As a new piper I’ve enjoyed your videos. As a dentist I know I’ll likely get some flack from colleagues, but down here in Texas people are more tolerant. Some guys from my church actually encouraged me to take up the hobby. Now we’re talking of starting a group smoke session. It seems people want to sit back and reflect more, and they want to enjoy the community of like-minded individuals. For me, I just like the idea of slowing down a little. Thanks for what you do here.
@@Windmill97 agreed! By the way, I'd love to address pipe smoking and oral health with a dentist again. If you're interested in sitting down to talk, let me know!
Hmmm. I’d need to do some prep work so it’s an informed interview, but I’ll reach out to you. If you ever find your way down to College Station, let me know. I’m sure the pipers in my church group would love to sit and smoke a bowl with you.
The first vibe when starting is great. A short pause can help, or going into the forest alone on a cold day, making a small fire. Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit do it for me as well.
I myself go through ups and downs with pipe smoking. There are times I may smoke once a week or a few times a month or even go months in between. It does seem for me like I am at a point where it's not as special as it used to be. For me, it could be because I don't have a good brick and mortar anymore. Even the prices for tobacco have gone up quite a bit at most places I have gone to. It also doesn't help that my absolute favorite blends are no longer in production, but eh, oh well.
Right of the bat you hit on something so many of us experience-the transition from variety to favorites. I have more single tins-that I bought way back when-than I’ll get to in years.
I 100% agree with all of this. I’ve been a pipe/cigar smoker for 10 years now and I go back and forth between the 2 but I find that I tend to chase those special experiences.
I picked up pipe smoking Christmas of 2023 after talking to my father-in-law and seminary friends about the experience. I'm always thankful for pipe smoker videos like this one that talks about different ways they've grown and developed in the hobby over the years. Thanks for this video!
This is your best video to date. Informal, great information, great stories. Just like we were sitting around the campfire at deer camp smoking our pipes together talking about the latest pipe we bought. The blend we just tried for the first time. Planning a trip to the next pipe show. Great stuff.
I'm a relatively new smoker (3 months), more out of curiosity than anything else. I don't know if I will continue for a long time, but I do enjoy it. I smoke just once a day first thing in the morning out on the balcony. Great way to start the day.
I think this follows the trajectory of most hobbies/activities. New folks get obsessed at first with all the details, then slowly acclimate to the "true necessities" of the activity.
I feel what you mean about the loss of wonder about pipesmoking. I start smoking a pipe around Thanksgiving time about ten years ago and recently took a long 2 year break from smoking with Swedish Snus as a substitute, simply because of the loss of wonder. Funny enough, the past two Christmases have felt off and not nearly as enjoyable and I haven't been able to put my finger on why that is. Nothing had changed, same exact traditions as I have had nearly my whole adult life, same people, places, etc. I think I found that it was my pipe! I got back into pipe smoking this year and quit the snus and the wonder came back. I think if we give ourselves a break or maybe hold onto a tradition, it can make a repetitive, albeit enjoyable hobby much more enjoyable. Not so much "recreating" a feeling, but rather, using our hobby to hold onto a memory/tradition that brings us joy.
I really enjoy your videos, I am also a pastor and have enjoyed the writings, lectures and sermons of Charles Spurgeon for many years. Thank you for the enjoyable and informative content.
I’ve smoked a pipe for 20+ years off and on. At first, you could say, I had “pipe acquisition syndrome”. I needed this one and that one. Same with tobacco’s. Now, I smoke “codgers” and am content. My son started the hobby 2 years ago and I have helped him with his journey. The major take away, is it has lead to the “fellowship of the smoke ring”. We have had more thought provoking conversations and reflections on/about life, than I could have imagined.
Bought my first pipe at 14. Didn’t know how to smoke it correctly to enjoy it. Went back to it on and off over the years. Finally at 70 thanks to YTPC I learned how to smoke it (thanks). I’d like to just keep five or six pipes and a few favorite tobaccos, but occasionally try something new. I thought I’d only do aromatics but I’m planning on trying some English blends after trying Plum Pudding. I do just one bowl a day so I look forward each day to my smoke. Having fun and that’s what it’s all about.
That's great! Plum pudding is my favorite, if you like it stock up a bit because they use Sutliff tobacco and Sutliff is going to be gone soon. I'm sure they'll find a new supplier but it will be different.
I also started at 14 from reading lord of the rings 😜. I was able to find reading material for pipes before the internet and then I really learned how to enjoy it. I am near your age brother, and I smoke everyday and almost every day 👍
I’ve been smoking a pipe for 9 years as well and I feel we are at the same place with blends and pipes. I agree that I don’t get as excited about trying new stuff anymore. I can look at a pipe on line and pretty much know if it’s something I would enjoy or not. The same thing with tobacco blends. I’ve settled in, I guess, into my comfort zone and just stock what I enjoy.
I know exactly what you're talking about with that last point. I'm 23 and new to pipe smoking but ive been skiing since I was 4 and phesant hunting for the last 5 years with my dog. I used to get so excited to go ski or shoot a bird over my dog and I still enjoy it but it's not nearly as exciting. The closest I can get to that feeling is teaching someone else how to ski or bringing a kid along to phesant hunt.
Hi Wilson! That's a nice Falcon you have there! I have a few of those and I really like them! Thanks for the video and chat! I hope you have a great weekend, my friend!
As a new-ish pipe smoker I gave my small collection a thoroughly good clean this morning and I'm sure that it's made a difference. Or my technique is improving! Happy New Year fella to you and yours.
Im only about 4yrs into the hobby and i really enjoy it. Im sad i missed the Mcclelland years and now am experiencing the closure of Sutliff, but i hope itll just encourage newer companies to rise feom the these ashes. I like getting into different "kicks" throughout the year...a Virginia "kick", aromatic "kick" and so on. It makes diving back in cellar pretty fun.
