Too Many Pipes ... Or Not

[thomasw]

Of the forty briar pipes I own I smoke 25 regularly. These 25 are all excellent quality. I view pipes as tools and I desire tools which I consider beautiful in both function and form. I'd find anything less unsatisfactory in use. The other 15 pipes are my knock arounds and some have sentimental value. I have been acquiring pipes since 1994. Presently I buy pipes rarely, but when I do it is very carefully considered.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Too many pipes? Too much money? Too much free time? Too much fun? Too much love? Too much of anything is just enough.

 

[npod]

 

[mso489]

To my amazement, among Forums members, I think I am about in the middle on number of pipes, or maybe a little above average.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

One of the biggest lies we tell ourselves.

Not a lie. Your comment help me to become committed. 10 up for sale on the bay.
Ferndown Bark 3 star on eBay

 

[rmpeeps]

Nice Ferndown!

While I’m always looking at new pipes from the established makes, and newer craftsmen, I believe I have enough pipes.

I stopped off at s shop today and out of about 80 pipes there was only one that drew me in. The young man said I’d spotted the most expensive pipe in the shop; a Castello Greatline Dublin KKK in Old Antiquari finish.

Was it nice? Yep.

Do I need a $700 pipe today? Nope.

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

I've had a good number of pipes over the years, but I found that some pipes I didn't smoke for one reason or another, so those pipes got sold off. The funds were either used to buy new, nicer pipes and/or tobacco. I've recently narrowed down my collection to only good smoking, better quality pipes. No sense having bad pipes that aren't going to be smoked taking up space. My collection currently consist of 16 meerschaum pipes, 14 briar pipes, and 12 corn cob pipes. What I have currently works well for me, but I'm always looking for that next new pipe.

 

[mso489]

'Trouble is, when you sell, trade, or give away pipes, it incites a sense of false scarcity, like there is this vacuum to be filled.

 

[cigrmaster]

I finally counted my pipes for the first time in I don't know how long. The total number is 84. Now to some that is a drop in the bucket, to others it is a stupid amount. I have room for maybe 4 more in my racks and I am currently not in the market to buy anymore. The only way I will buy another pipes is if I can steal it. I can never pass up a steal.

 

[mso489]

cigr', I think I'm at about the same count. Now I rationalize -- quite a few were gifts, a number are cobs. Thems a lot of pipes.

 

[9mmpuffer]

Tobaccos are different. Long after the FDA has run each tobacco company into bankruptcy and regulated tobaccos into back alley deals, and pushed us into the deep dark web. "Psssttt, hey buddy, want to buy some perique? Shhhh..." Long after that, you'll still be able to buy the pipes in junk shops and such. So, I will get excited about a new blend, long before I'll get excited by a new blast or some killer grain.

Great point, I agree. I'm more focused on tobacco. 99.9% of the time I smoke alone and I'm just grabbing a meerschaum that is beat up. Some day, tobacco is going to be impossible to find and there will be hundreds of thousands of beautiful pipes with no use. I have about 20 pipes now, that is plenty. These days, in order to buy one, I have to sell another first.

 

[pepesdad1]

I've got over 50 pipes, not alot, and I smoke them all in a sort of rotation. My main concern is if I have enough tobacco. I don't want to touch my tinned McClelland tobaccos until they have at least 10 years on them..They are half way there. My cellar is only 70 pounds, I hope it last as long as I live...I'm 75. A few years back a friend in London made me 16 pipes which have a lot of love in them. I try to smoke them as much as possible. My GBDs and Comoys get smoked alot too.

 

[mso489]

pepesdad1, sounds like you can just coast with enough pipes and plenty of tobacco. I have more pipes and not near as much tobacco, but whatever i buy is just an indulgence, for fun, and never because I'm low on either. I'm a moderate smoker, a bowl a day, some days off, so I actually feel exhilarated when I finish a jar or tin of tobacco. That's seldom what makes me order more.