Dipping my big toe in....

ehehat

After a little more than a year with cigars I really want to try pipes. I know there were a couple threads on where to start but it looks like these have gone away. Who can give me some advice on where to start/what to stay away from? Looking for a decent starter kit and advise on tobacco

J.S.

Best I can do is to say jump in! I would pick up a few cobs to start with or a cheap 30.00 range pipe that is still a decent pipe but not a top end pipe (really if you are careful anything over $100.00 is largely aesthetics). Learn what makes a pipe expensive vs. cheap and what makes one good vs. poor (e.g., draw hole should be at the bottom of the bowl. The mortise should align correctly, etc.). Then pick up some tobacco. I would start with a handful of blends. Often people start with aromatics, but I do not care for them. So try 1 like Captain Black (an aromatic), it is the best selling pipe tobacco in the U.S. for a reason. Maybe a nice med. bodied English like Peterson's Dublin or Peter Stokkebye's English Luxury or Proper English. Find out if you like the aromatics or prefer the non-aromatic type of stuff and then go from there. I always recommend that beginners stay away from straight VA's for a while until you get your pack and puffing pace down. VA's will bite if not treated with care. I also would avoid flakes (usually VA's) plug's, and rope/twist (very strong) until you get into it.

J.S.

Oh, as far as what else you will need. Pick up a pipe tool you will need a tamper. I would pick up a couple of packs of pipe cleaners, I like the bristled kind as they seem to clean better but it is a personal taste. That should be enough to get you started. You should be able to pick up a pipe, 2 or 3 blends, the tool and cleaners for around $50.00 not too bad to find out if you like it or not. Then, the sky is the limit.

J.S.

All this pipe talk makes me want a bowl now. Which reminded me, look on youtube for the Frank method, and the Bob method of packing. Learn how to properly pack a pipe will save you constant relights and tongue bite.

Amos Umwhat

Bumping the Cigar Tips thread for you, if you get nothing else, remember that the importance of tamping cannot be overstated.

ehehat

J.S.:

Best I can do is to say jump in! I would pick up a few cobs to start with or a cheap 30.00 range pipe that is still a decent pipe but not a top end pipe (really if you are careful anything over $100.00 is largely aesthetics). Learn what makes a pipe expensive vs. cheap and what makes one good vs. poor (e.g., draw hole should be at the bottom of the bowl. The mortise should align correctly, etc.). Then pick up some tobacco. I would start with a handful of blends. Often people start with aromatics, but I do not care for them. So try 1 like Captain Black (an aromatic), it is the best selling pipe tobacco in the U.S. for a reason. Maybe a nice med. bodied English like Peterson's Dublin or Peter Stokkebye's English Luxury or Proper English. Find out if you like the aromatics or prefer the non-aromatic type of stuff and then go from there. I always recommend that beginners stay away from straight VA's for a while until you get your pack and puffing pace down. VA's will bite if not treated with care. I also would avoid flakes (usually VA's) plug's, and rope/twist (very strong) until you get into it.

This is all great stuff, thanks. other than the things you stated here, what should I look for in a pipe? I've read around and heard some people buying a "deal" only to find the pipe lasts 3-4 bowls. Also. What are VA's? Sorry....noob.

J.S.

ehehat

Got it, thanks again. Now, any recommendation on where to get a good starter pipe? I'm reading about the bowl finish and seasoning, is there a way to know online if the bowl is already carbon coated, etc?

Amos Umwhat

ehehat:

Got it, thanks again. Now, any recommendation on where to get a good starter pipe? I'm reading about the bowl finish and seasoning, is there a way to know online if the bowl is already carbon coated, etc?

Pipes & Cigars.com, lots of choices, from $30 - $1,200 or so. One of my favorite pipes, smoke it every day, was a $40 pipe on sale for half off, I've had it about 15 years.

J.S.

J.S.

Hey, not trying to steal the tread here but I just noticed that this makes my 500th post. I get very busy and I often have little time to get to post. Hopefully the next 500 will be quicker then these were!

ehehat

J.S.:

Hey, not trying to steal the tread here but I just noticed that this makes my 500th post. I get very busy and I often have little time to get to post. Hopefully the next 500 will be quicker then these were!

steal away brother! Thanks for your input and congrats on 500!!!

J.S.

Thanks, I hope I was able to help. I think you will really enjoy the pipe. It is a completely different flavor profile than cigars.

Cigary

I hear ya....I got into pipes about 30 years ago and developed TMJ so I had to stop but my jaw is ok now so I jumped in with all fours...pipe, 2 pounds of assorted tobacco, tools, lighter and I'm off to the races.

ehehat

Cigary:

I hear ya....I got into pipes about 30 years ago and developed TMJ so I had to stop but my jaw is ok now so I jumped in with all fours...pipe, 2 pounds of assorted tobacco, tools, lighter and I'm off to the races.

Now that's how you commit. I'm hoping to have my much smaller start here around Christmas time...

dr_frankenstein56

Amos Umwhat

dr_frankenstein56

J.S.

webmost

J.S.

That is an intersting idea. Have you smoked one? I wonder if it would make tongue bite worse being hotter and bringing more oil/tar into the smoke? I would be very interested to hear about the experience.

webmost