Does A "Brotherhood of the Leaf" Exist?

[@CristiNeagu]

Just because there is a community centered on pipe smoking, it doesn't mean that if you smoke a pipe you're automatically a part of it, or that you should be a part of it. It means you _can_ be a part of it, if you want to. And just because you may be part of it, it doesn't mean you're friends with everyone. I think the term is valuable. I think there is use in thinking about an online pipe smoking community. I think that this hobby of ours is small enough that when you meet another pipe smoker, it's likely you will at least have something in common to talk about, and while you are not friends by default, you certainly have a good chance of becoming friends. This is a place where we can come and discuss pipe smoking because a lot of us know of absolutely no one that smokes a pipe that we can meet. We have no other place to discuss this, or ask for advice. And it's not that we choose a digital connection, but rather we have no other choice.

[@BiggieRed6520]

Good afternoon, this last Saturday I was recieved into the Catholic church. Praise be Jesus Christ, he has risen.

[@px2762]

Praise be Jesus Christ that is great news!

[@fivetimesyo]

May He easter in you! Brother!

[@fivetimesyo]

welcome home

[@tonyg.3696]

He is risen indeed! Welcome, my brother!

[@alphacharlietango969]

He is risen indeed! Alleluia Alleluia

[@josephkool8411]

I like this episode because you aren't pushing your accent. I Speak Greek, Russian, Serbian and English fluently. I know when someone is pushing their accent and it's uncouth. You talked naturally from the heart in this video. I've witnessed your earlier videos and now you're comfortable with who you are. I'm proud of you video uploader

[@WrongThink_]

He doesn't have an accent.. he pretends to have that because he likes to think he's from a time where he owns a plantation and calls his "workers" Toby.... .

[@j2muw667]

The thicker accent adds character to his ‘story tellin’ type style. I enjoy it. So I listen. If it’s not your thing, move along. No need to add negativity to what others enjoy. God bless!

[@ChrisJ294]

Please don't give up on the idea too quickly. I'm an Englishman, a new pastor, and a recent pipe smoker. I took it up individually, but then got a whole little world of joy from discovering the likes of you and Malcolm Guite online. You are folks I will never probably meet, but my day to day 'real life' has been enhanced by being exposed to life-enhancing folks like you and Guite, online.

[@leewatts1570]

Malcolm ,great guy

[@sevatar5762]

I found this exact same thing growing up in the heavy metal scene. There was a supposed "metal brotherhood" notion that was popular for many many years. You quickly find that genuine brotherhoods can not be formed over something as arbitrary as enjoying similar music or inhaling the smoke of a burned plant. Genuine brotherhood comes from years of close personal bonding and the overcoming of struggles together. Furthermore all subcultures are just microcosms of the real world. Meaning you will have every type of person in it. The good the bad and the ugly.

[@sackettsnodgrass9260]

I have had a few conversations over a pipe whilst on my lunch break back in the pre-COVID days, but now that I work from home, I spend most of my time in my office that I have outfitted to suit my work, my faith, and my pipe needs. One of the greatest benefits of pipe smoking is sitting still, being quiet of mind as well as being quiet of sound.

[@Alohahawkeye]

Reminds me of a saying I find true, be friendly to all and a friend to a few.

[@LukeEdwards-x8c]

There is a pipe community on KZbin - I know I love watching your videos, along with many other channels you have featured on. As a pipe smoker who loves to pipe at home and watch the videos it’s a real comfort. Please continue

[@stonylawncottagepipe4429]

As a retired pastor and Hospital chaplain, my pipe was real source of comfort next to devotions and prayers. In

[@stevekoutros9358]

Lovely messages on TPC today. I think you summed it up with, trust and respect are earned. I found a quote I will share with you, "A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out." I am glad you let the gentleman watching the tide come in and enjoy his quiet time. As always, thank you for sharing.

