I'm looking to start smoking a pipe and would like to know what types of pipes ya'll smoke. I'm looking on ebay to buy one, or elsewhere, just looking for a good deal on one. I've only got a couple of samples of pipe tobacco to smoke as well, what types do ya'll like the best? Where do ya'll buy most of your tins at? Or do you mostly buy samplers? I really like most of AJ Fernandez's cigar blends, what would be a good blend of tobacco that you would recommend for me? I know that is a lot of questions, but I appreciate all the help.
Thanks,
Emerson
i'm inclined to just say try different things and see where it takes you. everybody has their preferences and the journey that leads you to them is often the most valuable part. that said, to more directly answer your questions i'll list some things i like to hopefuly give you a jump off point. there are so many great pipes but my preference is in older british pipes (pre-1980s GBDs, Comoys, BBBs, etc) and north american artisans (bruce weaver, brad pohlmann, trevor talbert, etc). for tobacco types, i'm a fan of balkan/english blends but i do enjoy the occasional virgina flake or VaPer. there are lots of quality blends from, McClellands, hearth and home, GL pease, esoterica, samuel gawith... to many to mention really. i'd reccomend you take a look at tobaccoreviews.com and see what people have to say about different blends you might be interested in. honestly just try lots of things and you will figure out what suits you.
I started smoking a pipe this past year, but only smoke it like once or twice a month so I'm still a beginner. I went to my local B&M and bought what is called a basket pipe. These range from $5-$30 typically, and are usually a pipe with a flaw. Kind of like cigar seconds. Types of flaws would be imperfections in the briar, so it's not able to be sold as a higher value pipe etc. The nice thing about these pipes is, one they're not expensive, two if you don't enjoy the hobby you haven't invested to much money, three if you damage the pipe i.e. crack the bowl etc. then again you're not out a lot of money.
Eventually I'll purchase a nice pipe, but for now my basket pipe works well for me.
Thanks for the heads up Bryan, I'll look into a basket pipe.
E
Keep in mind the briar pipes have a break in period but my understanding is corncobs do not. I've never smoked a corncob though. There are some good videos on YouTube that can give you good pointers once you get started. If your tabacconist is good he will be able to give you some good advice as well. Have fun!
Cobs are great starter pipes. Spend a little extra for a good one...the better ones are pre-charred and have a wooden plug in the bottom so they don't burn through as easy. They don't require any break in and are very newbie friendly -- not to mention cheap.
I have 7 pipes in my rotation, including two Petersons and a Stanwell, and my two cobs are still my favorites overall.
I like pipes that dip down so that they are not right in front of my face. I also find it to be a more natural and comfortable location for my hand while I am holding the pipe. I would suggest just going with small tins or 2oz samples until you find what you like.
I agree with Les about the cobs. I smoke my cob ($7) more than my Peterson 312 (a lot more than $7 for sure). Basket briars are indeed inexpensive, but the cob is easier to smoke.
I also agree with Sam_a. Try sample quantities (1-2 oz) of a bunch of different tobaccos and see what you like. The journey is half the fun. It is worth noting that Virginia tobaccos require extensive aging (a year, preferably longer).
I agree that the cobs are bar-none the best way to find out if you like smoking a pipe. I reccomend Pipesandcigars.com for online ordering of pipes and esp. cobs. They have the good Missouri Meerschaums. As for tobaccos I like a lot of different things, I enjoy Virginia Flakes, VAPers, and english/balkan. Just a matter of personal preference.
Thanks for all the good info guys. Looks like I'll be trying to find me a cob pipe, and some samplers of tobacco.
Emerson
QuoteMcBryde - 1/14/2012 11:48 AM
Thanks for all the good info guys. Looks like I'll be trying to find me a cob pipe, and some samplers of tobacco.
Emerson
here is a sampler i'd recommend as a great value. http://pipesandcigars.com/heandhosa.html lots of great tobaccos to choose from on that list. and you can throw a MM cob in the cart too and you're set for at least a little while.
OK, so today, I was procrastinating out in my shop when I should have been cutting some blanks, and I found some deer antler and a corn cob and threw together the worst looking pipe most of ya'll have probably ever seen. It burned the tobacco in it, but it deinately did not smoke like a good pipe. The hole was too big around where teh antler went in and was letting too much air in. So much for my idea, lol. Maybe I'll try again tomorrow while the wife isn't watching me so much! I have plenty of wood, I'll give that a try. I'm sure I'll still buy one as well, but making one is fun too.
