Pipes Magazine » Pipe Smoking Basics & Beginner Questions

1. 

   michael01
   

   New Member
   Joined: Jan 2013
   Posts: 3

   offline

   Login to Send PM

   Good Afternoon,

   I've been doing a lot of reading about pipe smoking and most of you experienced chaps recommend not buying cheap pipes when you start out.

   Well I am new, brand new. I have a Falcon pipe here and some pretty average tobacco. Problem is New Zealand has pretty much no pipe tobacco outside of Borkum Riff and pretty much no selection aside from Falcon pipes. Our anti tobacco lobby is very strong and has been operating for quite some time. My local options are very limited.

   My pipe is tasting not the best, since I've been smoking it 2-3 times a day since I purchased it. I want to continue with this hobby but I realise I need a couple more pipes.

   I don't have a lot of money but would really like your recommendations on getting a couple of decent pipes to add to my rotation. What would you do in my position if you were starting pipe smoking today?

   Is there any other guidance you can offer me?

   Cheers.

   Regards,
   Michael
   New Zealand.

   Posted 5 months ago #
2. 

   rothnh
   

   Senior Member
   Joined: Aug 2012
   Posts: 9,908

   offline

   Login to Send PM

   Welcome Michael!

   First off, your Falcon is a pretty good pipe -- this is a bit of a band-aid, but how about getting some additional bowls for your Falcon? They make a bunch of differ styles and stains, even a meerschaum bowl -- just sayin

   Now, as to your next pipe, some sponsors of PM Forums offer shipping to New Zealand.

   One of these is offering a special deal on a bulk buy of Tsuge pipes at more that 50% off, now $50US to $67.50US. Check them out here: http://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/tsuge/index.cfm

   Another sponsor is offering a natural briar Savinelli with vulcanite stem for $44US -- check it out here: http://pipesandcigars.com/sanawivubesm2.html#.UOPDA2_LcxE

   Yet another site sponsor, 4Noggins, sells pipes and also stocks Falcon pipe bowls (about $40US): http://www.4noggins.com/pipes.aspx

   Smokingpipes also sells estate (pre-smoked, but clean) starting at $50US.

   Dave Neeb at http://mkelaw-pipes.com/ also sells some very nice estate pipes and will ship to New Zealand.

   Another good choice for estate pipes that also will ship to you is http://briarblues.com/

   Also keep in mind:

   * Research the laws regarding taxes, duties, etc. for your location. You can do this mostly on line. If you have questions, write them down then call the appropriate office(s) for clarification.

   * Read all info on each vendor's website regarding international shipping, then read it again. They all differ.

   * Shipping is relatively expensive for international orders, but many find that the total cost is still a good deal compared to local purchases.

   * You want shipping to be by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and it is a good idea to buy insurance.

   * Surprises are for birthdays and disappointments can and should be avoided.

   Good luck to you and let us know how you make out

   Posted 5 months ago #
3. 

   ejames
   

   Preferred Member
   Joined: Oct 2009
   Posts: 2,041

   offline

   Login to Send PM

   Welcome Michael ! While you're checking out those sites you might want to consider getting some cobs and also check their supplies of Dr. Grabow,Yellow bole and Medico pipes-- don't buy Brylon Yellow bole or Medicos. Cobs are very cheap and the others run from $25.00 to $35.00.

   Posted 5 months ago #
4. 

   fnord
   

   Preferred Member
   Joined: Dec 2011
   Posts: 877

   offline

   Login to Send PM

   Hia, Michael:

   Welcome to the forum.

   Do check out the Australian and New Zealand eBay pages. I'm a big fan of used - i.e. estate - pipes and they can provide a huge savings for those of you living in tobacco & ephemera unfriendly countries.

   If you pick up an "estate" pipe there are any number of us here who would be happy walking you through the restoration process. (Until my kids gifted me a Nording last year I haven't had a new pipe in almost 35 years.)

   Fnord

   Posted 5 months ago #
5. 

   zanthal
   

   Preferred Member
   Joined: Dec 2011
   Posts: 1,907

   offline

   Login to Send PM

   most of you experienced chaps recommend not buying cheap pipes when you start out

   Greetings from California.

   I'm a relatively new kid on the block amongst a larger group of experienced chaps ... and I know a $40 briar pipe can last you a lifetime, properly cared for.

   If your pipe is starting to turn sour, clean it ... and rubbing alcohol will do just fine in place of pipe sweetener or Everclear.

   It really is all about the tobacco. Read this, and fill your pipe wisely.

   I'd look here for new pipes, presuming you don't live off the interest of your investments.