[@uptonsavoie]

Well, Alan, I used to belong to a pipe club that met once a month in the local B&M, and I used to look forward to the meetings and discussions (not all about pipes and tobaccos, by any means). The B&M closed, and the club folded for lack of a place to meet. I miss it and am today a solitary pipe smoker. No, I'm not exactly a member of any "brotherhood of the leaf" group; but striking up a conversation with someone you don't know is always easier when you have something in common, and pipe smoking fills that bill. Hey, that is what got me into watching "The Pipe Cottage". When I see someone interested in folk music---for example, someone picking the banjo---I tend to think that he may well be someone I'd like to know and with whom I might even be able to cultivate a friendship, musical or otherwise. Or not. But I at least have my foot in the door, so to speak.

[@SouthAlabamaPiper31]

I’m not much for an online pipe club but I do believe in getting together once in a while and enjoying a pipe with other pipe smokers. I generally use the word “brother” a lot. Not because I’m talking about the leaf but I just call a lot of people brother. Hopefully I can meet you one day maybe at the country squire and enjoy a bowl together. Thank you for your honesty on subjects and telling it like it is. God bless ya.

[@chrismichellijr9217]

My first time catching a TPC video on the same day. I just got my first two pipes in recently, and soon I’ll be lighting my new Christmas pipe up with my father. Thank you for being a big part of this journey!

[@kjmitchell3]

There is indeed a Brotherhood of the Leaf, and it's a trademarked club in Southington, Connecticut. I was a member for several years. It's a speak-easy style club, hidden from access and has next to NO digital presence. In person only, and you must be sponsored to join. It was an amazing experience with great people.

[@8eos80]

Very well said sir! And that goes to all hobbies. Just because someone shares the same interest in your hobby, does not make them a reliable/good/respectable/honourable person.

[@rushfan3]

Hey Alan, great video. I do think there is a brotherhood of the leaf. The pipe club I belong to is an example of that. We have members ranging from new to the hobby of pipe smoking to gents who ha e been smoking pipes as long as I've been alive. We always bring tobaccos we've been smoking and put them on the table for everyone to sample. It is a great group of guys and gals who are of the same mindset about the hobby and are willing to share their knowledge of pipes and blends. Will be looking out for the release of those two blends you spoke of. Enjoy the rest of your Monday. Cheers

[@MastinoNapoletano420]

I could sit and smoke a pipe with someone but honestly I smoke a pipe to stay in my brain and chew on my thoughts. I don't know how much conversation I could have with someone while smoking a pipe because I am not very talkative while smoking a pipe. I feel more sociable while smoking cigars. I also don't like labels like Brotherhood of the Leaf or Brotherhood of the Briar(although he is a great guy) and find them exclusionary. There is nothing exclusive about smoking a pipe unless someone is trying to be "cool". I totally agree that a relationship has to be cultivated and grown. That takes time. Just because 2 people do the same things does not mean that they are automatically friends or close. It means that they enjoy the same things. Thanks for sharing Dr Harrelson. Hope all is well! God Bless!

[@nathanpiatt5001]

Hit the nail on the head with this one. The community of the Kingdom of God is way more important a bond than the bond of two hobbyists.

[@zombiination7717]

Some of us don't live near tobacco store or have the money to travel as often as you do. KZbin is my only meeting place with other smokers.😊

[@michiganmikeupnorth]

I hear ya.

[@Sean-hg4mt]

Well said. Clothes don’t make the man or a pipe. Good character makes real friendships and time makes those friends like brothers and sisters.

[@drewfiglo6834]

I appreciate you making these videos very much. I’m a very new pipe smoker and I stumbled upon your videos since this past St. Patrick’s day. I’ve found pipe smoking to bring a contemplative and nostalgic aspect to my daily routine that I love. You’re videos add a great deal of innocent pleasure to a soul that’s had a turbulent life. I’ve suffered a great deal as a firefighter as my occupation due to its unfortunate life altering stimulation. Pipes have given a gentleness and patience to my hectic mind to allow me to slow down. We also share the same faith and I appreciate your content on your journey to Catholicism. I was raised catholic then met the Lord at a greater measure in my twenty’s as a Protestant. I don’t really label myself to a particular denomination more so I see myself as a disciple of Jesus. But I digress. I just wanted to say thank you and I appreciate you taking the time to share your joyful character and knowledge of pipes and tobacco. I assure you it is not in vain to this weary soul.

