Picking up my first pipe this week

[tattooed]

First pipe isn't really correct, I've had several, all drug store cheap pipes. But after lurking in here for months now I've come to realize I never really knew anything about pipe smoking. I just puffed away in the winter time with a college buddy while playing chess. I did have one thing right though, it was relaxing and I miss it.


Anyways, have any advice? Things you wish you knew starting out?

I feel like I've read so much online but I'd rather get some advice from you guys. Thanks for all the photos and a great subforum, its been a pleasure crawling through all your posts.

 

[Argonaut]

Load it and enjoy. Welcome back to the hobby!

 

[conroygc]

Welcome! What kind of pipe and tobacco did you pick up?

 

[Pilotgod]

I wish I'd known about some of the better blends when I started out. I was somewhat lucky that the B&M I shopped at had decent blends, but I really fell in love with blends from Cup O Joes and Boswell's, which I heard about from this forum. As far as what pipe to get. Since you've had basket pipes, go with a style you like. You can't really go wrong with any of the big names (Peterson, Dunhill, etc.), but also look at quality handmades such as Eric Nording. Set yourself a price target and you'll find a pipe to fit it.

 

[Welshcitydragon]

The only problem after you fined the pipe you like, is to fined the Tobacco you like, I would go in the direction of Boswells Tobaccos.
You can really go around for ever finding the right Tobacco for you, so go for a Boswells first ,then travel on from there. here is there link http://jmboswell.com/tobaccoblends.html

 

[Welshcitydragon]

Whooops just seen you have tried Boswel already ,so your well on your way

 

[Artistik]

When I started many, many years ago, it was with a Yellobowl and some over the counter (OTC) or drug store blend. As I gained experience I moved on to a better (?) class of pipes (e.g. Savinelli, Nording, Stanwell) and blends from the top blending houses. What I wish I had known starting out ?, drugstore pipes (Dr. Grabow and MM Cobs) are great smokers and so are the OTC tobaccos such as Sir Walter Raleigh, Carter Hall and Prince Albert. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy my other briars from time to time, but for daily smoking I reach for a cob or a Dr. G most often. I also enjoy straight Virginias such as McClellan's #5100 Red Cake and some Boswell blends such as Bear Blend. But now, later on in life, my daily smokes are SWR and CH in a cob or Dr. G.

 

[Schmitz Bitz]

When I started many, many years ago, it was with a Yellobowl and some over the counter (OTC) or drug store blend. As I gained experience I moved on to a better (?) class of pipes (e.g. Savinelli, Nording, Stanwell) and blends from the top blending houses. What I wish I had known starting out ?, drugstore pipes (Dr. Grabow and MM Cobs) are great smokers and so are the OTC tobaccos such as Sir Walter Raleigh, Carter Hall and Prince Albert. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy my other briars from time to time, but for daily smoking I reach for a cob or a Dr. G most often. I also enjoy straight Virginias such as McClellan's #5100 Red Cake and some Boswell blends such as Bear Blend. But now, later on in life, my daily smokes are SWR and CH in a cob or Dr. G.

This is exceptional advice. My stable of smokers runs the gambit, from high end artesianal pieces to drug-store specials to venerable Missouri Meerschaums (cobs)...and while I do thoroughly enjoy puffing away on a Bo Nordh, Jess Chronoswitch or Steve Downie, I find that I am more often reaching for my mid- and low-grade pipes. Although the grain might not be spectacular and the pipes may sport a few fills, I find they smoke almost as well to better than high end pieces; and I am not worried about an errant scorch or other inadvertant mishap.

In fact, it goes even deeper than that for me. Dr. Fred Hanna has written an exceptional essay extolling the virtues of what makes a perfect *smoking* pipes; or a 'magic pipe' in his words. I feel that I am lucky enough to have acquired one such smoker - a Capri (seconds line from the factory that carves Brighams) squashed tomato that simply enhances the flavour profile of anything I smoke through it. Thats the beauty of pipe smoking; a $40 'knock-around' can end up outperforming a $400 Dunhill; it just won't look as pretty. Pipe smoking is very subjective - find a groove that works for you and build from there.

 

[tattooed]

wow thanks, I'll think on that.

I'm headed to my local tobacco shop in a couple hours to have a look about but I'll certainly keep that in mind. I'm kind of paranoid about ruining a nice pipe.

 

[tattooed]

The shop didn't have a lot to choose from, it looked like they were picked clean after their restock. I picked up a curved stem Falcon. Had it going on the drive home, damn it was nice, really looking forward to working through some tobacco.

 

[COHunter]

Welcome back! Don't worry about "ruining" a pipe, it really is hard to do. Some tobaccos will leave a ghost, but most really don't leave too much behind to remember them by. Don't pass over some of the OTC varieties. I started back in some time ago and ordered some good tobaccos, but I always kept trying the easily available OTC blends I can score at the grocery store. I will fully admit that Carter Hall is my all the time go to smoke. It's cheap, it's good and it's everywhere. Also love Shortcut to Mushrooms (blend form Just for Him).

