A Few Beginner Questions.

[daxp]

I found an older pipe in my house (Ascorti Christmas Special 1989) and decided to start smoking. It's already got some cake, but a very little amount. I've asked the only friend I know who smokes about cleaning it, and we just cleaned it with some pipe cleaners but did not remove any of the cake. Should I do anything else with it? If it helps, it's a briar pipe.
I'm also wondering if I should get a second pipe. I think I'd rather spend my money on tobacco, but would still like some recommendation.
And lastly, I want some new tobaccos. Would it be best to get more bulk blends from my local store, some tins (online or in the store), or to get a sampler pack from the sampler topic? So far I've tried two of the bulk brands, Yorkshire and Brookwood if they're not store blends, and they've been alright. Smell really great, not a whole lot of taste, and kinda moist. I still like them, but I want to branch out.
Edit: Oh! And the pipe came in a leather case. It has two pouches, one for the pipe and one for (I'm guessing) tobacco. Is it alright to just keep the pipe in the case all the time? It comfortably fits the pipe, several pipe cleaners, my two bags of tobacco, lighter, tamp, and a small match case. I guess if I found a tinned tobacco that I really liked I would empty it into the pouch and not keep anything else with it. Will it harm the tobacco/pipe to be in the case all the time?

 

[tjameson]

You can leave the pipe as is an smoke it. If you want to remove the cake you can get a reamer for pretty cheap but if its just a thin cake I wouldn't bother. You can clean and sanitize with high proof alcohol like Everclear. Also you can use salt (Kosher/large grain) or Cottonballs an alcohol to clean out any funky ghosts in the bowl.

As far as tobacco goes I'd recommend picking up a sampler or two from one of this site's sponsors. It's really a great way to get started. Also if you want to add another pipe just to let the other one rest definitely consider picking up a Missouri Meerschaum Corncob or a Dr. Grabow to inexpensivly up your rotation.

If you have anymore questions feel free to ask you'll find lots of great info here and probably make friends along the way. Nice pipe and welcome to the forums!

 

[judcole]

It sounds like you are off to a good start.

I'd second the sampler idea. Work with one of our sponsor sites - call 'em on the phone and talk to them. They can guide you.

As to another pipe - it depends on how often you are smoking. If you only smoke two or three bowls a week, you are fine with just one. If you are smoking more, I would suggest a cob over a Dr. Grabow, personally, but I would also give out my standard advice: Smoke the best pipes and tobacco you can afford. You will get more out of the hobby that way.
Welcome to the forum, and enjoy the journey.

 

[pruss]

Great advice above from tjameson and jud.
Welcome to the forum!
-- Pat

 

[mlyvers]

Welcome. The guys have given you good advice. Some Dr.Grabows smoke good Corncobs smoke very good. Good luck.
Mike.

 

[ssjones]

Welcome and congrats on the pipe find.

Case: I'd let the pipe dry out of the case after smoking, a day or so, but storing it in the case will be fine. I use a ziploc in that kind of tobacco/pipe pouch so I can switch blends.

You might want to try some sampler packs, to learn what blend types you favor.

Where are you from?

 

[jah76]

Welcome aboard!
I'd second the notion of a Missouri Meerschuam corn cob. You can pick one up for 5 bucks and spend more money on tobaccos until you dial in what you like.

 

[daxp]

Alright, I think I'm gonna order one of the Missouri Meerschaum Cobs. Maybe two, since they're so cheap.
Along with that I'm gonna look around at the sponsors and order a sample pack, maybe two.
I think I'm just gonna leave the cake on there. It's very, very thin, so I don't see a point in taking it out. I also don't detect any ghosts. I'm pretty sure the pipe was smoked very little before I found it.
Thanks for the welcome and advice everyone! Oh, and I'm in Alabama.

 

[boudreaux]

Have fun in here, daxp, and ask all the questions you want. Loads of very knowledgeable folks in here and they won't steer you wrong.

 

[loneredtree]

A hearty welcome to the PM Forum. Do a search or the Forum for "cheat sheet" for a good summary of starting advice.

It in the first on the list.

Happy puffing!

 

[tarak]

Heck of a find "laying around". Ascorti Christmas pipe, leather pipe pouch. Nice!

 

[mso489]

Wow, not a bad discovery, a special occasion Ascorti hanging around the house! Maybe I'm much

more interested in house cleaning than I thought! Any idea about the origins of this pipe? Is this

a rental place or the possession of some ancestor? This is a really nice pipe, so I would only ream it

with the assistance of an experienced pipe person. You could damage it trying to do it yourself with

no experience. You are lucky to start with such a fine pipe, so take good care of it. I would get at

least one or two Missouri Meerschaum corn cob pipes for rotation, even if you only smoke a little.

Again, this is out of consideration for the fine briar pipe you have. You might want to get one each

of a filtered and unfiltered cob. Get cobs with a medium size bowls, like a patriot or diplomat. I think

the Missou is too small to learn to smoke. Get some good, but not too strong tobacco, either

aromatic or mild English blend. Most beginners like aromatics best to start. Finding this great pipe

is an omen that you have a many good experiences with pipe smoking ahead. Now, pardon me, I

think I'll straighten up the house a little. Hmmm.

 

[daxp]

The cake isn't even close to a dime's thickness. I'm just going to leave it for now.
I have read the cheat sheet, it has been very helpful! Thanks!
And I know, I couldn't believe it when I found it. After some poking around, it turns out it was my grandfather's pipe. It was found in my grandparents/my house. Very, very lucky, and I plan to take the best care of it that I can!
So on that note, definitely not going to try to ream it based on mso489's advice.
I think I've mostly decided on what I'm going to order. I think I'm going to go with a Missouri Meerschaum Legend (or maybe patriot/diplomat, still a little undecided) and order the grab bag. Told my pipe friend about the grab bag, and we're going to split the cost and pipes, with me getting first dibs since he can't pay me back yet. As for tobacco I think I'm going to order the 6 tin sampler from Pipes and Cigars / Hearth and Home. I think I'm mostly going to try out Virginias and English blends, mostly milder but maybe one or two stronger blends. Already have some aromatics, so this will really let me branch out, with a nice starting collection of pipes and a variety of tobacco! Really looking forward to it!

 

[allan]

Daxp
Welcome to the forum
Great advice already given, especially about hanging around the forum. Amazing tidbits of info given on a daily basis.
In choosing tobacco, there is no right or wrong. In your tries with samplers (probably the best way) you may find that what you love today may completely change in a few months
Good luck and enjoy the journey

 

[philip]

If you are going to get a cob or two, here's a good article to read:
The Complete Corncob Primer

 

[judcole]

Sounds like you are off and running, daxp. Enjoy.