Are You A Pipe Collector or A Pipe Smoker?

[Greenleaf]

I only collect what I need, and smoke constantly. Could use a few more. Of course, nothing should be entirely utilitarian, I still just love to look at my rack of simple, rusticated pipes. But, none of 'em are for show, and one is always either in use or in my pocket pouch.

 

[Harlock999]

Bumping this classic post.

 

[DrT999]

A pure smoker as opposed to pipe collector -- of course I think many of us have pipe tobaccos it will be tough getting to or getting back to, but that's a different discussion to having pipes we rarely get to!

 

[LIPIPE]

I'm a 100% smoker. "My boyz all take heat for me." They all work for my pleasure. They are all used to a tough life. They eat what I stuff into them, they burn their "calories" to the bottom and they get clenched continuously. I ride on saddle bits. They get a bath when a week's worth of them are racked and then they come back for more. They are all trained to face me attentively and I don't take any complaints from them or from anyone else for that matter about them. Some of my pipes are estate rescues others have been with me from birth but they all get my attention on a regular basis. They are all working men and they know the routine.

 

[Dottleman]

Smoker...definitely a smoker. I love amassing pipes, but only so I can smoke LOTS of pipes

 

[NeroWolfe]

Smoker and Collector !!!!!!

 

[Buckshot]

Smoker and pack rat, definitely.
Collector? I suppose so, but I
only buy pipes to smoke.

Yup...me too.

 

[Brewdude]

Like collecting pipes but they're all smokers.

Only have one that I haven't commissioned yet - a way beautiful Don Carlos one note volcano that I picked up in the UK back in '01. It's the most expensive pipe in my possession, think it cost around $225 or something, but the cost isn't what's stopping me from smoking it.

And, not really sure what is for that matter! Guess I like looking at it more than smoking it.


:silent:



Cheers,

RR

 

[Zeno Marx]

Like collecting pipes but they're all smokers.

That's what makes this a difficult question. I don't know anyone who doesn't smoke the pipes they gather. I'm know they are out there, but I never met anyone like that. All the collectors I know are smokers first. Maybe the folks buying $900 Larry Roush pipes are art collectors or something.

 

[LIPIPE]

We are "accumulators" rather than collectors. It's all in the terminology. There is a distinct similarity between our pipes and our guns. We like them and we like to acquire them. We can never say we have enough or that we will not acquire another. We consume ammunition and we consume tobacco. We always seek a better shot and a better smoke. When it comes to our pipes and our guns it's a totally different story. We admire them, we clean them, we display them, we appreciate them and we get pleasure from them. I personally have enormous reserves of inner strength, however, I am weak when it comes to not smoking a new pipe or not shooting a newly acquired gun. That is a feat I shall happily never accomplish. Pipes and guns are a man's tools. Take care of them and they will take care of you. They don't wear out, they don't go out of style and they pass on from generation to generation. If you want to see pride, just look at a guy smoking his pipe and cleaning his gun. If you want to hear room note complaints just mix the manly aroma's of latakia and Hoppe's solvent. My only regret is that our founding fathers passed the second amendment and failed to include the right to enjoy a pipe while bearing arms. So on this very sad 9-11 memorial day I remember those lost both on that day and since that day, and I am smoking my finest pipe in reflection. I extend appreciation and tribute to all of the law enforcement officers and military personnel bearing arms to protect us. I am an accumulator and very comfortable about it.

 

[Brewdude]

Well said. I can't add anything more.

Cheers,

RR

We are "accumulators" rather than collectors. It's all in the terminology. There is a distinct similarity between our pipes and our guns. We like them and we like to acquire them. We can never say we have enough or that we will not acquire another. We consume ammunition and we consume tobacco. We always seek a better shot and a better smoke. When it comes to our pipes and our guns it's a totally different story. We admire them, we clean them, we display them, we appreciate them and we get pleasure from them. I personally have enormous reserves of inner strength, however, I am weak when it comes to not smoking a new pipe or not shooting a newly acquired gun. That is a feat I shall happily never accomplish. Pipes and guns are a man's tools. Take care of them and they will take care of you. They don't wear out, they don't go out of style and they pass on from generation to generation. If you want to see pride, just look at a guy smoking his pipe and cleaning his gun. If you want to hear room note complaints just mix the manly aroma's of latakia and Hoppe's solvent. My only regret is that our founding fathers passed the second amendment and failed to include the right to enjoy a pipe while bearing arms. So on this very sad 9-11 memorial day I remember those lost both on that day and since that day, and I am smoking my finest pipe in reflection. I extend appreciation and tribute to all of the law enforcement officers and military personnel bearing arms to protect us. I am an accumulator and very comfortable about it.

 

[Dutch]

I remember once while reading a book about pipes, the author said he had friends that were pipe collectors, but never smoked pipes at all. At the time I read the book, that was hard for me to comprehend.

However, later I remembered how I felt when I visited Paris for the first time, and the Louvre. How fascinating it is to view such history that had been so well preserved.

They say that eventually the worlds briar supply will become so scarce, that pipes carved from briar will be much more expensive than they are today.

I think there is a possibility that at some point in the future, some of the high grade briar pipes that are being preserved today, may sit behind glass next to a sign that prohibits the use of flashbulbs.

I have pipes I smoke, and pipes I admire and haven't smoked yet. Some I suspect I never will, and one day I hope that someone somewhere, appreciates my sacrifice and self control.

 

[MisterE]

I collect pipes that I like to smoke. How's that? 8)

 

[mark]

I collect pipes that I like to smoke. How's that? 8)

There's one in every crowd,, ,,,,I guess you covered all the bases MisterE,,,,

 

[Buckshot]

I collect pipes that I like to smoke. How's that? 8)

And I smoke pipes that I like to collect. So there! :cheers:

 

[whitebriar]

smoker only--
like the guy above said, i have 'accumulated' some pipes over the past 5 decades,
but i haven't collected them--nothin' artistic about 'em--all but one shows it's age--

 

[riff raff]

I've only been smoking a pipe for six months now and in the beginning, I couldn't imagine needing more than one or two pipes. My perspective has changed, but so far, my pipes are all smokers. At the moment, I can't imagine buying a pipe that I did not smoke. But, in a few years, who knows how that will change. For now, all of my small collection get used regularly.

 

[LIPIPE]

Al: Like your bike. Looking at it shiny in the garage only goes so far. Riding it is better. A man needs his toys and he needs to play with them. Ride tough, smoke well and enjoy ************!

 

[riff raff]

Al: Like your bike. Looking at it shiny in the garage only goes so far. Riding it is better. A man needs his toys and he needs to play with them. Ride tough, smoke well and enjoy ************!

That definitely translates: ride'em, don't hide'em!

I suppose if I were ever to acquire a real collectible, a replacement stem could be created easily to allow for occasional use. I'd probably take that route.

I just turned 50 a few weeks ago and my new philosophy is get the pipes I want and smoke them. I would hate to turn 80 (God willing) and have some wonderful pipes that I never had the pleasure of smoking.

 

[Airborne]

I agree with Marty. I’m a pipe smoker who accumulates pipes. I can’t imagine buying a pipe - no matter what price - and then not smoking it. Sometimes I’ll buy a pipe and not smoke it for up to a week or so, letting the anticipation build! Then when I do smoke it, ahhhhhhhhh!

I can understand how a non-smoker might collect pipes for their artistic value - sort of as works of art. I do not know anyone who does, however.