E
Im kind of looking into pipe smoking to, but im not sure what the difference is between pipe's and cigars.
If this was my wife answering this question, she'd say pipes are for "old people" and cigars are for younger people. LOL
E
:lmao: @ McBryde
Pipes are a whole different experience. They generally require more attention. The tobacco is typically cured with some form of heat treatment, so the flavors are different. I really enjoy the pipe when relaxing with others or when I have nothing else that I need to focus on. It's some nice zen time.
Well the only reason ive been loking at pipes was because i want a gandalf pipe. but since im 22 acoprding to your wife i got a few years to go :lmao:
I showed my wife the churchwarden pipes today and she laughed at me getting one, LOL. I told her I could be her hobbit. LMAO.
E
QuoteMcBryde - 1/14/2012 7:12 PM
If this was my wife answering this question, she'd say pipes are for "old people" and cigars are for younger people. LOL
E
In my 20s I mainly smoked pipes. In my 40s I mainly smoke cigars. Maybe I was trying to look older and now I am trying to look younger.
As a relative pipe newbie, I recommend the MM corn cobs. Cheap and really smoke well. As far as tobaccos, I've really liked blends from Samuel Gawith, but trying different tobaccos is most of the fun. ;-)
I'll put in another good word for the MM cob pipes. They're excellent for beginners because of the price and the ease of use. I've been smoking a pipe off and on for 5 years and I still go back to my cobs with regularity. If I can make a suggestion, get the Missouri Pride. It's a natural cob (as opposed to the polished ones) and in my experience the naturals smoke cooler than the polished. I usually order them from corncobpipe.com, which is Missouri Meerschaum's website.
Have fun with the new hobby. Happy smoking!
QuoteMcBryde - 1/14/2012 9:12 PM
If this was my wife answering this question, she'd say pipes are for "old people" and cigars are for younger people. LOL
E
I stayed up late a while back the night before going on graveyards. The next day my wife asked me what I did while I was up. I told her that I took my pipe and a book out on the back porch. She laughed and said "you're like an old man from another time, what with your pipe and your paper book". :lmao:
Paper books... who uses those anymore? :biggrin:
Just like the newspaper industry, the book industry will eventually take a down turn due to the invention of the Nook and Kindle devices.
Quotemetalhead y cigarguy - 1/17/2012 1:44 AM
Paper books... who uses those anymore? :biggrin:
Just like the newspaper industry, the book industry will eventually take a down turn due to the invention of the Nook and Kindle devices.
I agree that the publishing industry will probably see a fade, but I can't feature it ever completely going away. Some things just need to be kept in a hard copy for preservation. Electronic information is just too easily lost. :confused:
May I suggest a cheap meerschaum as your first. No break in so you will get a cool sweet smoke off the bat instead or a wet bitter hot one.
How long is the "breaking in period" for a new pipe?
E
I think the break in period just depends on the quality of the briar being used for the pipe and the type of shape/style it is, but I'm not really sure. :confused:
I've seen it mentioned several times that you should always smoke the entire bowl of tobacco, so the chamber gets an even coating of build up and charring. Just don't get too much build up, and make sure to clean it regularly.
QuoteMcBryde - 1/19/2012 2:58 PM
How long is the "breaking in period" for a new pipe?
E
thats a tricky question... i suppose the answer is "it depends". it depends on the pipe, wheather it has a bowl coating or not (and what kind of bowl coating might it be), whether the briar was properly processed or not, how long it was allowed to cure... blablabla. and there are lots of differing opinions on the subject, instead of me going on and on and being all long winded about it (as i tend to do) i'll just give you some links to a few good articles
http://www.pipesandcigars.com/newpipebreakin.html
http://pipedia.org/index.php?title=The_Mysteries_of_the_Briar_Break-in_Process
http://www.chicagopipeshow.com/education/Documents/BreakingInAPipe-PatrickDennis.pdf
ultimately IMHO just smoke the thing slow, don't worry about it to much and hope for the best :-)
Well, I bucked up today and bought a duke grabow pipe. It should be in in a week or so, so we'll see how I like her. I have 2 freebie samples of tobacco so far, looks like I might need to find a place around here that might sell some. Thought it may be cheeper with the tobacco sales taxes in this state to buy it online!
Emerson
QuoteMcBryde - 1/21/2012 12:39 AM
Well, I bucked up today and bought a duke grabow pipe. It should be in in a week or so, so we'll see how I like her. I have 2 freebie samples of tobacco so far, looks like I might need to find a place around here that might sell some. Thought it may be cheeper with the tobacco sales taxes in this state to buy it online!
