Getting Back in the Groove: Beginner Questions

[Ferri Pirri]

Hello everyone,

After a 30-year hiatus, I'm thrilled to be back in the world of pipes! It's great to see such a vibrant community here.

I've already picked up a few pipes, and I'm eager to dive back in. I'm definitely looking for some guidance as I get reacquainted with everything.

As I'm getting reacquainted with the world of pipes after 30 years, I'm curious about a few things that have likely changed or evolved.

​

Getting Back in the Groove: Beginner Questions​

• For someone like me, who's practically starting from scratch, what are some of the essential accessories that have become indispensable for pipe smokers today? Back in my day, it was pretty much a tamper and a reamer. What else should I be looking at?
• I've noticed a lot of talk about different pipe materials and finishes beyond the briar I remember. Are there any particular types that are especially forgiving for a beginner, or offer unique advantages I should know about?
• Finally, with so many new blends on the market, what are some of the "must-try" tobaccos that have emerged over the last three decades, especially those that might be a good stepping stone for someone easing back in? Are there any types or brands that have really changed the game?

---

I'm really looking forward to hearing your insights and starting some good discussions. Let the wisdom flow!

 

[fireground_piper]

I would really just go with a pipe shape you really would like to try and some blends/manufacture house that are easy to purchase for your location.

All of the niche stuff I consider extras to play around with once you’ve identified your new baseline.

 

[Briar Lee]

in the last thirty years there have been a huge growth in the sale of two ounce cans of tobacco that cost between $10 and $20. Pike smoking today is much more of an occasional hobby than a clench a pipe all day addiction (except for a few of us die hard old leather tongued addicts).

If the little cab has survived, it’s excellent. There are no bad craft blends.


As for new pipes, there are likely more custom carvers at the craft than ever. Likewise none that survive make bad pipes.

And all factory pipes from Dr Grabow, Peterson, Nording, or Savinelli are good or they’d not sell.

We are in a golden age of pipe smoking.

Enjoy it.

 

[Sig]

Blends that you liked 30 years ago are most likely going to be very different today. Many of the old favorites back then, are made by different companies now....Balkan Sobraine, 3 Nuns, Old Ironsides, Dunhill blends......and countless more.
Syrian Latakia is gone, many of the blenders and blending houses are gone....McClellands is gone, Sutliff snd MacBaren are going.
Ok, now the good news. There are hundreds of fantastic blends that are just as good, or better than the old ones....nostalgia aside.
Cornell & Diehl have hundreds of blends that are affordable and usually in stock, both in tins and many bulk blends. Some people love them, some don't.
Aromatics have become more popular, and many techniques for making them have improved.
GLP, blended by Greg Pease and made by C&D are extremely popular and he has a wide range of blends at good prices.
Peter Stokkebye is still pumping out good blends.
As far as accessories, nothing has really changed....pipe, lighter, tamper...you're good.
Here's something to keep an eye on.
There are now 6 ounce to 1 pound bags of pipe tobacco for very cheap!
But don't be fooled, its RYO cigarette tobacco being called pipe tobacco for tax and regulation reasons.
Ive seen many new pipers fall for this.

 

[Waning Embers]

Back in my day, it was pretty much a tamper and a reamer. What else should I be looking at?

You can still get away with that.

I've noticed a lot of talk about different pipe materials and finishes beyond the briar I remember. Are there any particular types that are especially forgiving for a beginner, or offer unique advantages I should know about?

Corn cobs

Finally, with so many new blends on the market, what are some of the "must-try" tobaccos that have emerged over the last three decades, especially those that might be a good stepping stone for someone easing back in? Are there any types or brands that have really changed the game?

We've actually lost hundreds of blends in just the past few years. Really too subjective to make recommendations to another's palate.

 

[Waning Embers]

But don't be fooled, its RYO cigarette tobacco being called pipe tobacco for tax and regulation reasons.

