Too Good to Smoke - Pipe Quality v Tobacco Quality

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May 9, 2021
1,688
3,621
56
Geoje Island South Korea
Are you quite sure what you have in your pipe IS tobacco ? rotf

This is meant to be an enjoyable, relaxing past time.

I am sure there are those who keep spreadsheets of their pipes and tobacco.
And which blend they have smoked in which pipe, and given that a rating.
It sounds terribly anal to me.
But if that is what floats your boat, then do it.
No right or wrong. ;)
At one point when I began smoking a pipe, and later buying more pipes, I was getting paranoid with which pipe I should use with what tobacco......
Happy I shunned that nonsense!
 

warren

Lifer
Sep 13, 2013
12,300
18,324
Foothills of the Chugach Range, AK
Or will pipes always have the upper hand as the instruments of our art?
I have criteria for purchasing pipes and only purchase what catches my eye and passes the criteria. I consider the pipe to be a tool, keep it relatively clean and use the hell out 'em. No art form for me, stuff and puff like many here. So, perhaps I shouldn't be answering your question. I did so to reinforce the idea that pipes mean many different things to smokers. For me, I rate how the pipe fits my fist and clenches. Pipes, for me, are simply nicotine delivery systems with a bit of art to them and lots of proper workmanship. Hardly instruments. But, I'm more of a realist than a fancier of dead wood or, much as I love my meers, meerschaum. Look and feel are important but, they are simply tools to be properly maintained much as a screwdriver, chainsaw, etc.:sher:
 
May 9, 2021
1,688
3,621
56
Geoje Island South Korea
I have criteria for purchasing pipes and only purchase what catches my eye and passes the criteria. I consider the pipe to be a tool, keep it relatively clean and use the hell out 'em. No art form for me, stuff and puff like many here. So, perhaps I shouldn't be answering your question. I did so to reinforce the idea that pipes mean many different things to smokers. For me, I rate how the pipe fits my fist and clenches. Pipes, for me, are simply nicotine delivery systems with a bit of art to them and lots of proper workmanship. Hardly instruments. But, I'm more of a realist than a fancier of dead wood or, much as I love my meers, meerschaum. Look and feel are important but, they are simply tools to be properly maintained much as a screwdriver, chainsaw, etc.:sher:
Yup.
A very practical way of looking at pipes.
 

kola

Lifer
Apr 1, 2014
1,548
2,401
Colorado Rockies, Cripple Creek region
I've never been big on pricey and/or flashy pipes. I think my biggest buy was a 250 USD pipe. I currently own 5 briar pipes right now and a few cobs. Estate Petes and 2 Boswells, all great smokers.

I do like to spend large amounts on older aged or discontinued tobaccos though. And I smoke em' down. At 65, life is short. I'll gift some of my stash away before I kick the bucket too. There's no way I'll smoke down all the tobacco that I've cellared.

Would high quality tobacco smoke good in a MM cob? I'd say yes. But much better in briar. YMMV.
 

reloader

Lifer
Dec 5, 2021
1,980
23,982
Southern, NM
I don't think I'll ever have a pipe or tobacco that's too good to smoke. I tend to grab the blends I like and smoke them more, and in any pipe that strikes my fancy at the time. If I collected I could see having a vintage pipe that is unsmoked and keeping it that way, but never tobacco.
 
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FLDRD

Lifer
Oct 13, 2021
2,236
9,051
Arkansas
Tomorrow I'll turn 78 and I've been a pipe smoker for about 60 years. I would liketo think I've learned something it all that time. One thing I can tell you from experience is the best tobacco in the world can smoke like chap in a bad pipe ! puffy
Happy birthday.
 

mso489

Lifer
Feb 21, 2013
41,210
60,610
I buy tobacco pipes and pipe blends to smoke. I keep my purchases within that frame. If I want something that is first of all a work of art, I'd buy a painting or piece of sculpture, which I've done.

I have some finer pipes that are within the realm of art, but not so fine that there is any question about smoking them. I appreciate pipes that are so magnificent that they raise that question, but if I want high art, paintings and sculpture are the way I'd go.
 
Jul 18, 2019
16
39
Update: Brought this up over pipes yesterday with a friend returning from abroad. The look on his face...

His gear is pretty minimalist for ease while traveling. Also known to lose pipes every now and then. His response was, "I just put it in my pipe and smoke it. So...put THAT in your pipe and smoke it!"

Cheers