Thoughts on Pipe Buying

[kcghost]

Not being a collector of high-end pipes I often give thought to how many pipes should a guy buy every year. To my mind if your aren’t buying an occasional pipe you aren’t supporting the hobby. And it doesn’t matter whether it is an estate pipe or a brand new one.
The biggest factor in my thinking is that we all have different amounts that we are willing to cough up for a pipe. I wondered if a guideline could be espoused that might meet all levels of pipe smokers.
After some thought I came to the obvious conclusion that the best guideline might be one that suggests the minimum number of pipes a hobbyist should buy and where he should get them.
I think that number is three pipes per year.
You should buy at least one pipe from a local brick-and-mortar. Why? These are the guys who are really the foundation of pipe smoking. Without the ability to have a place where you can congregate with other pipe smokers the hobby would soon be gone. And the nice thing is this guy will have pipes in virtually every range from $5 to $2,000 or more.
Secondly, I think everyone should buy a pipe at their local club show. Without buyers these shows will go the way of the dinosaur. And again you will find pipes in virtually every price range. Personally I like to find a new American carver at a show and buy a pipe from him. The nice thing about a new carver is that the price is much more reasonable than an established one.
Third, I think a person should consider buying the local club Pipe of the Year. The price of club pipes is not trivial and may be out of the price range of some members.
And if you don't belong to a local club then buy more from the B&M or your favorite on-line vendor.
These are my thoughts on buying pipes to support the hobby. I would be interested in hearing yours.

 

[bigvan]

I think these are excellent ideas. Good luck buying only ONE pipe at a pipe show, though.
Seriously though, I think you captured a very simply and economically viable plan that we can all abide.

 

[brewshooter]

Well, before reading your post I was going to tell you that no one should be dictating how many pipes I will or will not buy, but your minimum recommendations and reasoning make quite a bit of sense.

 

[hobie1dog]

It's like everything else in life...priorities. Many on here only have one hobby...pipes. Others like me have 4 main hobbies so the money that is available to buy pipes is way down on my list. The 5 pipes I own suit me just fine at this point.

 

[pipedisciple]

I think it is a matter of choice, I for one will most likely purchase 4 to 5 this yr, possibly more or less. As far as supporting th local B&M's I agree with that as well as the shows. I am not a rich man by any means so I must choose carefully. I will probably have only a medicore collection at best because of my budget. I have good pipes, just not that expensive. I will probably never own a pipe more than $150. I will always be looking though. I love to smoke my pipes and cigars and to hell with the smoke nazis's. Just my 2 cents worth. :puffpipe:

 

[schmitzbitz]

I don't think I could hold myself to but three pipes over a year; perhaps six, but even then, I would be fighting PAD-anxiety.
Also, do corn-cobs count against the three? If so, I'm really hooped, pretty much everyone who shows up at my door leaves with a Pride or Legend these days...I've taken to buying a card a month.

 

[matchstickman]

I personally find old, beat up, dirty pipes for next to nothing on ebay and then restore them myself. Not only is it fairly easy to make an old pipe look great and smoke great, you can also restore them for next to nothing with a few simple household items and a small jar of wax. Not only can you get a great value on really good pipes, but I like the idea of taking something old and making it new again.

 

[ssjones]

I'm been finding low priced Ebay pipes that need work, refurbishing, than reselling. The profit goes towards pipes I really want for myself. I just bought a beautiful Hackert that I'm afraid that I am going to want to keep....

 

[rigmedic1]

Guidelines? We don't need no stinking guidelines. I buy more pipes a year than that anyway. In the beginning, I smoked pipes because i like em, and I was proud of the fact my addiction only cost a few bucks a month. I got enough pipes and tobacco on hand now that I could go ten years without spending another dime. I do believe in supporting the local B&M, but he makes his money on those big cigars. Everyone should be free to participate in this hobby however it suits him, just like the restaurants and bars should decide who smokes in 'em, and the heck with what everyone else thinks. IMHO. Free country. My wife spends 200 bucks a month on cigarettes. I still come out ahead. I will get off my soapbox now.

 

[spartan]

Many on here only have one hobby...pipes. Others like me have 4 main hobbies so the money that is available to buy pipes is way down on my list.
-hobie1dog

I'm in the same boat as hobie1dog. I also play tennis so the upkeep of new balls, re-stringing, and the occasional new racket prevents me from having a lot of extra funds for me pipes.

 

[igloo]

About once a year I get a new , never smoked by anyone pipe and I keep my budget under 150 bucks . If I see a good deal on FLEABAY I will bid 25 tops and cross my fingers . I also have more than one hobbey and I am very frugal . Unless it comes to tools or shoes .

 

[unclearthur]

The only thing better than a new pipe is MORE new pipes!!!

 

[papipeguy]

I don't set a # goal but if I see a pipe I want I just figure that it'll be less than a round of golf at Pebble Beach; which, by the way, is about 2,800 miles from here.

 

[bootlegbonvivant]

I buy what I want, when I want, and how much I want; given that the funds are available. Other than that, to hell with standards in a hobby where everything is generally to suit personal taste and desires. It's a lifestyle for me much more than a hobby of quantity. I support my local B&Ms when the fancy strikes me just as much as I support online retailers. This is meant to provide relaxation and camaraderie. Anything else, IMHO is snobbish and complete bullshit. IF that's what you want to do to support the tobacco industry, then knock yourself out.

 

[asteroid1]

There are 2 types of pipe buyers: Those who smoke only to enjoy tobacco who will usually own a clay, cob, or inexpensive meerschaum pipe. And then other people usually cigar smokers who moved to pipes and like to be seen with Dunhill or other expensive/cool looking pipes

 

[ejames]

I could never-never -never-buy just three pipes a year!! I probably buy more than I should,but then most of them are estate Grabows so I ain't spending a ton of money. Buying cheap pipes allows me to pursue my other hobby,making pipes and accessories,besides,I really like Grabows.The only new pipes I have bought were- also Grabows.

 

[cyndi]

I'm a contrary sort of person. If any sort of standard were put on me about something I liked, I would immediately NEVER DO IT AGAIN. It's a bit cutting off your nose to spite your face but I can't handle people telling me how and why I should do something. I'm not a part of a club, looking for acceptance, and I don't give a rat's ass about if people like me or not. That's a very freeing philosophy.
Besides, when I'm free to do what I want when I want, I buy more and partake more. I'm in the self-gratification business, not in the meeting arbitrary standards business. This is much to the disconsternation of my mother, every boss I've ever had, and church leaders but I'm successful despite my red-headed streak of independence. (Dad taught to be this way and Bootleg would rather have me as I am than not have me at all.)

 

[locopony]

I say support your B&M buy your baccy there rather than on line. Buy pipes when you can or need to, but gett your accesories from the B&m as well

 

[docrx]

Before i invest in a new pipe i will usually buy a brand estate on the cheap and restore to see how i like it. i have yet to spend more than 25 bucks on a estate.If i like i will buy a new one from that manufacturer with clearance from the war department. So far i havent been denied. ::

 

[winton]

Mostly I believe that a pipe is a tool to burn tobacco. But, some look better than others. Lets compare to lighters. Matches and bics are functional, like a cob, but I really enjoy my Zippo. It is more satisfying. I enjoy certain shapes and really, really prefer bent over straight. If I found a pipe in a shape I want at a price I like (very low)and the budget allows, then I would buy it. Otherwise, I am content with the pipes I have now.
Winton