Post by sparks on Apr 1, 2016 5:37:41 GMT -5
In the wonderful world of pipes and tobacco there are so many things to accumulate. First there are pipes. Beautiful, functional and so many varieties to choose from. Short ones, fat ones, skinny ones, long ones. It's a veritable wonderland of briar options now available at the click of a mouse in every shape, size and form you could want. Never mind that your budget is low, you can accomplish a collection even then. For as varied as the stylistic options are, so too are the prices. There is no many that can't afford to get in on the game.
Then we have tobacco. Oh sweet nectar of the briar gods. If we thought there was variety in pipes, your head will spin with the options of what to stuff in them. Burley, Virginia, Latakia, Oh My. Many say we are in the hay day of pipe tobacco and it would be hard to disagree. There is an endless stream of new blends that come on the market and that's not even the tip of the iceberg. It's a smorgasbord of flavor, strength and fun that is really only as limited as your imagination. For those who want variety and spice in life, it's like a buffet for a fat guy.
Then of course we have all the other goodies that go along with our little hobby. Pipe cleaners, tampers, tobacco pouches, jars vs. bags, pipe racks and cases. Yes, we would make many women proud with the amount of crap that we are required to carry around to accommodate our hobby. Hell, some of us even have purses that would make many of the female persuasion jealous. While we are not buying $500 Gucci bags to fill to the brim with makeup, we don't hesitate to spend the same on a bag to load up with tobacco and our latest PAD indulgences.
There is one thing that I forgot to mention though, an often overlooked little accoutrement of our hobby. The lighter. While many of us are content with our wooden matches or have a gorgeous collection of multi-colored BICs, there is a whole world of incendiary devices available to the pipe smoker. They can range from the simple to the extravagant, cheap to expensive. The same sickness that plagues us and uncontrollably forces us to part with our hard earned dollars for a pipe does the same to some with lighters. Aside from function, they can be beautiful as well. I submit the following for your perusal...
The options are endless and so are the price points. You can spend anywhere from a few hundred dollars up into the thousands. While browsing lighters the other night, I came across a few DuPonts that were in the tens of thousands. Limited editions of course, adorned with jewels and gold and such. Far from the affordable for myself and many of us, however these little nuggets are often the focus of peoples obsession, sometimes more alluring than a pipe.
So I ask you, what are your proclivities toward the flame? BICs and matches aside, as this is not that conversation, do you find yourself collecting these sparking investments? Are you a simple Old Boy guy, or do you have an extensive collection of "pinging" DuPonts lining your man cave? Share your pictures and your stories. I'm intrigued if you are Like a Moth to a Flame...
Then we have tobacco. Oh sweet nectar of the briar gods. If we thought there was variety in pipes, your head will spin with the options of what to stuff in them. Burley, Virginia, Latakia, Oh My. Many say we are in the hay day of pipe tobacco and it would be hard to disagree. There is an endless stream of new blends that come on the market and that's not even the tip of the iceberg. It's a smorgasbord of flavor, strength and fun that is really only as limited as your imagination. For those who want variety and spice in life, it's like a buffet for a fat guy.
Then of course we have all the other goodies that go along with our little hobby. Pipe cleaners, tampers, tobacco pouches, jars vs. bags, pipe racks and cases. Yes, we would make many women proud with the amount of crap that we are required to carry around to accommodate our hobby. Hell, some of us even have purses that would make many of the female persuasion jealous. While we are not buying $500 Gucci bags to fill to the brim with makeup, we don't hesitate to spend the same on a bag to load up with tobacco and our latest PAD indulgences.
There is one thing that I forgot to mention though, an often overlooked little accoutrement of our hobby. The lighter. While many of us are content with our wooden matches or have a gorgeous collection of multi-colored BICs, there is a whole world of incendiary devices available to the pipe smoker. They can range from the simple to the extravagant, cheap to expensive. The same sickness that plagues us and uncontrollably forces us to part with our hard earned dollars for a pipe does the same to some with lighters. Aside from function, they can be beautiful as well. I submit the following for your perusal...
The options are endless and so are the price points. You can spend anywhere from a few hundred dollars up into the thousands. While browsing lighters the other night, I came across a few DuPonts that were in the tens of thousands. Limited editions of course, adorned with jewels and gold and such. Far from the affordable for myself and many of us, however these little nuggets are often the focus of peoples obsession, sometimes more alluring than a pipe.
So I ask you, what are your proclivities toward the flame? BICs and matches aside, as this is not that conversation, do you find yourself collecting these sparking investments? Are you a simple Old Boy guy, or do you have an extensive collection of "pinging" DuPonts lining your man cave? Share your pictures and your stories. I'm intrigued if you are Like a Moth to a Flame...