   Welcome to the forum

   

   Posted 5 months ago #
6. 

   michael01
   

   New Member
   Joined: Jan 2013
   Posts: 3

   offline

   Login to Send PM

   Thank you for the warm welcome and advice. I am already beginning to see which direction to head in.

   I am slowly working through all the links that were posted.

   I've been looking through the estate pipes on smoking pipes. There seems to be a few within my budget which I am considering.

   Thank you,
   Michael.

   Posted 5 months ago #
7. 

   lazybugger
   

   Member
   Joined: Dec 2012
   Posts: 138

   offline

   Login to Send PM

   Awesome another kiwi lol, nice to see another one on here ... what part of the country are you in ? I am up in Auckland and I only really know 2 pipe smokers up here (tho I did see an older gentleman smoking a metal falcon he other day as he drove past ) and am pretty new to pipe smoking myself so I know how painful it can be to find pipes or tobacco here and while I don't have much your welcome to try any tobaccoes I have and I might even be able to help out with a pipe (cleaning up old estate pipes when I can find em) but yeah we just don't have he same access to things he guys overseas have so if I can help pls don't hesitate to ask

   cheers

   Posted 5 months ago #
8. 

   michael01
   

   New Member
   Joined: Jan 2013
   Posts: 3

   offline

   Login to Send PM

   I in Auckland too. My Falcon isn't one of the metal attachment ones. Its an old school solid briar pipe.

   I don't suppose you have a little sample of flake I can try? This Borkum Riff Cherry is quite nasty

   Posted 5 months ago #
9. 

   lazybugger
   

   Member
   Joined: Dec 2012
   Posts: 138

   offline

   Login to Send PM

   nice good to have more pipe smokers round and yeah just pm me your address and I will send you some ... can send you a few different things to try see what u like , in my experiance borkum riff and pretty much anything cherry is just foul. have a look at boswells and the sites mentioned above if your looking for anything decent .. pipes and tobacco , and they guys on here are pretty helpful as well and know where to get most things so just do what I do and ask lol

   Posted 5 months ago #
10. 

    jamessmithnz
    

    New Member
    Joined: Jan 2013
    Posts: 5

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    G'day,
    Glad I came across this thread. I am also a new pipe smoker. Havnt smoked one yet infact, and seeing the price of second hand pipes locally I quickly knocked this one up. It might be absolutly terrible, but I can say I made one once.
    Trouble is we have one tobaconist here in Hawkes Bay and he claims nobody can get pipe tobacco, some branding issue or some such.
    My question to lazybugger and michael is, are the tobacconist you two shop at in auckland online? A google search finds nothing.

    Posted 5 months ago #
11. 

    lazybugger
    

    Member
    Joined: Dec 2012
    Posts: 138

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    howdy glad to find yet another kiwi ...nice pipe btw I reckon you did an awesome job and think its awesome your first one was a little different , I hope u keep making more ... in anwser to your question yes there are a couple shops that u can order tobacco from online ( the cigar lounge, gentlemans corner and havana house) ... I don't recommend it tho , while they are nice people do u really want to pay $80 a tin for something u might not like ? my advice is order from overseas ... the places listed on here are all good ... and if u like pm me your address snd I will send u a whole pile of stuff to ssmple and smoke till your stuff arrives ... haha your lucky I just had my boswells order come in so there is lots of that for u to try , but can send u some English blends to try as well from various places ... btw when ordering try to keep each order under 10oz ... thats the golden number for slipping past customs, they don't seem to care if its less than 10oz

    Posted 5 months ago #
12. 

    jamessmithnz
    

    New Member
    Joined: Jan 2013
    Posts: 5

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    Hi there,

    To confirm what your saying is, If i buy under 10oz I dont have to pay anymore taxes etc?

    Posted 5 months ago #
13. 

    lazybugger
    

    Member
    Joined: Dec 2012
    Posts: 138

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    pretty much ... they can charge for any amount of tobacco or alchohol coming in but don't if its under the dutyfree limit ... let me knkw when your package arrives and how u get on

    Posted 5 months ago #
14. 

    jamessmithnz
    

    New Member
    Joined: Jan 2013
    Posts: 5

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    appreciate it mate, dont often come across somebody as generous as yourself.

    Posted 5 months ago #

RSS feed for this topic

Reply

You must log in to post.

    Back To Top  | Back to Forum Home Page

   Members Online Now
   blendtobac, roadqueen, lifeon2, valkrider, spud, smokeybear, plains, morton, pruss, papipeguy, tbradsim1, thesmokindragon, daytonsean