Not always the case.

https://www.smokingpipes.com/pipe-tobacco/smokers-pride/

https://www.smokingpipes.com/pipe-tobacco/Daughters-Ryan/

 

[dottlejockey]

If you have a local pipe shop that's a great place to start. If not, head to an online vendor (several listed on this site). Grab a couple cobs and a czech pipe tool, pick up a 2oz tin (or some 1oz samples) of burley, virginia, virginia/perique, oriental and/or latakia blends. Find out what direction(s) you're heading, flavor-wise, and then you can see what others like in those respective categories for guidance on future things to try based on those variables. Tastes change along the way, too, so the adventure continues to evolve. If it looks like you're going to stick with it this time around and are enjoying the pipe, add a briar and maybe a meerschaum to the collection and you're off to the races...

Looking forward to hearing how the journey unfolds.

 

[lraisch]

Besides a tamper, reamer, pipe cleaners and a soft flame lighter (or a lot of matches) there's really nothing essential by way of equipment. Mind you this is coming from a guy who has at least a dozen of each of those items!

Savinelli is still my recommendation for a pipe to start with, though there are other brands that are comparable. There are pipes today made of strawberry wood, olive, morta (bog oak), meerschaum, etc.. IMHO meerschaum is a decent alternative but nothing else is as satisfactory as briar.

If you had a favorite tobacco back then, let us know. If it's no longer around maybe someone can recommend an alternative.

 

[Ferri Pirri]

If you have a local pipe shop that's a great place to start. If not, head to an online vendor (several listed on this site). Grab a couple cobs and a czech pipe tool, pick up a 2oz tin (or some 1oz samples) of burley, virginia, virginia/perique, oriental and/or latakia blends. Find out what direction(s) you're heading, flavor-wise, and then you can see what others like in those respective categories for guidance on future things to try based on those variables. Tastes change along the way, too, so the adventure continues to evolve. If it looks like you're going to stick with it this time around and are enjoying the pipe, add a briar and maybe a meerschaum to the collection and you're off to the races...

Looking forward to hearing how the journey unfolds.

Thanks for the fantastic advice! You're absolutely right about the local pipe shop – unfortunately, being in rural Vermont, near Newport and just a few miles from the Canadian border, brick-and-mortar options for dedicated pipe shops are pretty much non-existent. Online vendors are definitely my go-to.

I appreciate the rundown on the different tobacco types to explore. It's good to hear I'm somewhat on the right track already! I have 2 corn cob pipes, and speaking of pipes, I'm glad to report that I've also managed to find some old briar pipes in my dusty stuff.

Which pipe should I start with?
Do I need to smear honey inside bowls of briars?
They are un-smoked old stock pipes.

As for blends, besides the Peterson's Early Morning Pipe , I've also gotten my hands on some Orlik Golden Sliced and Cult Blood Red Moon, but am not sure which one to start with!

Any recommendations here?

It's a whole new world of flavors to rediscover, and I'm looking forward to how my tastes evolve.

Thanks again for the pointers – this journey is already proving to be a lot of fun!

 

[Ferri Pirri]

Blends that you liked 30 years ago are most likely going to be very different today. Many of the old favorites back then, are made by different companies now....Balkan Sobraine, 3 Nuns, Old Ironsides, Dunhill blends......and countless more.
Syrian Latakia is gone, many of the blenders and blending houses are gone....McClellands is gone, Sutliff snd MacBaren are going.
Ok, now the good news. There are hundreds of fantastic blends that are just as good, or better than the old ones....nostalgia aside.
Cornell & Diehl have hundreds of blends that are affordable and usually in stock, both in tins and many bulk blends. Some people love them, some don't.
Aromatics have become more popular, and many techniques for making them have improved.
GLP, blended by Greg Pease and made by C&D are extremely popular and he has a wide range of blends at good prices.
Peter Stokkebye is still pumping out good blends.
As far as accessories, nothing has really changed....pipe, lighter, tamper...you're good.
Here's something to keep an eye on.
There are now 6 ounce to 1 pound bags of pipe tobacco for very cheap!
But don't be fooled, its RYO cigarette tobacco being called pipe tobacco for tax and regulation reasons.
Ive seen many new pipers fall for this.

This is fantastic information – and a bit of a reality check!

