Why do I Want to Buy More and More Pipes?

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alaskanpiper

Enabler in Chief
May 23, 2019
9,431
43,844
Alaska
We all have that disorder. But don't give up completely on mid-range pipes! There are LOTS of quality, nicely made, mid-range, pipes out there.
This is absolutely true. From $50 on up there are pipes that can be found that punch well above their weight. It may take some dogged scouring to find them, but they should not be ignored.
 

anotherbob

Lifer
Mar 30, 2019
16,661
31,234
46
In the semi-rural NorthEastern USA
I am only a beginner when it comes to serious piping. Maybe 6 months into it. BUT I already own 2 dozen pipes AND I keep looking/drooling over more. Is this normal or am I going mad?!!! At the moment I have a craving for a cutty like the Sav 402. Something really appealing about the lines of it.

Savinelli Petite Natural 402 Tobacco Pipe
you're acting mad. I think people here have to many pipes. If you can't smoke it regularly what do you have it for? Barring the special occasion pipes either celebrations or special needs pipes (like ones for fishing/camping/hiking, huge chamber for when you got the time, small chamber for when you don't, the one for lakelands.) That said not the worst kind of madness you could have. The one advantage of collecting pipes over tattoos is that it's a lot harder to run out of space and realize you'd rather have something else.
Seriously though I'd say like any addiction and pipe buying is an addiction in my opinion (or can be), if it's not interfering with your life or causing you more distress then it's relieving then it really isn't anyone elses business what you do. Like if you find your self starving, risking not paying your rent, or noticing the wife is trying to murder you... Then whatever you live once.
 
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anotherbob

Lifer
Mar 30, 2019
16,661
31,234
46
In the semi-rural NorthEastern USA
Yeah, thanks to our wonderfull people in Brussels or Strasbourg. I should nuance my statement: countries are allowed to ban it according to EU regulations, which normally means they will. But I'll be fine stocking up this year and maybe drive twice a year to my then favorite places. I average about 2 pounds a month now. I ain't no hoarder for the hoarding, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to stock up as ordering online is convenient.
best thing to do is for them to find a way to make their money on it. They make their money they have less reason to ban it. Also if they leave it local like that guess what, you at least have a chance to make your case. And a big part of the case is just how culturally relevant pipes are as well as how much of specialty thing they are. How it's not like cigarettes where you're avoiding local options but are lacking in local options. Politicians are like dogs totally selfish but also feel like they have to please people. Use these to your advantage.
 

Hillcrest

Lifer
Dec 3, 2021
3,691
18,868
Connecticut, USA
I am only a beginner when it comes to serious piping. Maybe 6 months into it. BUT I already own 2 dozen pipes AND I keep looking/drooling over more. Is this normal or am I going mad?!!! At the moment I have a craving for a cutty like the Sav 402. Something really appealing about the lines of it.

Savinelli Petite Natural 402 Tobacco Pipe
Break in the pipes you already have and see what you really like to smoke rather than being attracted to eye candy. Yeah, it looks cute but does it have a nice personality and meet your needs for the long haul ?
 

DanWil84

Lifer
Mar 8, 2021
1,691
12,663
40
The Netherlands (Europe)
best thing to do is for them to find a way to make their money on it. They make their money they have less reason to ban it. Also if they leave it local like that guess what, you at least have a chance to make your case. And a big part of the case is just how culturally relevant pipes are as well as how much of specialty thing they are. How it's not like cigarettes where you're avoiding local options but are lacking in local options. Politicians are like dogs totally selfish but also feel like they have to please people. Use these to your advantage.

That's my view on it to. Cigars and pipetobacco are evenly taxed with cigarettes (at least in the Netherlands), where they are a smaller part or even a non issue to the problems smoking brings. Not that any tax hike will offset the costs for healthcare as those costs trump 10 fold the total federal (we don't have state taxes) income on taxes and duties of the tobacco sold, that's at least what research tells us. All second hand smoking has been banned (which i'm totally fine with). You can't smoke in a cigarlounge anymore as smoking at workplaces, even in a enclosed space where employees don't enter. You are only allowed to smoke in the comfort of your home or outside and even there local governments are allowed to have non smoking spaces as a request.

But lets not hijack the topic of @OSOBUCO with legislation, I'll be fine either way, I just have to put in more effort or smoke what is available to me which is doable but not preferable.
 

Hillcrest

Lifer
Dec 3, 2021
3,691
18,868
Connecticut, USA
This is fairly normal. My anecdotal advice would be to try to tamp it down as much as you can or you will end up like me. I'm 3 years in and have already sold off probably 70 pipes from my collection, most of which I bought in haste in the first 6 months.

