Thoughts on Pipe Buying

[bigvan]

asteroid1, so most of the people who doesn't smoke a clay, cob or cheap meerschaum are, by your account, pretentious cigar smokers?
I enjoy handmade pipes by North American carvers, but I also have several Dunhills, Upshalls, Ferdowns and the like and I rarely smoke cigars. Most of the time I smoke at home, so it's not a matter of being "seen with" anything. A pipe is, indeed, a tool but I like using good tools; preferably made by hand by a true craftsman. Not from an assembly line.
Maybe you shouldn't comment on things (and people) about which you have no idea.

 

[brewshooter]

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

I never realized it was so easy! I will admit, I am somewhere on this rather limited continuum. :wink:

 

[cyndi]

Ok, the asteroid has spoken. Everyone in the middle of the spectrum of "only enjoys tobacco in disposable vessels of no worth" to "pretentious prick with in a pink golf shirt driving foreign sedan" needs to put their pipe away and go home. Unfortunately, this will leave Kevin wondering wtf happened to his ENTIRE site membership while he was gone.

 

[puffintuff]

I used to think $50 was a lot to spend on a pipe. Then it went to $100.

Now it's at about $200-$300. I know, I need help !

 

[clanobucklin]

I just buy what I like and what strikes my fancy. I have long given up on having a "Collection." None of my pipes are museum pieces or heirlooms for the progeny rather - they are little discoveries that bring me pleasure due to their size, shape, color or name. And I know they will probably outlast me...so I view myself as just the "Custodian" who takes care of them.

 

[seanz]

I buy pipes to smoke tobacco. if i see something i like and can afford i will get it. same goes for tobacco.

 

[whitebriar]

i am not a smoker of pipes--i am a pipe smoker--it isn't a hobby with me--

with the exception of a few cobs that i got last few years i had not bought a new pipe since 1973--this week i ordered a new one--i am looking forward to it's arrival, but not looking forward to breaking it in

i can't relate to the club mentality--i might be able to identify with the fraternity point of view; a group of like minded people with no rules or dues--

 

[krgulick]

Cyndi, bootleg is a very lucky man to have you. My red head with a streak of independence passed back in July. She was half Irish and half Cherokee. Cherish the time you have together.
Sorry got off subject for a second. I try to keep my spending in the $50-150 range. I don't really keep it to a certain amount of pipes per year. I just purchase when I can swing it.

 

[wolfscout]

I've never been one to care much about who. how, when, where or why someone says I should do something.

hobbies and other "pastimes" are meant to be enjoyed individually or in groups socially.

I view puffing as a very individualistic act that I share only with my wife.

I like to learn what others do, I like to see what others like.. perhaps I will get some inspiration to try something I've not done. Perhaps I'll read and chuckle at something I used to do or say.

It's all about growth. I don't especially care what legislation is discussed or enacted.

You couldn't purchase liquor once too. All things come around given time.

Don't get your panties all wound up in your crack because nothing stays the same or lasts forever.

Life is like that.

 

[unclearthur]

It's a hobby. A person can spend as much or as little on it as they want. I am nuts about Peterson pipes and have spent far more than I should on them. On the other hand Dunhill pipes hold no interest for me. It's all a matter of what you like and are willing to spend.

 

[classicgeek]

My red head with a streak of independence passed back in July.

My condolences. As a lucky man with just such a woman, I hope for many more years with her by my side.
But back on topic: I find that I buy more pipes than it strictly makes sense to. I mean, I'm not a frequent smoker, and I don't really identify myself as a man with PAD, but I see it as rounding out the variety of pipes at my disposal. Anyone can look at their collection and say: "you know, I'm missing a XXXX" and then that starts to grow in their minds until they start combing the B&M's and online stores and eBay until they find it. It's the hunter-gatherer instinct in action.
I don't have a quota, but if I did, the one that would make sense is much lower than 3 per year. I guess since I'm exceeding my quota, I won't get fired, right?
Simon

 

[cyndi]

krgulick - I am very sorry for your loss and I hope the happy memories vastly outweigh the sad ones. She was a lucky woman to have been blessed with a man who appreciated her "foibles" and loved her for them. *hugs*

 

[marmal4de]

I buy too many pipes, don't think I could cut down to just three.

 

[pstlpkr]

I used to think $50 was a lot to spend on a pipe. Then it went to $100.

Now it's at about $200-$300. I know, I need help !

Puffintuff... I thought the same way...

I think I've come full circle...
Now, if I'm looking to buy a pipe, I don't look at the price anymore.

Unless of course it's too big for the budget...

I now look for the qualities that appeal to me...

The way it looks, feels, drilled right and comfy.

If it is a $15 basket pipe... great!

If it's a $200 Johs.... great!

 

[sherlock]

Lets look at who you're talking to here about rules for how we should support our hobby. We are smokers in a time where tobacco is considered by many, including our government, a obscenity and menace to society. Furthermore the type of tobacco we smoke and the tool we use to smoke it is even further on the fringe of society. If we cared for "rules" and people telling us how we should live we probably would not be smoking anything. If we support any tobacco shops that carry pipes and pipe tobacco we are supporting the hobby and life passion that is pipes. I would even argue that, as sad it may be, pipe smokers are so few and far between that the only way the hobby will survive is through online shops and communities that can reach a customer base large enough to stay operational. I like my local shop and I like to go to shows, but in a market driven economy I am going to go where I get the best value for my money, and this is often online. I think if there is any rule for a community such as ours is should be "Enjoy your pipe and tobacco by whatever means you like." :puffpipe:

 

[krgulick]

Thanks Simon and Cyndi. It is very appreciated. She definitely will be irreplaceable. Here is to many years for you each to have with your respective spouses.
Sorry for the commercial break, now back to your normal programming.

 

[PeriqueMyInterest]

Unless I'm buying an estate pipe for $10 I would not be able to buy three pipes without feeling very irresponsible. I have never been fond of basket pipes, call me a snob, but I just haven't seen one I like. 3 pipes at the B&M, with the taste I have in pipes, is a lot of bread.

 

[sjpipesmoker]

I like to hold a pipe and see how it fells in my hands...i dont want to spend 150 on a pipe through the internet and have it feel awkard and not confortable...I will buy estate's for less than 50 and be okay with it not feeling bad...I might go to my B&M...try out a few pipes and then go online and see if i can get it cheaper...if it's a few bucks cheaper, i'll go back to the B&M and purchase it, If i can save over 15 bucks, then i'll buy it online. Currently i have about 30 unsmoked pipes, so I will not be buying any more soon...of maybe i will!!??

 

[rigmedic1]

Went on a binge this year. Got a Peterson Kildare Dublin, a Brigham Pot, a Savinelli Bing's Favorite, an M&M cob, and a nice Barling Guinea Grains full bent that I found in an antigue shop. Also asked Uncle Arthur for a Cutty. I found a Custombilt, a Charatans Make, and a Peben Holm, but didn't buy those. Not yet, anyway, lol. I didn't buy any pipes from 1995 to 2005, so I guess I am feeding my guilt, lol. Fully half of my stable I acquired in the last 6 years, 56 pipes in all. I'm a regular junkie! And the only one I got since joining the forum was the Barling. Uncle Arthur's Cutty will make 2, so that's one every other month since I joined. Must be subliminal messaging, lol.

 

[ace57]

Buy the pipes You like and smoke the tobacco You like and You will have a home run every time and that's all I got to say on this one. ::