New here and haven't seen much about medico

nick001 · Jul 4, 2011

So I'm looking to start pipe smoking. I'm trying to stop smoking cigarettes. I'm going to be getting some peter stokkebye Virginia long cut blend, some quiet nights, mcclelland avenue blend 925 and pm pipe.
Now my main concern is about medico pipes. They are like $15-$20. I'm afraid that it will just be another cheap pipe. This is why I might just get a couple corncobs and learn the process then buy a pipe.
So could someone help me out with a good starter pipe and give me some opinions about the tobacco above. Thanks.

mlaug · Jul 4, 2011

The cob may be your best bet, but lots of us have learned on basket pipes and got along dandy.
Cheap pipes aren't necessarily cheap smokers in a negative way, some will do just fine.
If you're aren't sure pipe smoking will be for you, by all means keep your initial investment low.
You've picked some nice blends to sample and they should be great to learn the process.

ranger · Jul 4, 2011

I love old Kaywoodie's, and they can be bought fairly cheap on the bay.

However, they do require a light drag to keep the gurgle down, I smoke several bowls out of the same Kaywoodie pipe in the same day without cleaning, and never, ever get a gurgle, but a lot of people have to clean out a Kay. smoking the one bowl.
So you just might be better off with a cob as your first pipe to see if smoking a pipe is for you.

You can get one for a couple of bucks as you know, and cobs really do smoke very well, and I know a lot of people that have been smoking cobs for years, and have no desire to smoke a brier.

pseudonim · Jul 4, 2011

Good advice here, I'd go along with the others, particularly if you are on a budget. Corn Cobs first, just to see if you can smoke a pipe, it's not for everyone as it requires a little patience at first and there is a bit of a learning curve. Then later, should you want to try a briar, may I suggest a "Peterson Aran" good quality and not very expensive.
Just remember, pipe smokers are humble men............ who are vastly superior to others.

ranger · Jul 4, 2011

"Just remember, pipe smokers are humble men............ who are vastly superior to others".
Very cool indeed....made me laugh.

romeowood · Jul 4, 2011

I own dozens of Medicos and yes, they are cheap pipes. I love them for that fact, not to mention that they are all excellent smokers. They are also filter pipes, accepting the 6mm paper filters invented by SM Frank in 1933. Personally I prefer smoking a filter pipe with a filter, but many folks don't. I would only suggest to get one that is stamped "briar", as they also make brylon pipes which are, well, horrible. I smoke one of those too, by the way. :crazy:

rick777 · Jul 4, 2011

I concur with romeowood. A medico briar is an excellent bang for your buck.

In my opinion it would make a much better starter pipe.

atwageman · Jul 4, 2011

I collect old medico's and other similar pipes. Find you an old one on the bay and it might just be a good smoker. But don't be surprised if it doesn't smoke great either. Its hit and miss

wolfscout · Jul 5, 2011

I have 6 or 7 medicos from my Grandfather's estate. They are all good smokers. That's bout all I can tell you of them. not flashy or nice finishes.

unclearthur · Jul 5, 2011

I tend to put new stems in Medicos because I hate filters. I find them to be good inexpensive (as opposed to the negative connotation of cheap.) affordable and all in all pretty decent.

igloo · Jul 5, 2011

Make sure they are not brylon when you buy them . They make a good pipe . You have to remember once PAD hits some of us gravitate twords higher priced pipes . Not better smoking per say , just higher priced .

locopony · Jul 5, 2011

I have a medico in my regular rotation its a nice light wiehgt briar with a big bore bowl. It smokes as nice as my other briars. I don't have a problem smoking a cheap pipe. Its a good starter if ya will.

python · Jul 5, 2011

I don't own any Medico pipes so I can't really say much about them. Except this; if you choose to get one, do like Romeo said and make sure that it is a briar one. I have never heard anything but bad things about the brylon pipes.
Another way you could go would be to spend a few dollars more and get a Dr. Grabow pipe. IMO they are a much better pipe for around the same price.

schmitzbitz · Jul 5, 2011

I can't speak for the U.S. line of SM Frank made Medico pipes, but I've got a pair of the Italian made Canadian versions in my rotation, and both smoke very well. The one thing I would suggest is looking at the thicker walled pipes (like the Conqueror), the thin wall lines (like the Varsity) get hot fast; not much of a learning curve before you've got briar burning.
As Bob has stated, Dr. Grabow's are also great low-end smokers - I particularly like the Omega line, although the wanna-be P-lip takes some getting used to.

brewshooter · Jul 5, 2011

I have an estate Medico that I purchased from Marty Pulvers and it is a decent pipe. I'll agree with Bob though. I own a couple of new Dr. Grabow pipes and they are both fine pipes.

abecox · Jul 5, 2011

I have one Medico and its a pretty good smoker for the price. Though I'm in the Dr. Grabow camp for inexpensive pipes, I might be willing to try to get a few more Medicos in my rotation. Go with that.

nick001 · Jul 5, 2011

So turns out I ordered an Apollo medico from pipes and cigars. Also got a corn cob. How is the tobacco selection I got? I've red good things about them in here. Well some. Not all. Should I watch out for anything?

cortezattic · Jul 5, 2011

I started out on a Medico briar with a filter. It provided many, many fine smokes. If I still had it,

it would be in my rotation right now. The Dr. Grabow's seem to be equally good entry level pipes too.
As for tobacco, before long you'll be on a never ending quest for that perfect blend, so just keep sampling. :lol:

nick001 · Jul 5, 2011

Oh yea! What's the purpose of a filter? You're not inhaling so... What's the point?

grouchy · Jul 5, 2011

check out "the smoker dot com"

mostly he has alot of estate pipes and a few new ones. i spoke with briefly this morning on phone and felt good about buying something from him.

has decent pictures with a dull lite green back drop so you actually see the pipe and not the reflective shiney glitter you see at other estate dot com's.

bought a stanwell natural estate for $35 and would make a super starter pipe for any one.

anyone else agree? or dissagree? feedback is good advice to take here. tons of life experiences to be able to rely on.

mod, if am out of line sharing this info in this way please let me know...thanks

New here and haven't seen much about medico

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