Emerson
Congrats...I hope you like your new pipe. There is some pretty good pipe baccy to be found out there on the interwebs if'n you can't come up with any nearby. :biggrin:
QuoteMcBryde - 1/20/2012 11:39 PM
Well, I bucked up today and bought a duke grabow pipe. It should be in in a week or so, so we'll see how I like her. I have 2 freebie samples of tobacco so far, looks like I might need to find a place around here that might sell some. Thought it may be cheeper with the tobacco sales taxes in this state to buy it online!
Emerson
Did you buy it at JR Cigars? I see they sell the Grabow line of pipes now, pretty decent prices I think. I haven't bought a pipe in 40 years but have some still that I rounded up from others who gave up the habit.
Check uhle tobacco company in Milwakee. Easy to find on Google. Great blends and cheaper than most places. Wide variety too.
I actually bought it on ebay. It is a used pipe, but I bought it from a company that cleans them, and puts new mouthpieces on them and all that mess.
E
QuoteMcBryde - 1/21/2012 7:15 PM
I actually bought it on ebay. It is a used pipe, but I bought it from a company that cleans them, and puts new mouthpieces on them and all that mess.
E
Those are called Estate Pipes, and there is nothing wrong with an estate pipe. You can get really good high quality pipes at a great price if you know what you're looking for.
If you ever buy a used pipe you can disinfect the mouthpiece with high proof whiskey too
Well, I liked the way it looked, and I'd heard that Dr. Grabow pipes weren't too shabby of a pipe, so I jumped on one for $17.95 shipped. I didn't think that was too bad of a deal on it. It's a Duke model. Only time will tell how well she'll smoke.
Emerson
QuoteMcBryde - 1/22/2012 1:11 AM
Well, I liked the way it looked, and I'd heard that Dr. Grabow pipes weren't too shabby of a pipe, so I jumped on one for $17.95 shipped. I didn't think that was too bad of a deal on it. It's a Duke model. Only time will tell how well she'll smoke.
Emerson
Shouldn't be too much time. I figure about the amount of time it takes to pack the bowl and set fire to it... :confused: :shades:
If it truly has been used already then the break in period should be very minimal to none. Just depends on how much it was used before. As long as there is some cake build up in the chamber you should be good to go. Have fun!!!
Quote87North - 1/22/2012 4:14 PM
QuoteMcBryde - 1/22/2012 1:11 AM
Well, I liked the way it looked, and I'd heard that Dr. Grabow pipes weren't too shabby of a pipe, so I jumped on one for $17.95 shipped. I didn't think that was too bad of a deal on it. It's a Duke model. Only time will tell how well she'll smoke.
Emerson
Shouldn't be too much time. I figure about the amount of time it takes to pack the bowl and set fire to it... :confused: :shades:
:biggrin:
I'm liking this little Dr. Grabow, but it sure does get HOT!
E
Since Brad (Longhorn) gave me an award I figured I would bring this thread back for him after his last bomb from Dave (gitfiddl)
Your welcome in advance brother
Quote05Venturer - 8/7/2015 7:19 PM Since Brad (Longhorn) gave me an award I figured I would bring this thread back for him after his last bomb from Dave (gitfiddl) Your welcome in advance brother
You need a hobby.
Quote05Venturer - 8/7/2015 7:19 PM
Since Brad (Longhorn) gave me an award I figured I would bring this thread back for him after his last bomb from Dave (gitfiddl)
Your welcome in advance brother
Well thank you... this is much better than asking me if I punch, cut, tear, bite, chew, saw, straight cut, or rip the cap off my cigar. :biggrin:
QuoteSparklePony - 8/7/2015 6:22 PM
Quote05Venturer - 8/7/2015 7:19 PM Since Brad (Longhorn) gave me an award I figured I would bring this thread back for him after his last bomb from Dave (gitfiddl) Your welcome in advance brother
You need a hobby.
I think I have found a new one LOL :dancing: :dancing: :dancing: :dancing:
Quote05Venturer - 8/7/2015 7:27 PM QuoteSparklePony - 8/7/2015 6:22 PM Quote05Venturer - 8/7/2015 7:19 PM Since Brad (Longhorn) gave me an award I figured I would bring this thread back for him after his last bomb from Dave (gitfiddl) Your welcome in advance brother
You need a hobby.
I think I have found a new one LOL :dancing: :dancing: :dancing: :dancing:
Then start looking for a life next.