[@TheThinkInstitute]

In-person community absolutely trumps virtual community. That being said, the two forms of community can support and foster one another. I have brothers in Christ whom I will never meet in person in this life, but with whom I will enjoy eternity in the new Heavens and new Earth, live and in person. I appreciated the commonsense message in this video, and how you're not trying to make the "pipe community" anything more than it really is.

[@hardusdeklerk8993]

I agree with you, Sir. Thank you for a good video. Greetings from South Africa

[@tonyg.3696]

As a commenter said, friendly to many, friends with few. Having said that, if there is a brotherhood of the leaf with just you, Dewayne and Malcolm Guite, I’d apply for junior membership.

[@thealaskanpiper]

This is a great video and I agree with Alan 100% on this. I too have found myself pulling away from the social media aspect that has formed around this hobby. As a once active participant in the socials, I found myself thinking this same way before coming across this video. And Alan, if you do happen to see this comment, I'd like to say. I haven't always agreed with everything you've said or done here on the socials, but I respect you and your thoughts and opinions. You always give me something to think about, and a lot of time it makes me reflect and change how I think, act, and react to the experiences I come across in life. Thank you for that.

[@matth2861]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video, Dr. Alan. I’m thankful and encouraged by your witness to the Faith. May our Lord continue to guide your footsteps and all your efforts. I believe He has great things for you and that your life will continue to bring glory to His name. It’s a privilege to share your journey through watching your videos.

[@molex114]

I am a relatively new pipe smoker and also a cigar smoker, I am a solitary smoker of both not knowing anyone else that smokes Cigar regularly or anyone that smokes a pipe and have no pipe club near me. I do think that there is a community on line there are folks like yourself that pass on knowledge and those that do reviews and offer advice, so maybe not tight knit but id call that a community people helping and supporting eachother. As to whether or not there I a brotherhood or if brotherhood is the right word the is definitely a connection between folk that enjoy and partake in the pleasures of Tobaccos although I don't think that applies to cigarettes but definitely between the under siege group of free thinking free willed leaf enthusiasts. I was recently I dunlin and visited the Peterstons shop to buy a couple of pipes there was a chap from New York in there to.Are we now friends no did he come to dinner no nor did he invite me to visit we didn't even swap numbers but for a brief time we encouraged and helped each other choose had fun I made the experience more than I otherwise would of been maybe not community or brotherhood but for that brief time a connection we otherwise would never have had elsewhere

[@helenjourde9033]

Being brand new to pipe smoking, I enjoy various channels, some more than others, to learn about different tobacco blends. That is really the only thing I'm truly interested in. Religion and politics were things that when I was growing up (70 y/o now) we pretty much kept to ourselves unless it was something one specifically wanted to know about someone else. Maybe that is why I tend to only drop in here on a rare occasion.

[@justcope0123]

I agree for the most part. There are some YTPC people that I have watched and enjoyed but that doesn’t mean that I would hang out with them. Pipe smoking doesn’t define anyone, it’s simply a pleasure that is shared by many and sometimes it can be a tool to bring like-minded people together. Do I ever see myself hanging out with Alan….? Probably not, but it’s not something to feel ashamed about. It is what it is.

[@johannasselborn8435]

I agree very much so with the idea of being careful who is let into your life as well as being around like minded fellow pipe smokers in person. I’ve met many older pipe smokers who seem to only care about acquiring more and more aged tins and the fanciest pipes. Granted it is nice to speak to them in person but many times when I’m not speaking to my close personal friends over a pipe then the conversation veers very worldly because the secular/materialist mind doesn’t enjoy large scale philosophical topics. Appreciate these thoughts Allan.

[@richardhooper5013]

I have enjoyed your channel from the very beginning. Your spiritual journey has been of interest because as a lifelong Protestant I have for about 9 months been studying the early church and church fathers ie the Catholic faith and will very likely in the near future join the Catholic Church. Blessings and I look forward to trying the new blends when released.