Thanks for the heads-up on how much things have shifted in 30 years. It makes perfect sense that blends would evolve or disappear, but it's good to have that confirmed. No wonder my old favorites list needs a serious update!

It sounds like I'm embarking on a whole new adventure, not just revisiting an old one. This forum is already proving to be an invaluable guide!

 

[Ferri Pirri]

in the last thirty years there have been a huge growth in the sale of two ounce cans of tobacco that cost between $10 and $20. Pike smoking today is much more of an occasional hobby than a clench a pipe all day addiction (except for a few of us die hard old leather tongued addicts).

If the little cab has survived, it’s excellent. There are no bad craft blends.


As for new pipes, there are likely more custom carvers at the craft than ever. Likewise none that survive make bad pipes.

And all factory pipes from Dr Grabow, Peterson, Nording, or Savinelli are good or they’d not sell.

We are in a golden age of pipe smoking.

Enjoy it.

You've painted a clear picture of the modern pipe smoking landscape, and I truly appreciate the insights. The shift towards pipe smoking as an occasional enjoyment, reflected in the prevalence and pricing of 2-ounce tins, is a fascinating trend.


It's reassuring to hear my little corn cob pipes are still an excellent choice and that there are no bad craft blends – that's incredibly encouraging for exploring new tobaccos. The rise of custom carvers and the continued reliability of factory brands also points to a vibrant, quality-driven market.

It sounds like we truly are in a golden age of pipe smoking.


This is all incredibly helpful as I get back into the swing of things. Given this "golden age," I'm curious:

• Beyond personal preference, what factors are driving the popularity of craft blends and custom pipes today? Is it a luxury market?
• For someone dipping their toes into this wide world of quality, are there any particularly good entry points for exploring either new craft tobaccos or custom pipes without breaking the bank?

Thank you for this grounded and enthusiastic perspective; it makes the journey ahead all the more inviting.

 

[dottlejockey]

I have 2 corn cob pipes, and speaking of pipes, I'm glad to report that I've also managed to find some old briar pipes in my dusty stuff.

Which pipe should I start with?
Do I need to smear honey inside bowls of briars?
They are un-smoked old stock pipes.

As for blends, besides the Peterson's Early Morning Pipe , I've also gotten my hands on some Orlik Golden Sliced and Cult Blood Red Moon, but am not sure which one to start with!

Any recommendations here?

Nice! Already got enough pipes to do the dirty work then. Nothing holding you back but fear or gravity at this point. Grab the pipe that appeals most to you and stuff it with the tobacco that interests you most. That's always a good place to start. And i would treat an unsmoked pipe pretty much like a used one. Just load it up gently (taking care to not overpack -- looser is always better than tighter) and give it a go.

 

[Sig]

Not always the case.

https://www.smokingpipes.com/pipe-tobacco/smokers-pride/

https://www.smokingpipes.com/pipe-tobacco/Daughters-Ryan/

But usually the case.
I just recieved the P&C catalog.
It has no less than 10 of these RYO brands advertised in a very thin catalog. Not a single mention that its not "real" pipe tobacco. The give away is the Full flavor, Mellow, and Menthol options.
I almost said D&R is an exception, but its very obvious by the branding and packaging that some of their blends go both ways.
But I knew the ONE time I dont say "usually", or "generally" one of you guys would correct me.

 

[Sig]

You've painted a clear picture of the modern pipe smoking landscape, and I truly appreciate the insights. The shift towards pipe smoking as an occasional enjoyment, reflected in the prevalence and pricing of 2-ounce tins, is a fascinating trend.


It's reassuring to hear my little corn cob pipes are still an excellent choice and that there are no bad craft blends – that's incredibly encouraging for exploring new tobaccos. The rise of custom carvers and the continued reliability of factory brands also points to a vibrant, quality-driven market.

It sounds like we truly are in a golden age of pipe smoking.


This is all incredibly helpful as I get back into the swing of things. Given this "golden age," I'm curious:

• Beyond personal preference, what factors are driving the popularity of craft blends and custom pipes today? Is it a luxury market?
• For someone dipping their toes into this wide world of quality, are there any particularly good entry points for exploring either new craft tobaccos or custom pipes without breaking the bank?