Good video . When I first started I bought lots of blends only to end up liking granger and half and half. Everyone finds what they like and what suits them . I do like me some university flake and Chelsea morning on occasions. Happy New year.
Started the hobby 10 years ago when I quit cigarettes. I never inhaled pipe baccy. I began with a basket pipe to see if I liked it and Lane 1Q. I rarely smoke aro's anymore. I'm a balkan, English, va, vaper, vabur kinda guy. Sitting here in Rotterdam The Netherlands this morning with my gifted meerschaum from my best friend who got me into the hobby and some Proper English. It's a glorious day. Happy and healthy 2025 for you and your family. May your thoughts be fruitful and your writing devine...
Wilson As always your videos are supreme and appreciated For me ive been smoking a pipe since 18 and have the same desire to light up with the cadences i love the PACK, THE CHAR LIGHT THE REAL LIGHT THE PUfFING THE TAMPING AND THE PUFFING 200-300 TIMES A FOR EVERY BOWL It never goes away for me the sensation and the swirling clouds to smoke all over my head and sinuses It something i enjoy every day with whatever blend or pipe Its the GREATEST HOBBY OF ALL TIME FOR ME Keep up the Great Videos and Puffing!! ALEX from Norristown Pa
I used to change pipes every two bowls, now I smoke whatever pipe I want as many times as I want and judge the cleaning based off the flavor I get. I do run a cleaner through my pipe at the end of every day so it doesn’t shoot but that’s the only daily cleaning I do.
Just got back into the hobby. Did you ever come across duninthedam's old videos when you started? You would've come along a few years after he disappeared, but he got me started and had some of the best pipe videos almost 15 years ago.
Weather influences my preferences more than anything else. Right now, I tend to go to English or Balkan blends. In warmer weather, I smoke mostly burley. When it's hot, I tend to go to viginias and vapers. But there are so many variables!
I hear you…I enjoy trying different blends, but after 10+ years of pipe smoking, I mostly smoke about a dozen blends regularly. And if I had to, I could pare that down to 5 or so blends. Also agree with the pipe cleaning ritual. Good observations, as always!
I just got into pipe smoking recently and I have a Peterson Dracula as well as a savinelli and I love the peacefulness it brings while I’m reading or having a glass of bourbon I am able to pull certain notes from the tobacco but surely as time goes I may be able to pull more!
I just had my one year anniversary of pipe smoking at Christmas. I am more excited about it then when I started, and I hope I don't loose that. My PayPal account will back this up. I love the down time for an hour or two, I love the process, I love the smell of tobacco no matter how many times I have opened a jar. I have 30 pipes now, the only thing that has changed for me is I am more selective on pipe purchases. I would much rather spend my money on tobacco. I still watch past videos that I watched at the beginning. I still clean my pipes per your videos and others.
Im only a short time in on premium tobacco smoking but i fear what is called the honeymoon period when its all new and exciting is over. Best thing i could tell you is try to figure out what got you into it to begin with. Maybe it has become so much easier doing it day to day that it became old hat. Let me explain I am very busy so for me to find time for a pipe is special in itself, a great moment to reflect and plan whats next. Love the videos thank you so much for helping me out when i first started.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Absolutely get what you mean about that initial buzz from trying something new. In some ways I miss that but on the whole can enjoy my pipe better than the beginning. God bless.😊
Reflection was the word that comes to mind as I watched this. I've watched many of your works, and they have been very informative, but this one I felt. Some enjoy the chase vs. enjoying what they have. I've learned through my journey that enjoying what I have was something that I was lacking. Once I obtained that ability, it changed my life. I can't wait to hear your opinions on the falcon. For me, I love them due to their history, being easy to clean, and they smoke well. I still love the look and feel of a briar pipe, but all I need is 5 pipes. Small bowl, large bowl, a sitter (my favorite briar), a falcon, and any cob I can get my hands on. The cobs I love to dress them up from staining or modifying them. I just started my path on blending to fine-tune what I like. I know I'll never be a master blender, but I don't need to be as my blending validation is through self. My pipe smoking is filled with the future, the present and the past of people who are gone and who they became in my life. It makes me wonder who I'll be when that time comes for me to take my turn to go. Thank you for sharing a little bit of yourself with this video, I'm sure it wasn't easy as reflection can be uncomfortable at times. Until the next video, I'll be enjoying the moment with my nording and some English Biscuit.
What neat timing, I actually got a couple Falcon pipes in the mail yesterday! So far I'm really enjoying them, and they do certainly seem to provide an unusually cool and dry smoke; and I like how the little humidome system and pipe cleaner ring inside draws away all the moisture that would normally get trapped at the bottom of the bowl so your tobacco burns down to the very bottom of the bowl with no waste. Much like the Peterson System, the Falcon design seems to be a gimmick that actually works! The interchangeable bowls are pretty nifty too =)
Yep…things have changed for me…started out trying/buying lots of blends…now I’ve settled in with burley blends and codger blends and occasional vaper…but I still love the hobby overall. Happy New Year 👍😀
I have been smoking a pipe for about ten years. I have a collection of Peterson pipes, which are well made and affordable here in the UK. I have tried many blends over the years but I now smoke Peterson Old Dublin 95% of the time and can only anticipate buying more of this going forward. It is perfect in my opinion and suits my needs. Other blends do not give me the same satisfaction or enjoyment. Wishing you the best for 2025. Regards, Rob (UK).
My experience is similar. I don't order online as much anymore. I usually will get whatever my local Tinder Box or Smoker's Abbey has in stock, so it's some variety, but not really a variety from me hunting for different blends. My rotation is prety much down to Maltese Falcon, Plum Pudding, Mississippi River, Three Nuns, and Opening Night, and occasionally I'll order George's Dragon (Green Dragon) from the Country Squire.
