brownpeter, whatever you select for a pipe or pipes, take your time and go your own way, but feel free to bring questions to Forums. If you feel like it, let us know what you select for pipe and tobacco, and how you like it. Pipe smoking is a gradual process, both getting started and as a pass-time. Studying the online retail sites -- our sponsors among the best -- will give you a ton of information. Don't go whole hog buying stuff, just learn and learn some more, so eventually your choices will be good ones. Welcome aboard. One more hint getting started -- learn a little about pipe filters and don't get a pipe without what you want. Many pipes come without filters, or may be smoked without the filters they are designed to take, or may be smoked with adaptors instead of filters. Various kinds of filters are used in various pipes -- 6mm, 9 mm, balsa, and rock maple inserts. Brands of 6mm and balsa are somewhat interchangeable along with 6 mm adaptors to replace the filter, to make a no filter pipe.