Oh, and after about 3 weeks, I went and bought my first Peterson pipe at the B&M.  $90 for a Kilarny full bent.  I started searching pipes on the internet auction site.  Ended up paying far too much for far too little as well!  I now have a small collection of pipes.  I still have the first basket pipe.  Honestly it’s actually my favorite too.  Although the stem broke this past week, I think I can fix it.  I own a Dunhill pipe as well.  Nice little shell briar pot sandblast that I like a lot.  A couple more Pete’s, a Savinelli oom paul that I take when I’m in public.  It tends to draw attention.  And yes, I have a nice selection of cobs as well.  Figured out that you just have to have a cob or two.  Also have a pair of Neerups that I bought at my first ever pipe show.  What an experience that was.  First B&M I’d ever been to that actually had pipes as their main attraction!  Wow, all the tins of tobacco that I could actually touch and feel and read before I bought them!  I’m still very jealous of folks who live in cities that have pipe shops that also sell cigars.  All we have here are cigar shops that sometimes have a few pipe things.

So, I guess, I’ve rambled on about the beginning of my pipe smoking career.  If you decide to pick up a pipe, my recommendation is, read one of the forums.  Puff.com is my favorite and now my only forum.  The folks on these sites have incredible wisdom to share, warm brotherhood to be enjoyed and generosity that just can’t be beat!
The best quote I’ve found is this; “You smoke a cigarette.  You enjoy a cigar.  But you savor a pipe!”  Happy Pipe smoking everyone!