I have been a cigarette and cigar smoker for years and recently pipes have got my attention. I have never smoke tobacco from a pipe and was wondering what style/brand of pipe would be a good starter and also what tobacco to start with. I know that this will bring alot of opinions, but I will happily read every one, so BRING EM' ON!
Where to begin?
- Thread starter one2mny
- Start date
I am just a humble corn cobber. They are fun and cheap to start out with I imagine. I am not a serious pipe smoker.
It would be hard to make a bad choice, so what ever your style preference and pocketbook will allow. On the economical side, there's nothing wrong with a cob, Dr Grabow or Mr Brog to start off with, or jump right in with a nicer pipe. As for pipe tobaccos, there is such a huge amount of choices with vastly different flavor profiles it will take you awhile to find your favorites. OTC favorites include Carter Hall, Captain Black, Sir Walter Raleigh and Prince Albert. The Frog Morton series is very popular, my favorite is FM Cellar. The Dunhill triumvirate of Early Morning Pipe, My Mixture 985 and Nightcap are must trys. Of course if you have a local B&M you should drop by and get their input and perhaps a free sample or two.
See if you can find a shop nearby that specializes in pipes and pipe tobacco. You can buy a corncob pipe for less than $10 (make sure to buy Missouri Meershaum brand) or a nice briar pipe for under $100 (or however much you want to spend). They both smoke great.
A lot of people buy flavored pipe tobaccos when they first start smoking (vanilla, cherry, etc). Make sure to pick up a few non flavored tobaccos to try too.
A lot of people buy flavored pipe tobaccos when they first start smoking (vanilla, cherry, etc). Make sure to pick up a few non flavored tobaccos to try too.
If you have a brick and mortar tobacconist nearby, go there and ask what they recommend for a beginner. They are usually very helpful and knowledgeable. If you don't, you can stop by a CVS, Walgreens, Rite-Aid, etc., and pick up a Missouri Meerschaum corncob pipe and some OTC tobacco (Captain Black, Sir Walter Raleigh, Carter Hall, Prince Albert, etc.) My .2 cents is stay from anything cherry at the beginning, many a smoker has been turned off by cheap, sickly-sweet cherry 'baccy. Then all you need is a lighter/matches, a tamper (a fat-headed nail will work in a pinch) and some pipe cleaners!
- Thread starter
- #6
thanks guys! keep em coming.
I love my mm cob. As far as briar pipes check out boswellpipes.com hes an American pipe maker and is top notch. Also he makes his own tobacco blends which rock!! I also enjoy the frog morton series, drew estates makes great pipe tobac, mcclelland, hearth and home, etc. I would def buy a cob and seriously look at boswell..
If you are coming off the cigs, most cig smokers I know usually get along very well with Burley and/or Virginia blends.
My cigar buddies that have ventured into the pipes usually get along with English/Balkan blends, especially if full-bodied cigars are their thing. Learn the proper packing methods, and you'll learn the proper smoking pace as you go. If you have any more questions, ask away!
My cigar buddies that have ventured into the pipes usually get along with English/Balkan blends, especially if full-bodied cigars are their thing. Learn the proper packing methods, and you'll learn the proper smoking pace as you go. If you have any more questions, ask away!
Get a birth year Dunhill off ebay, you'll be after one sooner or later, might as well get it out of the way early.
- Thread starter
- #10
great stuff all. where do you all shop online? dont really have a tobacconist near by.
I'm abroad from north america so it's 4noggins for me. Been very happy with their service.
I don't think you can beat a MM cob with a pouch of Cap'n Black White for a flavored tobacco or perhaps Granger for an non-flavored one. Keep it as simple as you like or get all freaky with it. I collect tobaccos and age them, and smell them, and caress them, and then I go do some inventory and the only thing I ever seem to replace is the big old tin of CBW about twice a year. It is my Totinos pizza of tobbacos. Cheap and dirty, but still delicious.
pipesandtobacco.com has earned me as a customer. great prices, great service, great inventory. Done.
4noggins and pipesandcigars are the two best sites, IMO.
Smokingpipes is good as well.
Agreed. There are what appear to be some very decent tobacconists in Wichita.....likely very much worth the trip.
