Would-you-rather: On Pipes and Dreams

[nolan613]

This is good stuff.

I have been thinking about where to put my money. Someone can fill the pipe rack (with good or bad smokers) or sell all but a solid 3-day rotation of great pipes.

The sweet spot very well may be more than 3 great pipes. For the sake of the thought experiment, it was necessary to push the variables a little.

The consensus seems to be that if I have quality briar sitting cold on the rack, then I don't need another pipe.

Completely agree. If it doesn't get smoked then it get sold...

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

Are these the only 3 pipes I can ever have?

This seems like a Genie trick.

 

[dog_park_piper]

Are these the only 3 pipes I can ever have?

This seems like a Genie trick.

You can trade them out!

The idea was about regulating excessive pipe purchases

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

You can trade them out!

The idea was about regulating excessive pip purchases

In that case 3 good uns.

 

[Chasing Embers]

regulating excessive pipe purchases

 

[dog_park_piper]

View attachment 160625

: Me as I hunt for pipes online way too late.

 

[Chasing Embers]

: Me as I hunt for pipes online way too late.

You can often ask for online shops to get something you're looking for.

 

[judcole]

Three good ones.

 

[anotherbob]

not making fun of the question but I feel like it in a lot of ways is more asking how far are you into pipe collecting. When I started 30 basket pipes would have been my pick and the reasoning being (assuming both are lots without picking them out) at least a few of them are going to look great and smoke great. But now I have my normal pipes and in some way the next one has to be more or different then what I already have. Which means the handmade artisan pipes are kind of drawing more attention from me. Just an observation and a complete making of the generalities. Yeah I've known a pipe smoker or two that has a huge collection of graybows and the guy whose one and only and first pipe cost an arm and a leg (not sure what dollar amount that equals, thankfully it doesn't have to be your arm and leg) and isn't in the market for another pipe, they have their pipe. But in general I bet most of us scale up a bit as we go (even that just means someday you'll buy a pipe that costs over 60 dollars).

 

[anotherbob]

You can often ask for online shops to get something you're looking for.

wait are you saying they're interested in making money and having happy customers. And sometimes they'll even be really awesome too and say oh we don't carry that but these other guys have a great line of those.

 

[Chasing Embers]

wait are you saying they're interested in making money and having happy customers. And sometimes they'll even be really awesome too and say oh we don't carry that but these other guys have a great line of those.

Alot of the time they'll either contact or put you in contact with the carver or manufacturer to get you what you need. That's how I met Bruce Weaver.

 

[dog_park_piper]

not making fun of the question but I feel like it in a lot of ways is more asking how far are you into pipe collecting. When I started 30 basket pipes would have been my pick and the reasoning being (assuming both are lots without picking them out) at least a few of them are going to look great and smoke great. But now I have my normal pipes and in some way the next one has to be more or different then what I already have. Which means the handmade artisan pipes are kind of drawing more attention from me. Just an observation and a complete making of the generalities. Yeah I've known a pipe smoker or two that has a huge collection of graybows and the guy whose one and only and first pipe cost an arm and a leg (not sure what dollar amount that equals, thankfully it doesn't have to be your arm and leg) and isn't in the market for another pipe, they have their pipe. But in general I bet most of us scale up a bit as we go (even that just means someday you'll buy a pipe that costs over 60 dollars).

I get this point. If someone is into pipe collecting, then the question doesn't really apply.

 

[StringBEan]

Well, I have a bad case of the “ooh shiny” disease, so I’d pick the 30. I also smoke while working at a warehouse and fly fishing, so I’d rather know that if I ruin/lose a pipe, I have more in the wings. Custom briars are absolutely gorgeous, but my $7 MM cob smokes beautifully. Plus, it’s fun to lean into the hick image it puts off. Besides, with 30 basket pipes, I could devote each one to a separate blend.

 

[Bob the bear]

When I started piping I would have said 30 basket pipes….don’t want to wreck a nice pipe in the beginning, but now that old older and somewhat less silly I would choose 3 good ones.

 

[cigrmaster]

I prefer artisan made pipes and will stick with them.

 

[FLDRD]

Would you rather own a set of three hand-made great quality briar pipes

OR

30 basket pipes?


The tobacco you use is the same, regardless.

?

I'm answering before reading and being swayed by other responses...

Having very few hand-made pipes, yet loving them for what they are, I think I'd rather have 30 basket pipes.

I still like to wander around in my choice of blends, and I have some great basket / cheap pipes that provide great results for me. So I like to have variety in the pipes as well. Also, as I've progressed, I've found that increased skill will "compensate" for average pipes and I've no problem with most of them now.

My answer might change years from now if I discover an entirely new level of quality pipe that I never dreamed of, but I don't see myself heading that direction or spending the $ to find out if I'm missing something.

Now to read other responses.

 

[Kobold]

I would go with the three handmade quality briar option. I would have to be more careful when I take them camping and on hikes but I like to get out and use my stuff and a busted pipe is part of that sometimes.

 

[jpmcwjr]

If I were new to pipes, and had one or two only, I'd go for the 30. After I learned so much by haunting this forum, I'd start collecting some gems.

 

[olkofri]

10 factory made pipes.

 

[Searock Fan]

If we are assuming the 3 artisan pipes are all good smokers and the 30 basket pipes are not so good smokers, I'll take the 3. Why would I want to own 30 pipes I don't want to smoke?