Quick background:
I started smoking cigarettes at age 13 or 14. Smoked a pack a day for 50-years. Around 30 years ago I bought some pipes to try and wean myself from the cigs, with no success. I'd smoke a bowl, put down the pipe and grab a cigarette. Pipes went into a drawer.
About ten years ago I took to vaping, and eventually gave up cigarettes, but I admit that I LOVE smoking. So, I dug out my pipes yesterday, after reading here a bit. I figured I'm at a point where I can smoke them without inhaling or relapsing to cigarettes. If I need a quick nic fix, I go to my vape.
Anyway, intrigued by a corn cob, of which I have none, I went to Pipes & Cigars and ordered a Missouri Meerschaum Country Gentleman and a Legend, both with bent stems. Got some balsa filters, pipe cleaners, two nails, a pouch of Sir Walter Raleigh Regular and Aromatic to start. Not bad for 50 bucks.
I wanted to revisit my old briar pipes while waiting for the cobs to arrive, so while out today with Mrs. gpjoe, I stopped at a nearby "tobacco" store (75% vaping and herbal gear) to get some tobacco. Ended up getting a MM Washington with bent stem and one pouch each of Captain Black Original, and Half and Half. Got a pack of Dr Grabow filters and some pipe cleaners. Total damages: under $25.
Anyway, filled the bowl on my new cob with the Black using the "three layer" technique and had my first pipe smoke in thirty years, and it was wonderful. Didn't inhale, and have no urge to go for the cigarette chaser. Very nice.
I do have a few questions:
Do I need to worry about burning my briar or cob pipes?...best way to avoid ruining them? I'm guessing common sense says don't use a torch, and only apply a flame long enough to get a good burn going...and part two: Can I potentially burn my pipes by trying to light completely burned load of tobacco?
Can filtered pipes (in my case the cobs) be smoked without a filter?
Is there a thread describing the different cuts of tobacco and smoking characteristics?...what is the cut of the brands/types I have posted above?
And, finally, as with shaving creams and soaps, I'm already imagining vanilla, cherry, bourbon, almond, citrus etc...so, where might a good starting point be for this "beginner" to explore some tobaccos that are mild, mellow, and easy smoking, yet offer flavors beyond standard tobacco?
Oh, and I was surprised to find that one of my old pipes is a Savinelli.
Thanks for reading.
I started smoking cigarettes at age 13 or 14. Smoked a pack a day for 50-years. Around 30 years ago I bought some pipes to try and wean myself from the cigs, with no success. I'd smoke a bowl, put down the pipe and grab a cigarette. Pipes went into a drawer.
About ten years ago I took to vaping, and eventually gave up cigarettes, but I admit that I LOVE smoking. So, I dug out my pipes yesterday, after reading here a bit. I figured I'm at a point where I can smoke them without inhaling or relapsing to cigarettes. If I need a quick nic fix, I go to my vape.
Anyway, intrigued by a corn cob, of which I have none, I went to Pipes & Cigars and ordered a Missouri Meerschaum Country Gentleman and a Legend, both with bent stems. Got some balsa filters, pipe cleaners, two nails, a pouch of Sir Walter Raleigh Regular and Aromatic to start. Not bad for 50 bucks.
I wanted to revisit my old briar pipes while waiting for the cobs to arrive, so while out today with Mrs. gpjoe, I stopped at a nearby "tobacco" store (75% vaping and herbal gear) to get some tobacco. Ended up getting a MM Washington with bent stem and one pouch each of Captain Black Original, and Half and Half. Got a pack of Dr Grabow filters and some pipe cleaners. Total damages: under $25.
Anyway, filled the bowl on my new cob with the Black using the "three layer" technique and had my first pipe smoke in thirty years, and it was wonderful. Didn't inhale, and have no urge to go for the cigarette chaser. Very nice.
I do have a few questions:
Do I need to worry about burning my briar or cob pipes?...best way to avoid ruining them? I'm guessing common sense says don't use a torch, and only apply a flame long enough to get a good burn going...and part two: Can I potentially burn my pipes by trying to light completely burned load of tobacco?
Can filtered pipes (in my case the cobs) be smoked without a filter?
Is there a thread describing the different cuts of tobacco and smoking characteristics?...what is the cut of the brands/types I have posted above?
And, finally, as with shaving creams and soaps, I'm already imagining vanilla, cherry, bourbon, almond, citrus etc...so, where might a good starting point be for this "beginner" to explore some tobaccos that are mild, mellow, and easy smoking, yet offer flavors beyond standard tobacco?
Oh, and I was surprised to find that one of my old pipes is a Savinelli.
Thanks for reading.