Starter pipe tobacco recommendations?

LiquidChaos66

I've noticed this section is fairly quiet but I gonna try anyway. Any good recommendations for a first time pipe smoker? My boss suggested Captain Black. My local B&M has several local and house blends that sound good. But I don't know what to expect.

J.S.

Rain

If you think it's quiet now, you should have been around a few months ago.Don't you think you should get your humi set up before jumping in to pipes? ;)It's a little tough to start bro, gotta spend time learning how to pack and light.

LiquidChaos66

Marker

pilgrimtex

LiquidChaos66

pilgrimtex

OKAY on the PM/ . May be too relaxed LOL to answer but cool. Hey forgot to mention the cleaning. Your gf spent a lot of time on your pipes. Don't ruin it by treatments. Worst case you need to scrape and clean the stems. Do Not Use chemicals on them. He might come back to haunt you. LOL Again feelin no pain. LOL. I would cut off a N*t to have one of your pipes. There is a lot of love and history in them. Smoke and enjoy as is. They were cherished so don't worry about the shape they're in. Smoke em first decide later what you will do. My guess you'll get some old cobweb feelin like a fine brandy and slowly your blend will over power it and add to the sensation.

LiquidChaos66

I did a light reaming on the bowls and didn't get into the wood of the pipes. There's still a layer of cake on them but not nearly has heavy as before. More than cleaning them out i smoothed out the layer of cake in the bowls... If that makes sense. How would you recommend cleaning the stems?

pilgrimtex

Take a paper towel and wad it up to work into it. Then a dull drill bit if it is solid to loosen and remove. Bit by hand not in a drill. lol. The stems is warm water and pipe cleaners. The warm water softens the resins and tars and the pipe cleaner scrubs the stem. Keep under running water as you scrub them to rinse as you go.

LiquidChaos66

Ran some pipe cleaners through them after a little warm water running on the stems... Is it normal for them to lose their really rich dark color? cause thats what happened to some of them.

mgk2020

The best advice I can give you (as someone that just went through what you're doing) is to try a variety of different types of tobaccos; aromatics, traditional, types, flavors, etc. The only way to know what you'll like is to try it. Don't avoid English blends, aromatics, anything when you start. Even if you don't like it, it's worth the try. Just keep in mind that it may take awhile to get the hang of some of them. Also, I would recommend spending a little extra to get higher quality tobaccos - it makes a HUGE difference. That's not to say more expensive is better, but for better it is worth paying the extra. Check out tobaccoreviews.com for finding more info on anything that sounds good to you. Lastly, I agree with a lot of the recommendations already posted and would also suggest the Frog Morton's; specifically, the original, On the Bayou, and Cellar. Pick up something like Lane BCA or McClelland's VBC too. Most importantly, have fun with it!

Amos Umwhat

LiquidChaos66:

Ran some pipe cleaners through them after a little warm water running on the stems... Is it normal for them to lose their really rich dark color? cause thats what happened to some of them.

Yeah, that's normal. The color will come back from the oils on your fingers. Or, you can do what I do, rub your nose between your thumb and forefinger, buff the stem, voila! Back to black. I've got a tiny nylon bristle brush that I use when flushing out my stems, fits right through them. I can't remember if I got it at a tobacco shop, from a gun cleaning kit, or just saw it while accompanying my wife to Bed Bath & Beyond, but it helps.

LiquidChaos66

pilgrimtex

Get to know him well at the B&M. Eventually He should reveal the ordered name of that blend. He should at least tell you who the manufacturer is. Ordering online brings the price way down. The may be able to tell you a little about your pipes. The insert on that calabash looked pretty shiny. Hard to tell if its meerschaum or porcelin.

xmacro

LiquidChaos66

Funny thing is... I didn't we captain black at my B&M. Lol oh well. I don't think it will be a biggy.

catfishbluezz

Grabbed some captain black tonight, I'll report back

LiquidChaos66

Please do! My boss and a lot of my clients keep telling me to try it. It will be some time before I can get some though. Pilgrimtex hit me with a few of his personal blends that I get to try out!

pilgrimtex

You can get Capt Black in bulk as well. 12oz tin is 32.45 but 16oz bulk is 28.50.