Have you ever stopped to notice

All different souls with a common bond - it makes for a healthy society. Sometimes I think only pipe smokers know the secret to world peace, but who is going to listen?

It’s an extremely subjective hobby, everyone has their favorite blends, how to pack a pipe and even how to properly light the tobacco. We can all learn different techniques from each other, try new blends, but it will most likely turn back around 360 degrees for those that have enjoyed smoking a pipe for many years. No matter if your a new pipe smoker or have over 60 years of experience, we can all learn something new from members of this forum on any given day👍👍

It’s the camaraderie amongst pipe smokers

Do you think it's leaf or the pipe that is the bond?

makes perfect sense to me

haebar
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First Name: John (Tab)
Location: Oak Ridge, Tennessee

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Reply #1 posted Feb 14, 2018 at 5:35am Don, ronv69, and 4 more like this likePost Options Post by haebar on Feb 14, 2018 at 5:35am
Yes, I smoke a pipe. I do it for many reasons:

The Smoking Experience - the whole of many aspects associated with smoking a pipe - choosing the tobacco, packing the bowl, lighting it, puffing on it, handling the pipe, etc.

The Taste Sensations - The taste and smell of each tobacco as it is being smoked.

Fascination with Variety - There is a great diversity of pipes and tobaccos to be enjoyed.

The Beauty of Pipe Materials - the grain of briars, the milky softness of meerschaum, the utility of the cob, etc.

The Excitement of the Hunt - the fun of looking for estate pipes, rare tobaccos, great deals on retail pipes and tobaccos, etc.

I believe this sums it up. To some degree we all share these characteristics and it makes us brothers and sisters that love to share the moment.

AJ

It really isn’t subjective.

I do everything right, and any of you all do anything different than my preferred methods.... well, you are wrong.

Seriously, that is the great ting about this hobby...to the casual observer that has never smoked a pipe there is nothing to it, once you dip your toes into the water, you quickly realize that there are a myriad numbers of ways and methods to prepare and smoke to your fullest enjoyment, and that matter of pipes opens up quite a few different views on that aspect.

It is always good to hear of different techniques.

And with all our differences,there isn't really a wrong way (as long
as your way works).We can argue about fold and stuff vs rubbing out,
or ribbon cut vs shag.We can complain about one blend or another and
still admit we kinda like that orphan blend no one else does.It comes
back to different strokes for different folks,but we all enjoy the "whole" of
our hobby.

I was just thinking about how about 5 or so years ago I was sitting in a National Park here in the States when an old codger approached me. "A little young for the briar, arent you?" "Been at it for years, actually" I told him.

I watched him as he produced an ancient looking Kaywoodie and began packing it with Sir Walter Raleigh. "An English blend in there, huh? I smell the latakia. Fancy fancy." I smiled and told him his pipe looked really cool. "When did you buy that?" The answer didnt surprise me, it was sometime in the mid-60s, if I remember right.

He watched me relight my pipe for about the third time since he sat down. "After all those years, you still don't know how to keep that thing lit, do you?" "Here, watch me." He showed me his packing method. I think other people would have been off-put by this, like having someone show you how to ride a bicycle, when you're feeling very confident, and been riding for awhile. You know the feeling I am talking about. Like being patronised.

But I watched. Intently. For years I had been doing the 1-2-3 packing method. This was a little different. A little pinch at the bottom of the bowl, then a drizzle on top of that, with a light tap of the pinkie each time it looks like it needs a haircut. Finally, a pipe tool is used to tamper it down, but not too much. I never have to light most blends more than once since that day. I'd been relighting 4-5 times on average before that. It was a pretty cool day.

The beauty of this forum is that with all our differences, some of them fundamental differences, we are patient with other's preferences and tastes, and cheer anyone on who manages the transcendence and bliss available to pipe smokers, however they get there. Nobody is wrong.

I learned from my Dad, and got a lot of things "sub-optimal" and have figured out a few ways I like better. The one huge difference is my Dad rarely rarely ever talked about smoking. It was not even a topic. It was like breathing. Just something he did, as background music to life. Whereas I have kind of taking to talking about pipe smoking. Lots of embarrassment to overcome, believe me.

I remember my dad teaching me how to sharpen a pocket knife. He was smoking a pipe at the time, as usual, but I was learning about knives.


I think part of the bond between us all is a common "enemy" in government over regulation of our pleasure for no informed reason. IMO. Nothing like a common enemy to bring us all together.

I agree.

There is only one right way and as trailboss somewhat myopically notes, you define it for yourself.