the for sale pile.
I was kind of implying that only you can make this decision. Some like golden retrievers, some like pugs.
I would say, keep a tally of the pipes you smoke over the next month, two months, three months, whatever; and see which ones you instinctively reach for. If not, they can go. I'm currently in a similar situation myself.
I spent some time this morning and I think I have it figured out. I was just interested in what everyone else likes. I know most dont like filter pipes at all and a lot of people would keep the 1966 Dunhill but the Dunhill was an wash sell for me because of no filter.
Tweaking sable's post, I'd say choose the pipes you actually smoke most often. To me, 27 pipes seems like rather few. Couldn't you choose seven to take on the road and stash the rest, a miserable 20 pipes that could fit in a shoe box and Iive in a friend's or family's attic or downstairs closet for years? Or in the less accessible storage of you vehicle?
Great idea but there is more to the story. Over the last couple of years, I have been striving to be more minimalistic. I use to have a problem with spending money and acquiring too many things. Sold off my knife collection, watch collection, pen collection, lighters, etc. Pipes are last and tobacco I am keeping (except some limited editions and Frog Morton Stuff). May keep up to 12 pipes but will sell the rest.
A
AroEnglish
Guest
That’s really cool. I’ve been on a similar journey myself. The pipe collection seems to still be growing though (currently at 7) but my goal is to keep it under 10 pipes.
I like the idea of having only as many pipes as spots on a rack, if one comes in, then one goes out. I am working towards that with a 21 rack for briars. Currently there are a few piled around the rack but I have let go of a number.
I still have meers, cobs, clays, calabash, falcon that wont fit that rack so not exactly minimalist but I can relate to the general idea!
I don't know how you're hitting the road, but I will offer this... I've lived in a travel trailer as well as a semi-truck, a tug boat and several Coast Guard cutters. On each, I've easily been able to keep & carry 10-20 pipes. It's all about space management.
If you do however decide to get rid of pipes I'd ask you consider two things;
1. Which ones do you smoke the most?
2. Do you need to make money off them?
a. If not, you could donate them or gift them.
Just my .02
If you do however decide to get rid of pipes I'd ask you consider two things;
1. Which ones do you smoke the most?
2. Do you need to make money off them?
a. If not, you could donate them or gift them.
Just my .02
Simplifying can be good for the soul!!
I can't speak for most of them but the Vauen Friddo has to go for a few reason. #1 They didn't even bother to get the name right. Friddo? That's just an embarrassing and a great example of a company looking to avoid a few marketing dollars. Friddo? Did they have a Bolbo and Gundolf versions? It's like buying your kids a Dorth Vabor lightsaber or GI Moe toys. That won't be a Merry Christmas. #2. Churchwardens are a pain in the ass on the road. More prone to breakage and you need churchwarden pipe filters.
I'll go contrary and say pick your worse 7 smokers. Never again will you say "Should I sell this good pipe I still like smoking?"
I'll go contrary and say pick your worse 7 smokers. Never again will you say "Should I sell this good pipe I still like smoking?"