Looking to get back into Pipes (Advice needed)

[Senshi]

When I was in college, my roommates and I used to smoke pipes. It was wonderful. We would all go to the tobacco shop and get a pouch a piece and that way we could try three different types all the time. I found it very relaxing to go for a walk in the forrest and find a nice tree stump to have a smoke on. My favorite was Peter Stuyvesant.

Been reading your posts for a while and have decided to get back into it (even though I was never anything above newbie)

So there aren't too many places that sell pipes around me as I live in the country side. So I'm kind of limited to Amazon and Rakuten (japanese online retailer) and they usually have the same stuff.

I've used to have a "churchwarden" style but there don't seem to be many on Amazon. I am looking for something portable as I would like to bring it with me on hikes and strolls along the coast. No vest pockets


This is a shot in the dark but could you be ever so kind to chime in and give me your advice on the ones in this thread? Or even if you know a good international shipper? I appreciate any ideas and all advice.


１。There is a "starter kit" for about 27





2. For about 45





3. For about 46



4. For about 50







They all seem to be made in Italy and are comprised of Ebonite and "briar" (it's written in Japanese but this is the best approximation I can make)

I'm a little partial to 2 and 3

I know that this is a HUGE YMMV thing, but if anyone could even point out reasons why I shouldn't get one of these, that would also be appreciated. There are some nicer ones ranging around the 100-150 range but for a starter pipe I'm thinking around this price range. Also if you have any other suggestions, I'm all ears!


I highly value your opinions. Thank you in advance.

 

[Hunter]

Well we would be happy to have you, two and three look great, but you would want to get pipe cleaners and a pipe tool. Briar is right too! Mr Brog pipes are on ebay and they are pretty cheap and they make a churchwarden that my one friend has and loves. As for getting tobacco I don't know what the prices for pipe tobacco are in Japan nor what the import laws are like. If you have any more questions we are all keen to help

Cheers,

 

[Senshi]

There are some tobacco shops where I've seen pipe tobacco. They're a bit aways from me but when I go I love smelling the different varieties. I could probably buy a pipe tool there and pipe cleaners from the dollar store by my house.

Thank you Hunter!!!

I'm going to check out ebay but all of the above pipes ship for free with my Amazon Prime, so i'll most likely lean towards those. I know the Dr. Grabow in America and wanted to make sure I was getting something with a little higher quality.


Are there any absolute no-no's that I should know about. Any materials or attributes that make a pipe bad?

Thanks again!

 

[the_edski]

There are some tobacco shops where I've seen pipe tobacco. They're a bit aways from me but when I go I love smelling the different varieties. I could probably buy a pipe tool there and pipe cleaners from the dollar store by my house.

Thank you Hunter!!!

I'm going to check out ebay but all of the above pipes ship for free with my Amazon Prime, so i'll most likely lean towards those. I know the Dr. Grabow in America and wanted to make sure I was getting something with a little higher quality.


Are there any absolute no-no's that I should know about. Any materials or attributes that make a pipe bad?

Thanks again!

As long as the bowl is made of briar, you should be ok. Don't get anything that looks plastic. (the bowl, not the stem).

 

[Hirsute]

I think 2 and 3 both look sweet. They a seem like a solid deal for the price, too.

 

[john parker]

I like 1 and 4! What are they?

 

[Senshi]

They are being sold by "Tsuge" on Amazon Japan, but they all appear to be made in Italy.

Just as I'm about to add number three to my cart....

This guy came up, but with an $87 price tag (this one appears to be made in Japan)

 

[jiminyshiznit]

I have a Tsuge billiard that looks great and smokes really well.. I'd easily recommend it.

 

[Argonaut]

Tsuge is a fairly well regarded brand, and #3 is my favorite, FWIW.

 

[Senshi]

So I ordered number 3 yesterday and it is scheduled to arrive on Monday with a pipe tool. Pretty excited, although I don't have any pipe tobacco yet. Might have to wait till next weekend to go down to Sendai (big city) and get some. I have a friend in Tokyo who I PIFd some DE razors and some soaps that said he will look for places that sell pipe tobacco to pay it back.

Anyone recommendations on what to break in the new pipe with?

 

[Argonaut]

So I ordered number 3 yesterday and it is scheduled to arrive on Monday with a pipe tool. Pretty excited, although I don't have any pipe tobacco yet. Might have to wait till next weekend to go down to Sendai (big city) and get some. I have a friend in Tokyo who I PIFd some DE razors and some soaps that said he will look for places that sell pipe tobacco to pay it back.