Couple other tips:
Relights are not a bad thing
Smoke slow to prevent tongue bite
Find a good drink to go with it. I find bourbon works very well...

 

[allawd]

The shop didn't have a lot to choose from, it looked like they were picked clean after their restock. I picked up a curved stem Falcon. Had it going on the drive home, damn it was nice, really looking forward to working through some tobacco.

Most tobacconists carry pipe tobacco as an afterthought. Not sure where you are but in the NoVA area John B Hayes and John Crouch both have a better than average selection. You also just missed the CORPS pipe show in Richmond last weekend.

 

[zatopus]

The shop didn't have a lot to choose from, it looked like they were picked clean after their restock. I picked up a curved stem Falcon. Had it going on the drive home, damn it was nice, really looking forward to working through some tobacco.

Awesome!

You can never go wrong with a falcon.

 

[tattooed]

Most tobacconists carry pipe tobacco as an afterthought. Not sure where you are but in the NoVA area John B Hayes and John Crouch both have a better than average selection. You also just missed the CORPS pipe show in Richmond last weekend.

I'm in Harrisonburg but I try to get up to NOVA a few times a year to see friends and see the Caps play (if they play this year)

Awesome!

You can never go wrong with a falcon.

I see some people online bashing them, but honestly, I think its really an ideal first pipe. The maintenance seems to be a no brainer, the thing is smoking cool and dry, and buying a couple bowls instead of a bunch of pipes seems like a good way to start out. The thing is comfortable in my hand too.

 

[zatopus]

I see some people online bashing them, but honestly, I think its really an ideal first pipe. The maintenance seems to be a no brainer, the thing is smoking cool and dry, and buying a couple bowls instead of a bunch of pipes seems like a good way to start out. The thing is comfortable in my hand too.

Haters gonna hate.

I have argued for a while now about falcons being the best pipe for beginners, people on a budget, or people that want a well made pipe that can take a beating.

 

[tattooed]

I don't guess its in bad form to bump my own thread with some noob thoughts?

The Falcon was treating me well and I like the thought that its like a good old pickup, it'll take a beating and doesn't need a ton of extra attention. I bought an extra bowl when I found a place that had them for $25. Seemed more than reasonable after some searching online.

I started out with a tin of Blue Note from a local shop. I was thinking go with an aromatic and hopefully the wife won't complain too much about the smell in the garage which is where I smoke. She hated the smell. No big real really but it made me quickly realize I need to focus on what I enjoy and not worry about bystanders. My garage isn't a garage, its my place, I build stuff and nerd out....arcade machines, custom Rubiks cubes, brew beer, etc. So I went out and picked up a bunch of stuff from another local shop. All tobaccos that are outside of the aromatics and I loved them all.

I also picked up a cheaper pipe from yet another shop. It says "made in italy" and "H.I.S.". Not sure what it is but it actually looks ok and smokes ok. Better than ok really, it smokes far cooler and better than the Falcon. Glad I bought it and I would buy another.

Now for yet another question. I love the look of freehand pipes and I'm not too far from a big shop in Roanoke VA they carry Nording pipes for very reasonable prices, are they worth the cost? I'd assume so but I guess the real dilemma is would I be better off buying something else that smokes like a dream but looks more traditional and probably costs a good deal more.

 

[tattooed]

By the way, imperial stout and Blue Note is a seriously bad time. I wish I had a do over on that one.

 

[conroygc]

Blue note is supposed to have a great smell (from what I hear, never had it myself). If she doesn't like that she might not like anything. My girl is neutral toward the smell, nothing offends or excites her, but she says she likes the smells of cigars better.
Ha! That's funny, my buddy's step dad makes rubik cubes too. He has them all over his garage.
Those "cheap" Italian pipes tend to be good pipes, from what I hear. I have a small Cortina pipe that's made in Italy that I use quite a lot.

Have you tried anything with Latakia in it yet (often called an English blend)? Makes for a really rich, strong smoke that pairs excellently with stouts and whiskey.

 

[tattooed]

I thought Blue Note has an excellent smell. Right now its the only tobacco I've bought in a tin, the rest have been blends that I'm guessing mostly come from here in VA. The unfortunate thing is, I have no idea whats in them. I asked the guy who owns the shop if he had some descriptions on them and he kind of acted like I was crazy. Can you recommend one with Latakia in it?

I really want something to go well with beer. I'm mainly an IPA guy but this time of year I have plenty of stouts. I thought for sure the sweet aromatic Blue Note would be fine with the stout but it was simply awful. The combination made for an almost potpourri taste.

I can't believe you know someone who makes rubiks cubes, thats hilarious. I'm not into it like I once was, I have far too many hobbies to really excel at any but a few years ago that particular hobby was fairly lucrative. Maybe I should take up pipe making instead.

 

[hotreds]

Remember you hafta break in the pipe- start with 1/4 loads, then 1/2 loads, 3/4 loads, finally fill 'er up!