Looking to Start Out!

[neilyasno]

Hey all you enablers. First you suck me into the world of wet shaving, then fountain pens, and now pipes!?

Anyways I did my research and am very torn. Would anyone be able to suggest a good cheap starter set for a newbie? I would like to have just a cheap pipe (maybe a corn cob) to try to smoke and some half decent tobacco as well. Also, do you have a recommended source for where to get it?

 

[michiganlover]

Rite Aid, and Walgreens should have the Missouri Meerschaum Legend corn cob pipes. They should also have some of the great over the counter tobaccos like Cater Hall, Prince Albert, and Sir Walter Raleigh. Add some pipe cleaners to your list, and you can probably be started for around $12.

By the way, when it comes to corn cob pipes, you want a Missouri Meerschaum, or nothing. The MMs are made in the USA, and made using the same techniques that were used yesteryear. Other corn cob pipes you will find are made in China, and are basically useless due to poor construction.

You will also need something to tamp the tobacco with, but a golf tee will work just fine.

 

[michiganlover]

By the way, the MM Legend pipe has a paper filter in it. It's meant to capture some of the "juices" that are produced when a tobacco is smoked.

Many people smoke the MM pipes without this filter, but you might want to pick up a replacement box of filters until you decide what your preference is. They are .99 cents for a pack of 10.

The filter should be replaced daily, or every 3-4 bowls.

 

[Shave_Rat]

Rite Aid, and Walgreens should have the Missouri Meerschaum Legend corn cob pipes. They should also have some of the great over the counter tobaccos like Cater Hall, Prince Albert, and Sir Walter Raleigh. Add some pipe cleaners to your list, and you can probably be started for around $12.

By the way, when it comes to corn cob pipes, you want a Missouri Meerschaum, or nothing. The MMs are made in the USA, and made using the same techniques that were used yesteryear. Other corn cob pipes you will find are made in China, and are basically useless due to poor construction.

You will also need something to tamp the tobacco with, but a golf tee will work just fine.

+1 on all that... the local Rite Aid and such may also have blister pack Dr Grabow pipes, if you want a non-cob. Just make sure they aren't made of brylon, whatever you do. Never ever do you want anything made from that stuff.

 

[shavious]

As a relatively new pipe smoker myself, I can fully recommend a Missouri Meerschaum cob pipe as a great starter. I bought a MM Country Gentleman for under $10 from pipesandcigars.com and quite enjoyed it.

If you're new to tobacco as a whole [i.e.: never smoked cigars, etc], I'd think the recommendation for the over-the-counter tobaccos should be just fine.

 

[Hunter]

All good advice, another big tip is to watch a bunch of stuff on youtube to see different packing methods and all that good stuff. Also ask us all the questions you want, we love to help out!

 

[michiganlover]

... the local Rite Aid and such may also have blister pack Dr Grabow pipes, if you want a non-cob.

+1

I have two Dr. Grabow's that I picked up at Rite Aid, and Walgreens. I have a Grand Duke, and an Omega. The Grand Duke is quite small, by the Omega is extremely nice. It's styled after a Peterson System Pipe.

 

[Argonaut]

I think you should get yourself a MM cob, then call the folks at http://www.cornellanddiehl.com/
You can talk to a real person that knows tobaccos and will put together a sampler based on your conversation with them. I'd recommend Autumn Evening and Founding Fathers for a new guy. Good luck.

 

[COHunter]

I'm going to join the choir and tell you to get a MM cob too. tobacco is a world unto itself, but I really enjoy Carter Hall especially in a cob. They seem to be a perfect fit for each other.

Just my $.02 don't start with aromatics. Yes they smell wonderful in the pouch and have a great room note. They also tend to smoke crazy hot because of all the sugars and rarely if ever taste at all like they smell. You end up with a sore tongue and hot smoke flavor. Most of them really need to be smoked very gently and carefully or they'll bite like a junkyard dog that smells like cherries and vanilla. The one exception I would make is Sir Walter Raleigh Aromatic, but it will bite if provoked. It's not a goopy syrupy concoction, it's good mild tobacco with a nice light topping.

