You know, I really didn't intend to collect pipes. I only wanted to experience the joy of pipe smoking that I had apparently missed in college.

Back in those days (30 + years ago) I tried to smoke a pipe. I bought an inexpensive pipe and some cheap tobacco. I stuffed the tobacco into the pipe (how difficult could it be?) and fired up the pipe... I couldn't keep it lit, the tobacco burned my mouth, and the taste was not anything like the smell of the tobacco in the pouch. So, pipe smoking was not for me... the pipe is lost and the tobacco was tossed.

A quick fast-forward to December of 2008... I was on vacation with my wife, enjoying the warmth of Palm Springs. While she was off checking out the local knitting shops, I spied a tobacco/pipe shop. I wandered into the store and started poking around. I have always had pleasant memories of the pipe smoke odor that emenated from my uncle's and father's pipe. While my dad didn't smoke for a long period of time, I remembered him "puttering" (as he would say) around the garage work shop, puffing on a pipe. The tobacco shop brought back that time... and reawakened an interest in pipes.

I talked to the store proprieter about pipes. He explained the proper packing technique and the differences in pipes and tobaccos. I left the shop with a brand new Beraldi... and I was soon hooked on pipes.

I checked the internet (where was this 30 years ago) and quickly got up to speed on basic pipe history and pipe making craftsmanship. For a guy who has always had an interest in history, pipes were fascinating.

Before leaving Palm Springs I purchased another Beraldi (a Christmas present from my wife) and a King's Cross Featherweight for short smokes outside - Minnesota winter's make outside pipe smoking painful... and, while my wife has been very supportive of the hobby, indoor smoking was taboo (for a while anyway).

I got back to Minnesota and stumbled (most luckily) upon Rich Lewis in Minneapolis and Mr. Can on eBay (Mr. Can also resides in Minnesota).

Now I was hit with PAD. PAD pretty much makes you a collector (actually I was probably a collector when I purchased my second Beraldi). But I found that I started buying pipes not just for the smoking (although I do smoke every pipe I own). I started buying estate and new pipes that fit a certain style, or were made by a craftsman of particular interest (Rich Lewis for one).

To help placate my PAD, I considered making a pipe. It looked fascinating and it kept me away from pipe shopping. But now, I fear, I may be afflicted with a yet unnamed disorder - Pipe Artisan Syndrome (PAS?). While I don't consider myself to be an artisan - the desire to imitate one is very strong.

So now I make pipes - trying to learn by imitation and by trial & error. I don't know if the metamorphosis is complete - and I still suffer from PAD - but am enjoying the direction I am going.

Thanks for reading... and beware... pipes are fascinating...