Thank you for this grounded and enthusiastic perspective; it makes the journey ahead all the more inviting.

Jean Du Toit and his son Peter from Pietenpauw Pipes are great craftsmen. Their pipes range from $100-$250 or so. Ive got a few, and I've never heard a bad review of their pipes. Look at their gallery, then contact them, they will make it custom for you. They are the least expensive I would personally suggest. You will get a pipe of quality far above the price though.....in my opinion. Here is their site.

Pietenpauw

 

[anotherbob]

Hello everyone,

After a 30-year hiatus, I'm thrilled to be back in the world of pipes! It's great to see such a vibrant community here.

I've already picked up a few pipes, and I'm eager to dive back in. I'm definitely looking for some guidance as I get reacquainted with everything.

As I'm getting reacquainted with the world of pipes after 30 years, I'm curious about a few things that have likely changed or evolved.

​

Getting Back in the Groove: Beginner Questions​

• For someone like me, who's practically starting from scratch, what are some of the essential accessories that have become indispensable for pipe smokers today? Back in my day, it was pretty much a tamper and a reamer. What else should I be looking at?

Lighter or matches.

• I've noticed a lot of talk about different pipe materials and finishes beyond the briar I remember. Are there any particular types that are especially forgiving for a beginner, or offer unique advantages I should know about?

Cobs are beginner friendly. But generally

• Finally, with so many new blends on the market, what are some of the "must-try" tobaccos that have emerged over the last three decades, especially those that might be a good stepping stone for someone easing back in? Are there any types or brands that have really changed the game?

Only for each individual. Like something out there might be that thing for you but otherwise nah it's just tobacco.

---

I'm really looking forward to hearing your insights and starting some good discussions. Let the wisdom flow!

 

[SmokingInTheWind]

Do I need to smear honey inside bowls of briars?

Welcome to the forum. You have a nice set of pipes to start off with. I lived in Underhill, VT and other towns for 16 years so I understand the limited resources you have available.

Skip the honey. Just pack it and smoke it. There is also a debate about if building a layer of cake on the chamber wall is necessary. I am in the no cake crowd. I wipe out the bowl with a wadded up paper towel after every smoke and have never needed to ream a bowl. It’s a debatable subject that you can research on this forum and make up your own mind.

 

[Sobrbiker]

But don't be fooled, its RYO cigarette tobacco being called pipe tobacco for tax and regulation reasons.
Ive seen many new pipers fall for this.

then again, if you like a shag cut Daughters and Ryan (or now, 2Daughters) have solid pipe fodder for a great price.

 

[Ferri Pirri]

Welcome to the forum. You have a nice set of pipes to start off with. I lived in Underhill, VT and other towns for 16 years so I understand the limited resources you have available.

Skip the honey. Just pack it and smoke it. There is also a debate about if building a layer of cake on the chamber wall is necessary. I am in the no cake crowd. I wipe out the bowl with a wadded up paper towel after every smoke and have never needed to ream a bowl. It’s a debatable subject that you can research on this forum and make up your own mind.

Thanks for the clear advice! I appreciate you cutting straight to the chase and telling me to skip the honey—that certainly simplifies things.

Your point about cake not being necessary and even potentially undesirable is a revelation. The logic about wiping out the bowl after every smoke to avoid reaming makes perfect sense from a maintenance perspective. I can see how a heavy cake could potentially interfere with the wood's breathing or even impact the taste over time, not to mention the extra work it creates. I'll definitely be trying your method and doing some more research on the "no cake" debate here on the forum.

Thanks again for the concise and practical guidance!

 

[Waning Embers]

I just recieved the P&C catalog.

That's not saying much.

Not a single mention that its not "real" pipe tobacco.

Really not much difference between the two excluding cut of tobacco. Even some blends touted as pipe tobacco that are shag cut can be used as RYO. On the other hand, even flakes and plug cuts can be processed into RYO.

 

[WVOldFart]

Keep in mind that many of the Codgers blends (Half & Half, Prince Albert, Velvet etc.) were originally pipe and cigarette tobacco.