In time one realizes that, more often than not, a smoke is just a smoke. The reason that I reach for certain blends over and over are becuse I know the blend well and therefore I am not inclined to analyze it. I can just enjoy the flavor and aroma as a background to whatever I am doing at the moment.
As I’ve gotten more informed especially in the last year I find that there are about six blends I prefer. That doesn’t necessarily mean a particular brand either. I like a good variety of Balkan, English, a good simple burley, a good Virginia, and a couple aromatics. I also keep one codger bend in bulk (PA) for when I want a simple all day smoke. Lately with the whole STG consolidation I am concentrating on cellaring my favorite varieties and labels deep, and reducing the number of different blends. Favorite pipes come and go but I have one that is a keeper, it is a Manfred Hortig that is a perfect pipe in my opinion. It will always be a favorite.
The wearing off of the wonder of hobby is something that I've experienced too. A few times, in fact. I collected premium bibles for a bit, and still have a good collection of them in a variety of translations. Then I moved to fountain pens of all things, buying pens, ink, quality paper, and remembering how on earth to write in cursive. Now I'm on pipes and tobacco. Those previous hobbies are still with me, but I don't feel as drawn to keep acquiring new things to try. When I want to read my bible, I reach for either a Thomas Nelson Premiere NKJV or Schuyler RSV. When I want to write, I reach for some good paper and either a Lamy 2000 or a Parker Duofold. I haven't gotten there with pipes yet, but I am sure I will in time. I would say it is less about losing a sense of wonder and more about finding what fits. Not intentionally finding what fits, but over time finding that which you come back to time and again. Then the hobby is no longer about the wonder of the new, but rather the comfort of the familiar. And there's nothing wrong with finding comfort in the familiar.
I haven’t been pipe smoking long but I have a good bit of variety cellared .. but I just keep smoking one blend .. Carter Hall.. cheap simple easy and consistent. It also taste pretty good..
😊 2 minutes into this I had to comment young pipe brother First of all God bless all farmers and those who hunt real food 🤝👏 Next, I also have a falcon with just 2 interchangeable bowls 👍😉
When HU Tobacco came available, I used that as my excuse to toss out blends I’ve only smoked once that were subpar in comparison. But, my Kaywoodie collection only seems to get larger and larger 😂 I usually pick them up and send them off to Rich at Briarville or Rich at MadPipes for restoration.
Luckily when I got into pipe smoking I went hard and bought A LOT of tobacco. I don't smoke nearly as much as I have, but seeing how things are going, I'm glad I got it.
I have only been smoking for about 6 months and suffered from PAD and TAD 😅 Now going into the new year I’m focusing on what I have and start enjoying what I have instead of more acquisitions!
Okay, first, I’m a patrion member, but have no idea how to become a TH-cam member. But you mentioned coffee, and I asked myself this question last week. I wondered if I could practice picking up notes on black coffee, and if the ability would transfer to tasting notes of pipe tobacco.
I am with you, I try to get back the feeling of when I started. I was injured and had extra time to play with the hobby. I use it now for the reason I got into it for. It's a great time to stop and process information and make decisions. I do enjoy going out for a motorcycle ride and stop off at a site and smoke a pipe and take some pictures. I do want to get to where you are with only needing 5 blends to be content. I currently have over 48 blends in jars that I work on. I have 24 blends that are from Milan that I just ordered as I wanted to experiment there blends. Then I have 24 tins in jars that round out why I have so many. But have 300 tins in my cellar that I can enjoy for years to come. Pipes! I just need about 15, but got over 30. Many just do not smoke well. Anyways, good chat 😊
I've noticed how cyclic it iss for me. I have periods where I like certain genres. Over time, it shifts to something else. Then, i redisdover and come back. I am having that with c and d burleys. I adored haunted bookshop and others. Then i moved onto scottish mixtures and balkans. Then to lakelands. I am circling back to haunted bookshop, ojk, and pegasus again. Same is true of pipes. I neglected cobs for years but am loving them again even though i have good briars and meerschaum. I still smoke lakelands and balkans etc. But i just also rekindled my love of burley.
Great video. I got into pipe smoking 6-8 weeks ago. So have been trying different blends. I find i dont care muc for Aromatic blends, but have bought a 10 different kinds. I'll them smoke them eventually. I like English blends, but really like the Virginia's,. Just got some straight Dark Fired Kentucky, i really like that. Today a smoked C&D Bayou morning flake. 2 thumbs up on that. I liked that. I think a new pipe smoker should buy 1 tin of different blends and test the waters. I bought 6 pipes, from cheap to expensive. Expensive being around $130 each. I like all of them. I have decide to make pipe making a hobby and probably won't buy anymore pipe. Maybe. 😉 I don't want to become addicted to smoking so am limiting myself to one smoke every 2 or 3 days, if I have time to sit, relax, contemplate and enjoy. I really like your videos and hope you continue to make them. Lord bless you.
Not quite a year in to my pipe journey, so I'll pay attention to see if follow these habits down the road. You have a particular place you sell your pipes?
Well, I think the loss of the special feeling is absolutely normal. The more often you do something, the more familiar and usual it ill get to you. Over time it will get an habit or a daily routine and loses its excitement. That’s nothing to worry about in my opinion. Me personally do smoke one or two pipes a week during the weekends, that not much. One could say I don’t really smoke at all. I enjoy it very much though for silence and meditation but I don’t taste the variety of flavors as others might do. This for sure is due to I don’t smoke that much and lack the experience. In the end, this refers to all kind of things e.g. driving a car the first few times on your own, a new job, a new neighborhood,...
