12 Step Program for Pipe Addicts?

Oxymoron_RU · Mar 3, 2022

All, I think I have a problem. That's the first step, right? Admitting that there's a problem? I've been a pipe smoker for all of four weeks now, and I have a pipe collection:

Mr. Brog Churchwarden (quite possibly a mistake)
Missouri Meerschaum, Country Gentleman
Savinelli 616ks 2021 St. Nicholas
Brigham Voyageur 154 (on the way)
Peterson Killarny Red Bulldog (on the way)

At this rate, the inside of my mouth will resemble smoke-cured jerky inside a month or two.

In all seriousness, I think I'm done for a while. The cob pipe is easy to smoke, and I don't feel like I have to take any special precautions when out and about with it. The Savinelli is my go-to for aromatics, and the Brigham and Peterson are for the English blends currently en-route. I've set a pipe and tobacco budget, and should be able to stick to it. Just curious how many others have experienced a similar initial frenzy.

Zeno Marx · Mar 3, 2022

Options are often the root of evil. When I started a pipe, I was eating $.25 cans of ravioli from Aldi, before Aldi was known outside of the poor and college kids. That was my treat meal. I was usually spending less per meal. Meaning, I had to save up for months for each new pipe. Allowed for ample time to get acquainted with each one. The moment those financial restraints were lifted, it was a problem. Such a problem that I lost sight of why I was into pipes: smoking pipes, not collecting pipes. I couldn't find a balance, so I eventually quit and sold all but a couple and put those in a box, not to be looked at again for years. It's too bad it isn't like music and file sharing. I went through a similar cycle with collecting music. When the object was removed, it again became about the music and not the records.

Niblick · Mar 3, 2022

Slow and steady wins the race. Make a pipe budget and a tobacco budget each month and stick to it.

urbino · Mar 3, 2022

Don't sleep on that Mr. Brog. I know a couple of guys who own a lot of expensive pipes who like their Brogs.

Oxymoron_RU · Mar 3, 2022

urbino said:
Don't sleep on that Mr. Brog. I know a couple of guys who own a lot of expensive pipes who like their Brogs.

I may have rushed to judgement on it. The extra stem length is rather nice for aromatics; more distance and time for the smoke to cool.

Oxymoron_RU · Mar 3, 2022

Zeno Marx said:
Options are often the root of evil. When I started a pipe, I was eating $.25 cans of ravioli from Aldi, before Aldi was known outside of the poor and college kids. That was my treat meal. I was usually spending less per meal. Meaning, I had to save up for months for each new pipe. Allowed for ample time to get acquainted with each one. The moment those financial restraints were lifted, it was a problem. Such a problem that I lost sight of why I was into pipes: smoking pipes, not collecting pipes. I couldn't find a balance, so I eventually quit and sold all but a couple and put those in a box, not to be looked at again for years. It's too bad it isn't like music and file sharing. I went through a similar cycle with collecting music. When the object was removed, it again became about the music and not the records.

Indeed. I think the initial spree is over, and I do want to take the time to get familiar with each pipe. My thoughts behind those purchases (apart from, "Ooooh, shiny"), were:

Aromatics:

Corn cob because it smokes well and I don't mind it getting a little beaten up when I'm out and about.
Savinelli because . . . well, Savinelli. And I wanted a nicer pipe for smoking aromatics around the house.

English Blends:

Brigham because it's slim, light and not too expensive, so I don't mind traveling or hiking with it.
Peterson because I want a higher quality pipe to enjoy with my English blends around the house.

D.L.Ruth · Mar 3, 2022

I've got one Peterson Killarney Red and it is s very nice looking pipe. I don't have the bulldog but that is one of my favorite shapes, I'm sure you'll love it when it gets there.

Ranger107 · Mar 4, 2022

Since I started smoking a pipe in the early 70's in college I really can't remember. However, pipes were cheap enough at the time that I didn't have any real problem acquiring a few decent pjpes. Savs, Comoy's Everyman, couple of GBD's. And there was a pipe shop in Campustown run by a nice older fellow who was willing to help a newbie.