Anyone recommendations on what to break in the new pipe with?

Hard to say considering your location, and what's available to you. I like to use PipesandCigars.com Butternut Burley, but I used to use Carter Hall. Both build a fairly fast cake without an intrusive flavoring of the pipe.

 

[Senshi]

Looking on a Japanese website the companies they have are;

Alsbo, Dunhill, Mellow Breeze, Danish (only black vanilla), Borkum Riff, Big Horn.

Most of them come in different varieties except the Danish.

Sorry to be just a nuisance. I know that part of enjoying a pipe is to try new things but I want to make sure I'm breaking in the pipe and building a nice cake in the best way. So I humble ask you for your opinions. Thank you.

 

[Hunter]

Sorry to be just a nuisance. I know that part of enjoying a pipe is to try new things but I want to make sure I'm breaking in the pipe and building a nice cake in the best way. So I humble ask you for your opinions. Thank you.

The only thing we love as much as smoking is helping out other people to be able to smoke.

 

[Argonaut]

Looking on a Japanese website the companies they have are;

Alsbo, Dunhill, Mellow Breeze, Danish (only black vanilla), Borkum Riff, Big Horn.

Most of them come in different varieties except the Danish.

Sorry to be just a nuisance. I know that part of enjoying a pipe is to try new things but I want to make sure I'm breaking in the pipe and building a nice cake in the best way. So I humble ask you for your opinions. Thank you.

Read the descriptions and see if there is a burley blend, these are good for cake building, but can bite if your not careful. The other route to go is to get what sounds good to you, and give it a go. This will let you research some opinions on the blends you have an option to.
http://www.tobaccoreviews.com/

 

[Senshi]

Burley blend, got it! Thank you so much. That black vanilla also sounds really delish

 

[conroygc]

Looking on a Japanese website the companies they have are;

Alsbo, Dunhill, Mellow Breeze, Danish (only black vanilla), Borkum Riff, Big Horn.

Most of them come in different varieties except the Danish.

Sorry to be just a nuisance. I know that part of enjoying a pipe is to try new things but I want to make sure I'm breaking in the pipe and building a nice cake in the best way. So I humble ask you for your opinions. Thank you.

Dunhill makes really good tobacco. My humble suggestion is to order two or three tins of tobacco and see what you like.
Were I starting over, I would get (from Dunhill):
Nightcap - A very popular English style blend. Fairly strong and smokey flavor, contains Latakia.
Dunhill Flake - Straight Virginia tobacco pressed into flakes. Flake tobacco is pretty cool.
DeLuxe Navy Rolls - Contains Virginia and Perique, a winning combination.
Royal Yacht - For something different. RY is a bit love/hate.
YMMV, but those are my favorites.

If you're looking for more variety, try www.4noggins.com. They're USA based, but international folks have had good luck with ordering from them.

 

[APBT]

Hey,
Just thought I'd weigh in... I heartily agree with using a burley based blend for cake building. (my personal favorite was always prince albert which I know isn't the best but it's readily available but it reminded me of my grand dad) Much like wetshaving, pipe smoking is all about technique. The best cake building technique I've found is to smoke slow and let it go out often. Once it's out, let it sit (at least 5 min, tamp it lightly, light it again and enjoy the odd way that burleys sweeten when that happens.
Btw, have you considered starting with pipes that require no break-in? I know the corn cob pipe lacks aesthetically but they're good for that. My favorite was always clay pipes. They require no break-in, are cheap, and (so long as you don't hold the bowl) are a delight to smoke. They also, over time, develop an interesting patina. I always use 3. 1 for latakia, 1 for aromatics (cavendish, etc.) and 1 for virginias and verginia/perique blends (you may also want one for burleys but since I used it for breaking in pipes I never bothered with a separate pipe for them) . It's a great way to explore much of the tobacco spectrum without putting something you don't like in your favorite pipe.
Hope this helps!

Kevin

 

[Senshi]

UPDATE: Pipe has arrived

Couldn't update the original post, but it came last night.






I would be lying if I were to say I didn't practice drawing on it last night.

Turns out the japanese online shop that I mentioned is in Osaka (way way south of me) and doesn't do online orders.

Went to a bunch of places that are "Tobacco" shops near me, but they don't carry an baccy. There is one place in my area that I haven't been to and will check it after work.

The pipe came with a filter in it and also that little wool carrying case. Happy to have that little case.