[@pnwfarmdog4090]

Hahaha that comment about the beach had my in stitches! Best line of the day and it’s just started! Thanks to your suggestion I’ve taken to trying to smoke my pipe and avoid the screen time, just focus on the day and what’s going on, listening to the rain fall, or the breeze in the dogwood tree. I’ve also started reading more, taking your suggestion of Chesterton, Tozer, Spurgeon and the like. Now I’m college educated and fairly smart but Chesterton is definitely over my head and forces me to slow down and actually focus on the words, I usually skim books but these force me to read them. It’s a good thing, makes me slow down and enjoy what I’m reading.

[@cherrycola94]

Sir, I recently discovered your channel and thoroughly enjoy the content. The odds of me ever having met you aside from KZbin is almost zero. So, with that being said, there IS value to social media in that I get to discover high quality individuals that share my morals, values, beliefs and hobbies. Listening to you share your view points is refreshing and you reassure me that I’m not alone; that others think and feel as I do. I hope you continue to get inspired to make pipe/tobacco/Whatever-else videos with God being your North Star. In a country that has become so indifferent and often malicious, you have the ability to connect with folks who really don’t socialize much because, like myself, have lost the desire to connect with this crazy backwards twilight zone of a society. This channel offers fuel for thought, from an educated gentleman. Trust that you are a rare breed in todays America. God bless you.

[@Tonybronx74]

God bless you and your family Alan. The Most Blessed Virgin Mother protect you all the days of your life. Please do not stop making videos. They are more important than you will ever know. Thank you.

[@MMASON13]

Mary is not God. I don’t know how people got the notion that she is above all.

[@MrBassTV]

For an educated man, your view is myopic at best. I enjoy your videos very much. I align with many of your views, but to alienate those you disagree with is sad, really. I concur that little is right or worthwhile among the woke, and most are pretty closed minded as well. I don’t believe in Jesus, but some of my closest friends are devout believers. I would be very sad without them in my life, but we are never going to agree on Jesus. My life is much richer by associating with believers and nonbelievers alike. Jesus spent much of his ministry with those that the religious regarded as deplorable. That much I can admire about Jesus.

[@thomasjackson8737]

You make an excellent point. There is an online community that I associate with full of respectable people, deplorable people, scholars and self-styled scholars. Many of them are tobacco gurus or very knowledgable about the myriad pipes out there and yet ridiculous in other aspects. Pipe smoking is a wonderful thing, but it doesn't automatically make a person wonderful as a consequence.

[@Bemjji]

9:34 Preach on Brother!

[@alecbinyon2944]

I just sat down with new friends around cigars and pipe tobacco. Seemed like a pretty instant brotherhood, premium tobacco makes good listeners of us I think.

[@lunchmoneyphilipphilip3034]

Alan, Thank you and i agree with you, their are a few who may be brother worthy.

[@stephensmith4480]

Hello and nice to see you back. It sounds like you have a very full calendar sir. You must be excited to be putting your mark on a couple of Blends that are going to be on offer. I wish you the very best with your endeavours 🙏

[@lawrencesmith43]

I look forward to ordering the new blend, as soon as it's available. Also looking forward to the blend you're planning with the Country Squire.

[@Saamish-P]

The Brotherhood of Humanity exists. If you take the time to sip on a smoldering leaf, you can recognize it.

[@atthefiveforks8077]

Outstanding .... Certainly agree with all of your comments.

[@danielbeardsley7846]

I also heavily push back on the notion that there can be a community through a screen. If you desire a community of smokers, open a cigar lounge and meet people.

[@leewatts1570]

In europe i think those that smoke cigars are all of the same cloth ao it is a botl where as in Murcia were its cheap and anyone can do it you will get perhaps all sorts of folk doing it

[@BackNinePiper]

I never did consider being a part of the brotherhood of the briar... as, by God's grace, I know that idle chatter is of no value. I too am only interested in the brotherhood of the Kingdom. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on a touchy topic.

[@jimgraham6407]

I very much agree with the perspective that real relationships and invitation into one's inner circle takes time. I am very new to pipe smoking with a bit more experience with cigars. That said, I have found that the pipe is best suited to reflection and quiet, and while a cigar can be used in the same way it is much more conducive to more in-depth conversations with others. In fact, I find that enjoying a cigar with others is a great way to begin developing those personal relationships. As for the "brotherhood of the leaf", it seems to be tied to our more modern need to be associated with one group or another, primarily driven by social media and the internet and less by actual connection. I have no issue with those who choose to use that nomenclature, but I don't find a need to assign it to myself. I appreciate your thoughtful videos and have learned much from them. Thank you sir! Safe travels!