My biggest hobby was wet shaving. I enjoyed the difference soaps, razors and brushes and i collected for almost 7+ years but just the same it lost its wonder and I have a habit of chasing that wonder in every hobby I have.
That always struck me as the strangest hobby. About 14 years ago, I was fed up with constant razor burn from a cartridge, and started researching alternatives. I quickly found a safety razor and blade combo that worked for me, stocked up on the blades, and haven't given it much thought since. It seemed odd that some guys were so fixated on a narrow aspect of personal grooming. But to each his own...
@SaxoGrammatic to me its not that different to pipe smoking by that I mean it's an activity that was more prevalent in the olden days and both required more effort into the activity. pipe smoking requires relights and an understanding of each tobacco blend and cut type with different pipes for different jobs and wet shaving does the same diffent razors slants, open comb, straight and diffent types of soaps. Cartridge razors take no effort to get the job done, same as cigars just light and smoke. I'm a hobby addict so once I get started I dive deep into whatever it is im doing lol
@@hermanpesina6328 I do see the parallels, but for me shaving is strictly utilitarian. I'm just looking for tools and a process that is cheap and effective with minimal side effects. Whereas pipe smoking is an enjoyable end in itself where any benefits like stress reduction is a nice bonus.
@ (I wrote a reply before, but now it seems to be deleted. I don't understand why YT's commenting is so unreliable.) I do see the parallels between pipe smoking and wet shaving (I think that's what the hobby is called, but isn't all shaving wet?) in the extra effort and even skill required, but speaking for myself at least, there is a significant difference in that shaving is purely utilitarian - a means to an end - whereas pipe smoking is pleasurable in itself. I do get some satisfaction from a clean shave, but it's not something I would do if it wasn't necessary to look presentable in polite society. I don't even shave completely - just clean up the edges, the neck, etc.
Like for everything, it’s hard to keep that excitement when you’re getting used to a thing, you have to find a way to make some smoking sessions specials to feel it again from time to time.
I’ve had a similar experience. I think it’s natural for any hobby. I’ve stopped for about a year but now find the “wonder” in it again. I also believe without a community of pipe smokers to smoke and talk with, you lose the appeal faster.
I think that’s the point, pipe smoking was never meant to be anything ‘special’. Back in the day it was so commonplace that it was just another method of smoking but since it has become taboo in most western cultures those of us that do now smoke do it with a sense of nostalgia which naturally makes the hobby feel somehow special or exciting. IMO The pipe smoking community is far too concerned with the ‘how’ of pipe smoking instead of just ‘doing’. The fact that you can reach a point where it just feels normal to be smoking your pipe without the fuss is no bad thing. Be really interested in your opinion on the falcon btw. Happy new year.
Hahahaha, you have discovered the secret. I have never "cleaned" a pipe and I have smoked 30ish years. Have about 50 pipes. I do let them rest. Pipe cleaner after each smoke and bam, ready for another day. Have a few pipes does let me dedicate them to blends. I believe this helps. So pouch hoppers likely need to clean theirs.
I need some help from someone who has tried many many tobaccos. I tried one once, that was a light color. Maybe a Burley? It was cut up small. It was the COOLEST amoking tobacxo I had ever tried. It has little taste and little room note. Not offensive anyway. But the bowl would never get hot. I have asked tobacco shops and they had never heard of anything like that before. I know I had it. It came in a small tin. It was decades ago and I didn’t keep the tin. The man who sold it to me retired ten years ago. I like Vanilla aromatics. Sweet aromatics. This one had almost no taste, TO ME, than the vanilla’s I was smoking. I see they are making the maple stuff you like so well but everyone is sold out. Right now I have 1-Q, Bills Blend, Cherokee, and Sutliff Milton Dolce, which is a bit too rich for my taste. Bills Blend is a nice one that comes from the Country Squire. I am looking for that one that is super cool to smoke, not much of a taste or room note to be concerned with. Just a nice smoking tobacco.
As a new piper I’ve enjoyed your videos. As a dentist I know I’ll likely get some flack from colleagues, but down here in Texas people are more tolerant. Some guys from my church actually encouraged me to take up the hobby. Now we’re talking of starting a group smoke session. It seems people want to sit back and reflect more, and they want to enjoy the community of like-minded individuals. For me, I just like the idea of slowing down a little.
Thanks for what you do here.
What a great blessing.
@@Windmill97 agreed! By the way, I'd love to address pipe smoking and oral health with a dentist again. If you're interested in sitting down to talk, let me know!
Hmmm. I’d need to do some prep work so it’s an informed interview, but I’ll reach out to you.
If you ever find your way down to College Station, let me know. I’m sure the pipers in my church group would love to sit and smoke a bowl with you.
@@Windmill97 No problem at all. And that would be great. Next time I'm in the area, I'll certainly touch base
You can smoke the same pipe, the same tobacco, on a different day or location, and have a completely different experience. - Matches860
Man I miss him
Man, totally true! Nearly every blend in my rotation has, at times, been okay and at other times they have nock my socks off they were so good.
The first vibe when starting is great. A short pause can help, or going into the forest alone on a cold day, making a small fire. Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit do it for me as well.
I myself go through ups and downs with pipe smoking. There are times I may smoke once a week or a few times a month or even go months in between. It does seem for me like I am at a point where it's not as special as it used to be. For me, it could be because I don't have a good brick and mortar anymore. Even the prices for tobacco have gone up quite a bit at most places I have gone to. It also doesn't help that my absolute favorite blends are no longer in production, but eh, oh well.
Right of the bat you hit on something so many of us experience-the transition from variety to favorites. I have more single tins-that I bought way back when-than I’ll get to in years.
