Why cigars and not pipes?

These are just my thoughts about why I choose not to take up smoking a pipe. I'm not trying to sway anyone else.

I admit that sometimes it seems tempting to buy a pipe - especially when I finish rolling a batch of cigars and see all the leftovers. However, I just roll them into a short-filler and move along.

I do admire the artistry of pipe-making. There are some wonderful pieces of art out there. However, for my money, I prefer the artistry of 100% smokeables. I love the fact that the cigar I'm smoking is itself a work of art. A work of art that will vanish as I experience it. A one-off every time. It's the ultimate enjoyment of art - full consumption according to its purpose, and never again to be experienced. That makes every smoking experience a part of the artwork. The weather, the conversation, the setting, the beverage ... it all is part of the composition.

The artistry of the farmer who keeps the land and grows the crops, and the processor who cures it, and the roller who makes the cigar. The art of the cigar band. And then the art at my end when I enjoy it. It's a long, winding connection of people who never meet.

Or, the art of rolling my own and smoking them. Another facet - another avenue of experience.

More pipes for everyone else, right? :pipe:

I enjoy both on a regular basis.
There is room for all.

When weather is pleasant, I lean towards cigars.
When it is very hot or very cold, I don't usually want to spend an hour and a half outside so I'll load a bowl and do it that way.

I enjoy both, but pipes can get a little fiddly for me. Sometimes I just wanna cut and light, not screw around with packing, lighting, tamping, lighting, dumping, cleaning, etc.

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Originally Posted by Ropey

I enjoy both, but pipes can get a little fiddly for me. Sometimes I just wanna cut and light, not screw around with packing, lighting, tamping, lighting, dumping, cleaning, etc.

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This. I light up a pipe once in a while, but it requires far more attention than cut, light, enjoy.

To me this is like comparing apples and oranges. The main thing for me is that the flavors are totally different since different types of tobaccos are used, and they're processed differently. Not only do you have endless combinations of tobaccos (viginias, latakias, burleys, orientals, Kentucky etc.) but once you factor in the different toppings that can be added, not to mention all the different kinds of pipes, it's really a whole different world. Sure, it's a more complicated than cigar smoking, but that's partly what makes it interesting. I still enjoy the hell out of cigars, of course. :stogie: but for now the hobby aspect of smoking has kind of been taken over by pipes :pipe:.

I agree with c.ortiz108, you cant compare a cigar to a pipe. An elephant will never be a giraffe, even though they are both mammals. I prefer cigars but that doesn't mean that I will turn down a well packed bowl!

I reach for a stogie about 80% of the time. Sometimes I prefer a pipe. Sometimes the pendulum swings a bit. I like the ability to choose, the variety.

I don't know about all the 'art' stuff since most of my pipes are waller'd out corncobs with a stick shoved in the side...
I like those citrusy, sweet, spicy, smoky flavors - all in varying degrees - that you can get in pipe tobacco. It's very rare to get that in a cigar. Some Padrons have a hint of it here and there but it's pretty subtle.

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Originally Posted by Cool Breeze

I enjoy both on a regular basis.
There is room for all.

When weather is pleasant, I lean towards cigars.
When it is very hot or very cold, I don't usually want to spend an hour and a half outside so I'll load a bowl and do it that way.

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I enjoy getting loaded on a bowl every now and then also.....errrrr..... Did I comprehend that correctly?...

Why not both, they're two different delivery systems for tobaccos? Or what ever your smoking!
On a side note Mary Jane went legal here in Oregon on the first of the month, I can smell it everywhere.

I also enjoy both fairly regular. While a cigar may be easier/quicker to get going, I can load a small bowl, or smoke the pipe, put it down, come back and relight it later, even the next morning.

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Originally Posted by AlanS

Why not both, they're two different delivery systems for tobaccos?

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I guess that's exactly why I'll stick with cigars. I'm not looking for a delivery system - I'm looking for a holistic experience. For me, the holistic experience of a cigar is more appealing than the holistic experience of a pipe. Of course I realize that's just my own slant on the hobby. I would be very much surprised if most people's mileage doesn't vary.

It seems like lately I, sadly, have little time to smoke. 4-6 days in a month is a good month for me. My cigar time is my downtime. It's my escape and my chance to chill out, reflect and collect my thoughts. I avoid piping because I want something that is hassle free and. I want to cut, light, put some music on and just melt into a chair for a couple hours. To me a well constructed and blended cigar just can't be beat in terms of relaxation.

i enjoy both depending on the situation. normally over summer months i enjoy a cigar on days i smoke. some times i will smoke a pipe in my car over summer months because it dose not leave the harsh after smell a cigar dose. in the fall i like to switch it up between cigars and pipes. if several people are sitting out on the deck with me i will smoke a pipe. as winter comes that's when its normally pipes..... unless i am at a lounge or going for a walk but if im sitting outside its normally a pipe. plus its the best time to smoke boswells Christmas Cookie

I guess I'm lucky in that I don't have weather cold enough to limit my relaxation time. I really enjoy watching the burn line on a cigar I'm enjoying, maybe it's the inner pyromaniac in me :)

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Originally Posted by Zeede

I guess I'm lucky in that I don't have weather cold enough to limit my relaxation time.

