Minimum number of pipes a pipe smoker should own?

The answer to this question is uncertain.

Savinelli says three to four pipes.

I have talked to the pipe smoking dieties and consensus is that the number is not set, but somewhere in upwards of one thousand pipes.

I should have stipulated that the minimum you need is one pipe, at a time. My dad smoked his pipe at least six times a day and only had one active pipe at a time, but he didn't care for them like most of us probably do.

He banged them out on an ashtray when he was done smoking and occasionally ran a pipe cleaner thru the stem. Eventually, the cake would build up until the pipe was unsmokeable. Then he would ream it out and run some pipe cleaners thru it. Eventually, he would either lose it, break it, or smoke it until it fell apart.

He always bought inexpensive drug store briars. I know he had a Falcon, or Grabow's version of a Falcon, at one time, but it didn't last very long. I started buying him pipes from pipe shops when I was thirteen; Savinellis, Ben Wades (Preben Holmes), a churchwarden, a gourd calabash, etc.

He loved them, but took care of them the same way he did his other pipes. I have five briar pipes that I gave him that survived, but all are currently unsmokeable. I intend to either restore them myself or have them restored at some point.

The minimum number is number that makes you happy!

1 would do
2 would be better
3 seems to be ideal for rest periods
4+ because, why not?

Well I know one fact, especially in regard to newer members, the number of pipes you started with upon joining, is going to change.

365.... Next question?😁

   Just like a vitamin “ N “ a day👌👍

I started out with 3 pipes and a few tins and pouches of tobacco when I got here. I was introduced to cobs and metal pipes and so many different tobacco's in bulk and tin. I number pipes around 150 (mostly estate lots) and around 50 lbs of bulk tobacco and around 100 tins. You folks are some of the best enablers and bad influences I have ever come across.

good grief, you didn't get here that long ago either. That's good going.

   Ken, you have a very understanding wife👌👍👍. She’s your enabler as well......which is a good thing. A good marriage works well when it’s 50/50.....your a lucky man!!!

Kim doesn't say much. She's shook her head a few times but knows I work hard for what I have and I don't say anything about her little spending habits either because she works hard as well.

perpetually, current number + just one more.

One pipe is plainly not enough, because what if you should wish to smoke a second time, but it's too hot or too wet from your prior smoke?

The OP's question asked what is the minimum number of pipes a person can own and still enjoy pipe smoking.
The answer is one. This has been proven by generations of pipers.

If a pipe is too hot or too wet from the previous smoke to immediately reload and relight, the problem is the pipe or the pipesmoker, not the size of the pipe collection.
Many pipers smoke the same pipe back to back all day with nothing more than an occasional pipe cleaner being run through it to keep the smoke enjoyable.