Too many choices? Maybe...

[mike68]

Some additional musings have come to mind looking back on my first year enjoying pipe smoking...

I realized that I am, probably like many others, a victim of my own restlessness when it comes to pipes. Once I realized the magnitude of different pipes, pipe makers, tobaccos, tobacco blends and such I was struck by a need to own ALL of it. Well, that's a bit unreasonable even if I did have the money to do so. So where does it all lead? What SHOULD I, as a newb, really care about or concentrate my time and resources on?

That's a question not easily answered, especially when you are still learning and trying to "master" the very basic acts of loading, lighting and smoking a pipe correctly...or at least to the point of maximizing your enjoyment. But there ARE some things you can think about and assess regarding YOURSELF even while mastering the basics. In my experience, I would suggest the following:

1.) Try and determine a few things you like, don’t like about a pipe or tobacco as soon as you can. This gives you a basis for further experimentation. Example from my experience, I LOVE bent Dublin shaped pipes….and some Kentucky leaf does NOT “agree” with me. I don’t know why, but some blends I’ve smoked with Kentucky taste fine but are just too strong for my constitution. Good or bad, at this point that’s just the way it is. GL Pease’ Jack Knife Ready Rubbed is an excellent tasting blend but I can’t see ordering more as I had to be VERY careful every time I loaded a bowl as to when(after a big meal), what I was drinking with it and how much toby I used…I didn’t care for having to overthink every time I wanted some. Now Solani Aged Burley or Peterson Irish Flake? I can’t get enough….

2.) Don’t feel the need to try everything right now! This is really the pot calling the kettle black as I am guilty but at least I’ve learned to slow down a bit and find the right things for me…as is evident here on PSU, there are folks that have 4 or 5 pipes and 1 or 2 blends and that is ALL they smoke. Then there are folks with hundreds of pipes and enough toby in their cellar from different blends/blenders to last ALL of us for many years to come. Either way is just fine…and the bottom line is the process of FINDING out which side you fall on will come, you don’t need to do it all tomorrow. Unless you obsess about certain things, like me!

3.) Have some tools handy to help but don’t rely on them. PSU is GREAT software and well worth the investment, internet forums and groups are incredible spots to pick up knowledge but there WILL be some trial and error involved. Don’t let the fact that 30 people LOVE blend X force you to feel that you have to love it too. If it ain’t for you, it ain’t for you. A notable item here might be to sample some things if at all possible…which leads to my last point…

4.) Be a “good neighbor” in the pipe smoking community…I’ve found that the “pay it forward” process has worked well for me in the past year. It seems that there is always someone willing to trade toby’s or pipes if you want to try something new and sometimes, it’s even nice to volunteer something to another person looking for a blend that you have but they don’t want to buy an entire tin “just in case”. Being opened to helping a fellow smoker out has paid of for me, I’ve been able to try some things without investing a lot of $ only to find out I don’t like something…plus, by and large, pipe smokers are just good folks anyway!

Hopefully this wasn’t too boring and perhaps I’m passing on some ideas to a fellow newbie that might be helpful…if nothing else, I’ve exercised my own need to put these thoughts in writing so for that, I’m grateful.

Happy smoke rings to all!

[Jesla]

Great post Mike.....

I suggest after you get a few pipes and weeds that you like, build up the cellar. A cellar does at least two things, a hedge against Price and Tax increase, and the ability to vary your weeds so as not to tire of a favorite blend. After your satisfied with your cellar you can go for more pipes.....

[soundlzrd]

Mike I completly agree with your post. And posted something similar one night, not as eloquent, after a few years into the hobby. However, I failled to learn the whole lesson. My pipe collection continues to grow, despite my best efforts to trim it down, as does my cellar. I do however concentrate a few days or weeks to a blend in just a few pipes. This has done wonders for my skill and enjoyment.

Sean

[ol gto]

Excellent post Mike

[mike68]

Great post Mike.....

I suggest after you get a few pipes and weeds that you like, build up the cellar. A cellar does at least two things, a hedge against Price and Tax increase, and the ability to vary your weeds so as not to tire of a favorite blend. After your satisfied with your cellar you can go for more pipes.....

Great point Jeff!

[soundlzrd]

Great post Mike.....

I suggest after you get a few pipes and weeds that you like, build up the cellar. A cellar does at least two things, a hedge against Price and Tax increase, and the ability to vary your weeds so as not to tire of a favorite blend. After your satisfied with your cellar you can go for more pipes.....

The more I thought about this the more I agree. I have a dozen or so untried blends. But I am crazy, I by a few tins at a time, even if I haven't tried it. I would hate to get around to trying it and find out its no longer available. Ive found trading is a great way to get ride of blends you do not like. I've also seen some blends sell on eBay for much higher price than I paid, and I didn't like those either.

[Markw4mms]

Great post!clap.gif

[Whalehead King]

Sound advice. Thanks for sharing.

What I like about this post is that you contemplated your experience, measured it, and gained insight from it. We are a contemplative breed.

I fall into the limited pipe/limited tobacco camp. I like what I like, but this doesn't mean I don't like what I haven't tried. I am just content with what I have. I do occasionally buy new pipes and purchase new tins, but I am happy in my rut, with occasional diversions. It makes me a sort of a stick in the mud, and I'm content with that. My posts tend to focus on the joys of smoking in general more than extolling particular brands or blends. It limits my subject matter, but I don't think it limits my horizons. Like you, I've pondered the implications, and I feel comfortable with the lopsided balance I've achieved.

Your observations on community are spot-on. Always pay it forward. Be generous. This is true in life and it plays out so many times in the pipe smoking community that it really is an obvious maxim after you've experienced it a few times. Good things come to those who give, but we don't do it for freebies. We do it because it is the right thing to do to build community, friendships, and extend the pleasure of pipe smoking within our generation and onto the next. May the bowl never go out!

With a handshake,
WK

[pipe_ninja]

Agree..I went through a stage of buying up lots of pipes...kind of regret it now, as many of the ones I "thought" I like, are collecting dust...would've been best served throwing it towards the cellar. It's hard to resist the temptation of a new pipe...but one has to look at the long term !

[IrishRover]

Great post dude!