I found later on that once I realized what I liked in pipes (after buying countless savs and petes) I would rather spend more money less often on higher quality pipes.
I agree with the personal learning curve here but had a different experience. One of the threads here discussed the 'desert island scenario' or 'burning house situation' and that caused me to analyze which pipes I enjoy the most of the ones I own. The pipes I enjoy most also happen to be the least expensive ones I purchased because I knew what I wanted, sought them out and waited then purchased. They are excellent 'tools' as someone else called them ... those are the ones I use most often. Analyzing what pipes you really keep going back to is the key then sticking to it. YMMV !
 

Hillcrest

Lifer
Dec 3, 2021
3,691
18,868
Connecticut, USA
I agree with the personal learning curve here but had a different experience. One of the threads here discussed the 'desert island scenario' or 'burning house situation' and that caused me to analyze which pipes I enjoy the most of the ones I own. The pipes I enjoy most also happen to be the least expensive ones I purchased because I knew what I wanted, sought them out and waited then purchased. They are excellent 'tools' as someone else called them ... those are the ones I use most often. Analyzing what pipes you really keep going back to is the key then sticking to it. YMMV !
P.S. There is a lot of experience and advice on this site from which one can learn without pain. I couldn't understand the attraction to hand made high end pipes until I bought a hand made estate pipe ... there is a world of difference ! (Fast Food vs Gourmet!) Now i understand ! So Alakanpiper is right. Fewer but better. YMMV.
 
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JOHN72

Lifer
Sep 12, 2020
5,824
57,282
51
Spain - Europe
Perfectly normal, I started with PAD which turned to TAD. It's written in the stars 2023 will be a disastrous year for online tobacco buying (shipping will be banned) in the EU, so I'm stocking up as much as I can this year. After that I can go on a PAD spree again, I'll get 1 pipe in and that will be it for this year, or not, who knows.
I very much agree my friend Dan.
 

alaskanpiper

Enabler in Chief
May 23, 2019
9,431
43,844
Alaska
P.S. There is a lot of experience and advice on this site from which one can learn without pain. I couldn't understand the attraction to hand made high end pipes until I bought a hand made estate pipe ... there is a world of difference ! (Fast Food vs Gourmet!) Now i understand ! So Alakanpiper is right. Fewer but better. YMMV.
You are also correct sir. Some of my favorite pipes remain some of the cheaper ones I bought early on. There are some great smokers (and occasionally lookers!) out there at moderate prices.
 
Mar 1, 2014
3,658
4,960
I am only a beginner when it comes to serious piping. Maybe 6 months into it. BUT I already own 2 dozen pipes AND I keep looking/drooling over more. Is this normal or am I going mad?!!! At the moment I have a craving for a cutty like the Sav 402. Something really appealing about the lines of it.

Savinelli Petite Natural 402 Tobacco Pipe
Pipe collecting is an extreme form of FOMO.

Every pipe is unique, so every time you look at a pipe retailer you're inundated with "once in a lifetime" opportunities.

No matter how many pipes I have, sometimes I still regret not buying some of the pipes that I've seen.
Other times I just have to shake my head at what I've become.
 
In my last minutes of life, I am sure I am not going to be thinking about pipes I could have owned. But, dammit, I will be mumbling over and over for my wife to remember her pledge to send my pipes off with me. Unless she dies before me... in that case, some stranger will most likely not know what the hell I am talking about. puffy
 
Jan 28, 2018
13,912
155,505
67
Sarasota, FL
This is fairly normal. My anecdotal advice would be to try to tamp it down as much as you can or you will end up like me. I'm 3 years in and have already sold off probably 70 pipes from my collection, most of which I bought in haste in the first 6 months.

I found later on that once I realized what I liked in pipes (after buying countless savs and petes) I would rather spend more money less often on higher quality pipes.
This 100%. Quality over quantity.
 

Grumpy11

Starting to Get Obsessed
Feb 9, 2022
205
317
74
Vero Beach Florida, Secretary, MD
I have been smoking pipes for forty years. I average two pipe purchases per year, maybe more. Three Dunhill estates this year, a Rossi, Karl Eric, that I can think of. I’m getting ready to order a new Savinelli. The year is young. Collecting is very enjoyable. I also collect target shotguns and folding knives. If you haven’t handled a quality folding pocket knife you don’t know what you are missing. Check out A.G. Russell.

I’ve worked very hard over the years and consider it my reward. What the heck, you can’t take it with you. I’m 72 and it has trickled in.
 
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sablebrush52

The Bard Of Barlings
Jun 15, 2013
20,704
48,979
Southern Oregon
jrs457.wixsite.com
I've announced more farewells to pipe buying than Sinatra announced farewell tours.

The last thing I need is another pipe, but the lure is always present. At the height of my mania I was buying a pipe a week. Now it's closer to 1 to 2 pipes a year. Pipes are a pastime for me, one of life's little destructive pleasures and thoroughly enjoyable.

Why do we do this? Well, who wants to admit they're done? We're around for such a short time in the scheme of things and if something gives you pleasure, why not continue to enjoy it as long as you're not consumed with it?