Any Suggestions For New Pipe Smoker?

[oldtoby]

Cue Twilight Zone music. lol

 

[smokedank]

I was just able to score a sealed 2016 100g tin of marlin flake off ebay for 30$ shipped.

 

[smokedank]

The 2 neerup pipes I have, which are gorgeous, will absolutely not pass a pipe cleaner. I have tried many times and they are both too slender a hole for the pipe cleaner to pass through. Any suggestions?

I cant find a picture of the churchwarden, but will post one when I get home from work.

 

[smokedank]

Some of my nicer pipes, then a picture of all my pipes. 3 bjarne viking, 2 peterson, 2 neerup, 5 savinelli, 1 nording, 1 chocom, and 1 unknown. And some MM seconds I got a couple weeks ago.

Couple of interesting ones in there. One is a savinelli moka. One is a peterson emerald discontinued in 2003. One is a nording hunter woodcock from 2008.

 

[Ctbill]

I think a new pipe smoker should smoke through an entire tin of Va tobacco without changing blends, then move on to a VaPer, then a Vabur, then a tin of Burley dominated, then Latakia. This helped me truly understand the differences. After you understand and can taste the nuances, mix it up from bowl to bowl if you want variety.

This is excellent advice.
I happened to get similar advice when exploring the wonderful worlds of Scotch, Bourbon, and Irish Whisk(e)ys. Pick a bottle, and finish it (eventually) and make a note of what I liked and did not like. Unfortunately, I started smoking pipes way sooner, and did not follow this path, so I’ve been going about it more haphazardly. Which has still been fun and enjoyable!

OP - you have apparently jumped in immediately with both feet! Enjoy the journey, and have fun!