[@Alamopiper]

What would be the best pipe to start with for someone who has never smoked a pipe?

[@jat2319]

Grab a corn cob!

[@DrewTheCatholic]

I will be in Steubenville in July, looking forward to buying some of that blend!

[@rathvon1]

Well said sir, well said. Agree 100%.

[@HapaBindery]

I’m not saying that I agree nor disagree with points you made, but this was a fine video. Felt honest.

[@jerrygouge9615]

Forget groups, labels and pigeon holes. Be yourself and be honorable. Others own their opinions.

[@golfump]

Hello! Perhaps you can point me in the right direction. Both being Gettysburg enthusiasts, I am in search of a pipe similar to the one Sam Elliott, aka Gen. John Buford, smoked in the movie. Do you know of anyone who makes this pipe type? Thanks.

[@pickingandpiping]

Best of luck with your pipe blends. Definitely want to check those out. I hope to get to Chesterton cigars one of these days too.

[@stonylawncottagepipe4429]

Always good to find your interesting talks/visits😊

[@stonylawncottagepipe4429]

For some years I've been oblate ot Assumption Abbey...your content is always worth while

[@benrose5465]

Now that you are living in Kentucky, have you ever made the trip to Lexington to visit Schwab’s Pipes & Stuff? Interesting place with multiple house blends to choose from. I have really enjoyed your videos.

[@ninoding]

Thank you for the thought provoking video, I absolutely agree with you on the value of communities in person and how social media can easily consume us and take the personal relationships from us. I interpret the brotherhood of the leaf as a way to set down the differences in our personal identities and political views to only share our appreciation for the hobby. Of course it does not mean you have to be personal friends with everyone in the community, but it allows for the tension to be put aside and perhaps a gateway to a wonderful friendship. Dry Creek Wrangler explains this brilliantly in his video on this topic. There is a lot of tension in America right now and I believe we could use a break from that to preserve the beauty of this country. I’m eager to hear your thoughts.

[@BeardsandBibles]

Man I wish I could be there lol I will have to make the trip to get some of that blend!

[@golfump]

congratulations, there's nothing better than making money from something that you love to do. I wish you all the best. I'll be sure to keep looking online when it goes on sale.

[@domferraro]

I recently found your channel and have been enjoying it quite a bit. So much so, in fact, that my wife and I often sit together watching your videos while I enjoy a good pipe. Then I heard you say this at: 11:36 I, sir, am one of those “ugly fat people” whom you dislike seeing as we “mill about” on the public beach. Our values seemed to be aligned until I heard you judge people by the way they look. To say I’m disappointed would be an understatement. You can certainly do better.

[@mikereese15]

Appreciate your thoughts and will check out the other channel.

[@EthanReviews123]

Amen brother

[@asphaltlou]

Great video! Looking for to purchasing those blends.

[@TheGeordie1882]

@the pipe cottage, Alan, I absolutely agree. Use social media to go on to develop personal relationships, but it's not where we live. We must differentiate ourselves from the fiction and want of other to be what they want and need us to be online also Also, online communities are the death of society. My tipughts too; Just because we smoke tobacco, doesn't mean we should spend time together. It's nothing that binds our existence together, that respect and trust as you said is earned , just like every other aspect of our lives and that can only come from if I pick up vibes from you that we'd meet intellectually. I so often realise nowadays, as my wisdom of 36 years, ages like a fine wine at exponential rate, that I like myself the most. I like having acquaintances, I don't like having friends.

[@timroot4207]

Thank you !

[@CatholicPipeCo]

Are you guys going to stream anything Thursday from Chestertons?

[@karenisensee3987]

this is Fred, An Excellent Video, and I Look Forward to More.

[@freedomfamily1358]

Get it going brother

[@alphacharlietango969]

Washington State doesn't allow citizens to receive tobacco through the mail.

[@claylippert7203]

Funny, I looked up brother hood of the leaf 18 minutes after this video popped up.