I 100% agree with all of this. I’ve been a pipe/cigar smoker for 10 years now and I go back and forth between the 2 but I find that I tend to chase those special experiences.
I picked up pipe smoking Christmas of 2023 after talking to my father-in-law and seminary friends about the experience. I'm always thankful for pipe smoker videos like this one that talks about different ways they've grown and developed in the hobby over the years. Thanks for this video!
This is your best video to date. Informal, great information, great stories. Just like we were sitting around the campfire at deer camp smoking our pipes together talking about the latest pipe we bought. The blend we just tried for the first time. Planning a trip to the next pipe show. Great stuff.
I'm a relatively new smoker (3 months), more out of curiosity than anything else. I don't know if I will continue for a long time, but I do enjoy it. I smoke just once a day first thing in the morning out on the balcony. Great way to start the day.
I think this follows the trajectory of most hobbies/activities. New folks get obsessed at first with all the details, then slowly acclimate to the "true necessities" of the activity.
Very true
I feel what you mean about the loss of wonder about pipesmoking. I start smoking a pipe around Thanksgiving time about ten years ago and recently took a long 2 year break from smoking with Swedish Snus as a substitute, simply because of the loss of wonder. Funny enough, the past two Christmases have felt off and not nearly as enjoyable and I haven't been able to put my finger on why that is. Nothing had changed, same exact traditions as I have had nearly my whole adult life, same people, places, etc. I think I found that it was my pipe! I got back into pipe smoking this year and quit the snus and the wonder came back. I think if we give ourselves a break or maybe hold onto a tradition, it can make a repetitive, albeit enjoyable hobby much more enjoyable. Not so much "recreating" a feeling, but rather, using our hobby to hold onto a memory/tradition that brings us joy.
I really enjoy your videos, I am also a pastor and have enjoyed the writings, lectures and sermons of Charles Spurgeon for many years. Thank you for the enjoyable and informative content.
I’ve smoked a pipe for 20+ years off and on. At first, you could say, I had “pipe acquisition syndrome”. I needed this one and that one. Same with tobacco’s. Now, I smoke “codgers” and am content. My son started the hobby 2 years ago and I have helped him with his journey. The major take away, is it has lead to the “fellowship of the smoke ring”. We have had more thought provoking conversations and reflections on/about life, than I could have imagined.
@@samuelcrites4998Ha! Well put. 👍
Bought my first pipe at 14. Didn’t know how to smoke it correctly to enjoy it. Went back to it on and off over the years. Finally at 70 thanks to YTPC I learned how to smoke it (thanks). I’d like to just keep five or six pipes and a few favorite tobaccos, but occasionally try something new. I thought I’d only do aromatics but I’m planning on trying some English blends after trying Plum Pudding. I do just one bowl a day so I look forward each day to my smoke. Having fun and that’s what it’s all about.
That's great! Plum pudding is my favorite, if you like it stock up a bit because they use Sutliff tobacco and Sutliff is going to be gone soon. I'm sure they'll find a new supplier but it will be different.
I also started at 14 from reading lord of the rings 😜. I was able to find reading material for pipes before the internet and then I really learned how to enjoy it. I am near your age brother, and I smoke everyday and almost every day 👍
I’ve been smoking a pipe for 9 years as well and I feel we are at the same place with blends and pipes. I agree that I don’t get as excited about trying new stuff anymore. I can look at a pipe on line and pretty much know if it’s something I would enjoy or not. The same thing with tobacco blends. I’ve settled in, I guess, into my comfort zone and just stock what I enjoy.
I know exactly what you're talking about with that last point. I'm 23 and new to pipe smoking but ive been skiing since I was 4 and phesant hunting for the last 5 years with my dog. I used to get so excited to go ski or shoot a bird over my dog and I still enjoy it but it's not nearly as exciting. The closest I can get to that feeling is teaching someone else how to ski or bringing a kid along to phesant hunt.
Hi Wilson! That's a nice Falcon you have there! I have a few of those and I really like them! Thanks for the video and chat! I hope you have a great weekend, my friend!
Great thoughts! I’ve especially appreciated your ability to break down and discuss blends in your reviews.
As a new-ish pipe smoker I gave my small collection a thoroughly good clean this morning and I'm sure that it's made a difference. Or my technique is improving! Happy New Year fella to you and yours.
Im only about 4yrs into the hobby and i really enjoy it. Im sad i missed the Mcclelland years and now am experiencing the closure of Sutliff, but i hope itll just encourage newer companies to rise feom the these ashes. I like getting into different "kicks" throughout the year...a Virginia "kick", aromatic "kick" and so on. It makes diving back in cellar pretty fun.
Good video . When I first started I bought lots of blends only to end up liking granger and half and half. Everyone finds what they like and what suits them . I do like me some university flake and Chelsea morning on occasions. Happy New year.
Started the hobby 10 years ago when I quit cigarettes. I never inhaled pipe baccy. I began with a basket pipe to see if I liked it and Lane 1Q. I rarely smoke aro's anymore. I'm a balkan, English, va, vaper, vabur kinda guy. Sitting here in Rotterdam The Netherlands this morning with my gifted meerschaum from my best friend who got me into the hobby and some Proper English. It's a glorious day. Happy and healthy 2025 for you and your family. May your thoughts be fruitful and your writing devine...
Same to you
Wilson As always your videos are supreme and appreciated For me ive been smoking a pipe since 18 and have the same desire to light up with the cadences i love the PACK, THE CHAR LIGHT THE REAL LIGHT THE PUfFING THE TAMPING AND THE PUFFING 200-300 TIMES A FOR EVERY BOWL It never goes away for me the sensation and the swirling clouds to smoke all over my head and sinuses It something i enjoy every day with whatever blend or pipe Its the GREATEST HOBBY OF ALL TIME FOR ME Keep up the Great Videos and Puffing!! ALEX from Norristown Pa
🙏
I used to change pipes every two bowls, now I smoke whatever pipe I want as many times as I want and judge the cleaning based off the flavor I get. I do run a cleaner through my pipe at the end of every day so it doesn’t shoot but that’s the only daily cleaning I do.
