Pipes, like shaving, are ritualistic. A lot of the pleasure in smoking a pipe is slowing down and tending to the ritual. It s quiet "me" time.I first joined B&B back in 2007 to talk shaving, but I have been on and off in my activity over the last year as life has become more busy. I have a young family (4 year old, 2 year old and a new baby due in june) and getting out for a pipe and a beer is one of my times to relax.
I first smoked a pipe way back in 1997, but I could never figure it out. I would come back to it from time to time, but I was a cigar guy with no patience. It wasn't until 2006 that I really smoked with any regularity. I went back to the pipe mainly because it was so much cheaper than cigars, but I also started having more fun after I had some luck figuring out packing the pipe and keeping it lit. I have started to obsess quite a bit more in the last year after i found the youtube channels out there. I don't have the time to smoke all the time, but I am having a lot of fun trying new things.
I have a collection of about 25 pipes, all acquired from my dad's collection. I spent most of my time last summer with Dunhill 965, but am currently working through GL Pease blends.