[@BeardsandBibles]

I’d much prefer a community in person and meeting up to hang out. I’m personally seeing some real arrogant a holes who smoke pipes and cigars and quite frankly it’s discouraging. The most exciting part of smoking a pipe for me was the connections and everything, but idk man. Sometimes feels like should just smoke alone. I’m not weird I’m just… ok I’m a little weird haha but I like good deep conversations… I hate surface level chit chat.

[@peterlance3989]

A friend just asked me how much connection I feel with fellow pipe smokers. My response: "We share a hobby. An interest. Whatever you wish to call it. And we also share it with Joseph Stalin". (If the point is not clear, I do not care for Mr. Stalin.)

[@1nemann]

I think it depends on the individual. If you have a lot of friends and family around the idea of an online community seems goofy. If you're way out and alone it's likely more appealing. I tried to join some groups and get involved with the YTPC but I wasn't feeling it. I'd rather share pipe smoking with friends in person.

[@leviwarren6222]

Happy first of April.

[@golfump]

I hope that you contact Skip here in Birmingham

[@stovepipe1863]

You should have spoken to the man on the beach. And maybe gifted him some pipe tobacco. I would have regretted not speaking to him. Team freedom!!! YTPC is how I found the country squire 🇺🇸

[@ostekuste3646]

I’ve said the same thing about “brotherhoods”. I drive a classic Jeep, it’s been my daily for 25 years. I learned to drive in an old Jeep. In the last couple decades there’s been the development of this Jeep community and “the Wave”. Why, just because we drive the same kind of vehicle, are we suddenly buddies waving at each other? It’s silly. Do Toyota Corolla owners get all excited and wave just because they see another? Why are you waving? Maybe I’m just too much the introvert.

[@mczyz]

well said ;-)

[@shawnlaverty2378]

Do you know how rare pipe smoking is? Maybe it's more common in the south where you're at I don't know but where I'm at and where I've lived I have never met a single person in my life that smokes a pipe, except for my grandpa and he's dead. Never got to spend much time with him when he was alive. The KZbin pipe community is the only pipe community that I know, the only place I have to learn about things pipe related. Also I think that pipe smoking is by nature a solitary thing, I took one of my extra pipes to a friend's house and smoked it with him last weekend, it was not enjoyable at all. All I could think about was how hard he was puffing the damn thing and I don't want him burning up my pipe lol I told him to slow down. The conversation was not very good and upon going home I realized I should have stayed there in the first place and smoked a pipe by myself. But I am by nature a solitary person I have a few friends but not many, the few friends I do have are the best but none of them smoke pipes. So the brotherhood of the leaf while it may not be a real brotherhood is at least a brotherhood where learning can be done especially for new pipe smokers and that has incredible value

[@shawnlaverty2378]

I am a religious man, God has performed many miracles in my life. But I do know that the online pipe community is probably just as genuine as any brotherhood you would get in a church. Just because people go to church does not mean they won't stab you in the back first chance they get. I've been betrayed by people of faith just as much as non-believers, so what brotherhood is real? The brotherhood of the leaf is probably just as real as any brotherhood you'd find in church, and any random pipe smoker just as trustworthy and respectable as any random churchgoer.

[@peterpiper7094]

With regards to pipe smokers being of sound personality …. Joseph Starlin smoked a pipe we shall just leave that there 😂

[@baconnationalist9072]

🤠🤠

[@yokobono3324]

I smoke a pipe and I frequently say stupid things. I am your brother in Christ though, so you're stuck with me. 🤣

[@Jkp1321]

As a "Zoomer" at age 27 I find the "Brother of the Leaf" (often short handed as BOTL) stuff to be very cringe and it seems to be mostly a thing with the AARP crowd. Just smoke and be normal. You'll find your "tobacco brothers" naturally through your communities or at the local shop

[@kevindorn2508]

I prefer christian brothers and sisters over pipe smokers. But if youre christian AND smoke pipes, thats a double whammy

[@johannasselborn8435]

Agreed

[@benniebarrow348]

I feel from your statements that “common people” irritate you . Especially those who want to consider themselves a friend without you first knowing their “credentials”. That seems kinda sad.