 

[the_edski]

Great advice from everybody. Can't go wrong with anything stated above! Enjoy your smokes!

 

[nortac]

+1 on avoiding aromatics. Carter Hall and Captain Black (white) are great beginner choices. Can't go wrong with an MM cob, briar Dr Grabow or Mr. Brogg.

 

[neilyasno]

Ok guys so I got me a MM cob and I also got a pouch of the Captain Black Gold. I just can't get it to stay lit.

 

[COHunter]

Ok guys so I got me a MM cob and I also got a pouch of the Captain Black Gold. I just can't get it to stay lit.

Not a bad start! Ok, CB can be a little on the wet side, so let it air out a bit. Another big thing, relights and pipesmoking just happen, let it. Don't start puffing on that thing like a locomotive or you'll torch your mouth and think we're all insane in thinking this hobby is somehow enjoyable. You should sip on the pipe like gently sipping water from a straw, don't do the fishlip on it. If the draw is more than water through a straw you packed it too tight. Dump it out and reload it, dont pack the bowl, rather load it with light tamping on it. You just want it in there firmly without taking all the airspace out of it. Cobs for me at least do better with just loading up the bowl right out of the pouch like a scoop and pushing the tobacco down with my finger, then topping it off leaving a bit open at the top for expansion.

 

[michiganlover]

+1 on avoiding aromatics. Carter Hall and Captain Black (white) are great beginner choices. Can't go wrong with an MM cob, briar Dr Grabow or Mr. Brogg.

I am sending him a getting started care package tomorrow. He's getting a pipe tool, a Mr. Brogg Pearwood Pipe, Cater Hall, Captain Black White, Frog Morton on the Bayou, and a Creme Brulee blend that I picked up from a local shop.

 

[Fkread]

I am sending him a getting started care package tomorrow. He's getting a pipe tool, a Mr. Brogg Pearwood Pipe, Cater Hall, Captain Black White, Frog Morton on the Bayou, and a Creme Brulee blend that I picked up from a local shop.

Nice guy this one.

Well done John.

Kelly

 

[neilyasno]

Nice guy this one.

Well done John.

Kelly

Extremely nice guy! I was not expecting to get a pipe and enough tobacco to last me years as I am not really a heavy smoker

 

[the_edski]

John, you are truly a mensch, nice work!

I am sending him a getting started care package tomorrow. He's getting a pipe tool, a Mr. Brogg Pearwood Pipe, Cater Hall, Captain Black White, Frog Morton on the Bayou, and a Creme Brulee blend that I picked up from a local shop.

 

[sychodelix]

Very cool of you!

I am sending him a getting started care package tomorrow. He's getting a pipe tool, a Mr. Brogg Pearwood Pipe, Cater Hall, Captain Black White, Frog Morton on the Bayou, and a Creme Brulee blend that I picked up from a local shop.

 

[The Dean]

I am sending him a getting started care package tomorrow. He's getting a pipe tool, a Mr. Brogg Pearwood Pipe, Cater Hall, Captain Black White, Frog Morton on the Bayou, and a Creme Brulee blend that I picked up from a local shop.

What a great setup to start. Never used a Brog, but it looks great. I was going to suggest Captain Black for starting as well (though if memory serves, I think I preferred the Gold--it's been a while since I quit the pipe).

My advice to the OP would be, once you decide to move forward with the pipe (or just before you decide not to) visit a local tobacconist and try a few different quality blends. Let him/her guide you with your selections. While the drugstore tobacco is fine in a pinch, and perfect to start with, I think you will find a big difference in getting quality tobacco--and finding your special blend.

 

[RatMan]

Welcome to the club, enjoy that new pipe and all those good tobbaccos. very nice.