$30 budget

[travelergypsy]

So I have a $30 a month budget, from my wife, to work with. So far I have one MM pipe, and another on the way, for a total of two pipes. I have yet to determine my favorite blends. I do know I like 1Q, C&D Autumn Evening and Codial.

I know this is largely a personal choice... but what would be the best use of my funds? I want to try new blends, but there are so many out there, I feel overwhelmed. My plan is to order a small MM with ever shipment until I get a good rotation. (I do like the way the cob smokes)

 

[rhoadsie]

Are you buying online or at a B&M? If the former, save and spend 3-4 months "allowance" at one time to avoid paying shipping fees. That would be approximately 10 tins or much more small bulk samples. You could then try various VAs, VaPers, English, etc.

 

[prairiedruid]

For the month of July Pipes and Cigars run a special with 15% off MM cobs so that might be something you want to consider. Peter Stokkebye has some nice bulk blends with quite a bit of variety at a low cost per ounce. Since you're just starting out buying an ounce or 2 of several blends can be a cheaper way to find the types of blends you like.

 

[travelergypsy]

Online. I wish i could support a B&M more, but an hour and a half round trip, and 8 an oz, I can't make my 30 bucks go very far.

 

[travelergypsy]

For the month of July Pipes and Cigars run a special with 15% off MM cobs so that might be something you want to consider.
I turn 21 in August, so I can't buy from P&C. Wish I could though.

 

[mso489]

Your two cobs will carry you far, allow you to dry out one for a day and smoke the other. So you're good with that, buying another few as time goes on. For tobacco, your key is buying bulk. Until you have smoked quite a while and many blends, I'd buy small quantities. You can save money buying larger amounts, but you may not like, or continue to like particular blends, no matter how much you like them the first week or month. I know people argue both ways, but I wouldn't try to save by spending enough to get free shipping; this usually means spending quite a lot at once and doesn't promote careful research and smaller quantities and wider sampling, in my opinion. If you select the lowest postal rate, and wait a day or two longer for your order, the shipping of five two ounce bags of bulk tobacco is not so much. Once you get the bulk tobacco, store it in canning jars, latch or screw top, to age or simply to sustain freshness. Thirty dollars is a spare budget, but you can do a lot of enjoyment on a few bucks, and it will focus your efforts and make you more careful about how you select what you try. Consider it an adventure. It may turn out to be more engaging than simply blowing a bunch of dough on pipes and fine blends without much thought. Keep us posted. It sounds like an interesting approach.

 

[johnbarleycorn]

I don't know if you like Virginia or VaPer blends but I would definitely recommend PS luxury navy flake. Not only is it the least expensive blend I smoke it is also my favorite "go to" blend in my small cellar. If I could only keep one tobacco that would probably be it.

 

[stoker]

$30 a month can go a long way in bulk. Taking advantage of deals and free shipping (either special offers or save a few months) can help as well. In no time you can have nice rotation and then your problem will be figuring out what you want to smoke out of your cellar.

 

[danhester]

People have mentioned the Peter Stokkebye blends and that's a great place to explore. They have something for everyone, and they're quite affordable. When you turn 21, I would also recommend the Hearth & Home Signature line from P&C. Russ is an excellent blender and it's hard to beat the bang for your buck there. I would make a point of trying as many things as possible, from many different styles, but ultimately, smoke what you like.

 

[sladeburns]

Slightly more at $34.95 but P&C's Build Your Own Tin Sampler has some great choices. I just got 4 tins from MacBarens HH line plus the 15% off deal covered shipping. Something to look forward to in a couple months.

 

[hawky454]

Since you already know you like some aromatics, I would suggest you stick close to that genre but try something a little different and try something that actually tastes like what is smells like in the tin, like: Cult Blood Red Moon. I also suggest something to get you into the English genre like a crossover: Sillem's Black or something like Frog Morton Cellar. Like Mso said, those two cobs will last you a while, I wouldn't worry about stocking up on more pipes until you are sure you are passionate about pipe smoking.
Cheers and good luck to ya.

 

[jvnshr]

If you have a very limited budget, contact mcitinner1. You can buy as little as 1 oz and try new blends. For $30 I guess you can buy at least 10 different blends including shipping. He will be more than happy to help you. I will pm his email address to you.

 

[drunkblowhard]

At 30 bucks a month, sink that dough into tobacco. Two cobs to rotate will treat you well for a long time. If you want to branch out past aros, PS Luxury Twist Flake might be a fun first step. The flakes are silly beautiful just to stare at and ponder. The tobacco is pretty forgiving regardless of how you prepare and smoke it, and it is topped with something delicious (amaretto?) that doesn't overpower the rest of what's going on. I think it's a great bridge between aros and non aros. I am one of the few weirdos here who smokes both styles regularly, and that tobacco is a mainstay for me.
Good luck and happy smoking!

 

[beezer]

If I were you I would pool that $30/month and wait until the next 20% off at Pipes & Cigars (P&C) then I would put that discount towards subscription to P&C's Pipe Tobacco of the Month Club. I started it back in March and I find it perfect for those interested in trying new blends to see what you like.
Here's the description of the one I'm a member of:
DELUXE $19.95

(1) tin of non-aromatic pipe tobacco

(1) tin of aromatic pipe tobacco

(1) 2 oz. non-aromatic bulk pipe tobacco

(1) 2 oz. aromatic bulk pipe tobacco

(1) corn cob pipe

(1) newsletter with club member promotions

FREE Shipping

* $19.95 (plus $5.00 handling and setup fee for the first month only)
They have other options as well here.

 

[judcole]

My plan is to order a small MM with ever shipment

You might want to try a couple of larger ones, simply because your blends are going to taste different in larger bowls. Try a Country Gent or a Mark Twain.

 

[masterblaze]

Mmm would you consider a cleaned second hander?

 

[pitchfork]

There's no right or wrong answer here. Just have fun with it. If it sounds good or interesting, have a go.
Even though the range of choice is truly overwhelming, don't think in terms of trying everything or covering all the options, because half the fun of being a newbie is in exploring different blends and trying them out.
If you can order from smokingpipes.com, you can buy bulk blends from Cornell and Diehl, McClelland, Sutliff and others, 1 oz at a time. For 30 bucks, you could try 7 or 8 different blends each month, which is probably more than you'd actually want.

 

[newbroom]

The best MM is the nekked Pride. Less than $5.00 for 1st quality.

A bag' o seconds yields a variety of shapes and 10 smokeable cobs for just above your monthly allowance.

Your tobacco 'tastes' will change. Everyone has their own path, but most will say that they do migrate as they try new flavors and genres.

Once you've learned appreciate the process your choices can be more 'targeted'.

Quality bulk tobacco can save you money.

For me, saving money is kind of funny, because if it were the objective, I'd quit altogether and save it all.

I've abstained from tobacco for many years at a time, several times, only to return in times of stress.

Now, that I've found pipes and pipe tobacco, the sense of urgency to abstain has all but evaporated.

Pipe smoking, rather than cigarette smoking, makes sense, and is much more sensible and sensory.

 

[travelergypsy]

[/quote]Mmm would you consider a cleaned second hander?[/quote]
Masterblaze: at this point I would consider any and all. Haha.I'm lovin the pipe. That much I can say.

 

[danhester]

I agree with others that buying bulk is most cost-effective, and really you can find plenty of winners in all genres available in bulk, BUT....
If you see something you really want to try, and it's only available tinned, you should grab it. I'd say that ~60-70% of my rotation consists of bulk blends, but some of my favorites come in tins. Never buying tins means missing out on some spectacular blends and blenders.