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I hate you.

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Originally Posted by Zeede

I guess I'm lucky in that I don't have weather cold enough to limit my relaxation time. I really enjoy watching the burn line on a cigar I'm enjoying, maybe it's the inner pyromaniac in me :)

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My favorite time of day to smoke a cigar is around sunset when it's still light enough to see your smoke, but also dark enough to see the red glow of the burn. I suppose there's a time like that in the morning as well, but I don't smoke that early.

I also love to watch the way the sharper lines of bluish smoke from the foot contrast with the heavier white smoke from my exhale.

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Originally Posted by Rocket Scientologist

I hate you.

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Be happy that the top tax bracket, Medicare surcharge and state income tax don't add up to 52.9% in your state this year.

I'm bismokual :)

Like you, @Sir Lancerolot , I once looked with dismay at the amount of perfectly good tobacco that ended up as scrap having rolled a batch of cigars. I tried "scrap" filler cigars but (1) still ended up with a lot of scrap (yes, I know it's fungible) and (2) I didn't really like the resulting cigars - didn't burn well and were inconsistent flavorwise.

So I put out the question to the crew on the former site we used to frequent, and they suggested smoking it in a pipe. Tried it, didn't much like it. Cigar tobacco in a pipe just didn't do it for me. So I tried making cavendish out of it, but straight cavendish is pretty blah IMHO, even when flavored. So I started blending, which of course led me in all sorts of directions, and now I make and smoke more pipe tobacco than cigars. Some of its halfway decent IIDSSM.

Fast forward about a year and a half, now I have about 30 pipes (mostly cheapies incl. a number of cobs), and about 40 jars, tins, and pouches of pipe tobacco in addition to my modest selection of cigars.

So that's my story :) BTW, another aspect that I'm not sure was mentioned above, pipe smoking tends to be way cheaper in terms of dollars/hour of smoking pleasure, but we cancel out the savings by buying copious amounts of the stuff, and also the better briar and meer pipes tend to be a little spendy.

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Originally Posted by Bruck

I'm bismokual :)
I tried "scrap" filler cigars but (1) still ended up with a lot of scrap (yes, I know it's fungible) and (2) I didn't really like the resulting cigars - didn't burn well and were inconsistent flavorwise.

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That surprises me.
I figured scraps would burn very good and consistent. I know when you light up a mixed filler cigar they tend to burn very well.

I tried, and tried, and tried to get into pipes. I have a couple nice pipes (Peterson, Nording), and some great tobacco.

1. I don't like getting my hands dirty. Rubbing, packing, etc usually results in residue all over my fingers.
2. It takes a lot of work to smoke. Constant tamping and relighting. I'm sure eventually it becomes second nature, but smoking a pipe is a "busy" activity, and I prefer the simplicity of a cigar. Light it, and you can relax and smoke for two hours.
3. The way you smoke. I like being able to take long, slow puffs from my cigar. Pipes seem to do much better with more frequent, smaller sips.
4. The quality of the smoke takes getting used to. The smoke is generally more flavorful, but also less thick in the mouth.

None of these things make cigars inherently better than pipes, they simply make cigars more preferable for me. YMMV.

I am not much of a ritualistic kind of guy and prefer simple. With a cigar it's cut, toast and light. I love how aromatic pipe tobacco is but it seems I am always futzing with trying to keep it lit, ramping, relighting. If it was as simple to smoke as a cigar, I would be a piper. Maybe after I retire I will have the patience to practice enough to learn how to smoke a pipe.

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Originally Posted by Cool Breeze

That surprises me.
I figured scraps would burn very good and consistent. I know when you light up a mixed filler cigar they tend to burn very well.

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Right, but your experience is probably with professionally rolled (or machine-made) mixed filler. Even then there's some consistency. My technique isn't exactly "Cuban," and with cigar scraps you get all different sizes and shapes.

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Originally Posted by StogieNinja

4. The quality of the smoke takes getting used to. The smoke is generally more flavorful, but also less thick in the mouth.

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Try some rope tobacco. Thickest, meatiest smoke I've ever had.

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Originally Posted by Bruck

I'm bismokual :)

Like you, @Sir Lancerolot , I once looked with dismay at the amount of perfectly good tobacco that ended up as scrap having rolled a batch of cigars. I tried "scrap" filler cigars but (1) still ended up with a lot of scrap (yes, I know it's fungible) and (2) I didn't really like the resulting cigars - didn't burn well and were inconsistent flavorwise.

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I do occasionally have burn issues with my short fillers, but no more so than with my not-fully-mastered long fillers. Flavor of the short fillers is less consistent in some of my blends, but I have some that are really simple, and the short fillers end up being a pretty good knock-off of the original concept. And I'm not too worried about flavor variance - I enjoy Quinteros and Curly Heads ...

Pipes seem to fit cold weather better to me, cigars when it's nice/comfortable.

I also find that pipes leave a certain aftertaste in general that's very distinct. Some cigars leave an aftertaste more than others, but it's an entirely different flavor.