Be curious to hear what that list of 5 would be for you!
Thanks for sharing some thoughts and reflections on how you’ve changed as a pipe smoker over the last decade
Thank you for the video. I enjoy this type of conversation.
Just got back into the hobby. Did you ever come across duninthedam's old videos when you started? You would've come along a few years after he disappeared, but he got me started and had some of the best pipe videos almost 15 years ago.
Outstanding video and appreciate good honest content.
Thank you Johnny!
I downsized my selection down to 4 pipes that I oftenly use and 2 favorite blends that I enjoy.
Weather influences my preferences more than anything else. Right now, I tend to go to English or Balkan blends. In warmer weather, I smoke mostly burley. When it's hot, I tend to go to viginias and vapers.
But there are so many variables!
I hear you…I enjoy trying different blends, but after 10+ years of pipe smoking, I mostly smoke about a dozen blends regularly. And if I had to, I could pare that down to 5 or so blends. Also agree with the pipe cleaning ritual. Good observations, as always!
@@ThePipeNook Glad to hear your thoughts Eddie!
I just got into pipe smoking recently and I have a Peterson Dracula as well as a savinelli and I love the peacefulness it brings while I’m reading or having a glass of bourbon I am able to pull certain notes from the tobacco but surely as time goes I may be able to pull more!
I just had my one year anniversary of pipe smoking at Christmas. I am more excited about it then when I started, and I hope I don't loose that. My PayPal account will back this up. I love the down time for an hour or two, I love the process, I love the smell of tobacco no matter how many times I have opened a jar. I have 30 pipes now, the only thing that has changed for me is I am more selective on pipe purchases. I would much rather spend my money on tobacco. I still watch past videos that I watched at the beginning. I still clean my pipes per your videos and others.
Im only a short time in on premium tobacco smoking but i fear what is called the honeymoon period when its all new and exciting is over. Best thing i could tell you is try to figure out what got you into it to begin with. Maybe it has become so much easier doing it day to day that it became old hat. Let me explain I am very busy so for me to find time for a pipe is special in itself, a great moment to reflect and plan whats next. Love the videos thank you so much for helping me out when i first started.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Absolutely get what you mean about that initial buzz from trying something new. In some ways I miss that but on the whole can enjoy my pipe better than the beginning.
God bless.😊
Reflection was the word that comes to mind as I watched this. I've watched many of your works, and they have been very informative, but this one I felt. Some enjoy the chase vs. enjoying what they have. I've learned through my journey that enjoying what I have was something that I was lacking. Once I obtained that ability, it changed my life. I can't wait to hear your opinions on the falcon. For me, I love them due to their history, being easy to clean, and they smoke well. I still love the look and feel of a briar pipe, but all I need is 5 pipes. Small bowl, large bowl, a sitter (my favorite briar), a falcon, and any cob I can get my hands on. The cobs I love to dress them up from staining or modifying them. I just started my path on blending to fine-tune what I like. I know I'll never be a master blender, but I don't need to be as my blending validation is through self. My pipe smoking is filled with the future, the present and the past of people who are gone and who they became in my life. It makes me wonder who I'll be when that time comes for me to take my turn to go. Thank you for sharing a little bit of yourself with this video, I'm sure it wasn't easy as reflection can be uncomfortable at times. Until the next video, I'll be enjoying the moment with my nording and some English Biscuit.
Nice daily dose of Greek mug you got there!
What neat timing, I actually got a couple Falcon pipes in the mail yesterday! So far I'm really enjoying them, and they do certainly seem to provide an unusually cool and dry smoke; and I like how the little humidome system and pipe cleaner ring inside draws away all the moisture that would normally get trapped at the bottom of the bowl so your tobacco burns down to the very bottom of the bowl with no waste. Much like the Peterson System, the Falcon design seems to be a gimmick that actually works! The interchangeable bowls are pretty nifty too =)
Yep…things have changed for me…started out trying/buying lots of blends…now I’ve settled in with burley blends and codger blends and occasional vaper…but I still love the hobby overall. Happy New Year 👍😀
Congratulations on your deer! Great way to start the new year
thanks!
I have been smoking a pipe for about ten years. I have a collection of Peterson pipes, which are well made and affordable here in the UK. I have tried many blends over the years but I now smoke Peterson Old Dublin 95% of the time and can only anticipate buying more of this going forward. It is perfect in my opinion and suits my needs. Other blends do not give me the same satisfaction or enjoyment. Wishing you the best for 2025. Regards, Rob (UK).
Good topic. Enjoyable video.
My experience is similar. I don't order online as much anymore. I usually will get whatever my local Tinder Box or Smoker's Abbey has in stock, so it's some variety, but not really a variety from me hunting for different blends. My rotation is prety much down to Maltese Falcon, Plum Pudding, Mississippi River, Three Nuns, and Opening Night, and occasionally I'll order George's Dragon (Green Dragon) from the Country Squire.
In time one realizes that, more often than not, a smoke is just a smoke.
The reason that I reach for certain blends over and over are becuse I know the blend well and therefore I am not inclined to analyze it. I can just enjoy the flavor and aroma as a background to whatever I am doing at the moment.
Great video. I still like tasting new things, but yes, you start to widdle them down a bit over time - I find I keep going back to the same ones.
