How many years have you been a pipe smoker?

[drastic_quench]

Eight years myself, but I was very sporadic with it until about a year and a half ago.

I had a single briar for most of that time - a nice Chacom - and I smoked a few different lackluster bulk blends from a Ma and Pa tobacconist. Mostly it was having something to smoke at a bar instead of cigarettes (which I tried but never really dug) and cigars - which I couldn't afford to smoke regularly. I kept craving tobacco with big flavor and was disillusioned with people hearing that and recommending Captain Black. Internet buying and tin reviews renewed my interest completely. I've got more than a full rotation of pipes, and I've found a nice handful of premium (but affordable) blends that I'll smoke for life.

[SmokinJohnny]

26 years here and like with you, very sporadic until 8 months ago when I became more serious. Two or three years on, two or three years off. Lots of Captain Black and B&M aromatics. A gourd calabash, rusticated full bent briar, and a carved meer were my favorite companions. Once I got on to some potent english/balkan blends, I discovered a world of pipe smoking I never imagined and haven't put the pipe down since. What's amazing about the pipe is some of these blends get you high as a kite yet you remain functionally sober.

[DSturg369]

Just started with my first pipe, a MM Cob, in July of '08..... Just 1 year for me now.

I've learned a lot since then but still have a loooooong ways to go.

[MarkC]

Total, between three and four years, but most of that time was back in the seventies. This time around, I'm a babe in the woods; only started again in March.

[Mad Hatter]

Six years (geez how time flies!) but the first year or two was sporadic as I looked for something in the way of tobacco that I liked

[rlaliberty]

Started on and off after my 18th bday and I just turned 20 two days ago soooo about two years!

[garydh2000]

Smoked a cob in college back in the 80's and then it picked it back up again February 09. Now I am totally into it.

Gary

[thewileyman]

First picked up a pipe in '02, and have been an occasional smoker ever since... meaning I smoke once a month or less, although currently I find myself picking up a pipe once every week or two.

[Arizona]

Off and on since I was 18 in the spring of 1981 - but for the past couple years now daily and enjoying it more than ever. I always kept my pipes safely tucked away when I was in one of my "non-smoking" periods of life, so when needed out they came and they were always there for me.

I never smoked cigarettes and only a handful of cigars, so the times in my life when I have smoked it's always been a pipe. The great thing about a pipe is that you don't get addicted to it in the same way as cigarettes. I can skip a day or two or even a week and not feel any compulsion or frantic need to smoke like a cigarette smoker does. I only smoke when I feel like it and have the time, which is usually one or two bowls a day.

[AcworthAl]

On and off for nearly 40 years. For most of those years I smoked cigarettes and occasionally smoked a pipe. It began in 1961 when I was in college. It started again in the late sixties when I discovered Balkan Sobranie. Over the last twenty years I had four or five pipes, including a BC and Savinelli Bing and a gorgeous Ropp(spelling) Cherry Wood, which I unfortunately have lost. For some reason in late 2008, I began in earnest assembling a collection of pipes and tobacco. My guess is I have about forty pipes, from really good ones to some basket pipes and a few MM. For the most part I smoke Virginians, Burleys and Flakes (1792, Bracken, Irish, etc.) a few English and PA and Carter Hall along with Five Brothers are always available.

[Bobby 151]

I have been smoking pipes on and off for almost 40 years,unfortunatly still smokinging cigs. all that time as well as now.Got to stop those cigs,very hard to do after all this time,i keep trying. Hey AL,do you remember being able to walk into any of the many cigars stores around,I lived in Brooklyn N.Y. so there were many,and being able to buy any tabac you wanted,Balken Sobranie,White and 759,Three Nuns,ST. Bruno Flake,Flying Dutchman,Parsons Pleasure,All Dunhills,etc. The prices were pretty steap at the time 1966,maybe 1.00 or 1.50 a tin,compared to the OTC blends, they were around maybe .30 to.50 cents a pouch,and there were many,many of them.What a time,now there is not a cigar store to be seen any where,what a pity.Well I hope you enjoyed the trip down memory lane with me.Until next time. Bobby.

[Hendu3270]

I've been smoking pipes for about a 1/2-year now. Been smoking cigars for a few years now and one day received a Finck's Cigar catalog. It had a handful of pipes in the back with a dozen or so different tobacco's. So I ordered a pipe and a couple of blends and here I sit with 8 pipes to my collection and several tobacco's that I enjoy.

[commonsenseman]

Almost 3 months now. Seems like a lot longer though.

[nothingclever]

Just about a year for me. A wonderful time. Although the start was a little rough. Cigars were easier and took most my time. The winter is what got me into it. All the snow shoveling. Couldn't smoke a cigar with snow to ruin it. Perfect time to learn the techniques of the pipe.

[Zeabed]

Since 1966 for me, with Middleton's Cherry Blend (ouch), Borkum Riff (ugh!) and Skandinavik. Also, yes, Mixture 79. Most of them tasted better back then than they're modern incarnations, but still, was I really ever that young? I was like a different person altogether.