I have been a cigar smoker for some time. I like cigars. Alot.
Some years ago however, my cash flow was taking a serious hit and I found my cigar smoking quickly becoming too expensive. But I enjoyed tobacco smoking and didn't want to give it up. My solution (I thought), was to take up smoking a pipe. I could still enjoy smoking, but at a fraction of the cost.
I did that which was recommended. I bought myself a cheap briar, some pharmacy tobacco, and off I went. Though I fought with loading issues, and puffing too fast, I found smoking a pipe overall, very enjoyable in spite of my wifes jeers. Moreover, somewhere in the darkest recesses of my mind, I noted when smoking alone, I marginally preferred doing it with a pipe.
Alas, I was a "poor" pipe smoker, and my cheap pipe did me no favours. It gurgled like nothing I can compare, and being I didn't understand that you can only smoke a briar pipe so often, my smokes became more and more harsh... and then it happened. I got tongue bite. And then I got it again and again. How often I don't recall, but I do recall that it got so bad that I couldn't taste a thing for a day after each bite... that bites! Chunks.
It wasn't long before I gave up and went to smoking dog rockets rather than chancing "the bite." But I never forgot the times I did enjoy the pipe. It was akin to a great lover with a poor personality.
Fast forward to today. My disposable income has increased a little and I have a couple four humi's stocked full of cigars that I once labeled as cigars for guys with more money than imagination and/or taste lol. Like most of us here, I can smoke for at least a couple of years on my stockpile. So why think about going back to the pipe?
Well this time, it's not because of the money (though that's always a good thing too). No, this time I have two other reasons I want to go to the pipe. The first being that I still recall enjoying my pipe immensely before it all went south. And being I mostly smoke alone now, like I said, I find it a little more enjoyable.
Now don't get me wrong, I'll still smoke my cigars. But the other reason I am about to embark on taking up the pipe again is because nowadays, I just don't have the time to take an hour to an hour and a half to smoke a cigar. Throwing out sticks halfway or 3/4 way done kills me. And before you say to just get smaller cigars - I have. It's just with two young children, often times I find I have to put down what I am smoking and attend to issues at hand. In the winter with me not able to smoke in the house, that can make for a waisted cigar - big or not. If I leave my pipe and it goes out - so be it.
Anyhow - that's the story. I am interested to see how I progress, and hence this diary. If I find I can't make the pipe work either, that's fine. But I am going to give it an honest try.
I will say this, as I began this thought process I have received an enormous amount of help from all the brothers on this site. So thanks for all those that participate on the forum. Moreover, I intend to buy a second pipe to compliment my first. I originally thought I would wait on the second pipe and see how I enjoyed getting back into the pipe slowly - but I don't know if I can hold off lol. I got four tins of tobacco in today and hope to try a bowl tomorrow after work before heading home.
Here is my humble beginnings:
Dunhill Early Morning Pipe and Nightcap. Peterson's 3P's and Drew Estates Meat Pie. Why I got those is anyone's guess
.
Some years ago however, my cash flow was taking a serious hit and I found my cigar smoking quickly becoming too expensive. But I enjoyed tobacco smoking and didn't want to give it up. My solution (I thought), was to take up smoking a pipe. I could still enjoy smoking, but at a fraction of the cost.
I did that which was recommended. I bought myself a cheap briar, some pharmacy tobacco, and off I went. Though I fought with loading issues, and puffing too fast, I found smoking a pipe overall, very enjoyable in spite of my wifes jeers. Moreover, somewhere in the darkest recesses of my mind, I noted when smoking alone, I marginally preferred doing it with a pipe.
Alas, I was a "poor" pipe smoker, and my cheap pipe did me no favours. It gurgled like nothing I can compare, and being I didn't understand that you can only smoke a briar pipe so often, my smokes became more and more harsh... and then it happened. I got tongue bite. And then I got it again and again. How often I don't recall, but I do recall that it got so bad that I couldn't taste a thing for a day after each bite... that bites! Chunks.
It wasn't long before I gave up and went to smoking dog rockets rather than chancing "the bite." But I never forgot the times I did enjoy the pipe. It was akin to a great lover with a poor personality.
Fast forward to today. My disposable income has increased a little and I have a couple four humi's stocked full of cigars that I once labeled as cigars for guys with more money than imagination and/or taste lol. Like most of us here, I can smoke for at least a couple of years on my stockpile. So why think about going back to the pipe?
Well this time, it's not because of the money (though that's always a good thing too). No, this time I have two other reasons I want to go to the pipe. The first being that I still recall enjoying my pipe immensely before it all went south. And being I mostly smoke alone now, like I said, I find it a little more enjoyable.
Now don't get me wrong, I'll still smoke my cigars. But the other reason I am about to embark on taking up the pipe again is because nowadays, I just don't have the time to take an hour to an hour and a half to smoke a cigar. Throwing out sticks halfway or 3/4 way done kills me. And before you say to just get smaller cigars - I have. It's just with two young children, often times I find I have to put down what I am smoking and attend to issues at hand. In the winter with me not able to smoke in the house, that can make for a waisted cigar - big or not. If I leave my pipe and it goes out - so be it.
Anyhow - that's the story. I am interested to see how I progress, and hence this diary. If I find I can't make the pipe work either, that's fine. But I am going to give it an honest try.
I will say this, as I began this thought process I have received an enormous amount of help from all the brothers on this site. So thanks for all those that participate on the forum. Moreover, I intend to buy a second pipe to compliment my first. I originally thought I would wait on the second pipe and see how I enjoyed getting back into the pipe slowly - but I don't know if I can hold off lol. I got four tins of tobacco in today and hope to try a bowl tomorrow after work before heading home.
Here is my humble beginnings:
Dunhill Early Morning Pipe and Nightcap. Peterson's 3P's and Drew Estates Meat Pie. Why I got those is anyone's guess
.