As I’ve gotten more informed especially in the last year I find that there are about six blends I prefer. That doesn’t necessarily mean a particular brand either. I like a good variety of Balkan, English, a good simple burley, a good Virginia, and a couple aromatics. I also keep one codger bend in bulk (PA) for when I want a simple all day smoke. Lately with the whole STG consolidation I am concentrating on cellaring my favorite varieties and labels deep, and reducing the number of different blends. Favorite pipes come and go but I have one that is a keeper, it is a Manfred Hortig that is a perfect pipe in my opinion. It will always be a favorite.
The wearing off of the wonder of hobby is something that I've experienced too. A few times, in fact. I collected premium bibles for a bit, and still have a good collection of them in a variety of translations. Then I moved to fountain pens of all things, buying pens, ink, quality paper, and remembering how on earth to write in cursive. Now I'm on pipes and tobacco.
Those previous hobbies are still with me, but I don't feel as drawn to keep acquiring new things to try. When I want to read my bible, I reach for either a Thomas Nelson Premiere NKJV or Schuyler RSV. When I want to write, I reach for some good paper and either a Lamy 2000 or a Parker Duofold. I haven't gotten there with pipes yet, but I am sure I will in time. I would say it is less about losing a sense of wonder and more about finding what fits. Not intentionally finding what fits, but over time finding that which you come back to time and again. Then the hobby is no longer about the wonder of the new, but rather the comfort of the familiar.
And there's nothing wrong with finding comfort in the familiar.
Just wondering if you stream your sermons and yes would you be so kind to share the link. Ty
I haven’t been pipe smoking long but I have a good bit of variety cellared .. but I just keep smoking one blend .. Carter Hall.. cheap simple easy and consistent. It also taste pretty good..
😊 2 minutes into this I had to comment young pipe brother
First of all God bless all farmers and those who hunt real food 🤝👏
Next, I also have a falcon with just 2 interchangeable bowls 👍😉
When HU Tobacco came available, I used that as my excuse to toss out blends I’ve only smoked once that were subpar in comparison. But, my Kaywoodie collection only seems to get larger and larger 😂 I usually pick them up and send them off to Rich at Briarville or Rich at MadPipes for restoration.
Agreed about cleaning, seems to be a play it by ear scenario. appreciate your content
You are an inspiration.
This was a great video. Well spoken points.
Luckily when I got into pipe smoking I went hard and bought A LOT of tobacco. I don't smoke nearly as much as I have, but seeing how things are going, I'm glad I got it.
Love your churchwarden you presented in this video. Could you spell the name of who made it and where you were able to purchase it? Blessings.
Sure. Spitaletti
Thank you…@ Where did you buy it?
I have only been smoking for about 6 months and suffered from PAD and TAD 😅 Now going into the new year I’m focusing on what I have and start enjoying what I have instead of more acquisitions!
Okay, first, I’m a patrion member, but have no idea how to become a TH-cam member. But you mentioned coffee, and I asked myself this question last week. I wondered if I could practice picking up notes on black coffee, and if the ability would transfer to tasting notes of pipe tobacco.
Glory to God only..
Thank you !
I am with you, I try to get back the feeling of when I started. I was injured and had extra time to play with the hobby. I use it now for the reason I got into it for. It's a great time to stop and process information and make decisions. I do enjoy going out for a motorcycle ride and stop off at a site and smoke a pipe and take some pictures. I do want to get to where you are with only needing 5 blends to be content. I currently have over 48 blends in jars that I work on. I have 24 blends that are from Milan that I just ordered as I wanted to experiment there blends. Then I have 24 tins in jars that round out why I have so many. But have 300 tins in my cellar that I can enjoy for years to come. Pipes! I just need about 15, but got over 30. Many just do not smoke well. Anyways, good chat 😊
hey can you do a video on how to pick out what tobaccos are in a blend by visually identifying them?
i’ve gone through the exact same changes. smoking a pipe for 11 years.
Great video. Content is relevant to everyone.
Sweet, I got a nice Savanilli, Morillina 315. Smokes great.
I've noticed how cyclic it iss for me. I have periods where I like certain genres. Over time, it shifts to something else. Then, i redisdover and come back. I am having that with c and d burleys. I adored haunted bookshop and others. Then i moved onto scottish mixtures and balkans. Then to lakelands. I am circling back to haunted bookshop, ojk, and pegasus again. Same is true of pipes. I neglected cobs for years but am loving them again even though i have good briars and meerschaum. I still smoke lakelands and balkans etc. But i just also rekindled my love of burley.
Great video.
I got into pipe smoking 6-8 weeks ago. So have been trying different blends. I find i dont care muc for Aromatic blends, but have bought a 10 different kinds. I'll them smoke them eventually. I like English blends, but really like the Virginia's,.
Just got some straight Dark Fired Kentucky, i really like that. Today a smoked C&D Bayou morning flake. 2 thumbs up on that. I liked that. I think a new pipe smoker should buy 1 tin of different blends and test the waters.
I bought 6 pipes, from cheap to expensive. Expensive being around $130 each. I like all of them.
I have decide to make pipe making a hobby and probably won't buy anymore pipe. Maybe. 😉
I don't want to become addicted to smoking so am limiting myself to one smoke every 2 or 3 days, if I have time to sit, relax, contemplate and enjoy.
I really like your videos and hope you continue to make them.
Lord bless you.
Could probably smoke Special Brown Flake as my only blend for the rest of my life and never tire of it.
I have some pipes that need to be cleaned after every use. Like my Peterson with a Plip. Moisture just hangs out in places that makes the smoke nasty.
Not quite a year in to my pipe journey, so I'll pay attention to see if follow these habits down the road. You have a particular place you sell your pipes?
I also subscribed to your Covenant Baptist Church channel. Your a great preacher. Have you ever tried Prince Albert tobacco?
Well, I think the loss of the special feeling is absolutely normal. The more often you do something, the more familiar and usual it ill get to you. Over time it will get an habit or a daily routine and loses its excitement. That’s nothing to worry about in my opinion. Me personally do smoke one or two pipes a week during the weekends, that not much. One could say I don’t really smoke at all. I enjoy it very much though for silence and meditation but I don’t taste the variety of flavors as others might do. This for sure is due to I don’t smoke that much and lack the experience. In the end, this refers to all kind of things e.g. driving a car the first few times on your own, a new job, a new neighborhood,...
My biggest hobby was wet shaving. I enjoyed the difference soaps, razors and brushes and i collected for almost 7+ years but just the same it lost its wonder and I have a habit of chasing that wonder in every hobby I have.
That always struck me as the strangest hobby. About 14 years ago, I was fed up with constant razor burn from a cartridge, and started researching alternatives. I quickly found a safety razor and blade combo that worked for me, stocked up on the blades, and haven't given it much thought since. It seemed odd that some guys were so fixated on a narrow aspect of personal grooming. But to each his own...
@SaxoGrammatic to me its not that different to pipe smoking by that I mean it's an activity that was more prevalent in the olden days and both required more effort into the activity. pipe smoking requires relights and an understanding of each tobacco blend and cut type with different pipes for different jobs and wet shaving does the same diffent razors slants, open comb, straight and diffent types of soaps. Cartridge razors take no effort to get the job done, same as cigars just light and smoke. I'm a hobby addict so once I get started I dive deep into whatever it is im doing lol
@@hermanpesina6328 I do see the parallels, but for me shaving is strictly utilitarian. I'm just looking for tools and a process that is cheap and effective with minimal side effects. Whereas pipe smoking is an enjoyable end in itself where any benefits like stress reduction is a nice bonus.
@ (I wrote a reply before, but now it seems to be deleted. I don't understand why YT's commenting is so unreliable.) I do see the parallels between pipe smoking and wet shaving (I think that's what the hobby is called, but isn't all shaving wet?) in the extra effort and even skill required, but speaking for myself at least, there is a significant difference in that shaving is purely utilitarian - a means to an end - whereas pipe smoking is pleasurable in itself. I do get some satisfaction from a clean shave, but it's not something I would do if it wasn't necessary to look presentable in polite society. I don't even shave completely - just clean up the edges, the neck, etc.
Like for everything, it’s hard to keep that excitement when you’re getting used to a thing, you have to find a way to make some smoking sessions specials to feel it again from time to time.
That shirt design goes hard
@Sacred-ENL of my youth camp experience, this shirt design was one of the highlights.
Greetings from Greece! Happy 2025!
I’ve had a similar experience. I think it’s natural for any hobby. I’ve stopped for about a year but now find the “wonder” in it again.
I also believe without a community of pipe smokers to smoke and talk with, you lose the appeal faster.
I think that’s the point, pipe smoking was never meant to be anything ‘special’. Back in the day it was so commonplace that it was just another method of smoking but since it has become taboo in most western cultures those of us that do now smoke do it with a sense of nostalgia which naturally makes the hobby feel somehow special or exciting. IMO The pipe smoking community is far too concerned with the ‘how’ of pipe smoking instead of just ‘doing’. The fact that you can reach a point where it just feels normal to be smoking your pipe without the fuss is no bad thing.
Be really interested in your opinion on the falcon btw.
Happy new year.
I hope you let this community have first dibs! 😊
When do you think you'll continue your Tolkien Theology series?
Man I hope soon. My schedule was swamped for the last few months of last year. I'll aim to get back to it in the near future
@TheSpurgeonPiper excellent, I've really appreciate the time you spend and I'm reading the book.
Hahahaha, you have discovered the secret.
I have never "cleaned" a pipe and I have smoked 30ish years. Have about 50 pipes. I do let them rest. Pipe cleaner after each smoke and bam, ready for another day.
Have a few pipes does let me dedicate them to blends. I believe this helps. So pouch hoppers likely need to clean theirs.
Good points!
Welcome to the 'Codger Club.' 😂
😂
I need some help from someone who has tried many many tobaccos. I tried one once, that was a light color. Maybe a Burley? It was cut up small. It was the COOLEST amoking tobacxo I had ever tried. It has little taste and little room note. Not offensive anyway. But the bowl would never get hot. I have asked tobacco shops and they had never heard of anything like that before. I know I had it. It came in a small tin. It was decades ago and I didn’t keep the tin. The man who sold it to me retired ten years ago. I like Vanilla aromatics. Sweet aromatics. This one had almost no taste, TO ME, than the vanilla’s I was smoking. I see they are making the maple stuff you like so well but everyone is sold out. Right now I have 1-Q, Bills Blend, Cherokee, and Sutliff Milton Dolce, which is a bit too rich for my taste. Bills Blend is a nice one that comes from the Country Squire. I am looking for that one that is super cool to smoke, not much of a taste or room note to be concerned with. Just a nice smoking tobacco.
This is my kinda video. I feel like we are shooting the breeze.
You are more than welcome to send me a tin.
Do you ever smoke cigars?
Wow, do you have a theology/ministry channel?
Your favorite theologian must be John "Piper" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@anduinsuchan356I think it might be Charles Spurgeon!
I have a playlist of theological topics I've addressed but no separate channel
Is that a Daily Dose of Greek coffee mug??
Good eye! It sure is
I’m attending southern seminary currently and took a full year of Greek with Dr Plummer. His daily dose videos are excellent!
I have six pipes. Two Meerschaum, one Cob and three Briar. I'm more interested in tobacco.
😁😁😁
Do you find yourself fall out of the hobby or more settling into your nitch?
Just settling in
Have ever bought and used a used/smoked pipe?
@@satria3001Al I have, a number of times